Is your church sanctuary really bright with light from windows or theatrical lighting? Do you fear losing an image on the projector because of a lamp failure? If you answered yes to either or both of those questions, I’m glad to introduce the NEC GT5000 to you.
Not a lightweight “hair dryer” projector (a euphemism in the industry for the überportable units), the GT5000 is a hefty 40 pounds without the lens. Its mass is concealed in a sleek, 20-inch-by-21-inch-by- 9.5-inch case, and is capable of handling most any projection requirement.
I tested the GT5000 recently, and punished it with every input type I had available, from high-resolution PC graphics to the latest in high-definition (1080i and 720p) video. I ran the projector through half of the tests before delving into the familiar NEC menu system and realized the projector had been working in dual-lamp ECO mode. It had been so bright, I hadn’t even noticed!
In fact, that’s one of the best features of the GT5000 – dual lamps. They can both run at full bore (6,000 ANSI lumens) or extend the lamp life by running (as I did) in ECO mode (still 4,800 ANSI lumens). This kind of redundancy means that if a lamp does fail, you’ve still got an image on the screen.
If your church only needs 3,000 lumens or less, one lamp can be run at a time, doubling the overall lamp life of the unit. This type of redundancy is welcomed on the installation grade projector market, and I’m glad NEC has introduced this mission-critical feature.
For you tech-heads, here’s the nitty-gritty lowdown on the specs:
- XGA (1024 x 768) native resolutions 1.4inch poly-si TFT LCD panels w/MLA
- 6,000 ANSI lumens (dual lamps on); 3,000 ANSI lumens (single lamp on); or you can use the ECO mode and extend the lamp life (dual: 4,800 lumens; single: 2,400 lumens).
- Contrast ratio of 700:1 (and it does make nice black levels)
- Multiple optional lenses, ranging from 1.8:1 up to 3.3:1
- Inputs: 1 5-BNC, 1 DVI-D, 1 RGB, 1 S-Video, 1 Video, 1 RJ45 Network, 3 RCA Audio, 2 Stereo Mini Audio,1 Remote, 1 PC Control, 2 PC Card slots, 2 option card slots: 1 USB (A)
- Outputs: 1 RGB, 1 RCA Audio, 1 Screen Trigger, 1 PC Control, 1 Remote (mini), 1 USB (B)
- Video compatibility: NTSC, NTSC4.43, PAL, PAL60, PAL-M, PAL-N, SECAM, HDTV: 1080p, 1080i, 720p and SDTV: 480p, 480i (with optional cable), Y/Cb/Cr component (with optional cable)
- Fan Noise: 40 dB Super-Eco, extended lamp; 40 dB Eco mode; 45 dB standard
- List Price: $10,995 U.S. (without lens)
I also liked the two removable covers that simply snap into place while allowing cables to pass through underneath. This cleans up the look of the projector and helps when used in front projection situations.
The lens was also easy to install, and comes with a long hex screwdriver and springmounted screws for very easy alignment. A nifty little extra is the dust cover, which pops into place inside the front lens housing and ensures that dust particles don’t make their way back to the lens. The zoom lens I used for the demo had two plugs that mated quickly and easily into two housings located under the lens mount, and made using the Lens Shift (a feature I cannot do without) a snap.
Stacking up to three of these projectors is also easily accomplished by using the builtin ‘feet’ recesses on top of the unit. Of course, this is useful if you can install the projectors on a tabletop in a zero-traffic area (such as a rear-projection room) and not worry about an optional stacking kit.
The unit also sports four IR (Infra Red) receivers, which makes pointing the remote control in the general direction of the unit a simple exercise.
Using one of the two PCMCIA slots, you can save a picture or logo and upload the image from the PC card right into the memory on the projector. This lets you have your logo present during any lapse of sync signals, in case someone accidentally picks the wrong input. A neat feature, it eliminates the dreaded “blue screen of death” that can be such a huge distraction.
Not short on the inputs, this unit can accept every major connector type, including RCA, BNC, HD-15, DVI, USB, PCMCIA, 3.5mm, 9- pin serial and loop outputs for many of the inputs. The idea here is that you can plugand- play with just about any device and have the projector automatically figure out what you just plugged in.
The projector’s supplied remote made choosing inputs a simple button push, and NEC’s tried-and-true push and hold power button ensures that you don’t accidentally turn off the projector by inadvertently touching the power button.
The XGA resolution images were superb, as to be expected for an XGA native device. But what really shined was the new Faroudja processing when video sources were displayed. NEC calls their new and improved contrast enhancement technology “SweetVision”, and it is sweet indeed. I played Warner Brothers Matrix: Reloaded as a test DVD (component Y,Pb,Pr input) because of the dark hues and high-resolution film quality. Compared to my TV set and even my SXGA+ laptop, this projector made the Matrix really come alive; this is how everyone should watch movies!
In fact, I only had to make two adjustments once everything was up and running. The horizontal alignment was off by a few pixels on a high-resolution computer (1,400 x 1050 – yes, it’s a Dell SXGA+ laptop) input; and I adjusted the color temperature to “Graphic” (one of 7 choices) as it more pleasing to my eye. That’s it, though. The GT5000 really handled everything I plugged in and threw at it admirably.
The projector’s large size could possibly be seen as a negative, since smaller projectors are in abundance. However, the added size means that more lens options, more connectivity and projector stacking are all bonuses. Also the larger case size means that airflow is increased across the circuitry and lamp assembly. Touching the projector’s case evidenced this: it was cool to the touch. Only the exhaust port was hot (and it did move a lot of air), accounting for the 45 dB fan level (40 dB in ECO mode). Since this is an installation-grade projector, fan noise should not be an issue unless people are within 15 feet of the unit.
The bottom line is that the GT5000 is one feature-packed, input-capable and lamp redundant projector. It will be a solid choice for churches wanting this kind of reliability and brightness to overcome the bright light inside their facilities. I give it “two enthusiastic thumbs-up” as one of the best installation grade projectors on the market!
Anthony Coppedge, CTS, provides consulting to churches, manufacturers,
and dealers. He may be reached at anthony@anthonycoppedge.com.
