Hitachi's CP-A100 projector brings short-throw within US distance

Hitachi's CP-A100 is pretty unsightly, sure, but what it lacks in sexiness it totally makes up for in utility. Needing just 1.6-feet to project a 60-inch image, this 3LCD machine can get a Halo match upside your wall regardless of how many beanbags are cluttering up the area. If you'll recall, we spotted the Japanese variant just months ago posing all pretty for us, but it looks at though an Americanized flavor is now official. As for specs, you'll be looking at an XGA (1,024 x 768) resolution, 2,500 ANSI lumens and a contrast ratio of 500:1, and just in case your colleagues like to borrow company kit without asking, there's a Kensington slot, security bar and multilevel PIN locks to keep it planted. Unfortunately, a definitive price / release date is missing, but hopefully Hitachi will have this critter out to stores real soon.

[Bobs @ Jan 5th 2008 1:39PM]

I see no point in sexiness in a device, a sexy projector isnt going to get you laid.
Whats the average cost for bulbs for small projectors?

[skulldriveshaft @ Jan 5th 2008 5:26PM]

Obviously you don't have a sexy projector...

[Senor_Tom @ Jan 5th 2008 1:39PM]

always thought short throw projectors were silly, but i guess in a small room with a big wall....(that sounds silly as well)...it would be good.

[skulldriveshaft @ Jan 5th 2008 5:30PM]

short throws are GREAT - now you can ditch the $$$ wall mounts - and cable routing and the insanity of knuckles against the wall if your entertainment centre was not designed with 30 cables in mind :]

ALSO bring on the MULTITOUCH tables that are just a few feet high - and don't have a projector suspended above or below them ;]

[bpmarkowitz @ Jan 5th 2008 1:50PM]

i'd love a well priced short throw projector.

i live in a normal sized house, with no basement or no huge "media" room. i do have a good sized 42" lcd in my living room with a decent 5.1 setup. However, i would love something around 720p i could bust out for big football games or a big movie night.

[Senor_Tom @ Jan 5th 2008 1:53PM]

would be good yeah, i see your point. We have no spare room as such that we could put a projector in permanantly but a lounge wall would do the trick.

[bpmarkowitz @ Jan 5th 2008 1:57PM]

there are a few around.

toshiba makes one that will do 60" screen at 720p at under three feet...but it is around $1800.

you can get some lower end lcd projectors for under $1000, but i don't know about the throw distance.

[skulldriveshaft @ Jan 5th 2008 5:34PM]

Can't buy anything but short throw when considering your space limitations - it's GREAT to be able to watch a movie WITHOUT people walking into the show :[

Short throws have been SLOWLY coming down in price - plus you can NEATLY conceal the projector in a room when not in use.

The only thing NOT coming down in price are the bulbs :[

[Mischa Lockton @ Jan 5th 2008 2:51PM]

Typically short throw is more expensive and with an add on lens, 1-2k just for the lens. Very interested to see the price on this, if it has keystone and is affordable, under $1200, it will be a great portable.