REAL-TIME CONTROL. Like an interactive whiteboard, the ProjectoWrite2 gives you complete control of your presentation, making it equally effective for academic and business applications in venues of virtually any size.
 
Its built-in CMOS camera detects IR interruption so that you can use your mouse, e-pen or e-wand to manipulate text, data or images. Capture, modify, save or email anything that’s visible on the screen. Write notes, circle key points, type changes into documents – all in real time. You can even move the unit from one place to another during the course of a presentation without losing interactivity. In short, you can share full computer functionality with your audience.
 
For a machine with such complex operating abilities, the ProjectoWrite2 is surprisingly easy to set up and use. It’s also an extremely cost-effective alternative to fixed-installation whiteboard/projector systems.  “Unplug and Go” technology cools the unit automatically after presentations are complete and the unit is turned off.

Detailed Specifications

November 2009 - ProjectoWrite2 Review
ProjectoWrite2 Review by Paul Gilmore

Review: BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 II
Paul Gilmore, November 2009


The best word I can use to describe BOXLIGHT’s ProjectoWrite2 is “empowering.” It is empowering in the sense that you can manage your demo or presentation and still face your audience at the screen.  It empowers you because when using the ProjectoWrite2, you can browse a website and perform web based training without being tethered to your laptop or computer.  It is also addicting because after using the BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2, it’ll be difficult to give up this functionality when using other projectors. 
What is especially empowering and addicting about the ProjectoWrite2 is the “LightPen.” The LightPen and Pointer (figure a) are proprietary to BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 and after a couple minutes of calibrating, they allow the user to take over the mouse function at the screen.  “At the screen” is key. The ProjectoWrite2 also comes with LightPen software that provides some basic annotation and screen capture features that will re-highlight your key points and allow you to save them during your presentation.

The ProjectoWrite2 is truly a one of a kind projector.  It’s a bright XGA projector with interactive whiteboard functionality built into it.  And if you’ve ever used an interactive whiteboard, you’re familiar with the long process of setting up this device.  The BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 sets up in a fraction of the time and since it weighs in at around 7 lbs, the ProjectoWrite2 can easily take this functionality on the road.

Specifications

ANSI lumens:  3000 in Standard Mode, 1950 in Economy Mode

Contrast:  500:1
 
Light Engine:  1024 x 768, native 4:3, .63” LCD x 3, with 230 watt UHP lamp.

Video Compatibility:  Up to 1080i/60.

Connection Panel:  Inputs: 1 x VGA, DVI-I, Component Video, S-video, Composite Video, 2 x Audio Inputs (3.5mm) and 1 x L/R Audio Input; Outputs:  1 x VGA, 1 x Audio Output (3.5mm)
 
Built-in Speaker:  1 x 8 watt Mono speaker

Lens:  1.2:1 zoom ratio, manual zoom and focus lens

Lamp Life:  2000 hours (Standard Mode), 3000 hours (Economy Mode)

Replacement lamp price:  $349

Warranty:  3yrs Parts/Labor, 90-day lamp warranty. 24/7 Complimentary Tech Support

ProjectoWrite2 and LightPen Software
Obviously the most important feature of the BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is its ability to let you control your computer at the screen and in front of your audience.   Remotely controlling your computer at the screen is a function enabled through the use of a “Pointer” or “Light Pen.” The Pointer is just over 20” long and will extend to 32” whereas the Light Pen is just over 6” long and looks like a cigar.  Both have buttons to activate the remote mouse function or choose items from the palette (figure b).  The pen can also be pressure-activated so you can write directly on a firm projection surface.  The included LightPen Software is pretty basic and gives you the ability to control the mouse, draw on the screen and also take a screenshot to save your notes.  It also includes a virtual keyboard that you can select and use to enter web addresses or type notes into a document while at the screen.  The virtual keyboard is small and its use should be limited to some note taking or for entering web addresses.

In my tests, everything worked as expected but I could not get the screenshot feature to work on the Mac version of the LightPen software.  A good work around for Mac users is to use the Shift+Command+3 key combination to capture the screen.
Brightness

The BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is rated at 3000 lumens in standard mode and 1950 lumens using the economy setting. As with other projectors in this brightness classification, you shouldn’t have any issues presenting in either mode.  The advantage of presenting in economy mode is that you can extend the lamp life from 2000 to 3000 hours and this is significant when you factor in the price of a replacement lamp ($349).  I tested the ProjectoWrite2 in economy mode because it was bright enough to view in any lighting condition. The fan was also noticeably quieter in that setting. 
Resolution

The BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is a native XGA projector and easily snaps to a 1024 x 768 resolution.  With resolutions outside of its native XGA the PW2 does a decent job displaying information but you should expect some loss of sharpness with text.  For my tests with a PC and Mac laptop, the ProjectoWrite2 did connect and display in their native resolutions, 1280 x 800 and 1440 x 900 respectively, as well as in their native widescreen aspect ratio.  Text is legible but obviously scaled and compressed to fit on the screen.

Image Sharpness and Clarity
Another nice attribute of the BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is its image sharpness and clarity.  In its native XGA resolution and without keystone correction, the ProjectoWrite2 produced an image that was sharp and clear in every section of the screen. What a nice, unexpected surprise.  I’ve grown accustomed to testing projectors and finding a blurred portion of the projected image that shifts around the screen as you adjust the projector’s manual focus ring.  With the ProjectoWrite2, the image was sharp throughout.

Video support
The BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is a 500:1 contrast ratio video projector that will work great in classrooms, conference rooms or anywhere.  The 8-watt mono speaker is nicely included and will provide audio for up to 50 people.  You should also expect the same level of image sharpness and clarity you see with computer inputs to extend to video display.  The color and contrast levels would be best described as acceptable.  It’s not designed to be a home theater projector but it will do a good job delivering a video image in standard or widescreen format.
I tested the ProjectoWrite2 with a DVD player and mobile phone (iPhone) and found that it easily connected and displayed video using the composite, S-video and component input simultaneously.

Fan Noise
The BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is no different than other projectors in its class and will produce 33 decibels of fan noise in standard setting.  As I mentioned earlier, for my test, I set the ProjectoWrite2 to economy mode and that dropped the fan noise to 30 dB.  In economy mode, the noise level is half of what it is in standard mode and should be an easy setting choice for most presenters.

Warranty
The warranty package included with the BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 is a 3-year parts and labor and a 90-day warranty on the lamp.  BOXLIGHT does go a step further with their projectors by offering complimentary lifetime 24/7 technical support.  You can call them at 2 in the afternoon or 2 in the morning and they’ll walk you through the setup process of your BOXLIGHT projector.

Included Accessories
The BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 includes two pointers, remote control, VGA cable, power cord, owner’s manual (on CD), USB cable and separate carry cases for the projector and pointers.
Ideal user

The BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 will work great in a classroom, conference room or anywhere and can easily be packed up and taken on the road.  Again, it’s like a portable interactive whiteboard that can present on any surface and will allow the user to remotely control their computer and face their audience.  Lectures and meetings no longer have to be static and stuck in just forward or reverse.  With the ProjectoWrite2, you can now easily switch between applications and navigate through menus without ever losing the focus of your audience.

Other ideal users include graphic design or engineering firms that want to collaborate on a project, web based trainers, software companies that want to demonstrate their products – even sports teams that want to watch and analyze game film. Every industry and organization could use the features included with the ProjectoWrite2 because it’s a great presentation, collaboration and training tool.
In addition to its native XGA resolution and 3000 lumens of brightness, the BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 has several features that are classroom specific. These include wall color settings, password protection and a Kensington lock option. By changing the wall color settings, you can project onto surfaces beyond a standard projection screen.  This includes blackboards, painted walls etc.  And with password protection, you can limit access to your projector by requiring a password to be entered at startup.  Using the Kensington lock option is a great theft deterrent and necessary in classrooms or shared conference rooms.

Conclusion
Presentation projectors have become commoditized, especially in the 5 -10 lbs 2000+ lumen projector market.  Within this class of projectors, it’s “added” functionality that separates the projector models from each other and it’s what separates the BOXLIGHT ProjectoWrite2 from similar models.  I was very surprised at how easy the LightPen was to setup and how much it added to the presentation experience.  I’ve tested quite a few remote mice but none of them could come close to the preciseness of the LightPen.  Navigating a computer remotely has never been this easy.