Hitachi intros very short throw 3LCD projector

Hitachi today upgraded its 3LCD projectors with the CP-A100, a projector designed for professionals and schools but also useful for most any presentation. The flip-up design is capable of casting a 60-inch image from as close as 1.4 feet; this lets users cast a genuinely visible image without creating a shadow or having to choose an awkward position for the system. Ethernet is built-in and is integral to the design, especially in a boardroom or classroom. An E-Shot feature lets a notebook or other nearby PC send four photos over the network to display them without using external storage; administrators can directly steer one or more of the projectors or else keep track of details such as lamp life without having to visit the A100 in person.

With a brightness of 2,500 lumens and 400:1 contrast, it can also remain visible without requiring total darkness, Hitachi says. Specific inputs are not mentioned but should include a computer input as well as basic analog video connections. Pricing and an exact launch date are also unknown, though Hitachi suggests a very close release.