The NEC VT800 is one of the newest projectors to join the VT series for NEC. It features 2700 ANSI lumens and a native XGA (1024 x 768) resolution. The reviewers at Trusted Reviews recently got the opportunity to test the VT800 and see what it is worth. They noticed several good points off the starting block. The setup was easy and quick and the design of the machine was very self explanatory. They tested out the VT800’s WiFi capabilities. They turned on the projector and installed the software and received connectivity shortly after installment. They did observe a noticeable lag time while testing the projector with slides, but it was not so bad that it compromise the projector’s overall quality. One thing the reviewer did not like was the lack of pixel resolution. Modern laptops usually have more than an XGA resolution, which could cause problems when connected to the VT800. The best feature that the writers liked was the HDMI connectivity that the VT800 had. The HD input allows for full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution video and audio to be displayed through the VT800. The final verdict for the VT800 was, “Despite its XGA resolution, the VT-800 combines a strong performance as a business projector with excellent networking features, strong connectivity and surprisingly good HD and SD video playback. Even given strong competition from the WXGA InFocus IN35W, it’s still well worth considering.”

[via Trusted Reviews]

BenQ is joining the many manufacturers that are announcing projector releases for September. Their model is the MP513 DLP projector. This projector is an all purpose projector that can be used in either the home or the office. It is also light enough to travel between the two, weighing 4.9 lbs. It features SVGA (800 x 600) resolution and 2500 ANSI lumens. It comes with your standard RGB, composite, and s-video connections and is able to be controlled via a serial port. The MP513 is one of BenQ’s quietist projectors with a 26 dB noise level, while in Eco Mode. It also has a wide variety of features that most BenQ projectors have including security password protection, auto input search, 30 second cool down. The best part about the BenQ is that it is already available for preordering on the BenQ website.

[via Digi-Life]

Next month Mitsubishi will be releasing three new projectors, the HC7000, HC6500, and HC5500. All three models feature full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and 3LCD display technology. The HC7000 is the most powerful of the three with a 70000:1 contrast ratio and dual HDMI inputs. The HC6500 has a 15000:1 contrast ratio and has a motorized zoom lens that can magnify your picture by 1.6 times. It also comes with dual HDMI inputs. Lastly the HC5500 has the smallest, but still impressive, 14000:1 contrast ratio. It is also the quietist with a 19 dB noise level, while in low mode. All three projectors are also fitted with a lamp that can last for up to 5000 hours. The HC7000, HC6500, and HC5500 are all set to launch in September. They will also be on display at the IFA convention this week in Berlin.

[via T3]

With the decreasing prices of projectors these days more people in the DIY community are abandoning their hand made projectors for something a little more professional. Those few who have stayed the path have decided to not just build their own projectors but also build their own 3D theaters. One person decided to base their construction off of the rig that is used to record 3D images. First you build a box. Then you mount an LCD display in the back and on the ceiling of the box. You also install a glass pain that is angled at a 45 degree angle. This pain of glass will be the screen. To make it run all you need to do is connect the monitors to one or two computers and have them play the same movie at the same time. The only draw back is that you have to use polarized glasses in order to get the 3D effect but I’m sure there is a DIY guide for that as well.

[via Wired]

Projectiondesign is announcing a new large theater projector that will be coming out soon. The Cineo32 projector is the latest model to feature full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and be able to display 2D and 3D stereoscopic pictures. This will be one of the many projectors to come from Projectiondesign that is able to display 3D images with the use of only one lens. The Cineo32 will also be fitted with a new VIDI lamp provided by Philips. This new lamp technology will dramatically reduce artifacts in the display image. The Cineo32 is also going to be portable allowing this projector to be taken on the road for concerts, conventions, and other large venue functions. Unfortunately Projectiondesign has not yet announced a release date or a price.

[via Broadcast Buyer]

It looks like Texas Instruments is close to releasing their DLP mini projector that they were displaying at CES. They plan to give the technology to two major projector manufacturers. The first we already know to be Optoma. The other company, Toshiba, plans to make a statement at IFA in Berlin this weekend announcing the mini projector that they plan to release at the beginning of 2009. The only information known about the mini projector so far is that it will be about the size of a mobile phone and will be able to project an image of 90 inches, diagonally. More information will be released as it becomes available.

[via Pocket Lint]

Delta Electronics Inc. has recently announced that they have developed the first HD (1920 x 1080) resolution projector that uses an LED light. Unfortunately the name of this projector has not been released but it is expected to be on display at IFA 08 and CEDIA 08. LED lamps are usually found in small portable projectors and are also being developed for pocket and Pico projectors. LED lamps are not as bright as common halogen lamps, but they do last up to 10 times longer. They also produce less heat than common lamps, which means a smaller fan can be used ultimately reducing the noise level of the projector. Delta worked with Texas Instruments on this projector, who is also working on developing one of the first phone projectors.

[via Delta]

Epson is all about the Home Theater projectors today. Recently they announced that they will be releasing the EH-TW5000 in October. This projector will have the largest contrast ratio that any home theater projector, 75000:1. The TW5000 will also feature 1600 ANSI lumens and full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. It has dual HDMI connections as well as your standard RGB, component, composite, and s-video connections. Unfortunately that is all the information that Epson is releasing. In addition Epson will also be releasing two other projectors at that time, the EH-TW3000 and EH-TW3800. More information on those two as it becomes available. The EH-TW5000 is expected to retail for £2400 ($4370).

[via T3]

Epson is announcing their latest contribution to anyone who loves video games with the EH-TW420. This projector will feature 2000 ANSI lumens and HD (1280 x 720) resolution, but its main feature is the game mode that actually decreases the lag time between the game and the displayed image. This feature has been seen in the Panasonic PT-AX200. The only problem of the game mode was that while it was on the quality and brightness of the picture displayed suffered. The TW420 also comes with an HDMI connection as well as component, composite, s-video, and can be connected to all current gaming systems. It also has a 7 watt speaker system that is perfect for when you don’t have any other sound system connected. The TW420 is unfortunately not set to launch until September, but at least that gives you time to save up the £650 ($1186) that Epson is asking for.

[via Electric Pig]

Epson is one of the many who are announcing their latest and greatest projectors this week. Among them is the EH-DM2 that is set to launch sometime in September. This is one of Epson’s all in one projectors with a built in DVD player and surround sound speakers. The DM2 features the latest in 3LCD technology, full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, and has 1200 ANSI lumens that can illuminate any home theater. This projector also comes with a USB connection for those who wish to display their vacation photos, in HD, to their friends and family. It also comes with your standard RGB, composite, and s-video connections. The DM2 is expected to retail for €600 ($882) when it launches next month. But if the EH-DM2 is as good as the specs say, then it will be on every family’s wish list.

[via I4U]