Sony preps widescreen, networked LCD projectors

Sony today launched a full eight LCD front projectors that target meetings and other small environments. Topping the list is the C-series and its flagship CW125, according to Sony. The 3-LCD unit challenges Sanyo's new WXU10 as one of the few in the class to run at a native WXGA (1280x800) resolution that suits widescreen notebooks and 720p HD footage; in contrast to the Sanyo, however, the CW125 is brighter at 3,000 lumens and can be controlled through a web browser when attached to a local network. Other models in the C-series run at XGA (1024x768) and range in brightness from 2,700 to 3,500 lumens; three models (CW125, CX155, and CX125) share the networking feature while three more (CX100, CX120, CX150) all use Sony's Remote Commander for steering multiple projectors through one remote.

Prices will range from $2,120 for the comparatively basic CX100 to $3,300 for the CW125. The CX120 and CX150 arrive this month, while the CX100, CX125, and CX155 appear a month later. The CW125 is due last in October.

Two more conventional projectors in the E-series will ship this month, Sony adds. The 1024x768 EX4 and 800x600 ES4 replace outgoing models and feature brightness levels of 2,100 and 2,200 lumens each. A Remote Commander is bundled with either projector, and both focus primarily on analog video with VGA braced by RCA and S-video. They ship by the end of June at $1,030 for the ES4 and $1,230 for the EX4.