The Optoma Pro160S is one of the company’s latest 3D projectors. It features 3000 ANSI lumens, a SVGA (800 x 600) resolution, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio. Today, the writers from PC Magazine released their review of this particular device. The projector is designed to be a portable companion for travelers and the writers think this device accomplishes this nicely. It weighs only 5 lbs and measures only 11.3” x 4” x 7.6” (W x H x D). The writers also liked the fact that this model is 3D Ready, but it doesn’t come with 3D glasses. There were some noticeable rainbow effect problems, but overall the image quality was decent. They also thought that the audio could have been a lot better. The bottom line that the writers made was, “The Optoma Pro160S is a bright, portable SVGA data projector with solid image quality for presentations.”

[via PC Magazine]

Sim2 has been displaying their new Nero series all year. Today, the company announced that their NERO 3D-2 is finally available on the consumer market. This device features 2000 ANSI lumens, a full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and 30000:1 contrast ratio. It is also 3D Ready but doesn’t come with its own 3D glasses. The connection port includes dual HDMI ports, a RGB port, component, and a composite. Other major features include PureMotion, color calibration software, a motorized iris, and more. The retail price was not announced at this time. The other projectors in the series are expected to release within the next few months.

[via Big Picture Big Sound]

The latest office projector from Epson is the EB-W12. This device features a 3000:1 contrast ratio, 3000 ANSI lumens, and a WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution. Today, the writers from Expert Reviews published their experience with this device. The first thing the writers praised was the connection panel, which includes RGB, composite, s-video, HDMI, USB, and several audio ports. The writers liked the overall image quality, but thought that the image had some color issues. Using the dynamic contrast feature made the image look better, but the colors looked oversaturated and look like it came from a cartoon. The writers also noticed that the projector was fairly loud when running, and was even distracting at times. The last comment they said was, “The EB-W12 is particularly easy to set up, especially if you have to project from an angle. While most projectors have a keystone function that lets you project a rectangular image from an angle, the EB-W12 has a mechanical slider that makes this job much easier. Business users will also appreciate the EB-W12′s carry case, relatively low weight and USB flexibility. Viewsonic PJD5523w has better contrast and stronger blacks, so is better for films, but the EB-W12′s better USB support and easier keystone correction gives it the edge for business users. It wins our Business Buy award.”

[via Expert Reviews]

The latest projector to come from Epson is the Megaplex MG-850HD projector. This is the company’s first model to come with an Apple docking station. It also features 2800 ANSI lumens, a 3000:1 contrast ratio, and WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution. Today, the writers from PC Magazine released their review of the 850HD. The biggest feature is the docking station, which is also what the writers liked the most about it. The docking station can hold a wide variety of Apple products from iPods to iPads. The writers also liked the overall image quality as well. The company states that the projector could be used as a portable projector, but the writers thought that it was too heavy and bulky to be used as such. They would have also liked to see a VGA port. The 850HD does not include a VGA port and instead comes with an HDMI port in order to connect computers. The final comment the writers made was, “The Epson MegaPlex MG-850HD is an iPhone-friendly home entertainment projector with data presentation chops; it handled both data and video with aplomb.”

[via PC Magazine]

Christie is a global leader in visual display solutions. Today, the company announced that they delivered display systems to this week’s GovComm 2011 in Washington, D.C. Among all the products the company will be providing, they will have two of their latest digital projectors, the HD10K-M and the LHD700. The HD10K-M features 9500 ANSI lumens, a 10000:1 contrast ratio, and full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. The LHD700 comes with 7000 ANSI lumens, a 3000:1 contrast ratio, and the same full HD resolution. Both projectors are also capable of displaying 3D and 2D content. They also are equipped with 4DColor Technology and inorganic LCD panels in order to ensure high contrast and vivid color presentations. “The needs of government, military and contractors for powerful and reliable technology never change, but today’s customers also demand greater versatility and control in more cost-effective, low maintenance packages,” said John Stark, senior director of product management for Christie’s Collaborative Visual Solutions (CVS), Business Products division. “With IT department budgets stretched to the limit across every industry, Christie’s broad choice of visual display systems offer ‘high tech without the high price,’ to address the complex surveillance and security challenges of today’s global environment.”

[via Christie]

The Optoma ML500 is one of the company’s new LED-based projectors. It is capable of displaying 500 ANSI lumens, a 2000:1 contrast ratio, and WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution. Today, PC Magazine released their review of the ML500. The writers praised the projector’s small design. It weighs only 2.5 lbs and measures 8.7” x 1.7” x 6.7” (W x H x D). The LED lamp is long lasting, which reduces maintenance checks, but it also provides a dimmer image when compared to other portable projectors. This means that users will have to dim the lights if they are concerned about image quality. One big problem the writers noticed was that the image suffered from scaling artifacts. This problem usually occurs when the content’s native resolution is different from the projector’s resolution. However the writers noticed that this problem occurred even when the content had a native WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution. In the end, the writers concluded, “Dimmer than a standard projector, but much brighter than a palmtop and nearly as lightweight, the Optoma ML500 can stand up to a reasonable level of ambient light.”

[via PC Magazine]

One of the big problems with using a projector for presentations is that when the user walks in front of the screen, the image is displayed onto the presenter. This can make it difficult for viewers to read text or look at images. Fortunately though, there is hope as a research group from Meiji University has come up with unique new projection system. The device uses a Microsoft Kinect system to track the location of the presenter in front of the screen. It then uses that information to position text and images onto the screen so that they are now being projected on the presenter. The system also gives the presenter some gesture controls and they can push text off the screen, enlarge and shrink images, and scroll through slides without having to walk away from the screen or reach for a remote. The technology is still being developed and still has some bugs that need worked out. But it is a good idea for the future.

[via Ubergizmo]

Last year, Microsoft had a vision of what the future would be like. Today, they released a new video featuring their latest dream. According to their video, the future will have everyone connected instantly. It will be filled with transparent OLED screens, HDTVs, and surfaces with images projected onto them and they will all be interactive. What is interesting is the general theme that all of the technology will have a white or grey surface, which is odd since most electronics nowadays prefer black chassis. Some of the technology featured in the video is nothing new compared to last year’s video. However, there is a bigger focus on mobile devices and people staying connected to each other. Probably the more interesting aspects are the technology that can either have a 2D display or a 3D holographic image. Who knows if we will see similar technology in our lifetimes?

[via Engadget]

One of the new projectors from Vivitek is the Qumi. This device features 300 ANSI lumens, a 2500:1 contrast ratio, and WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution. Today, the host from Geek Beat revealed their review of this tiny projector. The host first states that the Qumi is not really a pico projector, but is more of a pocket projector. This is the category that falls between pico and portable projectors and are usually a miniature version of their bigger siblings. One of the big features the host liked was that the Qumi is the first pocket projector to feature 3D technology. Another favorable feature was the connection panel, which features a wide array of connection options for both stationary and on the go situations. The biggest problem the writer had with the Qumi is the sub-par audio system. The host recommends bringing external speakers instead for better sound. Overall, the host liked the Qumi performance and recommends it for anyone who is in the market for a pocket projector.

[via Revision 3]

Christie is proud to announce that they are one of the many presenters at this year’s LDI trade show. The company will be displaying several new products including the YK50 dual-arm moving yoke, the Christie AutoStack 2.0, and software for automatically aligning and blending images for multi-projector arrays. Also on display will be Christie’s J Series projectors, which debuted earlier this year. The show will run from the 28th to the 30th of October.

[via Christie]