Panasonic PT-LB30U

The powerful PT-LB30U can handle almost any presentation and delivers good image quality to match.

The Panasonic PT-LB30U ($2100, as of January 18, 2006) is a 5.5-pound LCD projector that carries a very high rating of 3000 lumens. This model is powerful enough for use in large conference rooms, even ones with moderate ambient light. It's also among the best performers we've seen: In tests of 16 projectors for our April 2006 roundup, it earned very high marks for overall image quality, and took first place at displaying bright images in a partially lit room.

In our still-image tests, the PT-LB30U displayed crisp text display and vivid, color graphics. And in moving-image tests, our judges awarded it above-average scores for its handling of computer games and DVD movie playback. The PT-LB20U's nimble performance may be due, in part, to its use of a proprietary ambient-light sensor (Panasonic calls it Daylight View technology) that boosts image color in bright rooms.

Though we used the projector's default settings for our tests, it has alternate picture modes (standard, dynamic, and natural) for improving the image. When we switched from standard to natural mode, the PT-LB30U improved its display of light and dark color shades, resulting in better graduated tones in a color ramp, and more-realistic skin tones in a group photo.

The PT-LB30U's attractive case offers a few controls on the top panel, plus the menu system controls on the rear panel. Unlike most projectors that use directional keys or a pad for navigating the on-screen menu, the PT-LB30U provides a small switch in back that moves left and right and up and down, not unlike a joystick. Though it took a while to learn how to apply the menu and enter keys in the back, we had no difficulty navigating once we got used to the controls. The credit-card size remote was harder to use than most standard-size models, however, and it lacked both a pointer and a mouse control.

Connection options include a pair of connectors for up to two computers (each with its own audio input, along with the usual audio-video ports). But otherwise, only a VGA cable comes with the unit. The projector's built-in 1-watt speaker is best for playing presentation sound effects or low-key music.

The PT-LB30U has versatile features and provides bright, high-quality images.