Short-throw video projectors for interactive whiteboards: Hitachi CP-A200 review

When it comes to video projectors, I tend to prefer ceiling-mounted over front-wall mounted. There a number of interactive whiteboards out there with video projectors that stick out awkwardly over the whiteboard.

The interactive whiteboards with builtin projectors may be easier to mount and possibly rig cabling than whiteboards with separate ceiling projectors, but they are generally ugly and generally more expensive than buying the individual components yourself. Plus, they seem to hang so low that students will be tempted to knock around the projector for fun (though ceiling projectors are not immune to this), and taller staff members could knock their heads on the projector.

We had a situation where a certain classroom might contain asbestos ceiling tiles, so we were not allowed to disturb the ceiling. So, we were forced to go with a wall mounted projector. Because this room was smaller than an average classroom, I toyed with the idea of installing a projector at the back of the room, but the throw distance was still too far and we would have had to purchase an overly expensive projector.

We settled on a wall-mounted short-throw projector from Hitachi, the CP-A52. It looks great, but you have to picture it upside-down (note to self: take a picture!). There is only about a foot of space between the wall and the projector. The door that you see in the picture is motorized; it automatically closes when the projector is shut down. The current iteration of this projector is the CP-A200. The CP-A200 is 3000 lumens, has XGA resolution, and has a street price under $1400.

With Hitachi's normal ceiling projectors under $650, we're only considering the CP-A200 where a ceiling projector won't work. For example, our Library is considering one for an area with a 2-story ceiling. Normally, if we really had to have a projector for that location, we would have to consider mounting a long-throw projector across the room at around $4000 or so. The new class of short throw projectors is making this a more reasonable prospect.

Check out this full review of the Hitachi CP-A200 over at ProjectorCentral.com.

You can get a very competitive quote on the CP-A200 from Troxell Communications. In Illinois, my rep is Kevin LeBlanc at 847.854.6772.

I receive no compensation from manufacturers, websites, or retailers.