The Dell 2300MP is a 4.7-pound light-cannon, brighter in our tests than any other projector in this class to date. The DLP imager has XGA resolution, and the direct price of $1,499 is quite low. Unfortunately, the projector has a mix of strengths and weaknesses that may not make it a good match for all users.

The 2300MP has an input for a standard analog signal and a pass-through output connector for a monitor. It also has composite and S-video connections for video signals. The projector can connect to a computer with a USB connection, but the only functions supported by the remote control are Page Up and Page Down. This is sufficient for PowerPoint presentations, but more extensive remote-mouse functions are helpful when working with other programs. The remote control has a convenient autosync button, but unfortunately the projector failed to get the timing precisely correct, so there was visible pixel jitter. The jitter was eliminated fairly easily by tweaking the timing settings using the onscreen menu, but most projectors do not need such adjustments.

In our tests using DisplayMate (www.displaymate.com), we had mixed results. Focus was generally good, color ramps were smooth, and colors were better than most DLP projectors; yellows were not as muddy as they appear on most DLP projectors. Focus was good across the whole screen. Response to light gray shades was good, but dark-gray response was poor. Attempts to adjust the brightness setting to improve dark-gray performance resulted in a noticeable increase in the black level.

On our measurements, the projector produced 2,126 lumens, which is extremely close to the rated 2,300 claimed by Dell. Contrast was also excellent, at 335:1, so this projector is a good choice to create a large image under adverse lighting conditions. The brightness variance ratio was not as good, at 2.0:1, but we saw no obvious hot spots or shadows on the screen. Tests with video signals showed good facial tones but with some slight posterization. And as with many projectors, the speakers distort a bit at maximum volume.

The projector comes with excellent printed documentation and a nice case with rigid foam inserts to protect the device. The 2300MP's flaws are fairly minor, and it has significant strengths at an attractive price. If you need the extra brightness, you should add this to your list of candidates.

Benchmark Tests
Click here to view the Dell 2300MP benchmark test results

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