Sharp’s new DLP BrilliantColor PG-D4010X and PG-D3750W projectors are certainly among the highest brightness single-lamp DLP projectors currently on the market.  At 4000 and 3700 ANSI Lumens respectively, and specified 2200:1 contrast ratio, these projectors are high-end alternatives to the sub-$1000 projectors that many universities and K-12 institutions use – and shouldn’t.  These sub-$1000 projectors are ok for portable environments, but for installs, they just don’t cut it.

For a true 16:10 widescreen presentation (or native 720p HD), the PG-D3750W offers Wide XGA (WXGA) resolution (1280 x 800) and the PG-D4010X provides XGA native resolution (1024×768).  In addition to being bright, one unique feature of both projectors is that they don’t have a changeable filter and Sharp says this leads to less maintenance, resulting in lower cost of ownership and longer use.  A low power so-called “eco” mode extends the projectors’ lamp life up to approximately 3000 hours and reduces fan noise (30dB) — considered very quiet for that brightness level in a DLP projector.

The PG-D4010X includes a DVI-I analog/digital source with HDCP compliance while the PG-D3750W includes an HDMI connection with CEC function for seamless control of HD video equipment connected via the HDMI terminal.  Both models also have a plethora of other inputs including RGB and component inputs, S-video, composite video, as well as an RS-232C port, a USB input for mouse control and integrated network-control via Ethernet.

---

As mentioned in this month’s column, I don’t have as much day to day involvement with repair/maintenance issues.  That said, the non-changeable filter catches my attention for ensuring such a unit is applied to the right setting(s).
–GB