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May 2012

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Barco FLM HD18 Video Projector

by Jeff Sauer

For many years, it was the business world and the need to display presentation slides and spreadsheets that drove the digital front projection industry, even large-venue projection. That’s still true today in many ways, but there’s an increasing demand for projectors that display excellent video quality and manufacturers are responding with native video-resolution projectors, such as Barco’s FLM HD18 ($105,000, without lens). And, whether it means displaying a live video camera feed of a pastor or a pre-recorded video message, houses of worship are one of the sectors demanding better quality moving images.

Lots of companies, including Barco, have offered other high-resolution, high-brightness projectors for several years, but those models have generally had computer-centric resolutions such as 1,400x1,050, 1,600x1,200, or even 2,048x1,080. And while there have been other, smaller 1920p projectors, the FLM HD18 is one of the first native 1920p, three-chip DLP projectors. It’s that combination of the three imaging devices and the inherent brightness of the DLP reflective technology that gives the FLM HD18 both the excellent color reproduction and a high lumen output (18,000 lumens according to Barco’s specifications) to address the needs of large venues.

“Big” is an unavoidable word when describing the FLM HD18. It weighs roughly 220 pounds (100 kilos), without the lens, can be ceiling-mounted with optional rigging clamps or easily stacked (interlocking socket feet don’t require extra parts or tools) for nearly doubling the brightness, and it produces big, bright pictures. Yet big and bright are just the calling cards for the FLM HD18. It’s also big on features, with a highly configurable projector that can be tailored to suit your specific needs. With seven different lenses to choose from, customizable slots for input cards, and Ethernet network support for status and control, the FLM HD18 is both flexible and versatile.

Upon Close Examination
The unit I tested was essentially a standard configuration, with a 1.6 to 20 throw lens ($8,775) and populated with three input cards: a 5xBNC RGBHV card, an HD/SD SDI input card, and a DVI data input card. A fourth input card slot that could be used for any other type of input (a second component video input, for example) was unpopulated. Lens installation and configuration could not be easier. The lens slides into its socket, with all electronic connections integrated into the lens’ hardware bracket, and a single lever locks it tightly into place. Electronic horizontal and vertical lens shift and power zoom and focus all make set up quite straightforward.

Below the input slots on the left side of the projector is a communications interface that includes two Ethernet ports and serial RS232/422 in and out for external control and administration, as well as a PC Card slot for adding a wireless network interface card. There’s both IR wireless and XLR wired remote ports and a diagnostic code panel that lists troubleshooting codes. (The onscreen menus also include error logging and diagnostics of temperature, fan speeds, voltages, and more.) And there’s a full manual keypad for all menu operations and navigation that’s almost as complete as the handheld remote that comes with the projector, including dedicated buttons for Picture-in-Picture, test pattern, lens shift, and quite a bit more.

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Jeff Sauer has covered the professional video and A/V industry for a dozen years and is an independent video producer and consultant in Massachusetts.