Sanyo shows ultra short-throw HD projector
updated 11:50 am EDT, Tue April 14, 2009
Sanyo HD projector
Sanyo Electric in Japan has shown off a prototype projector on Tuesday that is capable of throwing up 1080p, 16:9 images sized at 100 inches from just 23.6 inches away, translating to a throw ratio of just 0.28 and making it possible to place the projector nearly anywhere in a typical room. Move it 37 inches away from the screen, and the projected image grows to 150 inches. The RGB laser light source is sent out via a three-panel DLP system embedded in the TV stand-like enclosure. Brightness is rated at 7,000 lumens, touted as the world's highest.
The projection optical system consists of an ultra-short focus lens group and a concave mirror projection setup that uses lasers for the light sources, accounting for the brightness. The entire package is currently very large at 93.3 by 20 by 24.8 inches in size.
Sanyo has not said whether the unnamed projector will be available for sale, or what it would cost. As a technology demonstrator, however, it should ultimately lead to smaller models in the future.
