Projector

January 4, 2007 - BenQ today announced the addition of four models to its digital projector line. The new models - loaded with features to aid operator usage - are the MP721, MP721C, MP611, and MP611C. These cross-functional units provide exceptional image quality, whether used in a corporate, medium, or small-sized business setting, or educational environment, or as part of a home-theater system. The new units have MSRPs of $1499 (MP721), $999 (MP721C), $899 (MP611), and $749 (MP611C).

"Each of these new BenQ digital projectors not only provides picture-perfect presentations, but they don't force the user to jump through hoops to do it," said Po Su, BenQ USA Product Manager. "In fact, with features such as MyScreen, presentation timer, power alert tone, "Q" hot key, and a blackboard mode, they make it positively easy." Read more

Dec. 5, 2006 – For years, front projector manufacturers have been touting engineering breakthroughs that continuously expand the boundaries of projection use, while the evolution of projection screens has been perceived by many as generally unchanged. An innovative product called the Accolade DUET Ultra Portable Projection Screen is designed to change that perception by addressing the ever-increasing demand for front projectors with a portable screen for use at both work and home.

With two patents pending, the DUET screen features a unique design that enables it to expand horizontally (left and right rather than up and down) to either 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios. It can be used to project an image up to 80 inches in size (diagonal). The DUET screen can either hang on a wall using an included mounting bracket, or stand freely by placing it on an included retractable stand. The screen and stand can be set up together in less than 30 seconds and can be taken down and stored as a one-piece solution that is 42 inches in length. The DUET screen is also easy to transport. Read more

Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson America is introducing a new flagship home theater projector that is uniquely engineered to maximize the benefits of 1080p, the industry's highest definition video signal to date. Epson is currently the number one selling brand of front projectors worldwide(1) and the new Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema 1080 builds on that position using a seamless combination of projection technologies that produces an immersive big-screen experience like no other. These technologies include Epson's new 1080p (1,920 x 1,080) native resolution C2 Fine 3LCD chips, OptiCinema optics, E-TORL lamp, 1080Perfect Video Processor, and Absolute Black technology. Priced at $4,999 (estimated street price), the Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema 1080 will be available in January 2007 through CEDIA dealers. Read more

November 20, 2006 -- SIM2 USA, through their parent company SIM2 Multimedia has introduced the D80 in its Domino line of high-value DLP home theater projectors. The D80 delivers much of the core performance of the company’s single-chip flagship HT3000, including true 1080p resolution, full 10-bit processing, and SIM2's proprietary Alpha Path light engine, all at an under-$10,000 price point.

The SIM2 D80 front projector is built around Texas Instruments' newly introduced 0.95-inch 1080p DarkChip3 DMD chipset, and is capable of displaying 1080p source material, such as HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs, at full-1920x1080 resolution. The projector features a new seven-segment color wheel (RGBRGB + Natural Density Filter), end-to-end 10-bit video processing, and a 160-watt high output lamp to achieve remarkable color depth and fidelity with a contrast ratio of > 4,000:1 (Full ON/Full OFF). SIM2's proprietary Alpha Path folded light engine allows the projector to accomplish high-end performance in a compact, attractive housing with a footprint of just 14 x 12-1/2 inches. Read more

Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- SANYO, one of the world's largest manufacturers of LCD projector products, introduces the PLV-Z5. This home projector has a heretofore unheard of 10,000:1 contrast ratio. The extremely high ratio here means brilliant rich colors due to the stunning contrast.

Images are further enhanced with the industry's first twin-iris system. Integrating a lens aperture and lamp aperture, this new system delivers true-to-life images with outstanding gradation in a variety of viewing environments. Also, SANYO's newly developed TopazReal Technology blends together the brightness level of the lamp output and newly designed LCD panels, helping to achieve a superior and sharper picture in scenes with any brightness level. The PLV-Z5 design delivers crisp, bright high-contrast images, even in well-lit environments. Read more

Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Projector Systems Company, Unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, today announced the debut of its first LCD home cinema projector with 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) native resolution: the PT-AE1000U. Designed for savvy home theater enthusiasts and audio video professionals, the new projector accurately reproduces the original picture quality intended by Hollywood movie and television directors and displays the highest contrast ratio (11,000:1) in its class.

The PT-AE1000U model comes equipped with Panasonic's all new, carefully engineered optical system that's designed to achieve beautifully detailed images with a captivating brightness of 1,100 lumens. The new optical system includes Panasonic's unique aspherical glass lens system, a full high definition (HD)-compatible technology that reduces the amount of light dispersion to help produce crisper, more vivid images. In addition, it has incorporated next-generation, full high definition LCD panels (C2FineTM), which are characterized by inorganic, vertically aligned liquid crystals for enhanced black level performance. Panasonic's Dynamic Iris has also been improved to reproduce superior full HD images, providing consumers with a much richer home theater viewing experience. Read more

Sept. 14, 2006 – Sony Electronics and Stewart Filmscreen announced at the 2006 CEDIA Expo that they will join forces to promote the benefits of “Full HD” front projection to a broader consumer audience.

The effort will focus on both the new Sony VPL-VW50 SXRD projector, which delivers full 1920 x 1080 high-definition resolution; along with a new Stewart Filmscreen Firehawk SST screen whose reflectivity and gain has been specifically designed to optimize the VW-50’s performance under a variety of viewing conditions. Read more

September 13, 2006 — Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Presentation Products Division, known for award-winning, high-quality presentation and display products, today introduced its HD1000U projector offering high-definition Digital Light Processing™ technology from Texas Instruments for an unprecedented suggested retail price of $1495. Now more consumers can afford the latest technology from Mitsubishi at the most affordable price available in the market today.

"We want to bring more choices to the market and reach new customers who are considering a home theater experience," said Frank Anzures, product manager, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Presentation Products Division. "With the HD1000U, more people can enjoy the rich cinematic quality of a home theater at an affordable price, and can now consider a front projector as one of their choices for television viewing." Read more

September 13, 2006 — Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Presentation Products Division, known for award-winning, high-quality presentation and display products, today introduced its 1080p home theater projector, the HC5000BL. Based on the latest LCD technology and High Quality Video (HQV) high-performance video processor from Silicon Optix, Mitsubishi's HC5000BL offers true 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution for the highest definition of detail and action, and performs seamlessly with the latest Blu-ray or HD DVD technology. Read more

September 13, 2006 – Panasonic Projector Systems Company just announced the introduction of its new PT-AX100U LCD home cinema projector. Designed as an affordable luxury for entertainment enthusiasts who desire a rich home theater viewing experience, the new projector brings Hollywood-level picture quality to home screens in nearly any lighting environment.

The PT-AX100U home theater projector will make its official debut during the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) EXPO in Denver, September 14 – 17, 2006, at Panasonic booth, number 333. Read more