NEC LT 260K Multimedia Projector Review

Unfortunately, part of my job has been to provide occasional multimedia support in the guise of a laptop (connected to the network (Internet access) of course), mated with a multimedia LCD projector.  I say unfortunately because invariably something goes wrong with the projector, the presentation of the laptop, or a combination thereof necessitating the need for me to (for lack of a better descriptor) baby sit the user, something I hate to do.  Up until recently we had a couple of very old and bulky multimedia projectors that were more trouble then they were worth, so I bought a pair of NEC LT 260K Multimedia Projectors to replace them thinking that they would lighten my load; I was only partially right. 

The Projector

The NEC LT 260K is a dual mode (2400 lumens in normal mode, and 1900 lumens in economy mode) Multimedia Projector designed for the medium to large sized business market.  The NEC's LT 260K bright display make it idea for projecting high resolution images (1024x768 maximum resolution in native mode & 1600x1200 (UXGA) maximum resolution, interpolated), such are financial data, and graphics. 

The NEC LT 260K is fairly light weight and streamlined. Near the back of the unit are the simple controls to manipulating the functionality of the projector, with LED's for Lamp, Status, Power, and PC Card.  The back panel of the NEC LT 260K is adorned with inputs and outputs, making this unit a true multimedia powerhouse.  At the top left there is a PC Card slot into which you are meant to place a NIC card in order to control the unit over the network.              

The LT260K is equipped with the standard two VGA inputs which interestingly enough double as component video inputs for HDTV or DVD.   There is also an Audio input between these two connectors, and to the right of them there is VGA output.  In addition, the NEC LT 260K also sports (1) S-Video input, (1) composite video input, and one set of stereo RCA inputs.   

Other connectors include two USB ports (1) master port for connecting a flash drive, mouse, or other USB device, and; (1) USB slave port, which can be used to connect the unit to a computer; a headphones jack, and Infra-red port; Note there is also an Infra-Red port on the front of the projector as well.

My Viewpoint

Most of the specialized features of this unit go unused by the various departments that sign the projector out, but a little overkill is never a bad thing unless it doesn't work as advertised. 

On one of our NEC LT 260K Multimedia Projector's we have had ongoing problems with the lamp: it refuses to stay on consistently.  When first turned on the lamp refuses to light.  We then have to remove it, and then place it back in the unit, then power the projector back on, after which the NEC LT 260K Multimedia Projector will work for a while before the lamp stops working once again.  We have of course replaced the lamp under warranty, but the same thing continues to happen, but only on the one projector. 

Am I sorry I bought the NEC LT 260K Multimedia Projectors?  No not really.  Even thought the price point was steep, and we do have that ongoing problem with the lamp, I believe the overall functionality of the unit was well worth the cost.  Perhaps someday we will harness the other features of the projector, but until that day arrives the NEC LT 260K Multimedia Projector suits our purposes well enough.