As someone once pointed out to me, Christie doesn't make small projectors. The LCD-based LWU501i does nothing to challenge that statement. Weighing 19.6 pounds with its standard lens (there are four others to choose from), and measuring 5.8" x 19.6" x 18.7" (HWD), it's definitely meant for permanent installation.

One of the advantages of the large size is that there's plenty of room for connectors, including two HDMI ports and a set of five BNCs (common on professional video equipment). There's also lots of room inside for motors that handle zoom, focus, and both vertical and horizontal lens shift. The projector doesn't skimp on basics either, with a native 1920x1200 resolution, a 5000-lumen brightness rating, and a 2x zoom lens as standard. Other key strengths include excellent data image quality and better video quality than most data projectors.

The one catch is the price, at a hefty $9,995 list. That's not unreasonably high for this level of capability, however, and government and education discounts are available. If you need this combination of high resolution, brightness, image quality, and conveniences, there's plenty here to justify the cost.

Strong Points