The best
word I can use to describe BOXLIGHT’s ProjectoWrite2 is “empowering.” It is
empowering in the sense that you can manage your demo or presentation and still
face your audience at the screen.It
empowers you because when using the ProjectoWrite2, you can browse a website
and perform web based training without being tethered to your laptop or
computer.It is also addicting because
after using the BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2, it’ll be difficult to give up this
functionality when using other projectors.
What is especially empowering and addicting
about the ProjectoWrite2 is the “LightPen.” The LightPen and Pointer (figure a)
are proprietary to BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 and after a couple minutes of
calibrating, they allow the user to take over the mouse function at the
screen.“At the screen” is key. The
ProjectoWrite2 also comes with LightPen software that provides some basic
annotation and screen capture features that will re-highlight your key points
and allow you to save them during your presentation.
The
ProjectoWrite2 is truly a one of a kind projector.It’s a bright XGA projector with interactive
whiteboard functionality built into it.And if you’ve ever used an interactive whiteboard, you’re familiar with
the long process of setting up this device.The BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 sets up in a fraction of the time and since
it weighs in at around 7 lbs, the ProjectoWrite2 can easily take this functionality
on the road.
Specifications
ANSI lumens:3000 in Standard Mode, 1950 in Economy Mode
Contrast:500:1
Light Engine:1024 x 768, native 4:3, .63” LCD x 3, with 230 watt UHP lamp.
Video Compatibility:Up to 1080i/60.
Connection Panel:Inputs: 1 x VGA, DVI-I, Component Video, S-video, Composite Video, 2 x
Audio Inputs (3.5mm) and 1 x L/R Audio Input; Outputs:1 x VGA, 1 x Audio Output (3.5mm)
Warranty:3yrs Parts/Labor, 90-day lamp warranty. 24/7 Complimentary Tech Support
ProjectoWrite2 and LightPen Software
Obviously the
most important feature of the BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is its ability to let you
control your computer at the screen and in front of your audience.Remotely controlling your computer at the
screen is a function enabled through the use of a “Pointer” or “Light Pen.” The
Pointer is just over 20” long and will extend to 32” whereas the Light Pen is
just over 6” long and looks like a cigar.Both have buttons to activate the remote mouse function or choose items
from the palette (figure b).The pen can
also be pressure-activated so you can write directly on a firm projection
surface.The included LightPen Software
is pretty basic and gives you the ability to control the mouse, draw on the
screen and also take a screenshot to save your notes.It also includes a virtual keyboard that you
can select and use to enter web addresses or type notes into a document while
at the screen.The virtual keyboard is
small and its use should be limited to some note taking or for entering web
addresses.
In my
tests, everything worked as expected but I could not get the screenshot feature
to work on the Mac version of the LightPen software.A good work around for Mac users is to use
the Shift+Command+3 key combination to capture the screen.
Brightness
The
BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is rated at 3000 lumens in standard mode and 1950
lumens using the economy setting. As with other projectors in this brightness
classification, you shouldn’t have any issues presenting in either mode.The advantage of presenting in economy mode
is that you can extend the lamp life from 2000 to 3000 hours and this is
significant when you factor in the price of a replacement lamp ($349).I tested the ProjectoWrite2 in economy mode
because it was bright enough to view in any lighting condition. The fan was
also noticeably quieter in that setting.
Resolution
The
BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is a native XGA projector and easily snaps to a 1024 x
768 resolution.With resolutions outside
of its native XGA the PW2 does a decent job displaying information but you
should expect some loss of sharpness with text.For my tests with a PC and Mac laptop, the ProjectoWrite2 did connect
and display in their native resolutions, 1280 x 800 and 1440 x 900
respectively, as well as in their native widescreen aspect ratio.Text is legible but obviously scaled and
compressed to fit on the screen.
Image Sharpness and Clarity
Another
nice attribute of the BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is its image sharpness and
clarity.In its native XGA resolution
and without keystone correction, the ProjectoWrite2 produced an image that was
sharp and clear in every section of the screen. What a nice, unexpected
surprise.I’ve grown accustomed to
testing projectors and finding a blurred portion of the projected image that
shifts around the screen as you adjust the projector’s manual focus ring.With the ProjectoWrite2, the image was sharp
throughout.
Video support
The
BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is a 500:1 contrast ratio video projector that will
work great in classrooms, conference rooms or anywhere.The 8-watt mono speaker is nicely included
and will provide audio for up to 50 people.You should also expect the same level of image sharpness and clarity you
see with computer inputs to extend to video display.The color and contrast levels would be best
described as acceptable.It’s not
designed to be a home theater projector but it will do a good job delivering a
video image in standard or widescreen format.
I tested
the ProjectoWrite2 with a DVD player and mobile phone (iPhone) and found that
it easily connected and displayed video using the composite, S-video and
component input simultaneously.
Fan Noise
The
BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is no different than other projectors in its class and
will produce 33 decibels of fan noise in standard setting.As I mentioned earlier, for my test, I set
the ProjectoWrite2 to economy mode and that dropped the fan noise to 30
dB.In economy mode, the noise level is
half of what it is in standard mode and should be an easy setting choice for
most presenters.
Warranty
The
warranty package included with the BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is a 3-year parts
and labor and a 90-day warranty on the lamp.BOXLIGHT does go a step further with their projectors by offering
complimentary lifetime 24/7 technical support.You can call them at 2 in the afternoon or 2 in the morning and they’ll
walk you through the setup process of your BOXLIGHT projector.
Included Accessories
The
BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 includes two pointers, remote control, VGA cable, power
cord, owner’s manual (on CD), USB cable and separate carry cases for the
projector and pointers.
Ideal user
The
BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 will work great in a classroom, conference room or
anywhere and can easily be packed up and taken on the road.Again, it’s like a portable interactive
whiteboard that can present on any surface and will allow the user to remotely
control their computer and face their audience.Lectures and meetings no longer have to be static and stuck in just
forward or reverse.With the
ProjectoWrite2, you can now easily switch between applications and navigate
through menus without ever losing the focus of your audience.
Other ideal
users include graphic design or engineering firms that want to collaborate on a
project, web based trainers, software companies that want to demonstrate their
products – even sports teams that want to watch and analyze game film. Every
industry and organization could use the features included with the
ProjectoWrite2 because it’s a great presentation, collaboration and training
tool.
In addition
to its native XGA resolution and 3000 lumens of brightness, the BOXLIGHT
ProjectoWrite2 has several features that are classroom specific. These include
wall color settings, password protection and a Kensington lock option. By
changing the wall color settings, you can project onto surfaces beyond a
standard projection screen.This
includes blackboards, painted walls etc.And with password protection, you can limit access to your projector by
requiring a password to be entered at startup.Using the Kensington lock option is a great theft deterrent and
necessary in classrooms or shared conference rooms.
Conclusion
Presentation
projectors have become commoditized, especially in the 5 -10 lbs 2000+ lumen
projector market.Within this class of
projectors, it’s “added” functionality that separates the projector models from
each other and it’s what separates the BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 from similar
models.I was very surprised at how easy
the LightPen was to setup and how much it added to the presentation
experience.I’ve tested quite a few
remote mice but none of them could come close to the preciseness of the
LightPen.Navigating a computer remotely
has never been this easy.
