Toshiba's et20 all-in-one 5.1 surround DVD projector

On a home theater budget and don't have a ton of space to set up shop with a wall-filling projector? Toshiba may have the device for you: their new all-in-one et20 features a Super Close Projection lens that'll throw up a 39-inch image from 27-inches away, or 78-inch image from a mere 39-inches away. Ok, that takes care of space, but what about the rest of the theater? Well, it's got a Realta HQV image processor for moving video off its integrated DVD player, as well as an integrated 5.1 surround sound system to please the ears. How much would you expect to pay for a device that tries to take on so many tasks? Well, Toshiba's supposedly going to ask €1599 (about $1,900 US) per unit -- not at all a bad deal for an instant home theater, so long as you're not necessarily expecting high def and can keep in mind that devices that try and do too much often times wind up not doing anything particularly well.

[Thanks, Mike]

[C.J. @ Mar 9th 2006 11:03PM]

"Let me put it this way, Mr. Amor. The 9000 series is the most reliable computer ever made. No 9000 computer has ever made a mistake or distorted information. We are all, by any practical definition of the words, foolproof and incapable of error." -Hal

[Steve S. @ Mar 9th 2006 11:13PM]

Looks like 343 Guilty Spark.....

[Rob @ Mar 9th 2006 11:22PM]

Dave: Hello, et20 do you read me, et20?
et20: Affirmative, Dave, I read you.
Dave: Display in high-deffinition, et20.
et20: I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

[Jason @ Mar 9th 2006 11:23PM]

It looks pretty cool even if it isnt that great.

[Scott W. @ Mar 10th 2006 12:10AM]

I'm definately with the 343 Guilty Spark... Does it command laser shooting spaceships?

[Mike @ Mar 10th 2006 12:18AM]

Ryan - where is the love :)

[the collector @ Mar 10th 2006 12:19AM]

I'll wait for the HD-DVD version!

[Deathwish238 @ Mar 10th 2006 1:18AM]

Anyone know the specs of it? Lumens? Contrast ratio? Native resolution?

[Macincrash @ Mar 10th 2006 2:03AM]

Hmmm.. Jack of All Trades, Master of None. ;)
Ok, ok.. too early to scoff. It's also sorta War-of-the-Worldsy, no?

[Skedders @ Mar 10th 2006 6:54AM]

Looks good, but thats because it looks exactly like a Sim2 projector...

http://www.sim2.com/

[daaper @ Mar 10th 2006 8:52AM]

Deathwish238,

how would any of that information help you make the decision of whether you wanted to buy this? it looks cool, right? ...well that's all that matters

[blore40 @ Mar 10th 2006 9:59AM]

Cool! It even has a cup holder right in front of the lens!

[Josh Glaser @ Mar 10th 2006 3:52PM]

It looks pretty nice. I'm in the market for a projector, and I do want it to look nice - it's going to be in the center of the room, after all. But I'm having trouble finding one with good looks and good specs (besides some ultra-lux $20,000 ones - no thanks). The Toshiba et1 was exactly what I was looking for - simple and round - but it's pretty dated now.

If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.