Date: Thu, 14 Jan 1993 10:16:09 -0500
From: tas2@cornell.edu  (Thomas Scott)
Subject: Color LCD Projection Report

About 8 months ago, I requested info about users' experiences with LCD
projection panels.  I got a number of responses, and I was going to post
to sumex, but didn't get a chance to.  Yesterday I got a request from one
of
the Info-Mac readers to send him any info I did get.  It cleared out the
cobwebs, and I realized that there wasn't anything like this currently on
sumex, so I'm posting it now.

However, everything in the technology world changes almost on a daily
basis.
I'm sure there's been many changes, especially with the October rollout of
new Macs, and the never-ending run of 3rd party vendors to introduce new 
peripherals to keep up with Apple's changing line.

If you seen any changes in this field since last May that could enhance
this report, please send them to me at tas2@cornell.edu, and I'll udpate
this report to the archive.

I hope the info helps people out there trying to make a decision in this
field, and I think that new info will make this report even more benefical.
 Thanks!

Please post this in the /report directory.

[Archived as /info-mac/report/Color-LCD-Proj-Panels-10.txt; 35K]
Thomas Scott, Systems Manager, College of Engineering
Cornell University, Carpenter Hall Annex, Ithaca, NY  14853
My original question:

I'm in the processing of looking at LCD panels to be used on an overhead
projector for a few of my offices.  I'm hoping to get a good quality,
reasonably-priced color LCD system which we'll be using to give
presentations with Persuasion-generated "slides".  We're discussing the
possibility of higher-end multimedia productions sometime in the near
future (probably not for at least a year), so the system should be able to
handle video input, without much degradation of quality and such that the
video isn't "choppy".
 
I've seen a couple of opinions on a couple of systems recently in Info-Mac,
but I'd like to get at much more input as possible.  Does anyone have a
source of a review of this type of hardware?  Can you give me info on what
color LCD panel has (or hasn't) worked for you?  I need as much info as
possible.  Please respond directly to me; I disconnected from Mac-L about a
week ago.  If I get enough response, I'll summarize to the list (and
possibly post to sumex).
 
P.S.  I'd also like to provide portability for our presentation system; our
presenters often go out on the road.  I'd like to know how feasible it is
to interface one of these LCD panels with a PowerBook 170.  What other
hardware would I need to allow this setup?  Again, thanks for your help! 
:-))
_________________________________________________________________
From: Dan Lunderville (5/20/92)
Date: Wed, 20 May 1992 09:01 CST
From: Dan Lunderville <Dan.D.Lunderville@uwrf.edu>

I recently had to decide about some b/w and color LCD panels for use with a
portable Mac setup.  We will use a PowerBook 170 connected to a color LCD
panel on a mobile cart for classroom use.  A colleague and I went to a
product show and I made some notes for my own reference afterward.  Someone
else asked about LCD panels on Info-Mac and I sent her a copy of my notes. 
She sent them as part of a message to the Info- Mac Digest, but the message
got truncated, and only the info on the b/w panels got through.  I have
appended my notes here in hopes that they might be useful to you.  I have
not received any of the equipment yet, and it will be mid-summer before I
have had much chance to work with it, but if you want to contact me then, I
would be glad to give you my impressions after using it for a while.  The
real test won't ahppen until next fall when it gets used in a real
classroom situation.

To make the PB 170 drive the LCD panel, you must buy some type of video
adapter.  There are different types available, some use the SCSI port, some
install a board inside the PB 170.  We chose one made by Envisio. It is a
small board that goes inside the PB 170 and provides a standard Mac II
video connector on the outside.  This unit is not cheap though, we paid
about $850, and that was an educational price.  I have not seen reviews of
these adapters, but there was mention of them in MacWorld and MacUser in
the issues that described the PowerBooks when they were first released.

It seems that the choice of an LCD panel is somewhat personal choice, and
so it is hard to choose for someone elses use.  I would strongly suggest
that you see any panels in action before you buy them.

Dan Lunderville                         Internet:  
Dan.D.Lunderville@UWRF.EDU
Academic Computing Center               AppleLink:  U0095
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
River Falls, WI  54022                  Telephone:  (715) 425-3583
U.S.A.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Notes regarding LCD Shootout held by Blumberg Communications, 
4/30/92


Blumberg sponsored an "LCD Shootout" for customers wanting to buy an LCD
projection panel for use with overhead projectors.  They had 16 different
units on display, 4 black and white and 12 color units.  All units were in
the same darkened room and all used the  same overhead projector, a Dukane
model 653, with a rating of 3000 lumens.  A few of the units did not need a
separate projector because the unit had a self-contained projector.

Three black and white units seemed acceptable to us, but they had flaws that caused us to be uneasy about purchasing them.  Two of the units were LCD
panels that required use of a separate overhead projector.  These were the
Sharp QA-75 and the In-Focus 1600GS.  The In-Focus was a little brighter,
and its text mode could be adjusted a bit better, but the differences
between the In-Focus 1600GS and the Sharp QA-75 were not major.  The thing
that really bothered us was that each panel showed ghosting, or streaks at
the ends of graphics boxes, such as scroll bars in a window.  These streaks
extended right through other windows at times.  At first they weren'Ut too
apparent, but after a while they became a real irritant.  The third black
and white unit, the nView nSight, combined an LCD panel with a projector in
one unit.  This unit impressed us, but it was not available until June, so
it was not an option for us.  In the future I would give close
consideration to this unit.

The fourth black and white unit, the Proxima MultiMode II, A482SC used ugly
purplish and yellowish RcolorsS, and we rejected it right away.

The folks from Blumberg told us about a black and white unit that they felt
was quite good, but was not at the show.  It was the nView II + 2.  They
said that it did not have as much of the streaking problem as the other
units.  It was in the same price range as the Sharp QA-75 and the In-Focus
1600GS.

We later viewed a Sharp QA-50 black and white panel in the Physics Dept. at
UWRF.  This panel was not present at the shootout.  We were impressed with
the QA-50.  It was crisp and clear, with even focus in all directions.  Its
controls were clear and easy to use, and its price was about $300-400
cheaper than the Sharp QA-75 and the In-Focus 1600GS.  We decided to buy a
QA-50 unit.

We spent a long time viewing and considering the color LCD panels.  From
previous research, the top contenders were the Sharp QA-1050, the Proxima
Ovation, the In-Focus TVT3000, and the nView SpectraPlus and Media Pro. 
After the first couple of passes around the room, we were drawn to the
nView SpectraPlus because of its brighter, sharper image and even focus
>From top to bottom and left to right.  The image seemed crisper and more
pleasing to the eye than on any of the other units.  The images on some of
the other units were washed out and dim.  On several, such as the Sharp
QA-1050, the image could not be focused evenly from left to right.  Part of
the screen was in focus (no pun intended) and part was fuzzy.  Many of the
units had controls that were overly complex or downright mysterious to
operate.  The controls on the nView SpectraPlus were clear and easy to use.
 We expected the better nView model, the Media Pro, to be the better unit,
but based on what we saw, it was not.  We tried to put the units into
various modes, such as Windows, DOS text, etc., to get a good feel for each
ones capabilities.  In the end the nView SpectraPlus seemed clearly
superior to us.

The choice of an overhead projector for use with an LCD panel is important.
 The projector must be bright enough to display a bright image in a
partially lit room.  Blumberg recommended a projector with a rating of 3000
lumens or more.  The Dukane model 653 mentioned above seemed acceptable,
but we decided to buy 3M projectors instead.  The 3M model 955 has two
intensity settings, one at 3000 lumens and one at 3800 lumens.  The 955 is
more expensive than the Dukane and not quite as portable, but the extra
brightness of the 955 was considered very important, especially for use
with the color LCD panel.  We purchased one 955 unit.  We also purchased
one 3M model 920 overhead projector.  This model has an intensity of 2200
lumens.  Our intended use was with the QA-50 black and white panel.  It was
cheaper than the Dukane 653, and the brightness seemed quite adequate for
the black and white panel.  The Physics Dept. has a model 920 projector and
it was this projector that we used when we tested the Sharp QA-50, and it
performed well.

Bear in mind that these observations were done by two people, Bev Shepherd
and Dan Lunderville, UWRF Academic Computing..  We were considering the purchase of an LCD panel for use with a portable
classroom computer setup.  Other people with different uses may have viewed
the situation differently.

The nView SpectraPlus color LCD panel is designed to drive both the panel
and the monitor on the computer.  You order it with the cable set you want
and the other cables can be ordered as options. If you want to use the
panel with both a Mac II type machine and IBM VGA, order it with the Mac
cable set, and order the IBM VGA cable as an option at about $100.  If you
order it with the VGA cable set and the Mac cable set as an option, it will
cost about $60 more.

The Sharp QA-50 b/w unit is not designed to drive both the panel and the
monitor.  To use both with it you will have to purchase a VGA
splitter/amplifier for about $175.

We paid $956 for the Sharp QA-50 b/w panel, and about $4300 for the nView
SpectraPlus color panel.  Both prices were from a Univ. of Wisc state
contract.  I think the list prices were $1295 and $5995. Most of the panels
in the same categories had prices similar.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
_________________________________________________________________
Date: Tue, 19 May 1992 14:23 CST
From:  pt1811s@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU

Sounds like you would be happy with a MediaShow from nView Corp.  I don't
currently have one, but hopefully will by the end of the summer.  Everyone 
I know that does own one is very happy with it.

I would also recommend you purchase a high end over head projecter that
produces very bright light.  (3M is what I use)  It is about $600 vs $200
but well worth it.  I think the 3M I have produces 3000 lumuns.  

Envisio is the only firm I can think of that has video out of the
powerbook.  Radus has a SCSI adapter for video out, but I haven't heard
good things about it (speed mainly).  If you can wait, the rumor is that
Apple's new "Docking" stations will have video out.  An Apple product will
definately be the best solution.

Opinions of: Paul Thibodeau   Senior Consultant-Drake University
_________________________________________________________________
Date: Tue, 19 May 1992 12:54 PST
From: "GRANT RAMSAY" <GRAMSAY%ewuvms.BITNET@CORNELLC.cit.cornell.edu>

I have purchased 3 Multimedia capable panels over the last year and I am
very satistied with them.  They are the Ovation active matrix, 224,000
color panels from Proxima.  My source for these has been:

Minnesota Western
5828 Vallejo Street
Oakland, CA 94608-2697
(510)428-9000

The last Ovation I purchased from them was for $6200.00.  They come with
every thing you need for Mac II or VGA connection. The panel has direct
connections for RCA and S-Video input and has some rudimentary audio
controls.  It comes with software and cables to give you limited keyboard
control for the included IR remote.  For example, it lets you do frame
forward and reverse functions in MarcoMedia's Director slide shows from the
remote.

The last panel we baught was for a PowerBook 170 for our CIO. He wanted a
very portable presentation system and that is what he got.  It will all fit
into a single Targa case.  If you can get delivery of the Envisio interface
for the PowerBook, do it, and make sure that you buy it loaded with memory.
 There is no room left in the PowerBook once this is installed.  If I were
buying a video interface again I would probably go for the Radius PowerView
SCSI device to be able to use it on the assortment of PowerBooks we have on
campus.

Envisio, Inc.
510 1st Avenue, Suite 303
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 339-1008

And they offer an educational discount!  We baught the NDA030/4 for
$1116.50 but it took about two months to get it they were so heavily back
ordered.

I hope this helps a little.  I haven't had much experience with other
panels other than to go and look at them.  I got lucky on my first buy and
have stuck with them.  The only draw back with the Ovation is that if you
plan to use its audio control feature it is only monophonic and for some
reason is disabled when video from the computer is selected.

Grant M. Ramsay, Eastern Washington University
Client Services, MS #89, Cheney, WA 99004
_________________________________________________________________
Date: Tue, 19 May 92 15:33 CDT
From: Dave Faulkner Academic Computing <DAVEF@UWLAX.EDU>

I would certainly be interested in your feedback on the LCD panels.   I
have recently read a variety of literature on LCD's as we also are  looking
to purchase.  The three highest rated that I found that  handled video and
digital were nView Media Pro ($10K list price), Proxima Ovation ($8,500)
and Sharp QA-1050 ($6500).  These are  ranked from top choice down.  I
suspect that the educational pricing  is considerably less then the list
price, however, I have not yet  obtained that info.  My recommendation is
the Ovation because: capable of displaying live video without an addin
computer video  board or external adapter box; it supports connection of
optional  powered speakers; hand held remote control unit; works with Mac
or  PC platform; supports NTSC and PAL based VCR's video disc and TV; 
capable of 24,389 colors; can have all 4 inputs filled and the LCD  can
automatically detect signal type.

Media Pro - nView Corp. - (804) 873-1354
Ovation   - Proxima Corp. - (619) 457-5500
QA        - Sharp Elec. Corp - (201) 529-8731

If you are looking for cheaper, but less capabilities, checkout  InFocus. 
They have color LCD's for under $4500 which are decent.  (800) 327-7231.

Sorry, no experience with Powerbooks, however, my reading tells me  that
they need a third party adapter to use external monitors or  projection. 
Rumor mill suggests that Apple will include this output  port on the new
Powerbooks.
_________________________________________________________________
Date: Wed, 20 May 1992 09:05:49 -2300
From: cl7841s@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU

We use 1-bit N-VU projection panels here at Drake, but I have see the full
color Media Pro model in action (our local Apple corporate folks showed the
SuperBowl on it this year).  It looks great!!  the only downside I know of
is the price - rather steep.  But they do look great!

Colin Lamb - MacMeister 8-)>  -  Drake University  -  Des Moines
_________________________________________________________________
From: siochi@pcs.cnc.edu (Antonio Siochi)
Date: Wed, 20 May 92 11:46:46 EDT

Read your post in imac re: lcd panels. I've been collecting info for some
time on them, but haven't had time to DIGEST/summarize. Here's what info I
have at the moment. Each item is preceeded by a line of
================.
Hope this helps.

-Anton (siochi@pcs.cnc.edu)

p.s. If you find anything else, please let me know. thanks!

=========================
>From elman@crl.ucsd.edu Wed Mar  4 10:56:55 1992

I've also been interested in this, and would appreciate any information you
get.

I've been told that you need to buy an adapter card for the PB that will
produce the right output signal to drive an LCD projection panel. There's a
company called Envisio that makes such a device.  It retails for between
$500-$1000, depending on whether you buy extra memory for the PB at the
same time.  (Their board sits in the extra meory slots, so if you want or
have extra memory, you have to put it on their board.  The memory remains
available even when their board is not in use.)   Then you also need to get
a separate LCD projection system. 

Someone else said they thought it ought to be possible to get an LCD that
didn't require this.  I don't see how, th ough, since the PB has no video
out.

i can send you the information from Envisio if you want (I just sent them a
FAX inquiry yesterday and am expecting to get a reply today). I'd
appreciate getting copies of any replies you get.  Thanks,

Jeff Elman, UCSD
============================
>From Les.Ferch@mtsg.ubc.ca Thu Mar  5 14:58:53 1992

Well, the old Mac Portable had a video out connection but the new
PowerBooks require a third party modification to get video output. That
aside, my conclusion after looking at numerous panels and having had
experience with several brands is that the Proxima panels are the best. We
have a 3M 2080 (which is a Proxima with 3M's name on it and one feature we didn't need removed) and it is
superb with Mac, VGA, and Hercules video. It is a monochrome (actually grey
scale) panel with a pleasing blue coloured LCD. The Proxima active matrix
colour LCD is just amazing (but also very expensive).
 
With any of these panels, a really good overhead projector with a cool
stage is important. 3M or Proxima will be happy to sell you one to match
the panel.
 
Also, consider the new all in one LCD projection systems that are a
complete projector (light source and LCD) in one box. If you're on the
road, these systems relieve you of the worry of counting on someone else to
provide a good projector. I can't remember which brands are good, but I
recall seeing at least two good units at MacWorld Expo.
 
Note that active matrix is not required for computer displays, but makes a
difference especially if your displays have motion. It is essential if you
intend to connect a video source such as a VCR or laserdisc with
full-motion scenes. Of course, conventional three beam projectors are also
an option but are not very portable.
============================
From: Carol Taylor <ctaylor%diana.cair.du.edu@OHSTVMA.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU>

I used an older Electrohome monochrome unit at a previous job.  It was a
real pain in the neck.  It always seemed to be broken.  I would not be very
interested in another one of their products.

We currently have GE Imagers (1-2 years old, models no longer available) in
two classrooms.  They are hooked to a Mac IIcx and an IBM PS/2 (VGA).  The
provide us with very nice large screen output. We have them ceiling mounted
but our building shimmies and shakes a lot and they do seem to require a
certain amount of adjustment to keep them properly focussed.  Our media
services staff handles this easily -- it's not a technical adjustment.  In
general they have been reliable and we have been pleased.  I think a
high-reflectance screen is probably worth the extra bucks.

If portability is an issue you might want to consider looking at some of
the newer generation of projection panels that sit on top of an overhead
projector.  This technology, although not yet of the quality of the ceiling
mount stuff, has improved by leaps and bounds lately. Also the price has
come down.  I saw some pretty nice stuff from nView just recently.  My
guess is that this is going to be a very competitive arena in the near
future which should bring prices down even further.  I love what
competition what competition does for price/benefit ratios.....

Carol Taylor, University of Denver, Faculty Computing Lab
============================
From: J_ENOS%FANDMLIB.BITNET@OHSTVMA.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU

Chris, We have had EXCELLENT service and performance from our SAYETT HR/M
and 480 Datashow LCD panels.  Sayett (developed by Kodak) panels should
cost in the range of $1200-$1400.  We find for monochrome projection that
the Datashow is in a class by itself.  Any local AV house/distributor
should carry (or be able to find) a Sayett panel.  Good luck. --Jon

Jonathan Enos, Ed.D., Director, Instructional Media Services
Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA 17604
============================
From: "Kelly Nicklin" <NICKLIN%UNOMA1.BITNET@OHSTVMA.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU>

We've been using the Proxima Data Display Model 342 for 2 (maybe 3) years.
We have two and they both have worked with no problems.  One reason I like
them is the screen is sort of blue-grey rather than dark grey like most
other screens, and therefore nicer to look at.  They work best in a dark
room, but it is the brightness of the overhead more than the projector that
will determine how easy the image is to see in any given lighting
situation.  We have a wall of windows on the east side of the rooms we use
the projection panels in and the visibility is fine with the lights off and
the blinds closed.  It is definitely easier to see the projected image in
the afternoon when the sun is on the other side of the building.

This is a "black and white" panel.  You will need an interface card for
your particular computer--they are available for the Plus, SE, and Classic. We purchased ours from
MECC (800/685-6322).  The cost is around $950 for the panel, interface
card, and cable.

Proxima makes color panels, too, but you're looking at $4000.

Kelly Nicklin, McMillan JHS
============================
From: JMCCOY <JMCCOY.UNCSON%mhs.unc.edu@OHSTVMA.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU>

We recently purchased a 3M 4100 LCD panel. We've been very pleased with it
so far. I guess it would be considered in the "middle range" of
price/quality, but it looked better than any of the other LCD panels we
tested--even the ones costing twice as much. It is color but it was worth
the extra cost over the monochrome ones which tended to lose things in the
translation from color to mono. Another thing I liked about it is that it
comes with three cable/adaptors. One for CGA/EGA, one for VGA, and one for
MACs. This was a great feature--no more need for a $300 Extron box for each
graphics format. All you have to do is switch the cables. All the other LCD
panels we looked at required the extra box.

We use it mostly in the VGA mode, in many of the same applications you
mentioned, but also find good results with a MAC IIsi. (SEs, Classics, etc.
require an extra video board for output to a panel.) Also, make sure you
use any LCD panel with a high intensity overhead projector, that improves
the projection even more.

I think the MSRP for the LCD panel was around $3500.00, but our dealer
worked us a "deal" where we got a package including the LCD and a high
intensity "portable" (about 20 lbs.) overhead for around $3400.00. The
overhead projector is a 3M 955 and it's worked pretty well.

Hope some of this helps. Let me know if I can help any more.

Joe McCoy, UNC-Chapel Hill, School of Nursing
============================
From: "Christopher.Reznich" <21602CR%MSU.BITNET@OHSTVMA.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU>

I've just been asked today (Monday) to prepare a recommendation to purchase
an LCD projection panel for the Macintosh, and to make my recommendation by
Friday (!)

We will  use the panel primarily for demonstrating software to physicians
who are learning basic computer skills, including word processing, Medline
searching, graphics, etc.  We have limited funds, so would probably want a
monochromepanel to keep costs down. We would also like a unit that is
reliable, of course, and easy to operate.

I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has recently purchased an LCD
panel, or who is just familiar with whatis out there. If it is consistent
with the etiquette of the list, cost ranges and the names of vendors
located in the Michigan area would also be appreciated.

Chris Reznich, Office of Medical Education, Research and Development
College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University
============================
From: ADAM NELSON <an03%lehigh.edu@OHSTVMA.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU>
Organization: Lehigh University

Here at Lehigh's Ed Tech Ctr., we've been using both an InFocus 5000 (about
$5000)  and an Nview MediaPro (about $10,000)  for a year now with our
Macs.  We're happy with both.  The InFocus is a passive matrix panel with
the best color reproduction we've seen other than the MediaPro.  The
MediaPro, if you can afford it, is the best LCD panel I've seen.  The
colors are extremely accurate, it's a multiscan panel and therefore works
with a variety of devices (including NTSC video), and is actually fast
enough to project full motion video from our Laserdisc players.

============================
From: ELOISE%MAINE.BITNET@Forsythe.Stanford.EDU (Eloise Kleban)

Here are the two answers I received to my query about LCD plates and
overhead projectors.  I want to thank the two people who took the time to
send me these responses - I found them *very* useful!

Eloise Kleban
eloise@maine.maine.edu
************************************
From: Dan Lunderville <Dan.D.Lunderville@uwrf.edu>

Notes regarding LCD Shootout held by Blumberg Communications, 4/30/92

Blumberg sponsored an 'LCD Shootout' for customers wanting to buy an LCD
projection panel for use with overhead projectors.  They had 16 different units on display, 4 black and white and 12 color units.  All units were in
the same darkened room and all used the same overhead projector, a Dukane
model 653, with a rating of 3000 lumens.  A few of the units did not need a
separate projector because the unit had a self-contained projector.

Three black and white units seemed acceptable to us, but they had flaws
that caused us to be uneasy about purchasing them.  Two of the units were
LCD panels that required use of a separate overhead projector.  These were
the Sharp QA-75 and the In-Focus 1600GS. The In-Focus was a little
brighter, and its text mode could be adjusted a bit better, but the
differences between the In-Focus 1600GS and the Sharp QA-75 were not major.
 The thing that really bothered us was that each panel showed ghosting, or
streaks at the ends of graphics boxes, such as scroll bars in a window. 
These streaks extended right through other windows at times.  At first they
werenUt too apparent, but after a while they became a real irritant.  The
third black and white unit, the nView nSight, combined an LCD panel with a
projector in one unit.  This unit impressed us, but it was not available
until June, so it was not an option for us.  In the future I would give
close consideration to this unit.

The fourth black and white unit, the Proxima MultiMode II, A482SC used ugly
purplish and yellowish RcolorsS, and we rejected it right away.

The folks from Blumberg told us about a black and white unit that they felt
was quite good, but was not at the show.  It was the nView II + 2.  They
said that it did not have as much of the streaking problem as the other
units.  It was in the same price range as the Sharp QA-75 and the In-Focus
1600GS.

We later viewed a Sharp QA-50 black and white panel in the Physics Dept. at
UWRF.  This panel was not present at the shootout.  We were impressed with
the QA-50.  It was crisp and clear, with even focus in all directions.  Its
controls were clear and easy to use, and its price was about $300-400
cheaper than the Sharp QA-75 and the In-Focus 1600GS.  We decided to buy a
QA-50 unit.

We spent a long time viewing and considering the color LCD panels.

============================
From: Carol Taylor <ctaylor%diana.cair.du.edu@OHSTVMA.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU>

Our school has been using a Sharp QA-50 panel for a couple of years. I
think the current model can probably be purchased for about $800. It does
CGA, EGA, VGA and Macintosh.  For the Mac a cable splitter must be
installed in the system, at least with this model.

This is a monochrome unit that uses patterns to represent colors.  We like
them because they are extremely reliable.  The only failure we have had to
date is one unit that got fried when the instructor left it turned off (fan
not running) while the unit was sitting on top of a turned on overhead
projector.  This is hardly the fault of the unit. They are checked out
through our media services people so they have taken a fair amount of abuse
and have withstood it well.

Carol Taylor, University of Denver, Faculty Computing Lab
_________________________________________________________________
Date: 20 May 92 09:44:00 MDT
From: "5268 Spires, Shannon V." <svspire@sandia.gov>

We like the Proxima Ovation, which is really the "Cadillac" of such 
systems. It's more expensive than the rest, but we think it's worth it
because:
1) It's active-matrix technology (a transistor at every pixel).  Whatever
panel you get, it should be active matrix, because the  colors look better
and the cursor won't disappear on you. The only  disadvantage of
active-matrix is that it usually requires a  super-bright overhead
projector unless your presentation room is  quite dark (too dark for people
to take notes). The Ovation seems to  provide the brightest display of all
the units we looked at (which  is just about all of them, including the new
Sharp). It provides a  quite visible display on an average overhead
projector in a room  with the lights nearest the screen turned off, so
people can still  see to take notes. Brightness is very important when you're on the road  and you have to live with whatever overhead projector
happens to be  at your destination.
 
2) It's video-compatible straight out of the box. Every other  manufacturer
who offers video input does it through an optional  adapter box, which adds
to the cost and (more importantly) the bulk  of the stuff you have to carry
around. Also, the quality of the  video projection image is far superior to
every other unit I've  seen. It's almost good enough to use in a home
theater as a  large-screen projector. You can also have video and the
computer  hooked up to the panel at the same time and switch between them
with  the remote control unit, whereas other manufacturers sometimes force 
you to hook up one or the other but not both.
 
3) It is compatible with a really nifty Proxima innovation called  the
Cyclops, which allows you to "run" your presentation by clicking  a red
laser pointer or wand on the actual screen image. As you  move the pointer
around the screen, the Mac's mouse follows it. If  you press the button on
the laser pointer or wand, the red dot gets  brighter and the mouse thinks
it's been clicked. We haven't bought  this option yet because we're not
sure we need it, but for training  situations it might be really handy to
be able to pull down menus,  etc. right at the projected screen image. The
Cyclops is only  compatible with Proxima panels, and it is of course an
extra cost  option.
 
The Ovation is both VGA and Mac-compatible, if this is important, so  you
can use it with PC's as well as Macs.
 
Our whole intention is to use the Ovation in concert with a  Powerbook 170.
There are two basic ways to make a Powerbook drive an  LCD panel (or any
monitor, for that matter, since as far as any  computer is concerned the
LCD panel is just a monitor). You can get  a Radius Powerview, which is a
box that attaches to the Powerbook's  SCSI port and provides a monitor
output connector. You then plug the  LCD panel into the Powerview. We've
done this, and it works, but it  has 3 distinct disadvantages over the
second approach (read on).
 
The second approach is to get an Envisio, which is a video adapter  that
fits COMPLETELY INSIDE the Powerbook. The Envisio adds a video  output
connector to the left-hand hinge on the Powerbook, to which  you can
connect the LCD panel. We have an Envisio and use it now,  and this is how
we will connect to the Ovation. The advantages of  the Envisio over an
external SCSI box like the Powerview are:
 
1) The Envisio is completely internal. The Powerview and others like  it
are large external boxes (about twice the size of the Powerbook's  AC power
adapter) and they usually require an additional AC power  adapter of their
own, so they actually mean two extra things to lug around.
 
2) The Envisio is faster. There is a noticeable slowdown in screen  update
speed with the external SCSI boxes which is not present with  the Envisio.
It's just as fast as the built-in screen of the Powerbook.
 
3) The Envisio can be purchased with extra RAM so you can upgrade  your
Powerbook to 8 Megs of RAM at the same time you install the  Envisio. In
addition, the Envisio can use the small Apple 2 Meg card  that came with
your 170 (if you got a 4/40 model). Most other RAM  upgrades require you to
throw this card away or send it back to the  supplier for a small rebate.
If you use an external SCSI video box,  you'll still have to buy RAM
separately if you want to upgrade your  Powerbook to 8 meg.
 
EXTRA EQUIPMENT YOU'LL NEED:
In addition to the Ovation panel and an Envisio-equipped Powerbook  170,
you'll need:
1) A cable to go between the 170 and the Ovation. This will come  with the
Ovation.
 
2) Carrying case for the Ovation. At least two are available. Be  sure and
get one that protects the fragile LCD screen and provides  room for cables,
etc. and the Cyclops if you will be using it.
 
3) VCR if you plan on showing videos through the Ovation.
 
4) Overhead projector if there won't be one where you're going.  There are
several light, portable ones available. Test with your LCD  panel before
you buy.
 
5) Powered speakers, if you'll be showing video or Quicktime movies  that
have sound. 
 
Companies:
Proxima: 619-457-5500 (San Diego)
Radius: 800-227-2795 (San Jose, CA)
Envisio: 612-339-1008 (Minneapolis)
 
(I have no connection with any of the above-mentioned companies.)
_________________________________________________________________
From: Jill Williams <jill@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu>

In the latest issue of the magazine New Media (June 1992) there is a
comparison of 23 color LCDs...there is a little intro piece, and then a
table with a comparison of features. Not really a review, but might be
useful. If you don't have access to this publication, you could try calling
their Customer Service Department at 609-764-1846. It's a freebie sent to
'qualified individuals' so maybe they would send you one copy.

Jill Williams, Academic Information Systems, Columbia University
_________________________________________________________________
Date: Sun, 24 May 92 23:18 EST

We have a Spectra from NView and we are very pleased with it, but it is not
a cheap unit. It will workd with a MacII or EGA or VGA DOS display. I can
not speak about it s compatibility with a PB 170.

Jerry, LEWV
LEVIN%OPUS@MCOIARC
_________________________________________________________________


Hope this helps someone out there!

Thomas Scott, Systems Manager, College of Engineering
Cornell University, Carpenter Hall Annex, Ithaca, NY  14853