Projector Purchasing Standards: Classrooms and Conference Rooms

May 2017

The projectors referenced below work well in the most common classrooms that seat about 30 students.  A large auditorium or a small conference room will need different projectors and screens than the typical projectors outlined in this specification.

Brightness

Projectors rated at 3,500 lumens or brighter are bright enough for clear display in typical classrooms. These rooms are typically used with fluorescent lights on and the window blinds open.

Resolution

  • WXGA (1280 x 800) or better
  • native 16:10 aspect ratio
  • support scalable Video Standards
    • Analog: NTSC / NTSC4.43 / PAL / M-PAL / N-PAL / PAL60 / SECAM
    • HDMI: 480i / 576i / 480p / 576p / 720p / 1080i / 1080p

Recommended Models

  1. Epson 1940W
    • WXGA (1280 x 800)
    • 4,200 lumen
    • HDMI and analog connections
    • most recently priced by vendor at $1,012.50
    • https://epson.com/For-Work/Projectors/Meeting-Room/PowerLite-1940W-WXGA-3LCD-Projector/p/V11H474020
    • The standard projector lens that comes installed in this model works with the most common main campus mount pipe location which is 14’ from a DaLite  brand 36465 matte white model B screen.  The projector is mounted to a 1 ½” Diameter NPT Threaded Pipe installed by NIU carpenters.  A Chief brand model RPAU universal projector mount is installed by DoIT who attaches it to the pipe.
  2. Panasonic PT-FW530
    • WXGA (1280 x 800)
    • 3500 lumen
    • HDMI and analog connections
    • capable of wireless projection with additional module recently priced by a vendor at $2,450.00
    • http://panasonic.net/avc/projector/products/fw430/specifications.html
    • The standard projector lens that comes installed in this model works with the most common Hoffman Estates projector locations which are most typically 12.6’ from a screen.  The projector is mounted with a locking universal projector mount.

Vendor Support

Technicians in the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) are certified to repair Epson products without voided the extended warranties. Moreover, NIU has reduced parts pricing for repairs that DoIT performs after the warranty has expired. Other local vendors with reasonable service, on-time delivery and competitive pricing include:

  • CDW-G
  • Fathom Media 
  • Fox River Graphics
  • Midwest Computer Products, Inc.
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