Samsung SP-F10M

Samsung SP-F10M

The Samsung SP-F10M ($1,100 street) is a capable data projector in it own right, but it's also worth looking at for another reason. As one of the first standard-size (as opposed to pico or pocket-size) models to use an LED light source, and one of the brightest, if not the brightest, LED projectors to date, it may well represent the future of projectors. LEDs are inherently greener than traditional lamps, since they use less electricity and don't contain mercury. They also save money because you'll never need to replace them. (The SP-F10M's LEDs are rated at 30,000 hours in normal mode or 50,000 hours in eco mode.) Someday, all projectors may use LEDs. The SP-F10M uses them already. Aside from the light source, the SP-F10M is a typical XGA (1,024 by 768) LCD-based projector, similar in size and weight to the Editors' Choice Epson PowerLite Presenter ($899.99 direct, 4 stars) that I reviewed earlier this year. The two differ in some obvious ways, including resolution (the Epson projector is 1,280 by 800 WXGA), brightness (with ratings of 2,500 lumens for the Epson model but only 1,000 lumens for the SP-F10M), and the fact that the Epson projector has a built-in DVD player.