Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

SANYO just announced their new LP-XF1000 12,000 lumen projector which they claim is the industry’s brightest model that only requires 100V AC. The new model uses two high-output 330 watt lamps, which improves light efficiency by 20% when compared to one of the company’s previous models, and offers a high contrast ratio of 4000:1. The LP-XF1000 also features SANYO’s QuaDrive Engine which adds a ‘Color Control Device’ to the 3 LCD setup in order to control the yellow light independently, which results in a 20% boost in color richness as well.

The LP-XF1000 is set to be released on December 18 with a price tag of 4,200,000 yen, or about $46,000.

[ PR - SANYO Releases LP-XF1000 Dual-lamp Projector with “Rich Color” ] VIA [ Fareastgizmos ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Well here’s an interesting advancement in projector technology. Funai and Nippon were showing off a jointly-developed micro projector at CEATEC last week that allows users to interact with the projected image by simply touching a secondary display.

Based on the technical illustration, the projector appears to use a mirror and a beam splitter to create two separate projections. The larger of the two is thrown onto a screen for everyone to enjoy, while a second smaller one is created near the projector where the operator is presumably sitting. Using a sensor the projector can detect changes in light intensity on the second projected image, allowing it to determine where a finger is positioned. From there, the position and even motion of the finger can be used to zoom and rotate the projected image.

Of course the projector is still a concept at this point, but Funai and Nippon believe the technology could be commercialized as early as next year and would be a far cheaper alternative to large touch panels.

[ Tech-On! - New Projector Casts Touch-sensitive Image ] VIA [ SlashGear ]

By Andrew Liszewski

When you think about it, a video projector small enough to fit in your hand is one of those ‘best of both worlds’ ideas. You get the portability of a device like the iPhone, with the big-screen viewing experience of a projector. And while micro projectors have been promised for the past few years, it’s only recently that we’ve begun to see affordable models hitting the market. Now prior to this review, the only experiences I’ve had with micro projectors was at trade shows where the lighting conditions were never ideal, and needless to say I wasn’t exactly impressed.

But AAXA Technologies sent us over one of their P1 Pico Projectors which I had the opportunity to test out in the comfort (and controlled conditions) of my own home. I’ll admit that I walked away with a different opinion on the technology, and while it’s far from perfect at this point (you’ll have to settle for a few compromises) I’m sure one day micro and even embedded projectors will be as commonplace as digital cameras are in cellphones today. Hit the jump for my full review.

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By David Ponce

Optoma isn’t the first company to offer a 1080p projector in the sub $1,000 range since Vivitek is already there with their H1080FD. But a little competition never hurt anyone, and now Optoma is entering the market with the HD20, with an MSRP of $999. It’s not quite dime-a-dozen territory, but $1k for an HD projector hits a psychological sweet spot. So how are specs?

Well, this DLP projector has two HDMI inputs, 1,700 lumens, a 4000:1 contrast ratio and a bulb life of 4,000 or 3,000 hours depending on whether you watch your stuff in “standard” or “bright” mode. It operates at a native 1080p resolution (1920 by 1080 pixels), and will scale most other video and computer formats including: UXGA, WXGA, SXGA+, SXGA, XGA, SVGA, VGA resized, VESA, PC and Macintosh.

We’re not sure when it’ll hit shelves, but Optoma’s already signed distribution deals with Amazon.com, Beach Camera, Best Buy, B&H Photo Video, CDW, Fry’s Electronics, J&R, Micro Center and others.

VIA [ Fayerwayer ]

By Andrew Liszewski

According to Christie, their new Entero line is the first rear-projection display system to feature an LED-based projector. Who knew? Designed for facilities where large displays are needed but front-projection can be problematic, like AT&T’s Global Network Operations Center, or the NORAD control room from the movie War Games, the Entero projectors feature a zero maintenance design with no lamps, filters or color wheels that need replacing. And since the LEDs are rated at more than 50,000 hours, the projector is designed to run 24/7 for a period of over 5 years.

At the moment there are 2 Entero projectors available from Christie, an SXGA+ model with 1400×1050 resolution and a WUXGA model with 1920×1200 resolution, and both feature 600 ANSI lumens of brightness.

[ PR - New Christie Entero™ LED Rear Projection Systems Launch Future of 24/7 Videowall Solutions ] VIA [ Ubergizmo ]

By Evan Ackerman

1080P is great and all, but if you can still tell that you’re watching something on TV, what’s the point? You might as well just go read a book or something. Evans & Sutherland (you know they’re cool because their domain name is es.com) has come out with a laser projector with a staggering 8000 x 4000 (32 megapixel) resolution, which they claim “exceeds the human eye,” meaning that their display is better than real life. Now, I have a whole raft of problems with their claim, but suffice it to say that they’ve got a pretty sharp display goin’ on. Plus, you know, lasers, man! Aside from being badass and potentially dangerous, lasers mean that colors are more accurate (up to twice as accurate as HDTV) and never shift and bulbs never need replacing.

The E&S Laser Projector was designed for military applications (i.e. simulators), and puts out 5000 lumens of brightness with 2500:1 contrast to match its impressive resolution. But with a price tag of of around $750,000, the only way you’re ever going to get to play with one is if you click here and then suffer through to the simulator bit.

[ E&S Laser Projector ] VIA [ Ubergizmo ]

By Andrew Liszewski

In a press release dated June 19, 2009, Sanyo has seen the future, and it’s a new LCD projector that happens to be the first with built-in 802.11n wi-fi. Using its “Video Streaming Function” the LP-WXU700 can stream video across a wireless LAN (supporting MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, and WMV files) or take advantage of Vista’s ‘Network Projector Function’ making it particularly easy to setup. Other notable features include WXGA resolution (1280×800), 3,800 lumens, picture-in-picture, a 1.6X optical zoom lens and an HDMI connection in addition to the standard projector hook-ups.

The LP-WCU700 will ship on June 19 in Japan for about $6,400.

[ PR - Sanyo LP-WXU700 ] VIA [ SlashGear ]

By Andrew Liszewski

RealD, the company partly responsible for making Coraline one of the better movie experiences I’ve had in a while, has just introduced a mobile 3D projection system known as the ‘LP’ designed for conference rooms, museums, virtual rides and other locations where installing a double projector system would be problematic. The RealD LP is actually the peripheral that sits in front of the projector lens, and polarizes the imagery coming from 3D-enabled projectors from companies like NEC and Christie. You’ll still need to wear a set of polarized glasses to get the 3D effect, and from what I can tell, the LP uses a linear polarizing system instead of the circular system employed in most RealD equipped theaters. So there’s the chance that turning your head could mess with the 3D effect, which is a problem that earlier 3D projection systems suffered from.

However, the compact unit means that genuine 3D projectors and display systems in the home are not that far off, and in fact the only thing stopping you from getting one of these for your living room is the unmentioned price, which probably means it’s a good idea to wait a few years.

[ BusinessWire - RealD Introduces RealD LP™, the World’s First Mobile, Single-Projector 3D Solution ] VIA [ Engadget ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I tend to avoid ‘all-in-one’ devices like this because they always seem to prove the old “jack of all trades, master of none” adage. But the only reason I’d buy a projector would be for portability reasons, so having a DVD player and 8 W speakers built-in would definitely sweeten the deal. Epson was showing off their MovieMate 55 projector at their CES booth this year, and while it’s not the top-of-the-line in any category, it seems like a useful device. At 8.3 lbs is not super-light, but it can produce an image up to 150 inches in size (16:9 aspect ratio) with a brightness of about 1200 lumens.

It’s also got standard video hook-ups like RCA and VGA for connecting a laptop or gaming console, though HDMI would have made things easier, particularly when it comes to hooking up a Blu-ray player since the MovieMate 55’s own DVD player doesn’t do HD. But it does support non-DVD video formats like Divx, so you can enjoy your ‘alternately acquired’ media too. And it’s available now on the Epson website for $699.99.

[ Epson MovieMate 55 ]