NEC NP-ME331W Portable Projector Review - Special Features

Network Support

The NP-ME331W has a built-in RJ45 connector supporting 10 or 100 Mbps LAN connections.  However, wireless network support requires the use of an extra cost USB wireless LAN adapter. NEC offers their “NaViSet Administrator 2” software for management and control of multiple projectors.  NEC describes this as:

"Control, monitor and manage your display and projector settings in an all in one support system with NaViSet Administrator 2™. This software package provides unified control and asset management across product lines through an intuitive graphical user interface and allows for settings to be updated, tasks to be queried and reports to be generated for NEC products."

The NP-ME331W also supports Crestron Roomview(TM) allowing multiple devices, including the projector, connected in the network to be managed and controlled from a central computer or a controller.

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Color Correction of Off-white Walls

Often the need for projecting a presentation onto a wall, blackboard (classroom) or whiteboard (conference room) may arise.  To this end, NEC has included presets that change the color balance of the projected image to work with various presentation surface colors.  In addition to a Blackboard preset image mode, there are wall correction color settings for projecting onto walls with various color tints.

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Virtual Remote Tool

NEC offers a software utility for MS Windows based PCs that will allow the control of the projector from the PC via a LAN connection.  The Virtual Remote Tool can also be used with a serial connection to the projector.  A virtual remote control is displayed on the computer’s screen (as shown below) that is then used to control the projector.

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DICOM Simulation Picture Mode

NEC has included a special picture mode to the NP-ME331W that displays images simulating the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) standard used with B/W medical imaging (such as X-rays).  This mode optimizes black/gray/white detail.  Like other projectors that include such a mode, it is not intended for actual medical evaluation, but it allows for more accurate training of medical students, as well as more detailed medical imaging presentations.

USB Memory Viewer

This feature enables a presenter to display photos (JPG) stored on a USB storage device, without the use of a PC.  While PowerPoint files cannot be directly read by the projector's built-in viewer, PowerPoint presentations can be first converted on your PC into a series of JPG images and these stored on a USB flash drive, thus providing an indirect means to allow a presenter to do a PowerPoint presentation without a PC.

Geometric Correction Tool