Toshiba intros low-cost bright DLP projector

Toshiba today rolled out the TLP-X3000AU, a new projector designed for presenters and home theaters with less than ideal viewing environments. Though relatively affordable at $1,199, the DLP system achieves 3,000 lumens of brightness; this makes it 50 percent brighter than the average projector, helping its image quality in daylight and similarly bright conditions. In spite of the brighness, Toshiba's most recent color enhancer hardware reportedly keeps up a 400:1 contrast ratio.

Keeping the projector secure is also an unusual focus of the X3000AU. A panel with an automatic password is detachable from the top of the projector; without it, the projector is useless to thieves who might want to use the device themselves, Toshiba says. The projector's native output produces a computer-friendly 1024x768 resolution when attached by VGA but produces a rescaled widescreen picture from any HD source up to 1080i. RCA and S-video inputs are also standard on the unit, which weighs 6.2 pounds and should be available today.