What We Have Covered
Sharp NEC PA1705UL 3LCD Laser Projector Review
Our Verdict
The Sharp NEC PA1705UL 3LCD Laser Projector is an exceptionally powerful projector designed for large venues, delivering outstanding brightness and image quality while maintaining a low-maintenance design. With its impressive 16,000 ANSI lumens output and excellent color fidelity, it’s an ideal choice for conference rooms, lecture halls, and houses of worship looking to engage audiences with vivid visuals.
Overview
Design & Build Quality
The Sharp NEC PA1705UL boasts a robust and professional design geared towards easy installation and long-term reliability. Weighing in at 64 pounds and measuring 9.5 x 23.6 x 19.3 inches, it is slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor but retains a compact footprint suitable for various auditorium settings.
Constructed from high-quality materials, the projector features a sealed optical box design, effectively minimizing dust intrusion and reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
The projector can be installed in any orientation, including sideways for portrait mode, thanks to its four adjustable feet and six threaded attachment points. This thoughtful build quality simplifies setup while ensuring stability during operation.
Pros
- Exceptional brightness of 16,000 ANSI lumens for vivid presentations.
- Minimal maintenance required due to sealed optical design.
- Multiple lens options with motorized focus and zoom for versatile installation.
- High image fidelity with 3LCD technology, delivering equal white and color brightness.
- Robust connectivity options including HDBaseT for video streaming.
- Excellent warranty covering five years or 20,000 hours of use.
- Flexible lens shift and keystone correction for easy image alignment.
- Quiet operational modes suited for larger venues.
Cons
- Higher weight may require multiple individuals for installation.
- Limited to WUXGA resolution compared to competitors offering 4K enhancement.
- Fan noise can be considerable, necessitating careful placement in the venue.
- Current lens availability is limited to three options with additional planned.
- No built-in Wi-Fi for direct network connectivity.
- Configuration complexity may require a learning curve for new users.
- No HDMI video-out for secondary displays or lectern screens.
- The image tends to exhibit a bluish tint in some modes.
Performance & Features
The Sharp NEC PA1705UL shines in its performance capabilities, designed specifically for large venues where brightness is paramount. With a robust output of 16,000 ANSI lumens, it effortlessly illuminates vast spaces such as auditoriums and lecture halls, easily outperforming its predecessor.
The projector’s sophisticated technology balances equal white and color brightness, supporting vibrant visuals without the color fading common in many single-chip projectors. This feature, combined with its WUXGA resolution of 1920×1200 pixels, ensures sharp image quality that captivates audiences.
Equipped with powerful new laser elements, the projector leverages a remarkable crossflow ventilation pattern to manage heat, allowing continuous, high-performance operation.
Its design minimizes maintenance needs, as the device is equipped with a sealed optical path that renders dust filters unnecessary. Users will primarily need to keep the intake vents clear, further simplifying upkeep. The PA1705UL’s typical power consumption at peak performance reaches 1,019 watts, but it offers multiple modes to manage energy use effectively.
When it comes to lens options, the PA1705UL currently supports three selections, each featuring powered focus and zoom capabilities. The versatility of the throw distance allows for diverse installation scenarios, whether short throw or ultra-long throw setups are needed.
The motorized lens shift functionality enhances installation flexibility, enabling adjustments of up to 66% vertically and 25% horizontally, which is crucial in larger venues where precise image alignment is essential. Additionally, keystone adjustments correct for up to 40-degree angles, ensuring an accurate and professional presentation.
Connectivity is another strong suite of the PA1705UL, featuring dual HDMI 2.0 inputs and a 3G SDI input. It also includes HDBaseT ports for transmitting uncompressed video and control signals over CAT cables, streamlining setup for complex AV systems.
The absence of HDMI video-out might be a setback for some users looking to connect to multiple screens, but the projector’s ability to blend images and warp them works well for those seeking advanced presentation capabilities, allowing for seamless integration with existing AV infrastructures.
Video conferencing setups benefit from capabilities like picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture formats, enhancing interactive learning and collaborative environments.
Operating the PA1705UL is intuitive, with a straightforward on-screen menu and easy navigation via the included remote control or a connected USB mouse. Its fast startup time of approximately 20 seconds to a displayed image ensures quick transitions between presentations. Various picture modes accommodate different content types, from high-bright settings for intense lighting conditions to more color-accurate modes suitable for image representation, making this projector a versatile solution for diverse presentation needs.
Final Verdict
In summary, the Sharp NEC PA1705UL 3LCD Laser Projector stands out as a formidable option for anyone needing high brightness and excellent image quality for large-scale presentations. It excels in delivering vivid visuals, backed by a reliable warranty and minimal maintenance requirements.
Despite some limitations regarding lens options and potential noise levels, its operational features and connectivity versatility make it a strong contender among competitors in the same category. Overall, this projector is highly recommended for educational institutions, large businesses, and houses of worship that seek to make an impression with their audio-visual capabilities.
With ongoing support for lens expansion and evolving technology, the PA1705UL floor model assures long-term performance that easily meets and exceeds user expectations.
