Sanyo has announced their upgrades to their admirable PLV-Z5 projector. This model will get the HDTV upgrade which will enhance a number of specs including the 10000:1 contrast ratio and better balance between black levels and other colors. The PLV-25 will also get two HDMI outputs and two component connections in addition to it’s RGB/S-Video/Composite connections it already has. HDTV UK said they were, “mostly impressed”,  by this model. The only thing they didn’t like was the amount of adjustments needed to get the quality picture they expected. The PLV-Z5 is available for £1500 ($2,967).

[via HDTV UK]

Having trouble shopping for a projector? Getting confused by all of the terminology? USA Today has just the article for you. The writer explains terminology associated with projectors and lets you know what’s best to look for. He compares two entry level projectors, the Epson PowerLite S4 and the Infocus Work Big IN24+, showing you what’s good about each projector.

[via USA Today]

Were ever you go in the gadget world things are getting the iPod connection. Stereos, Alarm clocks, and TVs are some of the more common. T3 Magazine talks about a projector that hosts the iPod connection. The Viewsonic PJ258D is able to project your iPod videos up on a 300” screen. It also has 2000 ANSI lumens and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. T3 expresses their concern for a lack of quality the videos coming from the iPod would have. Most of the videos that you can download are meant for a small screen. This projector will be on sale for $1399.

[via T3 Magazine]

It Looks like Explay isn’t the only company making Micro Projectors. Microvision has announced that it is upgrading the PicoP projector. Some of these advancements include a wide-angle MEMS scanner, which increases the picture by 4x. This also means it will be able to project images from a farther distance that is almost double the distance of the original model. In addition to this the PicoP is also getting a WVGA (854 x 480) resolution, and a 16:9 aspect ratio.

[via Small Times]

2008 is fast approaching and with it comes new technologies that will revolutionize how we live. One of those new technologies made a big appearance at SID 2007. The oio Nano-Projector will be the first truly portable projector system. Using laser technology, this projector will be able to perform from a “dark bar to a bright office.” It’s as small as a cell phone, yet it can still deliver a picture up to 30″. There hasn’t been any mention of pricing yet, but considering that there is talk that the target fields will be medical, security, and artists, expect this projector to not be cheap.

[via Engadget]

Gizmodo recently did a review on the Westbay Global BoxTV Projector. They had the pleasure of putting it through the paces and seeing for themselves how it well performs. They couldn’t believe that a home theater projector for $349 was possible. The projector is supposed to give high quality picture for a fraction of the cost than other home theater projectors. Did it live up to those standards? Check out Gizmodo for the full review.

[via Gizmodo]

A new technology is being introduced to high power projectors. Oerlikon introduces the LightTunnel which is designed to help DLP Projectors improve their ANSI lumens. This little device is supposed to help transfer the light from your lamp to your lens. Built tough, it’s able to withstand up to 400° C (752°F) and last for about 25,000 hrs. This product is already available through the manufacturer and will be on deplay at InfoComm 2007.

[via Oerlikon]

Marantz has just announced that they have upgraded their VP-11S1 Projector. This little beauty will be fitted with the new HDMI 1.3 standard along with the Deep Color and 12-bit color depth technology. With the ability to support high quality audio and video, this model makes the older version a thing of the past. Marantz has graciously allowed those with the older model to get the upgraded model for a small fee. Anyone who doesn’t have the old model can get a new one for the same price that the older model was being sold for, $21,999.99.

[via Engadget]

In an attempt to make things easier for people, DYNA has created two projectors that have a built in DVD player, the DY-PJ001H and DY-PJ002. With 1500 lumens and a resolution of 800×600, these two make a home theater possible for the first time projector owners. The only drawback is that you have to hook up your own speakers if you want to listen to your movie, but other than that this little projector could be the best thing for your home.

[via Aving]

Sony has announced, in Japan, that their VPL-AW15 will be available for a very low price of $1,420.00. This projector sports a 720p resolution as well as 1100 Lumens. The thing that is making this deal so remarkable is that Sony is saying this model has a 12000:1 contrast ratio. Most projectors with similar specifications have, on average, a 3000:1 contrast ratio. Some have raised the questions if this is a mistake on Sony’s part, but Sony has been standing strong in their claim though. They are saying that their advanced Iris 2 system is what gives this projector such a high contrast ratio.

[via EngadgetHD]