In 2009, the digital cinema market across India will begin to utilize digital light processing technology (DLP) as a resource for the entertainment industry. This technology is a result of Texas Instruments (TI), which has the patent on DLP technology. In DLP projection technology, the image is created by mirrors in a matrix on a semiconductor chip that is called a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD). Each of these chips has around two million mirrors, and a three-chip projector can produce around 35 trillion colors, more than the naked eye can detect. According to Tony Adamson, manager of DLP Cinema Marketing said, “DLP complies with the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) standards that are followed in Hollywood. With nearly 200 screens coming across India in 2009, this technology will allow the exhibitors to be truly digital from day one.”

[via Business Standard]

Today, Hitachi introduced the CPX3 3LCD projector that features WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution, weighs around 3.9 pounds and has an impressive 2,000 Lumens. Other features of this digital projector include closed captioning and input naming, an HDMI input, wide-angle lens, “My Screen” PIN lock, My Text, transition detector, and a built-in 1-watt speaker. This projector brings widescreen compatibility to viewers in various environments in its intended format. Hitachi includes various digital technologies such as digital plasma, LCD, and projection televisions.

[via Twice]

Projector Reviews announced their second annual 1080p home theater comparison report, which deals with projectors currently available on the market for under $10,000. Included in this report are various technical specifications such as color temperature, zoom lens range, input number and type, etc. Other attributes include image quality, performance, black levels, details, sharpne3ss, color accuracy, and overall picture quality. Projectors that won awards in specific categories include the entry level Panasonic PT-AE2000U, mid-priced Epson Home Cinema 1080p UB, and the high end JVC DLA-RS2. Runners up include companies such as Sanyo and BenQ.

[via BusinessWire]

Recently at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the digital artist Jennifer Steinkamp has created artwork by using projection technology. This artwork uses various designs that are projected on a background that allow a viewer to walk in front of the images, and when they do the artwork adjusts to the shadow of the observer, creating a very interesting effect. Holly E. Hughes, an associate curator at the gallery stated that “Her work is about the viewer’s perception. It explores architecture, space, motion and the phenomenon of perception”, she adds “She is always thinking about how the viewer will interact with the work and how it plays into the space.” This interactive type of art has had many viewers dance along with the art, therefore creating new designs. The viewer should however, try to forget that they are looking a projection from an electronic device, and focus on the work itself. Her work represents various creative aspects of projection technology, and could very likely explode the art industry with this type of artwork.

[via The Buffalo News]

Optoma announced today its new filter-free product line-up with the new EP776 wireless projector that can be used for business or home entertainment use. Using the DarkChip3 technology, the Optoma EP776 projector has a resolution of 1024 x 768 with 4,300 Lumens and a contrast of 3000:1. In addition to this projector, the ES520 and the EX530 have brightness of 2,600 Lumens and contrast at 2500:1 which guarantees superior image quality. These entry-level projectors feature various connection options which will allow you to connect to game consoles, DVD players, computers, and satellite televisions. Recently Optoma successfully launched the HD65 which is considered to be the world’s smallest High Definition projector.

[via Al Bawaba]

Epson announced today volume production of 0.96 inch (2.54 cm diagonal) high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) TFT panels for 3LCD front projectors that are compatible with SXGA+. Using the latest D7 design process for higher aperture ratios will allow for both SXGA+ resolution in addition to a brightness increase. These panels also use light-resistant liquid crystal for greater light resistance. The annual rate of projector sales is expected to increase at approximately 15 percent due to the demand of higher resolution and wider displays. The D7 technology has increased aperture ratio to 77 percent and because of this increase the 0.96-inch SXGA+ panel previously achieving 3,000 to 3,500 Lumens, now achieves 4,000 to 5,000 Lumens. This increase in projection technology will satisfy the market needs for such resolution and will provide further insight into light resistance.

[via Channel Times]

While digital projection technology is becoming much more advanced in recent years, there has been recent discussion about keeping your film projectors due to the nature of the image resolution. According to Steven J. Thorburn, PE, “Today’s DCI compliant moving picture furnishes only ¼ to 1/10 of the picture information you could see in the typical 35mm movie house,” he adds, “You get 2,048 dots or pixels across your projected image, whether your screen is 20-feet or 100-feet wide. Project it onto an 80-foot wide giant screen and you get roughly 25 pixels per foot, or about two dots of content for every inch of image. I call that grainy.” While digital projectors utilize advanced technology, they apparently cannot compare with regard to high-quality visual resolution and color depth. In time, digital projection technology will advance to bring higher resolution visual imagery.

[via eMediaWire]

Throughout the course of digital projector history, there have been many options created for projection technology. However, out of all of these technologies 3LCD technology is one step above the rest with regard to flexibility in any environment. With regard to this technology, the viewing experience can be drastically improved or depleted by the use of a feature called lens shift. According to Scott Wilkinson, edit of or Ultimate AV magazine, “For many, lens shift is every bit as important as differences in brightness, color, accuracy, or shadow detail. Nearly all 3LCD home theater projectors offer lens shift, while lens shift is rare with competing technologies”, he adds, “Projectors without lens shift, essentially must be ceiling mounted. The downsides of ceiling mounting discourages many consumers…” When using specific lens shift capabilities, they offer flexible installation, unchanged visual quality when misaligned, and cost/time savings.

The 3LCD projection technology will remain in the lead, delivering exquisite color, detail, and reliability. There are various models which provide the best horizontal and vertical lens shift, they include the Epson Pro Cinema 1080, 1080UB and Home Cinema 1080, and 1080UB; the Mitsubishi HC4900, HC4900W and HC6000. The Sanyo PLV-HD100, PLV-HD150, and PLV-Z2000 also provide these capabilities.

[via PR Newswire]

Cellular phones may soon have another interesting feature; a device that will project the phone screen on a nearby surface for viewing. These projectors are capable of fitting in your pocket, unlike the ones that were once large and bulky. Not only are they portable, but they can be used with the newer model cell phones to project video or text onto a flat surface for viewing. According to Carolina Milanesi, these projectors will probably appeal more to the business users who could project PowerPoint from their Smartphone. Most of the inspiration for these products has been from the cell phone companies themselves who realize the revenue from such phone services. According to Mr. Brennesholtz at Insight Media, “We anticipate total sales of more than $2.5 billion by 2012 for the companion models.” For specific cell phones the projector can be included into the phone but this will drain battery power; the solution would be to have an external projector with its own battery.

[via The New York Times]

Today, in Tokyo, Japan Encirq announced “DeviceSQL” which is an embedded database that was selected for use with the new LCD projectors from NEC Display Solutions, Ltd. The models built with the DeviceSQL technology are the NP3150J, NP2150J, and the NP1150J which are considered the “View Light Series.” DeviceSQL is a software development kit (SDK) for databases; it works together with other development environments to make programming much more efficient. Introduced in 2008, these are compatible with windows vista and are considered high-performance projectors. NEC is planning to sell around 60,000 units around the world. This increase in demand their products is due to the various cable connections and features that are included in the projectors, and the ability of the company to stay up-to-date with the latest technology. Encirq Corporation is a provider of software services for event processing and data management; they are headquartered in Silicon Valley.

[via Embedded Computing]