Classroom

Epson’s PowerLite W16SK Projector Makes 3D Easy and Affordable

Educators wanting to infuse their lessons with high-quality 3D should consider this passive dual-projection system.

Buzz Garwood, the technology teacher at Home Gardens Academy in Corona, Calif., blogs and produces videos for EdTech magazine. Follow him at @buzzgarwood and check out his blog.

Any technology that helps teachers deliver content to students in new and immersive ways is a welcome addition to the toolbox. This year, Epson announced such a tool: a 3D projector that won't break the bank.

Epson's line of 3D projectors designed specifically for education includes two models — one based on "active" 3D technology (the PowerLite W16), the other on "passive" technology. Active 3D requires battery-powered 3D glasses that cost about $99 per pair, whereas the passive Epson PowerLite W16SK uses polarized glasses (the kind used to view 3D movies in theaters) that are significantly less expensive. Although the W16SK ships with just one pair of glasses, more pairs (including a small size for little heads) can be purchased in quantities of five for $15.

The W16SK has two projectors, which are held in position via a stacking mount that aligns the images they project. After attaching both units to the mount and connecting them via the supplied USB cable, follow the straightforward on-screen prompts to install a polarizing filter to each one. With that, the system is ready to project in three dimensions — and the classroom is forever transformed.

End-User Advantages

Prior to testing, I worried that I might get a headache from viewing 3D content for more than a few minutes. But once I began watching a 3D movie, those concerns evaporated. I enjoyed the experience so much, in fact, that I immediately went out and purchased another one.

Slowly but surely, content creators are developing curricular programs in which subject matter appears to jump off the screen, making learning fun and memorable. Students can view DVDs, stereoscopic webcasts and live images from a 3D camera — and even edit video in 3D with the right plug-ins.

Teachers, meanwhile, can optimize content they already have using tools such as Presente3D, a ribbon bar add-on for Microsoft PowerPoint that lets users set depth to every element in a slideshow and embed 3D objects in their presentations.

Why It Works for IT

The serial control port gives IT departments the option to add a third-party audiovisual control system. Instead of users having to manage numerous remote controls, IT can configure one device to rule them all via a single interface. This simplifies the user experience and reduces battery and remote replacement costs.

Unlike most 3D projectors, the W16SK supports multiple HDMI 3D formats out of the box. It also delivers up to 6,000 lumens of color brightness and 6,000 lumens of white light output in 2D when stacked, yielding a bright picture even in well-lit rooms.

The Epson Brighter Futures program allows schools to order replacement parts at significantly discounted rates.

Disadvantages

Since viewing 3D content requires a silver screen, schools that have white screens or intend to project images on an existing whiteboard will need to factor in the added cost of a silver screen. Also, when viewing 2D content on a silver screen, it's worth noting that highlights aren't as bright as they appear against a white screen.