Summary:
With its low price, reasonable weight and relatively
powerful imaging system, the Toshiba TDP-SW80U is a good entry point
into the world of wireless projection.
Target Users:
Corporate presenters, educational presenters, AV professionals, AV installers
What It Costs You:
$1,499 MSRP
What’s Cool:
Compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g standards, brightness rated at 2000 ANSI lumens, 2000:1 contrast ratio, separate VGA output
What’s Missing:
Broad support for other manufacturers’ 802.11g cards
RATINGS: Products are rated for features, performance, ease of use and overall value on a scale from LAME, OK, SOLID, SWEET to HOT.
Specs
Brightness: 2000 ANSI lumens Contrast Ratio: 2000:1 Native Resolution: SVGA (800 x 600) Wireless Technology: PC card slot for 802.11b or 802.11g LAN card Noise Level: 35dB Digital Keystone Adjustment: + or - 15 degrees Projection Lens: 1.2x manual zoom/manual focus Dimensions: 11.7 x 10.8 x 4.0 inches Weight: 6.4 pounds
Web site: www.toshibadirect.com
Wireless video projection? Seems like it’s always just around the
corner, or too expensive for mere mortals. Fortunately, two trends are
making this a real possibility. Prices have fallen dramatically for
projectors with a brightness rating of 2000 ANSI lumens, which is the
minimum needed to withstand moderate amounts of ambient light. And
low-cost wireless LAN adapters have smoothed the transition from the 11
Mbps throughput of the 802.11b standard to the 54 Mbps throughput of
the 802.11g standard. In theory, you can now send video from your
computer to your projector without a physical connection.
As a result, we’re starting to see inexpensive projectors that accept
802.11g cards, just as we’re seeing new notebook computers equipped
with built-in 802.11g capabilities. It’s a good match for video
professionals because video playback requires speeds fast enough to
support a steady flow of frames. Dropped frames are unacceptable, so
it’s essential there’s enough headroom to handle any errors or pauses
in transmission. Otherwise, you’ll have to reduce the size of the video
window, which reduces the impact on the viewer.
Toshiba’s wireless-equipped TDP-SW80U projector doesn’t have
spectacular specifications. It does, however, offer a good mix of
features for a modest $1,499 street price. The 2000 ANSI lumen
DLP-based projection engine isn’t that unusual given the projector’s
6.4-pound weight. And its SVGA resolution, which is more than
sufficient for handling NTSC video, helps Toshiba keep the price down.
A second model (the $1,299 TDP-S80) is available without the wireless
features.
The TDP-SW80U ships with an 802.11b PC card, though the manual states
the projector is compatible with 802.11g. The manual also indicates
that only a Toshiba brand (or Toshiba recommended) wireless LAN PC card
will work in the projector’s PC card slot. I couldn’t find an 802.11g
card that would work in the projector—a pretty big problem, actually—so
I was unable to test its video at the higher speeds. The supplied
802.11b card performed as expected. I was able to successfully send a
PowerPoint presentation with a 30-fps video clip in a 160 x 120 pixel
window without dropping frames. With a 802.11g card, you should be able
to increase the size of the video window, but don’t count on being able
to transmit standard-definition video.
Channel Surfing
Configuring the projector for wireless transmissions is relatively
straightforward. The projector menus let you designate a channel for
WiFi communications, toggle encryption on and off and select whether
the projector can be controlled by your computer. You can also specify
an e-mail address for error notification, such as a blown lamp. It’s
good to see e-mail notification working its way down to less expensive
wireless projectors, which you might mount on the ceiling for an
unobstructed view of the screen or for a reduction in the noise
generated by the projector’s cooling system. With this model, noise
wasn’t an issue. At 35dB, the TDP-SW80U is reasonably quiet for a
low-cost projector.
In most respects, the TDP-SW80U is thoughtfully designed and well
constructed. The outer casing feels sturdy enough to withstand minor
bumps and drops. At 11.7 x 10.8 x 4.0 inches, it’s somewhat box-like
and bulky. The controls are recessed into the top of the unit, which
offers some protection when traveling. That’s mitigated by the eject
lever for the PC card slot, which protrudes from the back of the
projector. If you leave the slot vacant, the lever won’t stick out as
much, but you’ll have a gaping hole for dust and dirt to enter.
The manual zoom lens has a limited 1.2x range. With focus variations,
that works out to a projection distance of 3.9 feet to 32.8 feet. When
combined with the digital keystone adjustment of plus or minus 15
degrees, that gave me ample flexibility for positioning the projector.
There’s also a separate VGA output you could use to feed a small
monitor if and when the presenter faces the audience instead of the
projection screen.
Toshiba claims its new Natural Color Enhancer color-correction
circuitry produces sharper images with superior color saturation. In
addition, the TDP-SW80U’s DLP chipset sports an impressive 2000:1
contrast ratio. I found the projected images to be unusually sharp
throughout the various lens settings; the colors were also well
saturated, even to the point of being slightly unrealistic. If you
prefer your projected video to be a bit richer than normal, you’ll love
the default settings. If you prefer more natural hues, you’ll want to
tone down the colors a bit.
In an ideal world, every projector would offer the best in portability,
power and price. In the real world, we have to settle for a compromise
across the three variables. Toshiba’s TDP-SW80U is relatively powerful
for its price and weight. It’s a good pick if you’re shopping for a
wireless projector on a tight budget.
Smart Advice
With an 802.11g card, you should be able to increase the size of the video window, but don't count on being able to transmit standard-definition video.
The projector menus let you you designate a channel for WiFi communications, toggle encryption on and off and select whether the projector can be controlled by your computer.
Control Panel: You could set up your e-mail address for notification of a system error, such as a non-functioning lamp.
PC Card Slot: Use the back-mounted expansion slot to add an 802.11b or 802.11g wireless LAN card. Or add a flash-based PC card for playing back stored presentations.
35dB Noise Level: That’s reasonably quiet. To reduce it even more, you could mount the projector on the ceiling and wirelessly stream your content.
2000 ANSI Lumens: That’s the bare minimum needed if you want the projected image to stand up against a modest amount of ambient light.
The controls are recessed into the top of the
unit, which offers some protection when traveling. But that’s mitigated
by the eject lever for the PC card slot, which protrudes from the back
of the projector.
We’re starting to see inexpensive
projectors that accept 802.11g cards, just as we’re seeing new notebook
computers equipped with built-in 802.11g capabilities.
