NEC Multisync MT830+

There are two VGA input sockets, and one output for an additional monitor. PAL and NTSC video are handled by a choice of S-Video or composite video sockets, along with stereo inputs for the 2W built-in speakers - they aren't hi-fi quality, but they save you the bother of carrying more boxes.

NEC has fitted infrared receivers to all four sides of the projector, so the supplied remote control should work wherever you point it. If you connect the projector's serial port to your PC, the remote can take control of the cursor too. As an optional extra you can get a £350 board, which accepts PC Cards and automatically displays any stored JPEG or BMP image files as a presentation.

In use, the four main menus were easy to navigate. The digital keystone correction was particularly effective at straightening the edges of the image, and rescaling it when the projector was pointed up or down at an angle to the screen. The image is very bright and watchable under reasonable lighting conditions. Video signals looked okay, but the MT830+ is most comfortable with an RGB PC signal. NEC's AccuBlend technology may allow the MT830+ to support non-native modes of up to 1,024 x 768, but not surprisingly it looked best of all running at it's native resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. Here the image was bright, crisp and vibrant, and likely to capture and retain the attention of anyone watching it. Consistency of colour across the screen is also solid.

The MT830+ might not be an ideal portable solution, but it's still manageable enough to be carried from room to room. For image quality alone it deserves a place on your shortlist.

Author: Gordon Laing