Sony ICF-C71PJ projecting clock radio to hit stores in April
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted March 23rd 2010 9:36AM
posted March 23rd 2010 9:36AM
We've seen a few projecting clocks over the years, and we're guessing that we'd have seen plenty more if people actually bought the things! But maybe you live in a windowless box, or in Alaska, or someplace else where it is dark for depressingly long stretches and you need the cheerin' up that only an extra projecting light source can provide -- then this may be the timepiece for you. A product of Sony, the ICF-C71PJ projecting clock radio lives up to its name on all counts: It's a clock. It's a radio. And it will project the time on your ceiling if you so desire. This bad boy also features an input for your MP3 player, and the LCD display has adjustable brightness controls, which is pretty nice for a clock radio. And if that weren't enough, wait'll you get a load of the five different soothing nature sounds and the thermometer! Available in April for a price TBA.
This would be great in my office, It could project the time behind visitors so they would not see me staring at a clock.
@Dr Yusuf AlKindi Add WiFi and Chumby channels and I'll let you into my bedroom.
I'll probably pick a couple up. I'm not sure what you have against these, but once you have one and get used to it, you can't go without it. It's so much easier to glance at the ceiling in the middle of the night to see what time it is, especially for those of us with more than one person in the bed. Right now I have two clocks, my sony that is huge and has a pointless cd players and my projector close. This will free up plenty of space on my nightstand while losing none of what I need. Even my kids have projector clocks in their rooms. I'd expect this to be around $40 when it comes out.
@jonyah
I know exactly what you mean jonyah, I couldn't agree more. At night, I can just open my eyes and glance at the time on my ceiling without turning my head to look at the display, it's just there. During the day you can't see the projection, but why would you need to when you have the display there.
I think the writer may have overlooked the usefulness of a clock like this. When you wake up in a hotel and glance at the ceiling instinctively to see what time it is, you realize the value of something like this.
To anyone thinking about it, try it out for a few months and then try taking it away. For me at least I know it wouldn't be easy.
Under 40 and it's my next alarm clock.
I would have expected this to BE an MP3 player and not just have a cord to have one inputted into the unit. That part is kind of lame. Stick in an SD card in it (knowing Sony it would be Memory Stick - ho hum) and you may have had something useful. Where's the KIRF'ers when you need em?
I love projector clocks, except for the issue that I can't see them without my glasses.
Reminds me of this Oregon Scientific clock radio [ http://goo.gl/9Itp ], which has the added bonus of being "Radio Controlled".
I wonder why Sony doesn't include this as well...
welcome to the 80s
I hope the "battery backup" the press release mentions isn't a 9-volt that you have to replace constantly. All I ask from Sony is for one that will pick up the NIST radio signal to keep time. That, or one that can use NTP over wifi.
I would buy this as soon as it came out to replace my 9-year-old projecting alarm clock, but Sony didn't see it necessary to make this device radio controlled, as my cheapo projector is.
Sorry, I never ever buy non-radio controlled clocks.
I have a projector clock too and can't understand what Engadget has against them... The brightness control seems cool, i always have a book lying on the display of mine because its way to bright to sleep besides it..
I like my current clock that sets the time itself. It projects on the wall. No MP3 or thermometer..or LCD controls. Meh. Fail.
What if time stops; will I get LCD burn-in on my ceiling?
@payload
If Sony were to add a line like "in case of temporal stoppage, the user of this device absolves Sony of all responsibility in the case of image burn in on the projected wall", I would so buy this clock.
will this even be available in the states? am i missing something?
I am so use to my projecting clock that it is one of things that I unconsciously look for wherever I work.
If you don't have one, get one.
Big projector clock fan here as well. I have this junky Emerson Reseaerch I got from Target for $20 a couple years ago. All the buttons are crap, the tuner may as well be an AM crystal radio and the thing looks like it will collapse under its own weight any second. But it has dual alarm clocks that start quiet and get louder. LED brightness settings and projects the time in several different colors, I like Red. It also sets itself and does not loose your aparm settings if it looses power.
But I want a nicer radio. Something that does all the stuff above, but with iPod connectivity and a tuner that cost more than 1 cent. Why am I going on and on about a clock radio. I have no life. 8p~
@Kiteless that emerson one is the one my kids have in their rooms. they change the color of the projection each night depending on how they feel.
do they have them where they constantly project onto things or do you have to press the stupid button anytime you want it to project which would kinda defeat the purpose imo.
@spacegravity4me
I have 2 projection clocks that constantly project.
@TrueEddie
Whats the name of these clocks?
Where's the iPod doc and the ability to project movies onto the ceiling with surround sound and sub-woofer.. Oops, I wet myself!
They sound crazy, but they are great. I've had roommates grow used to them and agree too.And they probably light up the room way less than any other clocks visible in the dark.
Agree with all. Projection Clocks are wonderful, and if there's one thing Sony does better than anyone else, it's make an ergonomic, easy-to-operate/program/live with alarm clock.
Therefore, this will more-than-likely be the best projection alarm clock out there, and therefore, I will buy one. Projection clocks are a pleasure for bedroom use.
Look out...uh...Radio...Radio Shack??
Who cares about projection clocks?
That tail is pretty darn ugly. Didn't anyone have some chrome spray paint laying around?
@BigD145 hopefully that tail can be disconnected. i doubt it will be there all the time. i'd like to see this clock in black though.
Please explain "radio controlled"
@Skidmark
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWVB
@Funke Tobias Dr
thanks
still not out. gotta love it. oh and price seems like it will be around $120+. no thanks.