Sanyo reveals XL50 projector with record 3-inch throw

Sanyo today unveiled what could be one of the most significant breakthroughs in its LCD projector series. The LP-XL50 includes a radical redesign of its aspherical mirror and lens that projects its image at an angle from the middle of the unit rather than at the end. The technique revolutionizes what can be done with projectors, Sanyo claims. With a minimum distance of just over three inches, the XL50 can be put into otherwise impossible positions: it can cast on to the floor or even hang from the wall, the company says. This method also maintains a relatively large image, creating a minimum 60-inch picture and as large as 80 inches.

Image quality is also the same, with a 1024x768 image cast at a 2,000 lumen brightness at a full 16.7 million colors. Input includes VGA for computers as well as component and S-video for DVD players and other analog-resolution sources.

The one obstacle to the projector is its availability, Sanyo adds. A launch is planned for this year but will only see shipping XL50 models on December 21st, over six months away. Price details and launches outside of Japan have gone unannounced and are likely to appear closer to the actual release date. [via Akihabara]