Panasonic PSSNA191176MISC_NM_WP edAV White Paper

New-Generation Projectors

for Installed AV—

Not All Laser Projectors Are Created Equal

PRESENTED BY IN COLLABORATION WITH

Advanced platforms and features separate the “me-too”
laser projectors that are flooding the market from the
high-performing projectors that are being spec’d in by
the most demanding and ROI-conscious AV integrators
and end users.

INTRODUCTION

The TCO (total cost of ownership) arguments for using solid-state video projectors
(instead of conventional lamp-based projectors) for installed AV applications are
compelling: because the new-generation projectors are “lamp-free, there are no
lamp replacement costs over the life of that projector. And the market has spoken:
the best, most popular, most robust lamp-free projectors today are laser-phosphor
projectors—now commonly called “laser projectors.” But AV integrators and AV
end users are learning that not all laser projectors are created equal. The best
new-generation laser projectors do far more than just providing better TCO with a
lamp-free design. Only by choosing a projector that’s based on the latest advances
in engineering can you be sure that you’re future-proofing your AV installation for
years to come, and not just getting another “me-too” laser projector. This white
paper outlines the advanced features that separate the flood of me-too laser
projectors from the technology and business case-leading projectors that are being
spec’d in by the most demanding and ROI-conscious AV integrators and end users.

NEW-GENERATION PROJECTORS
FOR INSTALLED AV

2

The best projectors
for the classroom,
boardroom, meeting
room, and any
installed AV application
must have key new­generation features
that deliver not just
better TCO but
superior image quality,
state-of-the-art
engineering,
installation options,
and networking
performance.

NEW-GENERATION PROJECTORS
FOR INSTALLED AV

3

BEYOND TCOTOWARD A NEW
PROJECTION PARADIGM

The reign of the video projector as the
display tool of choice for the classroom,
boardroom, meeting space—and indeed
any installed AV space that requires a
flexible imaging platform—has been a
long one. Even after the introduction of
flat-panel displays into the market, video
projectors continue to deliver much
greater brightness and higher resolution
options, larger screen size options,
more configuration options, greater
flexibility, and many other advantages.
But throughout their reign, projectors
have continued to evolve—from the
low-resolution, limited-light-output,
maintenance-heavy units of yesterday to
today’s high lumen lower TCO, more
reliable, and better performing units.
However, the sheer quantity of projection
manufacturers and models available for
the installed AV market has exploded
over the years, leading to confusion and
many ostensibly similar options.

Today, with the proliferation of laser
projectors, an inexperienced AV
integrator or end user may think,
“the choice is now simple: lamp-based
projectors mean too many lamps to buy
down the road, LED projectors don’t have
the lumens I need, nor do the ‘hybrid’
projectors … so I’ll just pick a laser
[phosphor] projector, and we’re good to
go.” Smart integrators and projection
users know that costly mistakes lie
down that road—namely, performance,
TCO, quality, and reliability shortfalls
in a few short months or years after
the initial purchase. Those mistakes
can consume both limited budgets and
manpower. Smart integrators know that
choosing the best laser projector is not
just about the “lamp-free” TCO math.
The best projectors for the classroom,
boardroom, meeting room, and any

installed AV application must have key
new-generation features that deliver
not just better TCO but superior image
quality, state-of-the-art engineering,
installation options, and networking
performance. Those features include:

• A DLP-based laser-light engine

that avoids the compromises and
performance limitations of LCD-based
laser projectors. The market has
spoken: DLP is widely regarded as the
superior display technology for image
quality, longevity, and reliability. DLP
projectors can reproduce deep blacks
and a more accurate white balance
than LCD projectors. And they can
better support the higher color gamut
needed for 4K and UHD, as well as for
high-contrast HD.

• A dust-resistant airtight optical block

design that prevents brightness
degradation and ensures long
maintenance-free and dependable
operation (not just for the illumination
system but for the entire projector).

• Highly efficient cooling systems, which

ensure stable 24/7 operation. These
include unique liquid-cooling and
heat-pipe cooling systems that enable
the DMD module(s) to keep images
crisp and bright while reducing fan
speed and lowering noise levels (and
thereby minimizing distractions in
quiet classrooms [and meeting rooms)

• Flexible installation options such as

Panasonic’s DIGITAL LINK(HDBaseT)
and built-in connectivity that supports
the transmission of uncompressed
full HD video and control commands
through a single CAT5e or higher STP
cable for distances up to 150 meters
(492 ft.), allowing you to save on the
cost of peripheral connectivity systems.