One nice thing about writing a product spotlight is all the cool toys we get to play with. The Sharp XGMB67X is one such cool toy. Especially since I had a number of movies to catch up on.
The XG-MB67X is a “compact” projector that packs all the features that you would expect to find on larger models. While certain accommodations have been made for its small footprint, Sharp does not compromise on its performance. It does all this while staying at a very competitive price point.
The XG-MB67X is a single-chip DLP projector that uses a triple-speed, four-segment color wheel. This, in conjunction with its condenser lens optical system, greatly improves color and image quality. The unit is rated for 3000 ANSI lumens in Bright Mode and 2600 lumens in Eco+Quiet Mode. Other features include a 2000:1 contrast ratio, 385W in Bright Mode and 308W in Eco+Quiet mode. It weighs only 8.6 pounds.
The unit comes with all the usual accessories. I received a brand new one, and was really glad to find that they had included adapters with it as well. The unit uses the HD15 computer video connection for its component video input. For that, they included a VGA-to-RCA adapter that was color-coded for red, green and blue. There is also a PS2-to-RS232 adapter for serial communications. Few things are more frustrating to an installer than being caught without the right connectors. The unit also comes with a remote control, manuals (both in print and on CD-ROM) and batteries.
The projector has all the usual features, like being able to set the projector for front or rear projection, table top or ceiling mount. But I won’t bore you with the usual; this projector does enough unusual things that make it a powerful tool for both integrators and rental houses.
As with any projector, if it can’t make good clean images, there is no point. The DLP engine impressed me. I spent a couple of weeks watching sports and action movies, looking for the rainbow effect, and never noticed it. The only time I ever saw any indication of that was when I accidentally bumped the table the projector was sitting on. I was also impressed by how consistent the colors stayed, even after the projector had been on for a few hours. Neither the color wheel nor the lamp seemed to change color as the projector stayed on longer.
In Eco+Quiet mode, the projector almost disappears. I had set the unit next to me during a movie and even the quietest passages could easily be heard over the fan. The lamp does dim in this mode, but I was pleased that it did not adversely affect the color output.
The unit has two 15-pin mini D-Sub connectors for the computer video inputs. There is also a monitor output. Other video inputs include S-video and composite. There is audio onboard as well, with audio outs on a mini-jack connector.
The unit also has an RJ45 connector for connecting directly to a network. Local network administrators can set the unit up to alert technicians of any problems the unit may have.
The unit is also impressive in that it does not act as a small space heater. In bright mode, it gives off 1450BTU/hr and 1160BTU/hr in Eco+Quiet mode.
The unit performed very well, and I found it to be very flexible in its applications. I liked that in its quiet mode, it did not compromise on its performance. The image was everything I expected from a DLP projector and I was very pleased with its color performance for a single-chip projector — so much so that I have recommended them for a couple of jobs I am currently specifying.
Paul J. Duryee the systems design lead at Maxx Technology. He can be contacted at pduryee@plsn.com.
