Optoma

Optoma has been in the projector business for quite some time now, but they've put a spin on things with the new Neo-i, the first iPod dock with built-in Pico projector. The Neo-i's 50 ANSI Lumen Pico projector can project an image of up to 120-inches in its native WVGA (854 X 480 pixels) resolution in 16:9 format. The iPod docking station is placed on top of the projector, and includes a 16 watt 2-speaker stereo system with a bass reflex design and Class D amplifiers.

You can control your iPod/iPhone several ways - from the device, from the (included) IR remote control, or through the backlit control panel on the Neo-i. The Neo-i also charges your iPod/iPhone while docked in the unit. HDMI and VGA ports are included for connection to laptops, Blu-ray players, etc., and an optional accessory kit will be available for connectivity to the iPad.

The Neo-i measures a small 12.8" x 8.9" x 3.1" and weighs less than 2.5 lbs, though it's not categorized as a portable device. The Neo-i goes on sale in mid-December for $449.

This past week at CEDIA, Optoma unveiled the 3D-XL, a converter box that lets 720p 3D DLP projectors play 1080p 3D Blu-ray movies (active 3D glasses are required). The 3D-XL is expected to be available later this year and will sell for $399.

"The 3D-XL is an important product for the market right now," said Jon Grodem, senior director of product and marketing for Optoma. "It gives a large installed base a way to embrace 3D life without having to make a new, expensive investment."

According to Grodem, the 3D-XL converts the HDMI 1.4A signal found in 1080p 3D players and down converts it to an HDMI 1.3 signal that current 720p 3D DLP projectors – those that operate at 120 Hz. – can understand and display in 3D. Read more

Optoma's GameTime DLP projectors were designed from the ground up for gamers (although the company says they are great for sports and movie buffs too). Three projectors are available in the GameTime line - the GT720, GT360, and the newly-added GT700.

The GT360 was designed for Nintendo Wii users, delivering a native 800 x 600 pixels (SVGA) resolution. It's compatible with both PC and Mac, and supports computer resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 pixels (HD). It also accepts common video formats up to 1080p (HDTV, EDTV, SDTV, NTSC, PAL, SECAM). The GT360 has an MSRP of $599.Read more

Optoma just announced a new projector created for the gamer and/or movie enthusiast - the HD66. It is the company's first 3D Ready home theater projector.

The Optoma HD66 weighs five pounds and features Texas Instruments' 0.65 DMD DLP chipset, has a brightness rating of 2500 ANSI lumens and a 4000:1 contrast ratio. It is compatible with both PCs and Macs and supports computer resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 pixels (HD). The projector can also accept video inputs and video formats up to 1080p (HDTV, EDTV, SDTV, NTSC, PAL, SECAM). Read more

Think you can't get an HD DLP home theater projector for under $1,000? Think again. Optoma recently announced their new HD20 1080p DLP home theater projector, priced at just $999.

The HD20 has many features found on more expensive home theater projectors. It delivers 1700 ANSI lumens and a 4000:1 contrast ratio, and features two HDMI inputs as well as VGA, component and composite video inputs. The projector operates at a native 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), and is also compatible with UXGA, WXGA, SXGA+, SXGA, XGA, SVGA, VGA resized, VESA, PC and Macintosh computer formats. The HD20 also accepts common global video inputs and video formats up to 1080p (HDTV, EDTV, SDTV, NTSC, PAL, SECAM).

The HD20 projector weighs just 6.4 pounds and comes with a backlit remote control (batteries included) and a composite video cable. The projection lamp is rated to last up to 4000 hours in standard mode or 3000 hours in bright mode, and the DLP engine operates without filters, keeping maintenance costs low. The HD20 has a one-year parts and labor warranty, with the lamp being covered for 90 days.

Bottom line: the Optoma HD20 is ideal for those seeking Hi-Def home theater performance at a more affordable price.

Pico projectors were hot at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Thanks to the ultra-tiny DLP Pico Chipset from Texas Instruments, these pocket-sized wonders can project content onto practically any surface, with a screen size of up to 50+ inches.

Samsung MBP200: The MBP200 connects to mobile phones and laptops and content can be projected with up to a 50-inch viewing screen. The MBP200 is a media player with an SD card slot - listen to music, create playlists, project video, pictures or PDF, PowerPoint, Word or Excel files. What sets the MBP200 apart, is it has a small screen holder with a telescoping pole hidden inside, which can turn a standard sheet of paper into a screen to view movies, document files or pictures. Pricing and availability to be announced.

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