A motorcycle simulator that uses projection technology has been developed by British researchers to help users increase awareness of road safety and bike design. It is called the “Triumph” motorbike and it uses simulation software with a projection screen in front of and behind the motorcyclist. In addition to being realistic, the software will be able to replication specific weather conditions, traffic, and various hazards. Mechanical Engineering students at Nottingham University designed and built the device, and expect it to be up and running by June.

Projection simulation technology has been used on several occasions in fields such as medicine, military, academic, and scientific applications. Through these simulations users are able to gain a fundamental understanding of specific environments and scenarios, therefore better enabling them to handle the real-world applications. With a motorcycle simulation such as the one mentioned, a fraction of the yearly motorcycle accidents may be prevented by teaching new riders techniques that will better enable them to make safer decisions on the road.

[via DailyMail]

In this review, the BenQ MP730 is praised as a projector with vibrant colors and rich detail; with a sleek black casing (10.8 x 5.1 x 12-inch) and clean look this projector not only delivers style but includes 2,200 Lumens, due to much respected Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing (DLP) BrilliantColor technology. According to the reviewers, when they first turned it on, “it was distinctly noticeable that the blacks were very dark, making the vibrant colors stand out even more intensely,” they add, “at 7.7 pounds, is lighter than some of the portable projectors on the market. Above the lens, which has a smoke-tinted sliding cover, are recessed zoom and focus controls. This placement keeps them out of the way and prevents them from being accidentally readjusted.”

With regard to testing,

“They tested against 17 calibration patterns in the DisplayMate suite, the BenQ MP730 passed all of them straight out of the box. Video input connections include Analog RGB, Component and Composite Video, S-Video, and HDMI, while a stereo mini-jack enables audio input to the internal 2-watt speaker. There is also a 12-volt trigger for use with automatic screens.”

Showing that this projector outshines the rest with regard to out-of-box settings and excellence; also includes many features that are sure to make a stand with regard to quality. The projector case, the most elegant and optimized aspect of the object, is well-designed and keeps heat to a minimum; a good example of this is when the reviewers state, “After more than an hour of use, we measured a maximum temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit on approximately 75 percent of the case. The small panel just above the lamp module reached 108 degrees, and the front vents climbed to 116 degrees.”

With a retail price of around $1,199, it may very well be worth the value.

[via ChannelWeb]

COMM-TEC and Weibel Lift AG announced today that COMM-TEC will be the sole distributor for the Weibel Projector and the television lift. COMM-TEC is the leading pro-AV distribution organization in Europe with brands that include the following; Analog Way, Da-Lite, DNP, Lutron, Middle Atlantic Products, Samsung and Stardraw. According to Mr. Herman Holtus of Weibel Lift AG, “COMM-TEC is the best partner for us in the German market. They have a very strong distribution approach in both Germany and Austria that can help Weibel Lift AG move forward in this market. Moreover, COMM-TEC is taking training very serious and has implemented various training classes, something that Weibel Lift AG believes is very important.” The Weibel Lift AG launched the Mini Projector Lift at the PALME show in Dubai, and at the CEDIA in London will launch the new television lift; this will take place in June.

[via HiddenWires]

If you want a projector with the abilities of 60inch projection at only 65cm from the surface, then the Epson EMP-400W might be your preferred device. This projector, having just been released to the Middle East by Epson, is light-weight, versatile, and uses optimum energy efficiency. The projector uses an Epson exclusive Twin Optimized Reflecting Lamp (E-TORL), no cool down time, direct power on and off functions, and if you use it from a fixed ceiling mounted position there are many advantages. The EMP-400W is capable of WXGA resolution at 1280 x 800, and has aspect ratios of 4:3, 16:10, and 16:9.

According to Khalil El-Dalu, General Manager of Epson Middle East, “Flexibility and ease-of-use are important components people look for when choosing a projector, as they are often a tool utilized by a large number of people within a diverse range of environments.

You can purchase the EMP-400W for around $1,399.

[via AME Info]

Currently, the world’s smallest projector, the Earth Trek 90-805R mini projector packs quite a punch with its portable 22-inch screen. The projector has dimensions of 105 x 58 x 25mm and has a port for SD cards. The battery on this device lasts about an hour or two, and has various ports for external power, A/V input, and focus ability. Also available is the ability to play mp4 media, as the projector includes speakers for this reason. We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available.

[via CNET]

Stampede Canada, a home theatre distributor of entertainment products is offering a program for front projectors and RPTV lamps. For dealers that sell a specific amount with this application will be sent on vacation, for example; sales from $100,000-$150,000, will take dealers to Las Vegas, wit sales of $300,000 and higher will take you to Hawaii. Customers that purchase 20 lamps during May and July, 2008 will be offered a free InFocus IN1 home theater projector. Also, they have developed a lamp configurator that can be integrated onto a dealer’s website for lamp selection.

[via MarketNews]

The Projector manufacturer SIM2 announced that it is now shipping its Grand Cinema HT3000 HOST DLP projector. This two-piece projector, for the one that has a T1 lens costs around $21,595, and the T2 has a suggested retail of $22,595. According to SIM2 USA Vice President Charlie Boornazian, “Our dealers asked for an elegant two-piece design from SIM2 and the HT 3000 HOST delivers! The HOST’s 10-bit video processor will feature six HDMI 1.3 inputs along with numerous component, composite, RGB and S-Video inputs.” The HT3000 HOST is a compact projector measuring just 17 inches square and weighing around 24 pounds, and includes DLP technology. SIM2 utilizes the ALPHAPATH light engine, which is used for full-HD 1080p, integrated lens shift, digital keystone adjustment, and a choice of lenses.

[via Ecoustics]

BenQ is among the world’s leaders in DLP projector suppliers, and once again they introduce a top-notch projector, the SP920. This projector includes 6,000 Lumens, picture-enhancing features, and Texas Instruments’ DLP chip. An important feature of this projector is that it has a 3D Color Management system with a unique dual lamp design that is sure to please consumers. Lamps on this projector include two “280W lamps output the same 6,000 lumens as the competitions’ dual 300W bulbs for a 23.5% optical efficiency.” OSRAM’s UNIversal SHAPEd Lamp Light Technology (UNISHAPE) also gives the SP920 the ability to adapt lamp output to each color wheel segment, and thereby overcoming the catch-22 of brightness versus color correction and dark detail enhancement.

[via WebWire]

Projector companies Christie, XDC and Doremi Cinema were festival partners supplying technology for the Cannes Film Festival that screened over 100 movies in digital format. Christie provided the 2K DLP digital projector for the in18 auditoria in addition to other material required for screening. Doremi Cinema also worked with XDC on the preparation and exhibition of the 100 digital movies. According to Patrick Zucchetta, md of Doremi Cinema Europe, “The 100 digital movies screening here this year shows the increasing pace of the transition to digital cinema. Now the technology and the business models mean the audience can experience movies in superior quality and even 3D.” These films used the JPEG2000 coding system, due to a recommendation by DCI (Digital Cinema Initiative), also using the Doremi DMS-2000 digital mastering stations provided by XDC. “Five Doremi DCP-2000 DCI JPEG2000 digital cinema players were in use at the festival.”

Founded in 1946, The Cannes Film Festival is one of the oldest and prestigious film festivals. The festival is important for European films, and has gained extensive media exposure over the past few years.

[via AV Interactive]

On May 30-31, for the upcoming Beijing Olympics projection artist Paolo Buroni and Stark Srl will create the largest multi-projection ever attempted (they claim) on the 234m high CCTV (Central Chinese Television) building in Beijing. The projection was created by Nike, and according to Paolo Buroni, “This operation fits perfectly into my artistic career made up of invasions into, and virtual transformation of, the urban landscape, through images in multivision . . .” For the projection 80 Stark projectors will be used, for the 80 sections.

The 2008 Summer Olympics (XXIX Olympiad) will be celebrated from August 8, 2008, to August 24, 2008, with the opening ceremony beginning at 08:08:08 pm CST at the Beijing National Stadium in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

[via L&Si Online]