Syndiant has their hands full as a report was released that a company called Compound Photonics has filed a lawsuit against the company. They claim that Syndiany has used 4 of their patents in regards to microdisplays used in projection devices without authorization. The patents in question include one detailing how to frame LCD display chips, while another discusses bandwidth requirements for devices to communicate with each other. Unfortunately it is not known right now how this lawsuit will impact Syndiant or if the company has to temporarily halt production while it settles this matter.

[via Pico Projector Info]

Hitachi announced today their newest short throw projector, the CP-D31N. This device uses 3LCD technology in order to display 3000 ANSI lumens and a native XGA (1024 x 768) resolution. The projector is capable of displaying up to an 80 inch image from only 32 inches from the screen. This allows the device to be used in small rooms with little trouble. Hitachi has included a diverse connection panel that includes HDMI, composite, VGA, s-video, and several audio ports. There is also an Ethernet port for network capabilities. Other key features include a 10 watt audio amplifier, template functions, and user customization. Hitachi has not yet announced a retail price or a release date for the CP-D31N.

[via Home Toys]

InFocus is a digital display technology leader and visual collaboration champion. Today, the company was proud to announce the addition of two new projectors to their IN1100 series. The IN1124 and IN1126 both come with a 2500:1 contrast ratio and 3000 ANSI lumens. The only major difference is that the IN1124 has a XGA (1024 x 768) resolution, while the IN1126 has a WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution. These projectors have been given a diverse connection panel that includes HDMI, composite, component, VGA, and more. The series is designed to be portable and able to connect to a variety of devices, including Apple and Android products. “InFocus’s IN1120 mobile projectors are specifically designed for the needs of today’s road warrior, fully featured and incredibly bright for vivid presentations anywhere,” said Dave Duncan, InFocus Product Marketing Manager. “These new projectors weigh just 3.4 pounds and are extremely portable, without sacrificing the high image quality and digital connectivity essential for professional presentations on the go.” The IN1124 and IN1126 are available now and retail for $975 and $1099, respectively.

[via InFocus]

Portable projectors continue to shrink as the consumer market demand devices that can travel easily. A traveling presenter’s best friend is a projector that can be moved from location to location in a hurry. Today, the writers from PC Magazine comprised a list of some of the best portable projectors currently on the market. While the list have too many to list, one of the highlights is the Optoma PK301. This device features 50 ANSI lumens, a WVGA (854 x 480) resolution, and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. The PK301 was the brightest projector when it made its debut and is among the cheaper models as well. Another fairly popular projector on the list is the BenQ Joybee GP2, which is also the only model on the list to feature a built-in iPod docking station. The GP2 comes with 200 ANSI lumens, a WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution, and 2400:1 contrast ratio. Click the link below to see the complete list.

[via PC Magazine]

According to a new research project released by Pacific Media Associates, the demand in the projector industry has undergone a drastic change. The study showed that three main features are being the main influences for selecting projectors. The first is the environment as 70% stated that they want their projector to be eco-friendly. Another big feature is having a short throw ratio, which allows the projector to display large images in relatively cramped spaces. The last is to have the projector feature wireless connectivity. Over half of the people interviewed for the study stated this feature was very important to them. These three features are far different from previous studies that suggested that high resolution and picture quality were among the most important qualities. However it also shows the changing of the times.

[via CRN]

3M is happy to announce today that they were the proud receivers of 13 awards for outstanding product design by two design competitions. Seven of 3M’s products were selected for the 2012 Red Dot Design Award, while another six where selected into the 2011 Good Design Award. Among the list is the company’s MP225a projector, which took one of the awards for the 2012 Red Dot Design Awards. This tiny device is capable of displaying 32 ANSI lumens and a native SVGA (800 x 600) resolution. The projector isn’t much larger than a smartphone and weighs less than a pound. “It is truly an honor for 3M to have such a diverse array of products recognized by the highly esteemed GOOD and Red Dot design programs, respectively,” said Mauro Porcini, 3M’s head of global design. “3M is committed to elevate design as a strategic innovation priority, and we’re thrilled to see our progress acknowledged by this grand achievement.”

[via Businesswire]

The top projectors on the market use full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. Today, the writers from PC Magazine comprised a list of their favorite HD projectors that they have reviewed. The list composes of the top five projectors and not surprisingly, three of the projectors come from Epson. The list starts with the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8100, which comes with 1080p resolution, 1800 ANSI lumens, and a 36000:1 contrast ratio. Next is another Epson model, the PowerLite Home Cinema 8700 UB. This device has only 1600 ANSI lumens but also a 200000:1 contrast ratio. Another projector on the list is the Optoma HD33, which has 1800 ANSI lumens and only a 4000:1 contrast ratio, but it also comes with 3D capabilities. The third Epson projector on the list is the PowerLite Home Cinema 8350 and it comes with 2000 ANSI lumens and a 50000:1 contrast ratio. Last, but not least on the list is the Acer H7531D. This device comes with 2000 ANSI lumens and a 50000:1 contrast ratio.

[via PC Magazine]

Sometime having the ultimate movie experience isn’t about the picture quality, but about where you are watching. Today, architect Ole Scheeren unveiled his auditorium theater called the Archipelago Cinema. The theater is a raft that floats in the Nai Pi Lae lagoon on Kudu Island. It was built for the Film on the Rocks Yao Noi Festival and will become a permanent meeting place for the festival. The raft was built from recycled material and was designed based off of local lobster farms. Guests are taken to the theater by boat and become submerged by a mix of nature’s beauty and high quality digital images. “The thought of watching films here seemed surprising,” Scheeren said on his site. “And the audience floating, hovering above the sea, somewhere in the middle of this incredible space of the lagoon, focused on the moving images across the water: a sense of temporality, randomness, almost like driftwood.”

[via Gizmodo]

Back in January, BenQ unveiled their first laser-based projectors, the LX60ST, and LW61ST. Today, the company announced that these projectors are now available in the USA exclusively through AVI-SPL and Projector People. This will only last until April though and then the projectors will be available through other certified retailers. The LX60ST and LW61ST both come with 2000 ANSI lumens and an 80000:1 contrast ratio. They also have a native XGA (1024 x 768) and WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution, respectively. This is the first time that the laser technology has been used in a projector that’s bigger than a pico projector. The technology helps cut energy consumption by 90% and provides an image that is always in focus, no matter the distance or shape of the screen. “BenQ America values the strong partnership we have with both AVI-SPL and Projector People and their ability to successfully market and promote BenQ products. In recognition of this, we are introducing our new, breakthrough blue core projectors to the marketplace with AVI-SPL and Projector People,” said Lars Yoder, President of BenQ America Corp.

[via Broadcast Newsroom]

Everyone always looks for the bigger, better deal. And this is no different in the projector industry. But instead of having to sift through hundreds reviews to find the best projector, the writers from Solid State Technology has listed five of the best reviewed projectors within the last few months. They start off with the Hitachi CP-A221N classroom projector, which features 2200 ANSI lumens, XGA (1024 x 768) resolution, and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. This model was selected for its incredible image quality and short throw distance. Next was the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3010e, which is a home theater projector that comes with 2200 ANSI lumens, full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, and a 40000:1 contrast ratio. It is one of the company’s first 3D projectors. Moving down the list is the BenQ Joybee GP2, which is a pocket projector that features 200 ANSI lumen,s WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution, and a 2400:1 contrast ratio. Another good boardroom projector is the NEC P350W as it displays a 2000:1 contrast ratio, 3500 ANSI lumens, and WXGA resolution. Finishing up the list is another home theater 3D projector, the Optoma HD8300. This device comes with a 2000:1 contrast ratio, 1080p HD resolution, and 1500 ANSI lumens.

[via Solid State Technology]