Toshiba intros budget wide HD projector

Toshiba this morning released the TLP-WX2200U, targeting everyone from home theater enthusiasts to office users. The 3LCD-based unit projects at a 1280x800 resolution that matches the native sharpness of many widescreen notebooks and is also sharp enough to drive 720p HD video from modern game consoles, Blu-Ray, or HD DVD. Regardless of the exact setting, the projector is said to be bright for its class at 2,200 lumens and clear with a 600:1 contrast ratio. This is also one of the few projectors with explicit digital video out, Toshiba says; a VGA output relays the feed to a computer monitor or HDTV for help in presentations.

Input for full-resolution signals is provided through VGA with component video handled through adapters. RCA and S-video provide video from strictly analog sources. The WX2200U throws its image as close as 4.2 feet and up to 300 inches in size; a password lock to prevent theft is also standard with the projector, should be available immediately from Toshiba's supply chain for $999.