NEC

NEC Projector

Control and monitor an NEC projector from Companion over your network — no extra hardware or cables needed, just the projector's IP address.

This works with NEC projectors (the "NP" series, including models now branded Sharp NEC) that have a network connection and the built-in web control page. It does not control Sharp's own (non-NEC) projectors — those use a different system.

Set up

1. Connect the projector to the same network as your Companion computer, and find its IP address (shown in the projector's network menu).
2. Add this connection and type in the IP address. Leave the port at 80.
3. If the projector's web page asks for a password, enter the user name and password. If it doesn't, leave them blank.
4. That's it — buttons and status start working right away.

Turning the projector on over the network

To turn the projector on over the network, it has to keep its network awake while in standby — set the projector's Standby Mode to Network Standby (or Normal) in its own menu.

Use a wired (Ethernet) connection if you need power-on. Most NEC projectors switch their Wi-Fi off in standby, so a power-on command sent over Wi-Fi usually won't reach the projector. Wired LAN stays awake in standby. (Once the projector is on, Wi-Fi is fine for everything — this only affects waking it up.)

Choosing an input

Just pick the input by name (HDMI 1, Computer 1, Video…). The module automatically works out the exact code your projector uses and remembers it. Only if you have an unusual model and an input won't switch, pick Custom and enter the code from your projector's manual.

Tip: "Computer 1/2/3" are the analog VGA (15-pin) inputs.

Lamp life

• Lamp life remaining = how much lamp life is left (100% = new, 0% = replace soon).
• Lamp hours used = how many hours the lamp has run.

Both are available as ready-made status buttons and as variables.

Buttons, colours and status

Ready-made buttons are on the Presets tab — Power, Inputs, Mute / Freeze, Volume and Status. The power buttons change colour with the projector:

• Green = on
• Orange = warming up
• Blue = cooling down
• Red = off

Status buttons show live information (active input, lamp life, lamp hours, filter hours, eco mode, errors and more).

If something isn't working

• "Connection failure" — double-check the IP address and that the projector is on the network. Try opening http://<projector-ip>/ in a web browser.
• A button does nothing — some commands only work while the projector is on, and a few features (lens, shutter, edge blending) only exist on certain models and are safely ignored on others.