05/03, 8:25am
Pop Video pico projector lands for $99, with qHD
Pop Video has started taking pre-orders for its iPhone pico projector. The $99 is shipped by Crucial.com on behalf of well-known semi-conductor maker Micron Technology. The pint-sized device offers a qHD (960x540) resolution and, as the video embedded below shows, the device easily slots into the 30-pin iPhone dock but will work best only in darkened conditions. The device will work for up two hours on a single charge and is supplemented by an iPhone app (Free, iTunes) that offers additional functionality.
more
05/03, 1:45am
Aimed at corporations, churches, schools
The Epson PowerLite-series projectors has been dramatically expanded with six new models added to the line. The new models are optimized for medium-sized boardrooms, classrooms, and churches. Two of the models can also be controlled remotely via iOS or Android apps.
more
04/25, 2:20pm
ViewSonic PLED-W200 has short throw and tiny size
ViewSonic has launched the PLED-W200 projector in Europe. It can display a 40-inch screen within a four-foot projection distance, weighs less than a pound, and is smaller than three stacked DVD cases.
more
04/17, 10:40am
Small Acer K130 travel projector uses DLP 3D
Acer has released the K130 mini DLP travel projector. The device is a lightweight DLP 3D-ready projector, yet weighs a pound and has a footprint smaller than half a sheet of A4 paper.
more
03/19, 11:25pm
Tech allows viewer to focus beyond glasses
Microsoft has filed a patent application for a "laser-scanning virtual image display," which is described as a compact display system that can be built into glasses, helmets or goggles. Head-mounted displays are not new, however the patent application describes a method for projector-based presentation rather than placing a small LCD panel directly in front of each eye.
more
03/07, 11:55pm
System appears to pair Kinect with pico projector
Microsoft's Research division has previewed a prototype system that utilizes a wearable projector as an alternative to touch-based input restricted to dedicated displays on devices such as smartphones. The technology, which was developed in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University,
more
01/04, 4:25am
Sanwa lifts lid on dual purpose pico projector
Japanese company Sanwa has unveiled its 400-PRJ011 pico projector for the iPhone 4 and 4S. Using DLP technology, it can throw images on to a wall up to 65-inches in size with a 640x360 resolution and 1000:1 contrast ratio. Unusually, but usefully, the device will also double as a charger using its 2,100mAh battery to provide juice for a user’s iPhone when not in projector mode.
more
11/24, 5:20am
BenQ Joybee GP2 now shipping for iPhone, iPod
BenQ has unveiled the Joybee GP2 Mini Projector with an iPhone/iPod-compatible dock. The device also comes with an optional battery back, which allows users to take advantage of its two 2-Watt stereo speakers when on the go. While it could be useful for just about anyone, the device is aimed at business users who don’t want to carry laptops around for presentations.
more
11/08, 12:20am
Full HD projector with 1,250-lumen lamp
LG has introduced a new projector, the CF3DAT, that will be headed to customers in the company's home country of Korea. The projector features Cinema 3D technology, enabling users to view 3D content in HD resolution when wearing inexpensive polarized glasses rather than relying on more expensive active-shutter frames.
more
09/09, 8:10pm
Split-screen allows TV, internet use together
Epson will be bringing a new line of 2D/3D "Full HD" home theater projectors and one new model of pro cinema projector to dealers and outlets in October and November. The units feature extremely high refresh rates and 2,400 lumen brightness to help combat the main complaint with 3D television: lowered brightness and picture quality. The units can also "split the screen" allowing for two inputs (such as TV and internet) to be used at the same time.
more
07/14, 7:15pm
Latest pico projector from MicroVision
MicroVision has unveiled its latest pico projector, the ShowWX+HDMI. The projector provides many of the same features as the company's ShowWX+, but with an HDMI port alongside a connector designed for iOS devices such as the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Users can also attach computers via VGA connectors using a special adapter that can be purchased separately.
more
06/06, 6:40pm
Projector geared for gaming
Optoma has introduced its latest projector, the GT750, which fits in the company's GameTime line for gamers. The DLP projector displays content in native 720p resolution, with automatic conversion of Blu-ray's HDMI 1.4a 3D signal into 720p 3D. Users can connect game consoles, Mac or PC computers, and other video sources.
more
08/13, 6:20pm
S1100pj to replace current S1000pj projector model
Nikon appears to be readying several new Coolpix cameras, the S1100pj and S5100, according to pictures leaked ahead of schedule in the German magazine Foto Digital. The S1100pj, with a built-in projector, will likely serve as the rumored replacement to the current S1000pj. The camera is also said to offer a touchscreen, remote control, and several other minor improvements.
more
12/02, 9:05pm
3D content supported for gaming, movies
Optoma has introduced two new 3D-ready projectors, the HD66 and PRO350W. The HD66 features the ability to display 3D content such as movies or games in 720p resolution, while 2D content can be displayed in 1080p. The projector integrates a TI chipset with BrilliantColor technology, bringing a brightness rating of 2500 ANSI lumens with a 4,000:1 contrast ratio. Both projectors support a variety of connection options including HDMI, VGA, S-Video, Composite, stereo audio, and RS-232.
more
08/03, 11:30am
Hitachi network projector
Hitachi has expanded its line of projectors with the CP-X3010N. The device offers the same basic features as the CO-X3010, but adds an Ethernet port and 802.11g/n connectivity. The device features integrated 16W speakers, 3,000 lumen brightness and a contrast ratio of up to 2,000:1.
more
01/11, 4:25pm
LED pocket projectors
Samsung and Kinyo/ArtDio have unveiled pocket-sized projectors using competing technology. Samsung's MBP 200 uses DLP technology, while Kinyno chose LCOS, or Liquid Crystal On Silicon. Both models are capable of displaying images up to about 50 inches, but the similarities end there.
more
11/19, 4:30pm
Mitsubishi wide projectors
Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America on Wednesday announced the release of two new 500-series projectors with the wide-format WD510U and WD500U-ST. Both have 1280x800 native resolution and 16:10 aspect ratios and are meant for use in education and business industries. The WD510U has a brightness rating of 2,600 lumens, with the WD500U-ST rated at 2,100 lumens.
more
11/12, 8:40pm
Pico to be sold online
Optoma has announced that its Pico PK-101 projector will be sold through Amazon and BestBuy.com. The company will also offer the device through the Japanese Apple stores, as reported earlier this week. The projector uses Texas Instruments' Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology to deliver a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 at 480 pixel by 320 pixel resolution. All of the internal components fit into a case that measures two inches by 4.1 inches by 0.7 inches, with a weight of four ounces.
more
10/30, 9:05pm
Pocket Cinema projector
Digital device company Aiptek has unveiled the Pocket Cinema V10, a compact projector featuring an integrated media player. The V10 can be used as a stand-alone player or connected to an iPod, DV, DSC, game console, or mobile phone with an AV-out connection. Users can project a screen size of up to 50 inches, with a range of focal distances from 21cm to 180cm. The device supports a resolution of 640 by 380 pixels, using a white LED light source and 3M technology in a housing that measures 125mm by 55mm by 23mm.
more
09/22, 4:20pm
Toshiba tiny projector
At a recent product showcase held in Japan, Toshiba showed off a prototype projector about the size of Apple’s iPhone that is capable of throwing up images up to 50 inches in size at 480x320 resolution. The projector’s DLP Pico chip was sourced from Texas Instruments and the optical module uses red, green and blue LEDs for the light source. There is a price to pay for the diminutive size, as the brightness, at just 7 lumens, makes the projector usable only in very dark environments, while the built-in battery’s life is rated at less than an hour when fully charged.
more
09/05, 12:30am
Epson intros HD projectors
Epson on Thursday unveiled three new LCD projectors, all sporting 1080p resolution, at the CEDIA expo. The PowerLite Home Cinema 6100, PowerLite Pro Cinema 7100 and use the company's 3LCD imaging technology. The two Pro Cinema projectors are ISF certified, giving custom installers a standard to work with when integrating the units into customers' home theater set-ups. The flagship Pro Cinema 7500 UB, for UltraBlack, projector sports one of the highest dynamic contrast ratios found in commercial projectors, at 75,000:1. To enhance HD images further, Epson employs its C2Fine software in the 7500UB, while judder is decreased or eliminated thanks to the company's FineFrame technology. The use of a 12-bit 3LCD driver gives the projector a wider color range to work with, and Silicon Optix' HQV Reon-VX scaling and de-interlacing video processor enhances 1080i HD signals. An optional lens gets rid of the black bars above and below a picture, allowing for 2.35 or 2.4 aspect ratio viewing.
more
08/26, 3:25pm
Toshiba XGA projector
Toshiba on Tuesday announced details and specifications on its newest projector, the TLP-XE30U. Capable of 1024x768 resolution, the projector features a blackboard function that allows it to correct for green, black, brown, blue or beige colored walls and surfaces to display a color-correct image. Setting it up is also straightforward, with automatic vertical keystone correction that can throw up a square image on the wall despite the projector’s orientation of up to 30 degrees from horizontal.
more
08/26, 1:15pm
Sanyo PLV-Z700 projector
Sanyo on Monday took the wraps off its newest home theater HD projector, the three-LCD PLV-Z700. Capable of projecting 1080p images, Sanyo is nevertheless marketing the PLV-Z700 as an entry-level projector. The company touts the new product as using the most advanced shift lens technology available, capable of shifting three entire screen sizes vertically and two screen sizes horizontally. It also sports a variable iris that adjusts the amount of light projected on the screen 60 times a second, or twice as fast as 30 frames per second tV.
more
08/21, 4:00pm
Planar DLP HD projector
Planar on Thursday announced it is now shipping its first 3-chip HD projector based on DLP technology. Called Viper, the projector features a 1,280x720 native resolution and can throw up images in excess of 110 inches. It was designed with custom home theater applications in mind and uses one of Texas Instruments' higher-end DLP chipsets.
more
08/20, 3:35pm
Fuchitek pico projector
News comes on Wednesday that Fuchitek will soon launch its ultra portable pico projector, the PEP01. The small projector features a native resolution of 640x480 and measures 4.5 inches long, two inches wide, and one inch thick. The PEP01 will support NTSC and PAL video systems and connect to sources via a VGA and component input.
more
08/19, 4:15pm
Olens low-cost projector
Ölens Technology on Tuesday announced the release of its affordable projector, the XPJ Personal Entertainment Projector, meant for use in the home and at school for standard-definition applications such as gaming or presentations. The unit is capable of throwing up images up to 70 inches in size and features a resolution of 640x480 pixels. The 270W lamp is based on a proprietary design, and the company ships the projector with a spare.
more
06/20, 6:05pm
InFocus' X10 projector
InFocus on Wednesday introduced the X10 Full HD 1080p projector in the UK. Part of the company's Home Theater range of offerings, the X10 features a 16:9 native aspect ratio, and a contrast ratio of 2500:1, which can be boosted to 7500:1 via the active iris built into its lens. The DarkChip1 DLP chipset was sourced from Texas Instruments.
more
06/20, 4:00pm
Hitachi WXGA projector
Hitachi on Thursday unveiled its newest LCD projector, the second in its line-up to offer 1366x768 (WXGA) resolution. The CP-WX625 LCD projector (not pictured) is being shown at InfoComm 2008 and features a 4000 lumens brightness rating along with a 16:10 native aspect ratio. The business-grade projector was designed with ease of maintenance in mind, including a 2000-hour side-mounted hybrid filter and a 3,000-hour Whisper mode lamp that is accessible via a top panel door.
more
06/19, 5:25pm
InFocus' X10 projector
InFocus on Thursday introduced the X10 Full HD 1080p projector in the UK. Part of the company's Home Theater range of offerings, the X10 features a 16:9 native aspect ratio, and a contrast ratio of 2500:1, which can be boosted with a button push to 7500:1 via the company's Active Iris in the lens.
more
06/19, 12:20am
Samsung P400 projector
Samsung on Thursday unveiled the P400 "pocket" projector for the North American marketplace, a lightweight, miniscule device designed for mobile professionals. The device, unveiled at InfoComm, offers a miniature DLP projector in a tiny, glossy black finish, displaying a resolution of 800 by 600 at a contrast ration of 1000:1. Samsung claims the projector bulb is rated at 150 ANSI lumens, bright enough to display a 30- to 40-inch image in a well-lit office setting.
more
06/18, 10:50pm
Sony BrightEra projectors
Sony this week at InfoComm unveiled its new lineup of business-class LCD projectors, some of which feature the company's BrightEra imaging technology. BrightEra provides a higher aperture ratio to deliver brighter images than the previous High Temperature Poly-Silicon-based LCD systems, with a high resolution and low fan noise. Most of the models are currently shipping, with two set to be available in November this year.
more
06/18, 4:30pm
Sanyo's PLC-XL51 projector
Sanyo today announced it will release its new ultra-short throw projector, the PLC-XL51. Capable of projecting an image up to 80 inches in size from about 3 inches away at 1024x768 (XGA) resolution, the new projector features some upgrades over the PLC-XL50. These include a higher brightness (2,700 lumens vs 2,000), an SD memory card slot for PC-free presentations and network capabilities.
more
06/17, 5:35pm
NEC intros two projectors
NEC on Tuesday announced details on two network projectors ahead of their debut at the InfoComm 2008 show in Las Vegas which kicks off tomorrow. The NP905 offers 1024x768 (XGA) native resolution, while the NP901W features WXGA (1280x800) resolution, but both max out at 1600x1200 (UXGA). Either of the identical-looking units is compatible with Windows Vista via the Windows Network Projector support, allowing for wired or wireless network connections with laptops or PCs without the need for any specialized software.
more
06/10, 3:45pm
Tohiba's mobile projector
Toshiba on Tuesday announced the release of its latest mobile projector, the TDP-SP1U. Weighing in at 4.8 lbs, the projector is among the lightest portable offerings in its class, and offers a native SVGA (800x600) resolution along with a 2,000:1 contrast ratio. Unlike typical projectors that make do with four colors, Toshiba's DLP BrilliantColor technology uses six separate colors for a brighter and more vivid picture.
more
06/03, 12:20pm
Canon REALiS projectors
Canon this morning launched two new projectors to add to its flagship REALiS line that make use of liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) technology with the REALiS WUX10, and REALiS SX80. The WUX10 becomes the company's top-of-the-line offering in the category; at just 0.7 inches, the WUX10's three LCoS panels are the smallest in any projector with a 1920x1200 (WUXGA) native resolution.
more
04/25, 11:50am
Pioneer HD KURO projector
At the High End trade show today in Munich, Pioneer announced its return to the projector market with the KURO KRF-9000FD home theater projector. The Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) KRF-9000FD is capable of displaying 1920x1080 pixel progressive video at sizes up to 14.5 by just over 8 feet. This translates to a TV screen size of 200 inches, with the minimum projected image equivalent to a 60-inch TV screen. A 2x motorized zoom lens allows a large image to be displayed in smaller rooms. The contrast ratio, at 30,000:1, is one of the best in the industry.
more
04/15, 4:00pm
Sanyo T-series projectors
Sanyo on Tuesday announced the addition of two new portable multimedia projectors to its T-series line-up, the PLC-ET30L and PLC-XT21/L. With 1400x1050-pixel (SXGA+) resolution and 4200 lumens brightness, the ET30L offers consumers a less costly alternative to pricey 1080p projectors. The XT32/L, meantime, is a value-priced 1024x768 (XGA), 4,000 lumens unit that replaces the company's volume XT20. Both are meant for use in classroom, boardroom or other areas where significant ambient light might be necessary.
more
03/26, 12:55pm
Sanyo XW60 projector
After earlier reports of its ultraportable PLC-XW60 launching in Japan, Sanyo announced it on Wednesday for the North American market. Sanyo claims that at 3.6 lbs and with 10.4- by 2.17- by 7.4-inch dimensions, the XW60 is the industry’s lightest and smallest XGA (1,024x768) resolution LCD projector. Designed for traveling businesspeople and light-duty office use, the XW60 attains its size thanks to a lamp that is 39 percent smaller thanks to a smaller reflector while a plastic aspherical plastic lens is 44 percent lighter than a glass one.
more
03/24, 3:05pm
NEC NP-series projectors
NEC announced the release of two mobile projectors on Monday, the NP100 and NP200, aimed for use in small or home offices and developing businesses. Both look nearly identical and feature Texas Instruments’ DLP technology that allows for a 1,300:1 contrast ratio. The NP100 has just SVGA (800x600) resolution, while the NP200 increases that sharpness to XGA (1024x768) for computers and other high-resolution sources.
more
01/11, 11:45am
iPod-compatible bed
Leggett and Platt has unveiled an iPod-compatible bed at the Computer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 'Starry Night Sleep Technology Bed' features a built-in iPod dock Wi-Fi connectivity, and a surround sound speaker system. An LCD projector, dual temperature controls, and DVR functionality also treat users looking to lounge around in bed. The high-tech furniture is priced between $20,000-$50,000, according to Macworld UK.
more
01/09, 5:00am
New Smart whiteboards
Smart Technologies today unveiled the Smart Board 685 interactive whiteboard, and also re-issued its Smart Board 600i, featuring improved performance over its earlier incarnation. The 685 provides a large 87-inch surface area when measured diagonally, and uses a 16:10 aspect ratio. Smart says this offers 20-percent more working space than its 680 model, catering to a growing number of 16:10 laptops and projectors in schools. The pen try has an expansion slot that allows teachers to upgrade their hardware with other Smart products. Although pricing has not been announced, Smart said the Smart Board 685 will see distribution in April, with costs available at that time.
more
