One of the new pico projectors to come out recently is the Micron Pop Video projector. This device is an Apple iDevice companion as it features a 960 x 540 resolution and the only input is a pop out docking station. Today, a company called QuickLogic announced that they are helping to upgrade the Pop projector by integrating their Visual Enhancement Engine technology. This technology is based on the iridix core from Apical Limited. It will help the Pop projector by enhancing the projected image by dynamically adapting content to the viewing environment. The end result is an image that looks brighter without having to physically increase the light output. “QuickLogic’s VEE technology has enabled the PoP Video to bridge convenient projection with optimal visual enhancement and create a remarkable pico projector accessory,” said Negin Oliver, director of marketing for Micron Technology.

[via Market Watch]

Barco is a global digital cinema technology leader. Today, the company announced that they were at this year’s CinemaCon and demonstrated their new ultra-bright 4K laser projection system. This is the first time that this device has been on display for the public. It is capable of exhibiting High Frame Rate movie footage with a 120 fps per eye. The projector is capable of 3D content and 55000 ANSI lumens. The projector was paired with a huge 70 foot by 30 foot screen, which is currently the largest screen to date. “We are close to achieving the pinnacle of immersive cinema, employing our diverse array of pioneering technologies in light, sound and processing to create the ultimate movie experience,” commented Todd Hoddick, VP Entertainment for Barco North America. “In this day and age, moviegoers expect to be ‘wowed’ on every level, and we can state unequivocally that we are armed with the tools and capabilities to shape the cinema of the future, today.”

[via Barco]

Epson is proud to announce today that they were recently featured on the morning talk show LIVE! with Kelly. The company’s BrightLink 455Wi projector was selected to be highlighted for the show’s third annual “Top Teach Week.” The 455Wi is capable of displaying 2500 ANSI lumens, a 2000:1 contrast ratio, and WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution. The projector is also one of the company’s latest short throw projectors that is capable of displaying up to a 96 inch screen from only inches away from the screen.

Epson to Provide BrightLink Interactive Projectors for “LIVE! with Kelly” ‘Top Teacher Week’ Finalist

May 15, 2012

LONG BEACH, Calif. – May 15, 2012 – Epson, the number-one selling projector brand worldwide1, was featured today on the nationally-syndicated morning talk show, LIVE! with Kelly, during its third annual “Top Teacher Week.” Host Kelly Ripa surprised Assumption High School science teacher Wendy Martin with five EPSON® BrightLink® 455Wi interactive projectors, table mounts and tables from Jonti-Craft for her school in Davenport, Iowa. Designed to turn virtually any surface into an interactive whiteboard, the BrightLink 455Wi projector is the ultimate solution for classroom interactivity and allows teachers and students to engage in a hands-on learning experience.

“LIVE’s” “Top Teacher Week” is a tribute to the nation’s best educators. As kids across the country start looking forward to their summer breaks, “LIVE” takes a week to salute the mentors that guide their students to success every day – teachers who make a difference in and out of the classroom, who make their students’ lives better, the school better, or even those who go over and above to serve their community as a whole. Martin was selected as a semi-finalist from thousands of entries, and “LIVE’s” viewers voted for her to be one of the five finalists to be honored on the show.

The EPSON BrightLink 455Wi interactive projector and pen combination is an ultra-short throw solution offering image size flexibility and advanced connectivity options to project onto a whiteboard, wall, table, or other smooth, light-colored, hard surface. BrightLink offers installation flexibility by providing a wide range of XGA and WXGA usable interactive areas, and features 2,500 lumens color and white light output2 and native WXGA resolution (16:10 aspect ratio) for full compatibility with widescreen notebooks and visual content. Coupled with Jonti-Craft’s Rainbow Accents® KYDZ Activity Tables, the students and teachers at Assumption High School will be able to take advantage of the ultimate interactive classroom tool.

“The BrightLink 455Wi will enhance the learning and development process at Assumption High School, allowing teachers to connect with students on an interactive level while also maximizing existing classroom space,” said Claudine Wolas-Shiva, senior product manager, Epson America, Inc. “We congratulate Wendy on her success as one of LIVE’s five finalists in the top teacher search and know her school will greatly benefit from having this new technology in its classrooms.”

Epson offers a wide range of projection technology for the classroom and in its commitment to education, offers the Brighter Futures® program, a unique sales and support initiative available specifically for schools. Designed to help educators select and implement the best products for their classrooms while making the most of their budgets, Brighter Futures offers special pricing, extended Epson limited warranty coverage for three years, dedicated education account managers, and toll-free technical support for all Epson projectors.

About Epson

Epson is a global imaging and innovation leader whose product lineup ranges from inkjet printers and 3LCD projectors to sensors and other microdevices. Dedicated to exceeding the vision of its customers worldwide, Epson delivers customer value based on compact, energy-saving, and high-precision technologies in markets spanning enterprise and the home to commerce and industry. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 75,000 employees in 97 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and the communities in which it operates. To learn more about Epson, please visit http://global.epson.com.

InFocus is a digital display technology leader and visual collaboration champion. Today, the company unveiled their new IN2120 series. This series is a branch off the IN2100 series and includes the IN2124 and IN2126 projectors. Both displays include 3200 ANSI lumens and a 4000:1 contrast ratio. The IN2214 has a native XGA (1024 x 768) resolution, while the IN2126 comes with a WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution. the series includes 3D ready technology and are designed for portability and business applications. “InFocus’s new IN2120 network projectors pack a big punch of brightness and connectivity options at an ultra-affordable price point,” said Dave Duncan, InFocus Product Marketing Manager. “These projectors are ideal for businesses and schools that need the flexibility of a network-connected projector without breaking the bank. At the same time, the new IN2120 projectors are packed with features, as well as the high quality and longevity our customers expect from InFocus products.” The IN2124 and IN2126 are available now and retail for $679 and $759, respectively.

[via Market Watch]

Sharp is happy to announce today the release of two new high performance business projectors. The PG-LS2000 and PG-LX2000 both come with a 2000:1 contrast ratio and 2800 ANSI lumens. They also come with a native SVGA (800 x 600) and XGA (1024 x 768) resolution, respectively. The projectors are light weight and able to be easily transported. They are 3D ready and use the latest in DLP display technology. Both projectors come with RGB, composite, and audio ports, but the LX2000 also has several outputs as well. “We are excited for users to be equipped with all the benefits of Sharp’s exceptionally vibrant and realistic image reproduction capabilities in these new low cost 3D Ready projectors,” said Les Burger, senior product marketing manager, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “We expect the PG-LX2000 and PG-LS2000 to set a new standard for projectors that are ideal for use in classrooms, meeting rooms and other office settings.” The LS2000 and LX2000 are available now through certified retailers. They retail for $760 and $850, respectively.

[via Sharp]

Recently at the Human Factors in Computer Systems Conference, developers have unveiled a new way to turn your work station into an interactive display. The system combines a pico projector with a digital camera. The system looks like a lamp shade and allows an artist to send recently made artwork be published instantly online. The project is called illumiShare and is developed by the developers at Microsoft. A user to use an IllumiShare table and their drawings are instantly projected onto another user’s table. The trick of the system is to alternate the camera and projector so fast that it would seem like both devices are working at the same time, but in reality they are alternating. “To time multiplex the camera and projector and not see visible flicker we need to do that at 60 hertz,” said Sasa Junuzovic, a researcher at Microsoft Research. “What we need to do is simulate 120 hertz where it is going to alternate back and forth.” There is no word when IllumiShare will be available, but they are looking to manufacture several test models to distribute throughout the company.

[via Digital Arts]

One of the many short throw projectors to come from Runco is the LS-100d. This device comes with 600 ANSI lumens, a 20000:1 contrast ratio, and full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. Today, the writers from Home Theater and High Fidelity released their review of this particular device. The writers stated that the projector had an interesting design that allowed the device to display images in a smaller room. The projector is able to display up to a 100” inch image from only inches from the screen. This is a very convenient feature. Another big feature about the LS-100d is that it includes an external image processor. This device provides all the inputs and allows the user to control the projector from a remote location. The image quality was fairly impressive. The writers complimented the sharpness and thought that the image couldn’t have looked better. The final conclusion the writers stated was, “I’m sure some people are still thinking “$19,000 for a projector that only does a 100” image?” but that isn’t the reason for the LS-100d to exist. Some of us can’t fit a typical projector into our rooms. Even if we could afford an 85” or 103” flat panel display it might not physically be able to get into a room or be supported by the wall. The LS-100d lets you install a true home theater sized screen almost anywhere you want and be able to fill it as long as you have the wall space.”

[via Home Theater and High Fidelity]

Cinemark is one of the world’s largest motion picture exhibitors. Today, the company was proud to announce that they plan to build a new 12 screen all-digital movie theater that will feature the company’s new Cinemark NextGen design concept. The theater is expected to be built with the Lakeland Square Mall in Lakeland, Florida. The NextGen theater is fitted with the latest theater technology and the best amenities available. The theater has stadium style seating and will have a wall-to-wall screen. The projection system is 100% digital and is paired with a 7.1 capable digital surround sound. Also included with the new cinema will be the Cinemark XD Extreme Digital Cinema auditorium. This auditorium is the largest theater complex the company has to offer and it is the first ever to be built in florida. The auditorium will include a wall-to-wall and ceiling-to-floor screen, plush seating, and a custom JBL sound system. “We are looking forward to introducing our new Cinemark NextGen movie theatre concept to guests in Lakeland and this new complex will be a great addition to the Lakeland Square Mall development,” comments Tim Warner, Cinemark’s Chief Executive Officer. “We plan to move very quickly to open the theatre in 2013.”

[via Businesswire]

Christie was selected recently by the folds of Sigma A&V Corporation in order to provide several projectors to create Sunday’s NHK documentary broadcast, “See Everything That Makes Tokyo Sky Tree Special!” Twenty seven of Christie’s Roadie HD+35K projectors were used to project images onto the East Tower from over 130 meters away. The HD+35K projector is capable of displaying 32500 ANSI lumens, a 2000:1 contrast ratio, and 2K HD (2048 x 1080) resolution. “As a professional-use projector manufacturer, it is an honor to provide technical cooperation for projection mapping in a locale that is as large in scale and as topical as the Tokyo Sky Tree,” said Mamoru Hanzawa, general manager, Christie Digital Systems Japan. “Projection mapping allows large numbers of people to share the excitement of seeing an image projection that, although far larger in scale than conventional uses, requires no screen setup and takedown, and does not interfere with the building or other object on which it is projected.”

[via Christie]

Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering is proud to unveil a new device that can display crisp, bright, distortion-free visuals onto irregular surfaces. One of the biggest problems with projector systems is that displaying images on curved screen or from unorthodox angles makes focusing the image difficult. The new design was inspired by the compound eyes of insects and instead of one pico projector the device uses 200 micro-projectors. Each projector displays the complete image and they are superimposed on top of each other on the wall or screen. What is more impressive is that each projector can autofocus, which allows the image to be always in focus no matter who the screen is shaped. The projector uses LED lamps and is unique because it provides the same always in focus feature that was for a long time only available from laser-based pico projectors. The device is not perfected and is still in the developmental phase. But if perfected, we could easily see these replacing the LED pico projector engines used today.

[via Gizmag]