BrightLink 485Wi Wins Projector Central Shootout

Grant's Perspective on ... Projector Central rates the Epson BrightLink 485Wi the best in their Interactive Projector Shootout.

Epson BrightLink 485Wi Interactive Projector

Projector Central is a respected website that is a good source of information to review and compare projectors. I noticed they recently conducted an Interactive Projector Shootout and the Epson Brightlink 485W1 was rated #1.

They summarize the findings, saying "The Epson 485Wi comes in first in most categories, with the best video image quality, brightest interactive image, best audio system, and more. It even edges out the DLP projectors on interactive features, thanks to its automatic calibration and its ability to work with two pens at once.

If you are in Western Canada (Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon or Winnipeg) and would like more information or a demonstration, contact us at Inland AV.

Grant

New Epson BrightLink Interactive Projectors Coming Soon

Grant's Perspective on ... the new Epson BrightLink interactive projector line-up.

Epson takes their award winning BrightLink interactive projector, and ups the ante with six new versions of interactive projectors.  Epson has taken interactivity to the next level with their ultra short throw BrightLinks, featuring simultaneous dual pen annotation capabilities, higher brightness, improved installation capabilities, ability to project wirelessly from an iPad or iPhone, and projection over your computer network. 

Epson has announced 6 new BrightLink projectors that will be available this spring. There are 3 ultra-short-throw models (475Wi, 480i, and 495Wi) as well as the introduction of 3 short-throw projectors (425Wi, 430i, and 435Wi).

All of these new projectors include HDMI connections. Other options include the ability to have 2 people use the system simultaneously.  

Feel free to contact us for more information.

BTW - Brighter Futures advantages and pricing are available for qualified educational institutions at Inland AV.

Grant

AV Seminars Winnipeg January 27

Grant's Perspective on ... Driving Technology AV Seminars and Demonstrations, January 27, Greenwood Inn, Winnipeg.

Inland AV is hosting a day of 5 educational seminars and over 20 audiovisual manufacturers demonstrating the latest in AV technology at the Greenwood Inn, Winnipeg. Seminars include: Crestron Digital Media, Navori Digital Signage Applications, Sharp 70" Interactive Touchscreen, Epson BrightLink and AMX System Control.

It is a great opportunity to meet with the manufacturer reps!

Grant

PowerLite Pilot Connection and Control Box

Grant's Perspective on ... Epson's new PowerLite Pilot Connection and Control Box.

Epson has introduced an easy-to-use AV system controller to help teachers keep AV technology organized. With many classrooms using projectors and audio systems with computers, DVD players, document cameras and iPods a controller system is a good addition to the AV system.

The Pilot mounts on the wall and comes with a cover to help protect it and keep the cables in place.  

I'm intrigued by the "Use as an extension box — expand the range of your cables for added flexibility" point on the Epson product website. I'm assuming this means that the Pilot works as a USB extender. This is a great feature as USB cables only work when the length of the cable run is short. I look forward to getting my hands on the unit and testing it out.

The photo below shows the inputs and outputs available: HDMI, AUX Audio, USB Type A, USB Type B, Audio inputs, 2 VGA inputs, Audio outputs, Rec out, S-video, Composite, RS-232.

While we are an Epson dealer, there are many other AV system control devices available to suit your needs and budget. AMX, Crestron, Kramer and Extron all make some great products. If you are tired or embarrassed having to plug in and unplug cables and maybe even tripping over the cables in front of people in classrooms and boardrooms, then it is time to look into an AV control system.

The Pilot will be available next month (June, 2011).

Grant

IU-01 Interactive Demo At InfoComm

Grant's Perspective on ... IU-01 demonstration at InfoComm.

Epson had a demonstration of the IU-01 at InfoComm. This makes any existing projector interactive. The picture below shows the Epson representative with the infra-red pen doing an elementary school exercise. She gave a short demonstration to show the audience how intuitive and user-friendly the IR pen is and then let her audience try it.

The IU-01 is the same system that is the interactive heart of the BrightLink. It is not for sale at this time so we will stay tuned for a release announcement

BTW - The BrightLink has been getting a warm reception be it at InfoComm or the demonstrations that have been happening at Inland AV locations.

Grant

Epson BrightLink Video & Review

Grant's Perspective on ... Epson BrightLink information update.

I noticed a great Projector Central review of the Epson Brightlink 450Wi.

I also like this quick video overview of the BrightLink  posted on YouTube.



We have been busy hosting BrightLink demonstrations across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. They have all been well attended as people in education and training see the value of interactive projectors.

Grant

Webcast Presentations: Digital Projection, Kramer & BrightLink 450Wi

Grant's Perspective on ... Inland AV Open House Seminar Webcast

The Inland AV February 12, Open House event in Edmonton included 3 seminars that were webcast live. The presentations have been archived and are now available for on-demand viewing.

The 3 seminars are:

1 -Digital Projection Overview - Paul Gomes, Digital Projection
2 -  Analog to Digital Transition and Your AV Investment -  Ed Tchoi, Future Image Systems
3 - Epson BrightLink 450Wi: The New Interactive Projector - Jared Scott, Epson Canada

Click here and you will go to the webcast registration page (screen capture below).  Register and you will access the webcast lobby page. Click on "watch now" (I encourage you to view with the Explorer browser and watch the Silverlight formatted presentations) and the webcast window will open. Use the index points drop down menu (bottom left hand corner of the webcast screen) to go directly to any of the 3 seminars.

The screen capture below is from the Epson BrightLink 450Wi seminar. Jared Scott, Epson Canada introduces and demonstrates the new interactive projector.

In addition to the content of the webcasts, I wanted to mention that webcasting is a service of the Inland AV Rentals department. Webcasting extends the reach of a live event offering a great ROI.

Grant

Epson BrightLink Interactive Projector at Winnipeg Open House

Grant's Perspective on ... Epson BrightLink 450Wi Best of Show.

Our Winnipeg Open House was last Friday. Glenn Corthey, Inland AV Sales Manager, reported that it was attended by a record number of people. It was great to host guests from Portage LaPrarie, Brandon, The Pas, Selkirk, as well as the Winnipeg area. 

The Epson BrightLink 450Wi interactive projector garnered a lot of positive attention. I watched a few of Jared Scott's demonstrations (pictured below at the Epson booth and Inland AV Presentation Theatre) and noted that the interactivity was very smooth. In other words, the BrightLink system responded fast, no drop outs, the projected image looked great and the annotations also looked great. The double-tap (like a mouse double-click) works just like it would on a tablet PC. The pen needs to make contact with the wall to write so as long as you maintain contact on the wall, a continuous line is made, just like a real pen. The fact that you use a regular wall as the projection surface means that the active image size is flexible.

While Canadian pricing has not been announced, the cost of the interactive projector will be significantly less than a traditional interactive whiteboard and projector system.
BTW- The system comes with the 450Wi projector, mount, 2 pens, 4 rechargeable batteries and charger.

Grant

Epson BrightLink 450Wi Interactive Projector

Grant's Perspective on ... Epson's interactive projector will change the whiteboard market

Epson has just announced a new interactive projector that will radically change the educational market and I believe it!

Interactive whiteboards have become a hit with teachers helping deliver classroom content. Students love interactivity in their lessons, therefore they understand and retain the information better. Now the Epson BrightLink 450Wi can project onto a regular whiteboard or wall and perform like an interactive whiteboard but (here's the clincher) without the interactive whiteboard component.

Up to now, interactive presentations have required both an interactive whiteboard and a projector to provide the interactive functionality. Now all you need is the projector! This significantly lowers the overall purchase cost and keeps the classroom looking less cluttered (and safer).

The projector comes with an annotation pen. This pen is used by the teacher or student to electronically "mark up" the image that is on the wall as the pen communicates with the projector to make the annotation visible. The advantages of the pens are that they are more reliable and accurate than fingers. I always do a circle test by drawing a large circle and looking for drop outs. I think of the pen as the "car keys" in that they are locked in a teachers desk and brought out when needed.

The 450Wi has an ultra-short throw lens allowing it to be wall mounted just above where the image is projected eliminating annoying "shadow puppets" caused by the teacher being between the projector lens and the screen.

Epson has announced that they will be demonstrating this break-through technology in Winnipeg, January 29, 2010 and in Edmonton, February 12, 2010.

Grant