Epson's WUXGA HTPS-TFT Panel hints at ultra-bright, high-contrast PowerLite projectors in September

As a leader in home cinema systems, it's always a good idea to keep tabs on Epson's core technologies as a preview of what's coming up in next generation home theater projectors. Today Seiko-Epson announced the start of volume production for its 0.94-inch HTPS-TFT LCD capable of a WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixel) resolution for 3LCD projectors pushing 1080p. The panel supports a brightness of 5000 lumens (or more!) using Epson's D7 process technology while achieving "higher than ever contrast" through its C2 Fine inorganic alignment layer tech. What this means is simple: expect to see a new brightness and contrast champion PowerLite Home Cinema projector announced at the end of Summer, as CEDIA tradition dictates, with product shipping by end of the year.

[ninja2126 @ Jun 11th 2009 4:54AM]

But will it blend?

[superhobo @ Jun 11th 2009 4:58AM]

Only if you turn the blender on first.

[unicycldev @ Jun 11th 2009 6:21AM]

I dream of owning a projector some day. Technology like this makes my dream ever stronger.

[henry earl @ Jun 11th 2009 6:56AM]

what kind of price range we talking for these things? im waiting for the day i can get 1920x1080 in a sub-$1500 price range.

[Deedubbadoo @ Jun 11th 2009 8:28AM]

Sanyo PLV-1080HD on bestbuys website right now for $1499

[Taylor @ Jun 11th 2009 8:40AM]

Will projectors ever have a greater pixel density than LCD or plasma screens?

I would really love that. Then again, at the moment there's not really any high resolution stuff that would make that worth it...

[TrackDrew @ Jun 11th 2009 7:22PM]

Don't they have a greater pixel density in the projector, it just becomes less so once you project it. 0.94-inch of 1920 x 1200 pixels is pretty dense....

[Icester @ Jun 11th 2009 10:25AM]

Heck yeah! I am glad I skipped the whole LCD/Plasma scene. I'll hold out a while longer and my next TV will be a projector! That is... assuming the bulbs have reasonable life and are reasonably priced.

[Tom N. @ Jun 11th 2009 1:59PM]

I've been enjoying my 50" plasma for 5 years now and will probably upgrade to this in september.

[willdao @ Jun 11th 2009 6:34PM]

Taylor, that 1920 X 1080 is the current "full HD" spec. No consumer formats support anything higher; e.g. this is the Blu-Ray spec. There are many plasmas and LCD panels with much lower resolution than this.

Icester, most bulbs are rated to last a minimum of ~2000 hours in "full beam" mode, ~3,000 hours in "economy" mode. Replacement bublbs generally run in the $300-$450 price range. Many PJs come with a free replacment bulb at about this time of year, halfway through the product cycle. OR maybe an extended warranty. Or a rebate. Or a combo of these.

When you figure out you can fit FOUR 50" flat screen TVs in the space occupied by a 120" diagonal screen with a PJ--and then you SEE how incredibly more immersive this is, you'll never go back. Downsides? You need light control--as in a movie theater. Or, limit your watching to nightime only. With these new Epson panels, however, it looks like decent brightness will be had in daytime with reasonable accommodation to the tech--e.g. no direct sunlight.

Meanwhile, Epson make these panels available to other manufacturers--e.g. Panasonic, Sanyo, and others use Epson LCD panels in their PJs, so look for products from them, as well.

Good luck on your quests!

[willdao @ Jun 11th 2009 6:37PM]

Oops. No option to edit: that's FOUR 60" flat screens in the space of one 120" daigonal screen fed by a front PJ...:)