Artimi, Inc., and DisplayLink Corp., have announced an easily integrated Wireless USB projector design for future projectors and the legacy installed base. The device uses DisplayLink’s USB graphics technology and Artimi’s Wireless USB solutions, and will replace VGA cables and provide wireless access to the user. Using “Zero Install” technology, the reference design allows for “plug & play” data projection for resolutions up to 1280 x 1024 and does not need a driver for installation.

Andrew Vought, CEO for Artimi, said, “We hear time and again from our customers, that our approach to making Wireless USB simple to integrate and simple to use pays dividends both in terms of getting product to market quickly and cost-effectively, and winning over consumers.” And according to Dennis Crespo, executive VP, marketing and business development for DisplayLink, “DisplayLink is committed to a new standard of ‘connect and go’ productivity.”

With two devices, the “PC-side USB adapter” and a “projector-end adapter”, the system uses a standard VGA or DVI output to the projector. The projector-end adapter can then be used with any LCD and DLP projectors. The design is available for shipping and will be demonstrated at Computex Taipei, on June 3-7 2008.

[via The Earth Times]

Sanyo, a leader in home theater entertainment has recently announced an addition to its projector lineup with two new LCD portable projectors, the PLC-XC55 and the PLC-XC50 projectors, which are for both education and business markets. For the first time in any portable projector, they are using the Sanyo Active Maintenance Filter (AMF) system, which allows for easy filter changes. It consists of a filter cartridge with ten lengths of filter material and detects when airflow obstructed, and each of these filters that are installed last approximately 3,000 hours.

According to Mark Holt, Vice President and General Manger for Sanyo’s Presentation Technologies Division, “Thanks to SANYO’s AMF these new high brightness projectors significantly lower a school system’s cost of ownership by reducing filter maintenance costs by a factor of ten.”

Sanyo has also added a number of security features such as a security bar in the corner of the device and an on-board pin that locks the device when not in use. In addition, there are video input terminals, component video, and D-Sub15. The compatibility of these includes UXGA, SXGA+, SXGA, WXGA, XGA, SVGA, VGA, and MAC. It is also compatible with HD resolutions including 1080i 50/60, 1035i, 720p with compatibility for HD resolutions such as 480p, 480i, 575p, 575i. The PLC-XC55 emits around 3,100 Lumens and costs $1,995.00. The PLC-XC50 sports 2,600 Lumens, and costs around $1,495.00.

[via Austin Business Journal]

For some time now, the Mitsubishi HC6000 Projector has been an optimum device for home theater standards due to its Silicon Optix Reon video processor and of course its assortment of features. This stealthy, appealing, black projector is not only quiet when running but has control buttons on the top surface, with two HDMI 1.3 jacks on the back, a component-video input, a VGA port, RS-232 input and a 12-volt output. For switching aspect ratios during standard-def programs, there are options such as 4:3, 16:9, Zoom 1 or 2, or Stretch. However, during high-def 720p and 1080i/p, choices are from 16:9 and a 2.35:1 mode. For other settings, there is an Image setup menu which allows for display below-black (0 IRE) and above-white signals.

According to the reviewer, “Like any sophisticated front projector, the HC6000 is stocked with plentiful settings to tweak its picture. Of its three color-temperature presets, the Mid (medium) mode delivered the most accurate color. Auto Iris functions typically create deeper-looking blacks on front projectors, but they can also rob the picture of punch by reducing the brightness of white highlights.” With both an HD DVD of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and a Blu-ray Disc of Pan’s Labyrinth, there was a great amount of detail. As stated, “The HC6000’s standout Auto Iris mode delivers consistently punchy-looking, filmlike pictures without the compromises usually associated with that feature. And it’s also dead quiet — a big plus if you use it in a small- to medium-size room.” For out of the box temperature and color reproduction, “Tracking measured 180 K of the 6,500-K standard from 20 to 100 IRE.

Adjustments made to the red, green, and blue brightness and contrast controls in the User Color Temperature submenu helped to improve gray- scale tracking, which afterward measured an impressive 123 K from 20 to 100 IRE.” The verdict on this projector is that for the price of around $3,995 it presents quite the bargain with crisp 1080p picture, strong blacks, and adjustment options.

[via Sound and Vision Magazine]

At InfoComm, projectiondesign will be displaying the F10 AS3D and F20 sx+ 3D passive stereo projectors, this way they can show a the series of 3D stereoscopic projectors. In addition to this, the DLP F80 wuxga and F80 1080 projectors will be showing for the first time, and has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 (2.3 million pixels). This series includes the ACOP technology (Advanced Color Optical Processing) for the best image quality. For the first time, the F10 wuxga and F30 wuxga projectors will be shown in North America. According to Lars Yoder, vice president & business manager, TI’s DLP Front Projection Business Unit; “We are impressed with the level of creativity, innovation and progress made by projectiondesign in pursuing high performance DLP projector.”

Various high-profile installations have resulted in the following key points: Experience in MRi (Magnetic Resonance imaging) scanning rooms for hospitals, 3D installations of projectiondesign already in use with built-in Infitec™ filters for an immersive and interactive 3D stereoscopic computer-aided virtual environment (CAVE) “Four Space 110.” Six F30 sx+ DLP projectors are used in an immersive theatre design and integration specialist, Global Immersion by INTECH Science Centre & Planetarium, based in Winchester in the UK. A cineo30 1080 projector for the ground-breaking feature film “Earth.” The use of 180 F1 series projectors to the Royal Netherlands Army’s TACTIS system in the Netherlands. In addition to F1+ sx+ systems being used in two visitor center environments in Sweden.

projectiondesign to use InfoComm as launch pad for active 3D stereoscopic projectors

Fredrikstad, Norway, 29 May 2008 – projectiondesign is set to wow the audiovisual industry in Las Vegas next month with the most spectacular booth it has ever brought to an InfoComm show. projectiondesign is using the event to showcase a number of new products, including our first-ever active stereo 3D projector. Another world first from projectiondesign, the new F10 AS3D single-chip DLP® projector is the only portable high resolution active 3D stereoscopic projector on the market. Designed for the demanding visualisation and simulation environments, the F10 AS3D features patented technologies to achieve its remarkable performance. At InfoComm, the F10 AS3D will be displaying alongside projectiondesign’s F20 sx+ 3D passive stereo projectors, showing a complete range of 3D stereoscopic projection solutions.

Elsewhere on the booth, the company’s brand new three-chip DLP F80 wuxga projector will be showing for the first time and promises to be the highest resolution 3-chip projector available in the market, with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 (2.3 million pixels). The F80 series incorporates projectiondesign’s new ACOP technology (Advanced Color Optical Processing) that introduces optical calibration of projected images for the best possible image quality. In addition, the F80 series presents for the first time their proprietary dynamic super contrast enhancement that far surpasses contrast and dynamics shown by other 3-chip projectors or technologies.

The F10 wuxga and F30 wuxga projectors will be shown to a North American audience for the first time, after their successful debut at Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam earlier this year. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the benefits of WUXGA resolution on 17ft-wide screens, and the same screen size will also be used to demonstrate the super-high brightness of projectiondesign’s F80 1080 projector.

In bringing the new resolution found inside the range of WUXGA projectors, projectiondesign has worked closely with Texas Instruments. “We are impressed with the level of creativity, innovation and progress made by projectiondesign in pursuing high performance DLP projectors,” says Lars Yoder, vice president & business manager, TI’s DLP Front Projection Business Unit. “Their range of high resolution active stereo 3D projectors alongside their range of WUXGA resolution projectors really do stand out in the industry, and firmly establishes projectiondesign as a market leader.”

Commenting on the company’s presence in Las Vegas, Anders Løkke, International Marketing & Communications Manager, says: “InfoComm is unequalled for its ability to reach a global audience of AV industry decision-makers, and our R&D teams have really excelled themselves in getting so many spectacular innovations ready in time for the show.

“I’m especially looking forward to seeing the reaction of North American and international audiences to our revolutionary active stereo 3D solution, and to the startling results that can be achieved with our WUXGA resolution projectors. It looks like being our busiest – and best – InfoComm show ever.”

There are already a number of high-profile installations of the company’s projectors in a host of diverse sites worldwide:

• Emphasising its commitment to developing the role of AV in medical facilities, projectiondesign has a key partnership with Philips Healthcare to support Philips Ambient Experience in MRi (Magnetic Resonance imaging) scanning rooms for hospitals. The partnership has already seen Philips buying a large number of F1 sx+ DLP® projectors for installation in hospitals worldwide.

• With 3D installations of projectiondesign already in use, one application includes the University of Munich in Germany which deploys eight F20 sx+ DLP projectors with built-in Infitec™ filters for an immersive and interactive 3D stereoscopic computer-aided virtual environment (CAVE) visualisation system named Four Space 110. The system is designed by 3Dims.

• Six F30 sx+ DLP® projectors are used in an immersive theatre design and integration specialist, Global Immersion by INTECH Science Centre & Planetarium, based in Winchester in the UK.

• A cineo30 1080 projector has been used on the quality control in the post-production process for the ground-breaking feature film Earth.

• Numerous visualisation, simulation and training applications including the supply of over 180 F1 series projectors to the Royal Netherlands Army’s TACTIS system in the Netherlands.

• In a meeting of Scandinavian design classics, F1+ sx+ video projection systems are deployed in two visitor centre environments at the Volvo Cars brand experience centre and the Demo Center for Volvo Trucks in Sweden.

• In addition, projectiondesign plays a key role in advancing academic research through a number of initiatives. In particular, the company’s relationship with the iCinema Research Centre of Australia’s University of New South Wales (UNSW) has led directly to the development of new 360-degrees panoramic screen experiences.

• The company has numerous contracts in the eCinema sector including cineo3+ series projectors for SF Bio as well as Kanal 22 TV & Film AB in Sweden.

You’ll find projectiondesign on booth N5541 between 18 and 20 June 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

[via projectiondesign]

Ergomotion has recently released the motionlift projector lift that can be used to conceal a projector in the ceiling when not in use, and can therefore be used with any home theater systems, conference rooms, and schools for not only functionality but design as well. The projector lift can lower or raise, concealing all cables that are plugged into the projector. If a viewer wants use the projector, an infrared remote control can be used to lower the lift. With regard to the models, there are thirteen different sizes that range from 80cm to 360cm with a load capacity from 12kgs to 50kgs.

[via Ferret]

In Japan on June 10th Hitachi will begin selling the CP-X450J Projector to consumers. The 3LCD projector features a lamp life of around 2,000 hours and emits around 3,500 Lumens. Resolution for this projector is XGA and scales to 1024 x 768. Features include PIN lock, whisper mode, and keystone correction. The CP-X450J features a “template function”, which allows for grids on the surface of a white or black board, this will assist with drawing graphs or straight lines. The MSRP will be $3,800 for Japan-only.

[via CrunchGear]

Today, Panasonic announced the LB80 series projectors, which include following: PT-LB80NTU, PT-LB80U, PT-LB75NTU, and PT-LB75U projectors in addition to the widescreen PT-LW80NTU. These projectors are compact and dust-resistant to reduce repair costs. The PT-LB80NTU, PT-LB75NTU and PT-LW80NTU weigh less than 7 pounds and have built-in wireless capability for up to 128 different PCs working remotely. The unique advantage to these projectors is that they use a dust-resistant design that keeps a clear picture, even with extended use. Keeping up-to-date with new technological standards, the touch-sensor on the top panel is an added feature, along with a cutting-edge “Micro Cut Filter”.

These combined attributes in the design keep dust out, and extending the quality of the projector. Another unique feature is the placement of the lamp, which would normally located in the bottom in other competitor’s models; the LB80 series has the lamp at the rear, which keeps mounting and ceiling use in mind. The PT-LB80NTU and PT-LB80U delivers 3,200 Lumens while the PT-LB75NTU and the PT-LB75U provide 2,600 Lumens. The PT-LW80NTU is new, and delivers images with 2,600 lumens, the same as the LB80 series projectors. These models feature the Panasonic’s Daylight View 4 image-processing now includes the new Edge Enhancer Control, available on models of the fourth-generation.

With regard to resolution, the PT-LB80NTU and PT-LB75NTU deliver 1,024 x 768 resolution with a 4:3 aspect ratio. The PT-LW80NTU has a wide-aspect (16:10 aspect ratio) LCD panels for WXGA (1,280 x 800) reproduction. All of the projectors feature the following advanced features: “quiet operation, 3-second speed start, direct power off, built-in closed-caption decoder, in/out A/V connection terminals, anti-theft features, an easy-to-use remote control and much more.” The MSRP for these projectors are as follows: PT-LW80NTU $3,499, PT-LB80NTU $3,299, PT-LB80U $2,999, PT-LB75NTU $2,299, PT-LB75U $1,999. The LB80 series will begin shipping in July.

[via Engadget]

Unfortunately, with regard to projector lighting there are always issues with scaling due to the low wattage required to power the lamp. Normally, projectors use around 200W of power for projecting, but there is an alternative source called xenon lamps. They provide around 6,000-7,000W of power for projection; but this has also increased the cost of projection units due to power and lamp replacements. In the industry, this calls for a new priority with regard to projection systems, namely longer lifetimes, low etendue (the spread of light in area and angle), and wider color gamuts. The solution to this problem is a laser-based light source that can be stable, as well as providing constant power over a narrow wavelength. This in turn allows for faster warm-up time, low noise, and thermal performance. These lasers would also assist in 3D movie projection due to the fact that they offer a 60% power advantage over lamp-based systems.

It was recently reported that a laser-based white light source could be used for projectors using red edge-emitting lasers at 640nm and green and blue Necsel arrays of 24 emitters each operating at 532 and 465nm, respectively. “Twenty-seven fiber-coupled 3W RGB lasers (nine per color) were used to produce over 81W of RGB power, equivalent to about 20,000 lumens at the source.” This allows for reduced cost and higher efficiency for the lamps, allowing for scalable, dependable, and easily-to-create products. Finally, the viewing experience is to be enhanced due to the laser projection. According to the review, “The much broader color spectrum, better contrast, lower noise, and improved 3D rendering will impress audiences and provide new impetus for content creators to generate videos that can take advantage of these features.”

[via SPIE]

Mediapro International, located in Abu Dhabi, recently showed a 360-degree screen projection during an Abu Dhabi Executive Council meeting held at Emirates Palace last month. The display used 26 Sanyo XF47 projectors that emit 15,000 ANSI Lumens, in addition to 26 Dataton Watchout keys and machines and a 144m x 4.5m screen. They also used touch panels to control the video which was displayed, surrounding 650sqm of the palace’s Ballroom walls.

Sanyo is a major Japanese electronics company and member of the Fortune 500, they are located in Moriguchi, Osaka prefecture, Japan.

[via Arabian Business]

Are consumers refraining from purchasing projector units due to the cost; Instead turning to flat-panel technologies? This assumption is far from the truth. We know that true, discerning entertainment gurus like our readers aim for something so much more elegant than flat-panels; we are talking about the ultimate home theater. But for others, there will always be the nagging belief that a majority of the population still does not know how front projection works. According to Andrew Murphy, Director of Marketing at Pioneer Canada, “Front projectors can offer a great image for larger sizes,” he adds, “But it also brings room characteristics into play.”

If a room isn’t completely dark, you’re going to be sacrificing picture quality.” Light is going to play a big part in the theater process, but that’s not the only issue. We should look at the various improvements that have been made in projection technology. Now I’m not talking about 3-D projection, or holographic simulations, but quite simply LCD panels, which allow projection in both dark and bright rooms. For example, Planar, a leader in projection technology has made advancements in the areas of lighting with their X-Screen product which with special film technology, according to them can bring bright images to any environment.

Irregardless, companies such as Epson will continue to push projector sales, for instance the MovieMate Series that hope to give front projection a bigger piece of the home video pie. The company’s upcoming HD system, has a 1080p 3LCD projector, 100″ motorized screen, built-in speakers and DVD player, sub, universal remote, and controller all in one package. The product will be available in Canada later this year for $7,000 to $8,000. In addition to these sales, Pioneer’s inaugural Elite model PRO-FPJ1 front projector, is a hefty $9,000 on its own.

For some people though, it might be odd watching television shows on a 100” screen, but others may disagree by saying that’s the best way to watch their favorite programs. This argument could indeed be irrelevant due to the fact that some people may not even have a free wall for their projection display; however there are some (like us) who cannot live without these large screens. The arguments that flat-panel enthusiasts have is that of bulb replacements, and the purchase of a screen that matches the projector specifications. Either way, companies will still push the front projection systems in hopes of bringing sales and of course, new technology.

[via Marketnews]