Sanyo launches widescreen, budget portable projectors

Sanyo this morning targeted its LCD projectors at two ends of the spectrum with models that should work both at home and at work. The 7.7-pound WXU10 (shown) is one of the few portable projectors to display at a native 1280x800 resolution -- making it one of the few that both matches the displays of many recent widescreen notebooks and an ideal fit for 720p HD video. To that end, the projector sports DVI and VGA for computers as well as component for analog HD and RCA/S-video for lower-resolution sources. Though officially made for meeting rooms with a 3-25 foot throw and instant on/off, the projector and its 2,000-lumen brightness are useful for movies and games, Sanyo claims.

Contrasting with the WXU10 is the DSU20, which focuses on just the core essentials for the sake of cost and portability. Weighing less at 6 pounds, the DSU20 steps down to a 800x600 image but gains a 2,000:1 contrast ratio for a clearer image; input is limited to VGA, RCA, and S-video and is primarily geared to DVD players and other TV-oriented sources. Sanyo notes a shortened range of 2.5 to 20.8 feet.

The simpler DSU20 is expected to ship first in August at a price of $695. Shipments of the WXU10 will begin later, hitting the street in October at $1,495.