Sony VPL-CX75

Comparing the Sony VPL-CX75 with other models is almost unfair. With its simple white design, this 6.4-pound model will look great on any boardroom table, and it's one of the few projectors anywhere that will actually improve the look of a ceiling. Add to these good looks some great performance and some incredibly cool features, and you have a projector you just might fall in love with.

Press the power button and the lens cap opens, the projector tilts up, and any keystone and focus problems are corrected-all automatically. Once the projector warms up, it displays a large, super-sharp, bright image. If 1956 lumens is not bright enough, you can switch to "High" lamp mode for an extra 24 percent of luminance.

In either mode, the fan noise is hardly noticeable, and the remote control enables you to page through a slide show easily. The only downside is the projector's LCD imaging technology, which has relatively low 177:1 contrast ratio and requires you to clean the air filter occasionally.

For wireless operation, all you need to do is slip Sony's Air Show 802.11b wireless card into the designated slot on the side of the projector. Sony even provides a USB wireless adapter for your laptop. After a few clicks, our laptop's images were on display.

If you want to leave the laptop at home, you're supposed to use Sony's trademark Memory Stick slot. Be aware that converting a standard PowerPoint slide show into a version suitable for use on this media is a lot more complicated than it should be. We don't think feature has received nearly the same level of expert human engineering as the projector's other great features.

The superlative performance of the Sony VPL-CX75 comes at a hefty price, $2,800. But if you want what might be the best all-round projector on the market, this beauty is well-worth the cost.

Wireless Setup of the Sony VPL-CX75

Step by Step

1. Insert the Sony CD into your laptop's CD drive and install the three modules thereon.

2. Insert the Sony Air Shot 802.11b CF Card into the Projector.

3. Turn on the projector.

4. Press the Air Shot button on the projector's remote control.

5. Insert the USB Wireless LAN adapter into one of your laptop's USB ports.

6. Turn on the laptop.

7. The Air Shot program should start up automatically and show all compatible projectors within range. Choose the desired projector. The laptop's screen will be displayed by the projector.