Mitsubishi WD390U-EST
Summary
The WD390U is one of Mitsubishi Electric’s ‘Cloud’ projectors, firmly aimed at the education sector, with two key innovations. One is short-throw projection that makes it useable in small spaces and the other is ‘thin-client’ connectivity, capable of taking inputs from a local server, the internet or Cloud services. Additionally, thin-client allows presenters to use a mobile device such as a tablet or a smartphone to access the projector. The WD390U is exceptionally quiet and can also project JPEG images direct from a USB memory stick.
Functionality:
- WXGA (1280×800) ultra short throw projection can display a 250 cm diagonal image from about 75 cm away.
- Light output rated at 2800 lumens maximum but actually delivers more than 3000 lm in full power Presentation mode (best for monochrome images).
- Blackboard and Whiteboard modes tailor image for projection on ‘makeshift’ surfaces
- Audio mix capability allows a teacher to use a wireless microphone to create amplified real-time voice over audio track.
- ‘Thin client” technology uses Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to log in to your server account to access all of your files and share them direct from the projector.
- WiFiDoc ‘cloud’ projection allows presentations direct from smartphones and tablets.
- Inbuilt 10W speaker can be used to play blended audio sources, such as original audio track and presenter’s voice and can also be used with projector powered off.
User-friendliness
- Lack of external mirror means light path is sealed away from dust, scratches, and accidental knocks.
- WD390U-EST is easy to set up to produce a level picture that’s sharp and clear right to the corners.
- Very low 33 dB fan noise.
- Loosely mounted focus lever makes fine adjustment tricky.
- Cluttered and poorly designed remote not intuitive in use.
Mobility and flexibility
- Stand alone projection capabilities mean easier set up and less need for IT support.
- Mild upward throw angle offset of 12 per cent makes projector usable with wall mount or cart, rather than ceiling mount.
- Ultra short throw capability allows teacher to stand near projected image without casting a shadow.
Costs
- No lamp to wear out. Laser/LED light unit has five year minimum life.
- Sealed light path with no external mirror makes unit less vulnerable to damage.
- Standard lamp life is 3,000 hours, extended to 6,000 hours in Low lamp mode.
- No air filters to clean or replace.
- Standby mode power consumption rating of less than 1 watt/hour.
- Warranty: Three years including express replacement; 5 yrs on light source.
Technical Specifications and price
- Type: DLP Laser/LED Projector.
- Resolution: 1280 x 800.
- Projection screen size: 178-457cm.
- Projection Range: 0.6-1.6m.
- Brightness: 3000 ANSI lumens.
- Image Contrast Ratio: 3000:1
- Keystone correction: 12% vertical.
- Audio output: 10W mono.
- Video Standards: NTSC / NTSC 4.43 / PAL.
- Video inputs: HDMI,) 15 pin D-Sub, S-Video, RS-232 (Serial), USB, LAN RJ45, WLAN.
- Audio input/output: 3.5mm mini jack
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 33 cm x 26 cm x 11 cm
- Weight (projector only): 4.1 Kg
RRP: From £701 (exc. VAT)
Verdict: Radical ‘cloud’ projector is revolutionary but fiddly to operate.
Five Star Rating: 3.5 stars
