Epoq is known for developing pocket projectors and recently they released three new models through their main retailer Gadget Craver. All of these projectors are about the size of candy bars and weigh less than half a pound each. They also use LED lamps which are eco-friendly, long lasting, and require little power to run.

First on the list is the EPP-CP01 that is priced to retail at $449. This model will be capable of displaying 30 ANSI lumens, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and SVGA (800 x 600) resolution. This is by far the brightest and most expensive projector being released and is capable of displaying images up to 50 inches diagonally.

Next is the EPP-HH02 that will retail for just under $360. This model is capable of displaying only 12 ANSI lumens, a 200:1 contrast ratio, and a VGA (640 x 480) resolution, which is becoming standard for pocket projectors. The main feature about this model is the SD card slot that allows users to carry their projector with out needing any cords or cables in order to present.

Last but not least is the EPP-HH03 projector that retails for $349. This model is almost the same as the EPP-HH02 projector. The HH03 features VGA (640 x 480) resolution, a 200:1 contrast ratio and 12 ANSI lumens. This model is also able to display images up to 50 inches, diagonally, and features a 0.66:1 throw ratio. The LED lamp also allows this projector to run silently.

[via Free Press Release]

Toshiba has recently announced that their talking projector, the TLP-X200U, will be released in the United Kingdoms as the x200. This projector is designed for travel and boardrooms, featuring 3000 ANSI lumens, a 600:1 contrast ratio, and XGA (1024 x 768) resolution. The major feature about this projector is that it actually tells you how to fix it. With an audio walk-through, the projector tells you how to change the lamp and the air filter. The projector even guides you through the on-screen menu. The x200 is very light, weighing only 4.4 lbs, and it is small enough to fit into almost any travel bag. The projector comes with many connections including an HDMI, s-video, composite, and a RGB input. It also comes with RJ-45 LAN connectivity, a USB control port and wireless Ethernet capabilities. The x200 can display onto a screen up to 300 inches, measured diagonally, from a medium range distance of 35.9 feet. This projector has already been released in Japan and the US and can be ordered through the Toshiba website. The retail price in the UK will be about £1500 (or $1739).

[via Idealo]

Christie is a global leader in visual solutions for entertainment, business, and industry. Recently they announced that they went bigger than global as they used their state-of-the-art digital cinema projectors to project video of NASA astronauts onboard the International Space Station. Christie displayed the astronauts to a stadium filled with over 2000 students, teachers, parents, community leaders, and government officials as the astronauts answered questions presented to them from the children in the audience. A total of 10 screens were used at Galaxy Theaters in Gig Harbor, Washington to broadcast Mike Fincke and Sandra Magnus from the Expedition 18. Frank Rimkus, CEO at Galaxy Theatres, was impressed with the turnout and the visible sense of excitement in the faces of the students and commented, “We were thrilled to be one of the first movie houses in the country to work with NASA and host so many deserving students and educators in this stimulating and inspiring environment.” Click the link to see video of the broadcast.

NASA Television Broadcast

[via Christie]

Super Bowl XLIII is this weekend and nearly a quarter of a million people will be in Tampa Bay Florida to watch the game live. With that many people the stadium’s security as well as the city police decided to upgrade with a brand new Microsoft Surface in their command room. The Surface will be using a system called E∙SPONDER that gives the officers a digital bird’s eye view of the entire city. The Microsoft Surface uses multi-touch technology to control the screen, which is displayed by a projector mounted in the base. The new security system will tell the police at the command room where there is a problem and where every officer is in relation to that problem. The program will also allow the officer using it to contact specific units via voice communication or instant messaging. Users can even scroll through the map of the city and zoom in on specific Super Bowl events like the stadium or any major parties to check their status. The best part about this upgrade is that the police will get to keep the Surface long after the Super Bowl is over for day to day use. Follow the link for brief video of the Surface in action.

[via Microsoft]

During CES, Texas Instruments hinted towards a Pico Projector Development Kit that would be available to manufacturers who wanted to integrate the device into future products. Recently it has been announced that TI has released their Development Kit though Electronics components distributer Digi-Key Corporation. This company was selected for their reputation of having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment. Starting today, Digi-Key will be supplying Pico Projector Development Kits for the suggested price of $349. The kits will include an HVGA (640 x 240) resolution, DLP projection device, a three color LED light engine, a power supply, and a video cable that is connected to a BeagleBoard. The board contains the OMAP35x processor and is supported by an open-source Linux community. “We are very excited about offering TI’s DLP Pico technology to our customers. The Pico Projector Development Kit will enable the development of a wide array of embedded systems in the high-growth medical, industrial and consumer segments, creating flexibility and options on how information and content is shared. With regard to the pairing of the pico projector and the BeagleBoard, it will be fun to see what engineers come up with using these two gadgets,” said Mark Larson, Digi-Key president and COO.

[via Market Watch]

The Mitsubishi HC7000 is one of the many high quality home theater projectors that Mitsubishi has to offer. It comes with 1000 ANSI lumens, full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, and a 720000:1 contrast ratio, which is one of the highest ratios seen in a home theater projector. Recently the writers at CNet released their review of the projector. The first thing the writer mentioned was how amazing the projector’s display was. The dynamic contrast ratio and Reon-VX video processor put the HC7000 at the top of the list for high end projectors. Another positive feature the writers found was that the projector comes with an extended 5000-hour lamp, which is twice as long as a standard bulb. One of the major disappointments the writers noticed was the screen adjustment features, or lack there of. In order to get the HC7000 to be entirely on the screen, the projector needs to be placed in a specific location, and have little room for mistakes. The writers also mentioned that they felt the 1000 ANSI lumens were rather low in comparison to its leading competition. In all, the writers concluded by stating, “The AU$5499 is a sleek beauty with a refreshing new design and smooth curves. Price-wise, this Mitsubishi costs AU$1,000 less than the Panasonic PT-AE3000, plus you do get a higher dynamic contrast which is crucial for better picture quality. That’s taking the rather large assumption that the dynamic contrast measurements are consistent between both manufacturers. However, this is highly unlikely since there’s currently no industry-wide standardization.”

[via CNet]

You saw it at CES; now see it at ISE next week. Sharp has recently announced that they will be displaying their newest projector the XV-Z15000. Unfortunately, the company has so far kept a tight lid on the details about this model, but we do know it features 1600 ANSI lumens, full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, and an amazing 30000:1 contrast ratio. The Z15000 will use the latest in DLP display technology and come with dual HDMI inputs as well as a RS-232C port for easy control. When released in March, the Z15000 will retail for just under $3000. Sharp will be displaying this projector with a wide range of new products at ISE including several new Aquos HDTVs, Home theater systems, Blu-Ray Disc players, and a new Music System designed specifically for the iPod.

[via Hidden Wires]

With ISE only a week away, many manufacturers are releasing their new products now so that they can are available to order at the convention. Hitachi recently announced the release of their latest installation projector, the CP-SX635. This model is designed for bright rooms and high quality as it features 4000 ANSI lumens, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) resolution. The projector only weighs 15.7 lbs, which makes it easy to install. The SX635 is more than capable for home theater or business capabilities. The projector comes with a variety of connections including an HDMI, RGB, 5BNC, RCA, s-video, component, and several audio jacks. It even comes with a RS-232, USB, and RJ-45 LAN connection for easy control and networking possibilities. One of the main features Hitachi highlights about the SX635 is the 2000 hour hybrid filter that is designed to reduce the frequency of maintenance checks. The CP-SX635 comes with a standard lens, or you could choose from the four optional lenses available. The projector is currently available through certified Hitachi retailers and will by priced at around $13000.

[via Slash Gear]

So how do you convert an unusually-shaped room littered with niches into a home theater? That is the question Mike Fox was asking himself when he promised his latest clients that he would create a rear projection theater in their basement. The room was unfinished and had several structures in the way including, “a strange octagon-shaped area.” Fox is the owner of Fox Audio Visual and specializes in rear projection home theater. Fox is a huge advocate of rear projection system because, “It’s ideal because you can still have an awesome visual experience even when the room lights are on. In my opinion, it provides the best picture.” One of their major problems was that the design of the room prevented the JVC DLA-RS2 projector from being directly behind the 106 inch screen. Fox had to move the projector to an awkward position that created a huge keystone effect where one area of the display appears larger than the other. To fix this problem, Fox paired the RS2 with a Calibre HD2 Video Processor that adjusted the picture, eliminating the keystone effect. Fox decorated the theater in old style woodwork, with sound proof ceiling panels that look like tin ceiling panels that used to be found in the old cinemas. The theater comes with two rows of seating with LED lights illuminating the stairs for safety. The DLA-RS2 projector is capable of displaying 600 ANSI lumens, full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, and an amazing 30000:1 contrast ratio.

[via Electronic House]

Projectiondesign is on a role as they announce today the release of their F12 series projector. These three models are designed to display high quality images and all feature the latest in DLP display technology. Anders Lokke, International Marketing & Communications Manager at projectiondesign, states, “The compact F12 is a high-quality professional projector suite that is perfectly suited to a range of graphically intensive applications, including for instance scientific visualization and simulation.” The retail prices for these models have not been released yet. However, you can see them on display next week at ISE in Amsterdam.

First is the F12 sx+ projector that features 2600 ANSI lumens, SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) resolution, and a 2500:1 contrast ratio. This model is definitely the baby of the group. The connection panel consists of dual HDMI and VGA inputs, a DVI-D port, component, s-video, and a composite connection. One of the nice features is that it comes with two 12V trigger ports that can be used control the screen, curtain, or lighting when the projector is turned on and off.

Next is the F12 1080 projector. This model features only 2400 ANSI lumens, but comes with a more powerful 3000:1 contrast ratio, and full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. This projector comes with all the main features that the F12 sx+ has and comes with a vertical shift feature that is convenient for screen adjustments.

Lastly is the most powerful of the F12 series, the F12 wuxga. This projector comes with the same 2400 ANSI lumens as the 1080 model but comes also with 4000:1 contrast ratio and WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution. The bigger resolution gives the projector a 16:10 aspect ratio that allows the picture to fill the entire screen with out those annoying black bars.

[via Projectiondesign]