With up to 14,000 lumens on tap and an assortment of eight lenses for a variety of settings, Barco's $25,900 (without lens) I600-4K15 can suit any medium- to large-size venue location, although there are also less expensive 8,000 lumen (4K8) and 10,000 lumen (4K10) models. Regardless of which you choose, the I600's sealed laser light path means close to zero maintenance while its WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixels) DLP imaging target can pixel shift, which results in 4K images being projected while Barco's line of Pulse boards can add connection potential.

The pièce de résistance is the I600's 5-inch control dashboard display that not only shows its key parameters, like temperature, resolution and fan action, but can streamline making setting changes. Bright, colorful and sensitive to touch, it points the way forward that others will likely follow.

While its output was just short of the 14,000 ANSI lumen mark, the I600 4K-15's imaging is an excellent compromise between all-out brightness and a naturalistic color balance, which rivals higher output competitors. Although it lacks a video-out port and Wi-Fi can only be used via a dongle peripheral (included in the company's price list), the projector's touchscreen has the power to change the way we think of projectors.

Insights into Our Reviewer's Process

Check out this interview with reviewer Brian Nadel where we learn more about his process and discuss his review of the Barco I600-4K15 laser projector.

Features

Suitable for large conference rooms, school auditoriums, mid-sized churches, museums, planetariums (with a compatible Navitar fisheye lens), non-motion-based sim applications, and projection mapping, the all-new Barco I600 design can pump out between 8,000 and 14,000 lumens in 4K resolution. To top it off, the projector's pioneering 5-inch color touchscreen dashboard shows how to streamline setting up and optimizing an installation projector.

At 52 pounds and 19.8 x 8.1 x 20.6 inches (WHD), the I600 is a little taller and narrower than Epson's EB-PU2216, requiring at least two people to safely install it, particularly if it involves ladder work. With four attachment points underneath and adjustable feet at its corners, the I600 is just as good for wall or ceiling mounting as for use in a niche or projection booth.

You can buy the Evoframe from Exact Solutions directly via Barco, and Exact Solutions and Rigtec make compatible rigging frames, as well. Also, the Rigtec frame is compatible and stackable with the Evoframe.

Inside, the I600's light path starts with an array of blue lasers. Part of the beam goes through a diffuser to remove speckling, while the remainder goes to the projector's phosphor disc to create a yellow stream of light that's broken into red and green components with dichroic mirrors. All three beams are combined and passed through an eight-segment color wheel to deliver sequentially colored light for the projector's 0.8-inch DLP micromirror imaging array.

The good news is that the I600's front-to-back air flow and two fans keep it cool, even if it is aimed straight up or down. The projector requires 16 inches of clearance to allow for enough air movement.

Nearly maintenance free and sealed, the I600 won't need a dust filter for most locations, although Barco's $120 optional filter snaps on the front for dirty locations or for those who demand a clean machine. Its laser lighting engine will never need a lamp change, but the I600 will occasionally require dusting off its lens and intake vents. The 20,000-hour lifespan of its lighting components should translate into more than 12 years of a heavy-duty cycle of eight hours of use per day for 200 days out of the year. Its Long Life mode can increase its lifespan to 30,000 hours but at the cost of lowering brightness.

While the projector's 1920 x 1200 native resolution is sharp and clear with a 240 Hz refresh rate, the I600 does a cool trick by precisely moving its imaging target diagonally back and forth 120 times a second. This effectively expands the resolution to 3840 x 2400. Unlike other pixel shifting projectors that are limited to 60Hz output, the I600 can deliver 120Hz video streams.

Available in black or white, the I600 can fit into a variety of large conference rooms, school auditoriums, and mid-sized churches. It side-mounted 5-inch color LCD touchscreen control panel is Barco's secret weapon for streamlining the projector's setup at the press of a finger. It makes video stream data and menu screens more accessible and sets the pace for ease of use by not only showing the current temperature and the fan's air pressure but also turning the projector on and off. It enables every adjustment that you would want to make, from resolution to warping and blending images. The screen is bright and responsive and will turn off if not used.

Despite its name, the $25,900 I600-4K15 I looked at is rated at 14,000 ISO lumens. There are also 4K10 ($19,200) and 4K8 ($16,100) models that put out 10,000 and 8,000 ISO lumens, respectively. Be aware that Projector Central's testing protocol measures ANSI lumen brightness based on the average of nine screen locations that can yield different results than the manufacturer's ISO testing. On the test bench, the I600-4K15 delivered 13,833 ANSI lumens, just off its spec, but that is still impressive for a 110-volt projector.

Barco's projector pricing does not include to cost of a lens. The brand's ILD optical family of lenses is comprehensive with eight models that cost between $1,750 to $8,270. At the extremes are the 0.37:1 ultra-short-throw lens and the 4.0 to 7.4:1 long-throw optics that can yield a 60-foot image, although that might be pushing the I600's output too far. The good news is that the ILD family can work with future single-chip DLP projectors, according to Barco.

The conventional $3,120 1.0 to 1.4:1 lens that I used was simple to install, and its powered focus and 1.4X zoom were incredibly precise. The optics put up a 17-foot diagonal image from 15 feet away with enough brightness to leave the lights on. In addition to traditional keystone correction for off-center projection paths, the I600-ILD lens combo can shift the image by up to 110 percent up-down and as much as 30 percent side to side. ProjectorCentral's Throw Calculator can help pick the right lens-projector pair.

The I600-ILD's ports include HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and a BNC 3D synchronization connector. It lacks any legacy analog connections or a video-out port for an overflow room or teacher's lectern. The projector's two built-in USB Type A ports are for firmware upgrades and powering Barco's $230 Wi-Fi accessory, but neither port worked with a generic mouse for flying through the menu options. Like others in its class, the I600 lacks audio, but the projector's 12-volt trigger can open or close a motorized screen.

That said, the I600 does without an HDBaseT networked video link. Fortunately, Barco's Pulse connection modules can add ports below the I600's main connection panel. In addition to the Pulse HDBaseT board, there's the Pulse Quad Combo Mk III module (HDMI, HDBase T, SDI, DMX, and XLR inputs) and the Pulse Quad DP 1.2 component with four DisplayPort connections. They cost between $590 and $3,160 each.

The I600's gigabit Ethernet is for connecting to an organization's networking infrastructure. Once online, you can tap into the projector's Pulse Prospector internal interface by typing the I600's IP address (available on the dashboard screen) into a web browser. You'll need the password; hint, it's admin/default1234.

Prospector opens a world of monitoring and customization that's well designed and functional, starting with the Overview page. It takes in everything from turning it on or off and using the shutter to its laser power setting and the video's frequency.

The incredibly deep Optics section puts competitors to shame. Here, I was able to move the image around on the screen and focus and calibrate the lens. A big bonus is access to test patterns in raw form or after the projector's processing for quick comparisons.

There're also mobile apps for iPhones, iPads, and Androids that make the same options pocketable. For those with several Barco projectors, the Insights Management Suite can control a few or few hundred devices in different rooms, cities or continents. The projector works with PJ Link, but not Crestron, control software.

As complex and deep as the I600 is, its included infrared remote control is almost too simple. Its 11 buttons can turn the I600 on or off as well as control the shutter, input source, and the projector's 13 test patterns. It, however, requires digging two layers below the surface to focus and zoom the lens. The remote is powered by a pair of AAA batteries and has a range of 30 feet.

There's also the $130 Pulse Remote Control Unit, which expands the possibilities with 33 keys and extends the range of the remote control. It also allows anything from selecting the input and entering numeric values to focusing and adjusting the color.

The I600 and its lens are backed by Barco for three years with next-day shipping of a replacement unit and no time limit on usage. By contrast, Epson's Brighter Future's educational plan adds discounts and a five-year warranty for schools. An additional two years of Barco EssentialCare coverage costs $1,020.

Its online support has the latest software updates, "how to make the most of the Pulse software," and a throw calculator. There is also a $500 one-day training course available to get more insights into the I600.

Performance

The Barco I600 family is not for those in a hurry to get started. It took 1 minute and 35 seconds to get it going as well as 19.7 seconds to shut down. While running, its exhaust hit a peak of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Color Modes. Rather than a multitude of projection modes for everything from presentations and spreadsheets to movies and medical scans, the I600's Native mode is a nice compromise between brightness and color balance. With its standard throw lens, the projector put more than enough light for a 30-foot image in a well-lit room yet has the color fidelity needed for a museum art show, previewing a business' web ads, or hosting a student movie night.

The other choices for the I600 include EBU (European Broadcasting Union), SMPTE-C (the U.S. television standard), and Rec. 709. There are custom settings for adjusting RGB, RGBCMY, and white levels. Each shows its current color space triangular graph.

Presentation Viewing. At 13,833 ANSI lumens, the I600 4K-15 was just a smidgeon off its 14,000 ISO lumen rating. The quality of its image was excellent compared with others we have tested in its class, such as the overly green imaging of the slightly brighter Epson EB-PU2216B in its Dynamic mode. A better comparison is the 12,600 lumens we got from the EB-PU2216B's Natural mode, putting the I600 4K-15 on top.

The projector's focus was exceptionally sharp and uniform with the standard throw lens. Despite having a single DLP imaging target, the I600 didn't exhibit any rainbow effects and its pixel-shifted 4K image was rock solid with no visible image movement or loss of brightness.

In addition to the projector's Constant Output Mode, there's also a Long Life setting that extends the laser's lifespan by 10,000 hours but lowers the projector's brightness by 22 percent to a peak of 10,692 ANSI lumens. Meanwhile, the I600's fan noise was comparable to other projectors in its class, but it had a slightly annoying higher pitch to it. All told, it put out 46.4dBA, which rose to 49.2dBA in Long Life mode where the fan is set to full blast. The measurements were made 36 inches from its exhaust vent in a room where the background noise level was 36.0dBA.

Video Viewing. Meanwhile, the I600's DynaBlack analyzes image flow and optimizes its contrast by selectively dimming and brightening areas of the screen. It provides the flexibility to project anything from sales report spreadsheets and lessons to training simulations and medical scans.

At the other extreme, the I600 can handle HDR-enhanced programming, like movies, with either HLG (Hybrid Log Gama) or PQ (Perceptual Quantizer) decoding. Both were equivalent in augmenting the richness and highlights in the BBC's A Perfect Planet Blu-ray, particularly the scene where white geese are flying over a mountain range. The birds looked electric with incredible whiteness that popped off the screen.

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The I600 can use either 110- or 220-volt power and at 1,252 watts for 11.1 lumens per watt. It's a little high compared to the Panasonic PT-REQ15's 942 watts for 15,626 ANSI lumens of output or 16.6 lumens per watt. If the I600 is used for eight hours a day and 200 days out of the year, the expected electricity bill should be about $321 if your institution pays the national average of 16 cents per kilowatt hour for power. There's also a standby mode where the LAN connection remains active at 22.8 watts and an annual estimate of $347.

Conclusion

Barco takes a big step forward in terms of making medium- to large-size venue projectors easier to set up, use, and enjoy with the three I600 family members that put out 8,000 (4K-8), 10,000 (4K-10) and 14,000 (4K-15) lumens. The big advance is the projector's 5-inch color display that shows the installer what's going on inside the projector and what it's projecting. Just press your choices, simplifying optimizing the projector and the single place to go to for detailed data about the I600's operations.

A projection tour be force, the I600's WUXGA native imaging can be pushed to 4K levels at 120Hz using Barco's SuperShift technology, while others are limited to 60Hz streams. Add in the eight available ILD lenses, and you have a projector for a wide variety of venues. While it may not have all the ports you want, Barco's add-on Pulse boards can fill some of the blanks while the I600-4K15's sealed laser light engine put 13,833 ANSI lumens on the screen.

At $29,000 (with a standard-throw lens), the I600-4K15 delivers supersharp imaging that costs roughly the same as Epson's brighter $29,200 EB-PU2216B (with a similar lens), but its realistic color balance makes the I600 a winner to light up a museum exhibit, lecture hall, large conference room, or house of worship.

Measurements

Brightness. Other projectors have several modes for different material, while the Barco I600-4K15 Native mode presents a nice balance between brightness and color balance. Its 13,833 ANSI lumen output was on a par with other medium-size-venue projectors, and it is suitable for corporate sales presentations, lecture hall lessons, museum exhibits or the projecting of an inspiration message during a service.

There's also a Long Life mode that lowers output by 22 percent while keeping the fan at full. It can add 10,000 hours of life to the laser components but the projector tops out at 10,692 ANSI lumens.

Barco I600-4K15 ANSI Lumens

Picture Mode	Lumens
Normal	13,833
Long Life	10,692

Power Use. The I600's power peak use of 1,252 watts puts it in the upper echelon of 110-volt projectors. The Long Life mode can reduce this to 960 watts but at a 22 percent loss of brightness. It should cost roughly $321 a year if it's used for 1,600 hours a year and your organization pays the national average of 16 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity.

Zoom Lens Light Loss (from widest to maximum zoom). The I600 lost 43.5% of its brightness when the R9803070 1.4X zoom lens was zoomed all the way in.

Brightness Uniformity. The projector had a brightness uniformity of 85.1%.

Fan Noise. Barco rates the I600's fan noise at 40dB in a soundproof room, although I measured a sonic output of 46.4dBA in a room with a background sound level of 36.0dBA. In Long Life mode, the noise rose to 49.2dBA. The quality of the sound was rather high-pitched.

Video Lag. Using a Bodnar Video Signal Input Lag tester, the I600 4K-15 had a video lag reading of 20.5 milliseconds. This is extremely fast and is plenty for gaming and simulations.

Connections

• HDMI 2.1
• DisplayPort 1.4
• 3D sync (BNC in and out)
• Gigabit wired LAN (RJ-45)
• USB Type A (X2 for firmware upgrade and accessory power)
• 12 Volt out (for screen)
• Remote Control extension (3.5mm)

For more detailed specifications and connections, check out our Barco I600-4K15 projector page.

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