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Audioholics looks into DLP vs. 3LCD
Audioholics takes an interesting look at the competition between 3LCD and 3-chip DLP. To simplify things, they focus on FP setups, which seems fair given the current marketplace's love for direct-view sets over RP setups. We'll ignore their portability argument and get to the HT-centric goodness. The real crux of their examination: why are 3-chip DLP projectors so expensive relative to their single chip brethren, and how does this position DLP against 3LCD? We're not big on conspiracy theories of 3-chip DLP being kept artificially high to bolster the sales of commercial DLP solutions, but we'd agree that 3LCD projectors are competitive in both performance and cost. Seems like an opening for a solution with three calibrated single-chip DLP projectors (each handling one color channel) homebrew solution exists; any takers?
Epson's new PowerLite Home Cinema 720 HD projector
Epson seems to think it's hit the sweet spot with its new home theater projector, the PowerLite Home Cinema 720 HD (the PowerLite 400 is pictured), and it may very well be on to something. The 3LCD projector retails for $1,300, and packs in 1,600 ANSI lumens, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 10-bit color processing and fancy AccuCinema Color Management, and built-in lens shift. Epson doesn't mention the resolution, but we're guessing the "720" in the name means this 16:9 unit is shooting out 720p. There's a full complement of ports, including HDMI, and the lamp should last about 4,000 hours. The unit should go on sale later this month.
Mitsubishi brings 1080p HC6000 projector to America for $4k
Sanyo's Z2000 isn't the only 1080p projector ringing up below $4k, and now Mitsubishi has revealed that its swank new PJ will be headed stateside soon. The HC6000, of course, touts a beautiful 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution, a 13,000:1 contrast ratio, twin HDMI sockets, 1,000 ANSI lumens, Reon-VX's HQV video processor, 3LCD technology, and a bulb that promises up to 5,000 hours of lamp-life. Mitsu claims that interested buyers can snap one up from US retailers in October for somewhere under $4,000, and it should make itself known tomorrow on the CEDIA floor.
Toshiba aims TLP-WX2200U projector at educators, suits
Toshiba is hoping that even folks relying on a projector for business purposes still want to sneak it home after 5, and judging by the decent specs bestowed upon the TLP-WX2200U, this one looks to fit that mold. The 6.2-pound 3LCD machine touts a 1,280 x 800 native resolution, 2,200 ANSI lumens, a 600:1 contrast ratio, Tosh's Natural Color Enhancer3 color correction circuitry, automatic vertical keystone correction, VGA in / out, an internal speaker, and a wireless remote as well. Notably, Toshiba's newest PJ will only run you $999, and those who get their orders in now should see it about "one to two weeks."[Via LetsGoMobile, thanks David]
Epson's Dreamio series of 3LCD projectors give us plastic vertigo
It's not much to see... ah hell, it downright hurts to look at, but this 3LCD projector swivels 180-degrees and includes a DVD player so that's gotta count for something right? Right!? That heaving box of white slabbery is Epson's EMP-TWD10 Dreamio 3LCD projector. We'll run down the specs, quick-like so you can look away: 1,200 lumens, 1,000:1 rated contrast ratio, 720p resolution, 140W E-TORL lamp, 2x 10W speakers, 1.2a HDMI and 28dB operational noise. There, now go. Masochists; you go ahead and peep the 480p, EMP-TWD1 little brother after the break but really, don't, we beg you.
Mitsubishi's HC4900 3LCD projector: 1080p at the low-end
Hey HC6000, congratulations, Mitsubishi just birthed you a little brother. The HC4900 is meant to round-out Mitsubishi's trio of 3LCD projectors at the low-end. We're still talking 1,920 x 1,080 pixels thrown at 1,000 lumens for bright, "high contrast" images while maintaining that ultra-quiet, 19dB whisper of its bigger bro. No word on pricing or availability -- we'll try to extract that info from their IFA reps when the projector goes on display in Germany on Friday.
Sanyo' s LP-Z2000 3LCD projector: ugly, but a great personality
That boring piece of kit can be from none other than Sanyo. Too bad, 'cause this pig can hunt. The LP-Z2000 1080p projector loads what appears to be the same trio of Epson-made 0.74-inch LCDs as Mitsubishi's LVP-HC6000 which offers the same 10-bit color reproduction and hushed 19dB operational noise level. The Sanyo betters its peer however, with a reported 15,000:1 contrast ratio, 2x zoom, and blinding 1200 lumens off a 165W UHP lamp. They've even tossed in a couple of component connections on top of a pair of HDMI 1.3a terminals. All this for a tad more at ¥378,000 (about $3,255) if you're living in Japan where this baby hits on November 1st. Paper bag for that mug, extra.[Via Impress]
Mitsubishi's LVP-HC6000 3LCD projector throws 1080p at 19dB
Today Mitsubishi took some time to out their latest 1080p home theater projector by the name of LVP-HC6000. The followup to their LVP-HC5000 opts for a trio of 0.74-inch LCDs from Epson and 160W UHE lamp to up the dynamic contrast to 12,000:1 while the throttling back the brightness a tad to 800 lumens under a quiet 19dB operational whir. The DVI input is gone in favor of a pair of 1080/60p/24p HDMI terminals, composite, D-Sub15 RGB, and S-Video inputs. Video processing then, is handled by a 10-bit Reon-VX processor from Silicon Optix. Expected to hit Japan for ¥350,000 (about $3,040) on September 25th. Peep a shot of the lens side forward after the break -- we think you'll forgive us for not running it as the headline shot.[Via Impress]
Sanyo's 6,500 lumen LP-XP100L 3LCD projector: bright with a nice personality
Sanyo's showing off their "world's brightest" projector this morning: the 6,500 lumen LP-XP100L. Of course, it's only the world's brightest single-lamp, mid-sized projector weighing less than 12-kg -- come on, why even bother Sanyo? Anyway, that 330W NSHA lamp is bright, enabling a 1,024 x 768 pixel resolution display with a 2000:1 contrast ratio. Inputs include component BNC and HDCP-enabled DVI. Yours in Japan starting August 1st for ¥1,260,000 or about $10,287. Oh hey, Sanyo, putting a pretty girl next to it doesn't cancel the ugly, mkay?[Via Impress]
Epson's 3LCD PowerLite S5 projector lands for $649
Epson has certainly taken its sweet time in kicking out another noteworthy PowerLite projector, but the budget-friendly S5 just might help those looking to ditch the RPTV and treat their eyes to a wall-sized screen. The PowerLite S5 multimedia PJ touts 3LCD technology, can be mounted from nearly any angle, and features a SVGA native resolution, 4:3 aspect ratio, 2,000 ANSI lumens, 400:1 contrast ratio, and a one-watt internal speaker for those mundane presentations. Port wise, you'll find VGA, S-Video, and composite inputs, a USB connector for mouse and keyboard control, and audio out to boot. Granted, it's not the sexiest projector to come our way, but we'll give it a pass in the looks department for dropping in a dollar under $650.
Epson and Philips ready mini projector for portable gaming and beyond
Get ready for personal projection kids now that Epson and Philips have released this tiny joint reference design. Immediately available for OEMs, the 0.47-inch (diagonal) 3LCD panel is capable of projecting an 800 x 600 pixel image with the aid of Philips' 2.8 x 1.4 x 1-inch driver and 1.7 x 2.5-inch Ujoy lamp system. Perfect for portable gaming systems, camcorders, and PMPs assuming somebody picks this up for mass production. Hear that Microvision, the big boys are comin' for ya.[Via Impress]
Epson's EMP-X5, EMP-822 3LCD projectors disregard cool down time
Epson is playing the 3LCD card yet again in the EMP-X5 and XMP-822 projectors, but rather than hashing out specs we're all too familiar with, the firm stepped it up by including a "one touch off" feature that eliminates the need for a time consuming cool down process before wrapping things up. Both units maintain a small stature and weigh in at around six-pounds, sport VGA resolutions, and share 400:1 contrast ratios. The EMP-X5 musters 2,200 ANSI lumens, touts a "sliding lens cap," and automatic keystone distortion adjusting, while the EMP-822 (pictured after the break) jumps to 2,600 ANSI lumens, includes a few more inputs, rocks a built-in speaker, and offers up a "direct shutdown" feature to make grab 'n go presentations a breeze. These little fellows aren't exactly aimed at the budget-minded set, mind you, as the time-saving shutdown features will run you ¥198,000 ($1,670) on the EMP-822, while the lesser-spec'd sibling is still waiting for a price to call its own.[Via Impress]
Still want 720p? New BRAVIA 3LCD projectors shipping in June
Sony keeps the BRAVIA train rolling today, announcing pricing and availability for not one but two new 3LCD projectors. The 720p VPL-AW10 and VPL-AW15 projectors both feature the same 165-watt 1,100 lumen lamp, 1.6x zoom lens and 20dB fan noise. The VPL-AW10 uses Advanced Iris technology to provide a 6,000:1 contrast ratio, while the VPL-AW15 improves to 12,000:1 "dynamic" contrast ratio with its Advanced Iris 2 technology, and increased installation options due to its lens shift. Both will accept 1080p/24 sources and downscale to 720p. Sure its not the 1,920x1,080 number that impresses the neighbors like their big brothers Ruby and Pearl, but these two will cost only $1,300 (VPL-AW15) and $1,000 (VPL-AW10) when they ship in June. We're sure home theater builders on a budget will find a way to love these two, even if they don't have that magic 1080p number.
Epson announces $3,000 PowerLite Home Cinema 1080p projector
It looks like those not willing to settle for anything less than 1080p in a projector will soon have a slightly more bearable option at their disposal, with Epson today announcing its 3LCD PowerLite Home Cinema 1080, apparently the first projector of its kind to hit the $3,000 mark. In addition to that desirable 1920 x 1080 resolution, the projector also boasts an impressive 12,000:1 contrast ratio, along with the requisite HDMI 1.3 connectivity, and Epson's trademark "AccuCinema" lens system. All of which would seem to put it squarely in line with Epson's pricier 1080p PowerLite Pro Cinema projector released earlier this year. Unfortunately, it looks like we'll have to wait for the official unveiling next week to actually get a look at the thing, although it won't be long after that before you can get your hands on it, with the projector set to be available from all the usual suspects sometime in April.
Sony's 3LCD VPL-AW15 projector gets Bravia logo
In a fairly decent attempt to cram as many product releases and news briefs into the waning days of February, Sony is still firing at will with swank home entertainment must-haves, the latest of which is a 1,280 x 720p front projector. Toting the ever-expanding Bravia logo, the 3LCD VPL-AW15 is meant for those who envision their HD in a bigger light than mere rear-projection sets can muster, and while Sony's being overly greedy about the nitty gritty we all desire, we do know a bit about its specifications. You'll find a brightness of 1,100 lumens, a whopping 12,000:1 contrast ratio, Advanced Iris 2 technology, and a presumably mid-range (albeit unconfirmed) pricetag. Sadly, that's about all Sony's leaking right now, but we do know that the firm is slapping the Bravia tag on in place of the now-axed Cineza label, making us wonder what's really left to get the Bravia touch.
Sony slims down its BRAVIA 3LCD micro-display line
Sony's feeling good enough about its new 3LCD rear-projection line to lose the WEGA moniker and brand these things BRAVIA. Improvements include new cabinets that are about 22 percent slimmer than the last generation, support for the BRAVIA Internet Video Link for peeping AOL, Yahoo! and other internet video content, and the BRAVIA Engine EX for prettier pictures. Leading the pack is the 50-inch, 1080p KDF-50E3000, which along with its 46-inch KDF-46E3000 1080p sibling manages dual HDMI inputs that support 1080/60p and 24p directly to cut out flicker and artifacts, along with a trio of component ins and a PC HDMI plug. The 50-incher measures 12.6-inches deep, while the 45-incher a mere 11.9-inches, so the lines are really starting to blur between these rear projection units and actual flat-panels. The 37-inch KDF-37H1000 steps the resolution down to 1280 x 720, but still supports the same respectable number of inputs as the E3000 displays, and manages to be 10-inches slimmer than its Sony CRT equivalent. The KDF-50E3000 and KDF-46E3000 won't be shipping until July, and we're in the dark as to pricing, but the KDF-37H1000 will arrive in May for about $1,300. The Internet Video Link module will be appearing in July for about $300.
Epson's EMP-1810 and EMP-1815 3LCD business projectors
Epson just kicked out a new pair of 3LCD projectors in their EMP-1810 and EMP-1815. The 1815 is the king of this hill and features Epson's EasyMP (Epson Administrative SYstem for Meetings and Presentations) which, among other things, allows you to display content off CompactFlash cards and USB drives without the need for a PC. It will even source content off your PC over WiFi or project your laptop's display over a quick and dirty USB cable. Otherwise, the projectors share many of the same specs: 1024x768 pixel resolution; 3,500 lumens; 500:1 contrast ratio; 1.6x manual zoom lens; 2x analog D-Sub 15 RGB, composite, and S-Video inputs and another D-sub 15 for output; and direct shutdown for quick getaway. Both are relatively light for 3500 lumen projectors with the 1810 weighing in at just 2.9-kg (6.39-pounds). Ok, they don't throw 1080p, but they don't cost 5 Gs either. Both hit in early March with the 1810 going for ¥498,00 (about $4,121) and the 1815 for ¥448,00 (about $3,708). Look for 'em Stateside under the PowerLite branding soon enough.[Via Impress]
Sony VPL-FE40/FX40 3LCD projectors
Sony, like 3M earlier today, just dropped a big black deuce of stealthy projectors. The VPL-FE40 and FX40 3LCD models deliver up to 4000 ANSI lumens off that ¥50,400 (about $424) 275W bulb, a 1.3x optical zoom, and fattastic selection of in and outs including HDMI, component, S-Video, D-sub 15, and Ethernet for projecting images from networked sources. The only real difference betwen the two is resolution, price, and ship date with the FE40 delivering a 1400×1050 (SXGA+) resolution for ¥600,000 (about $5,045) starting January 2007 while the FX40 goes 1024×768 (XGA) for ¥470,000 (about $3,952) one month later. For that big-a wad, let's hope they are invisible to radar too, you know, just in case. Check the caboose after the flip. [Via Impress]
Epson's EMP-TW1000 3LCD 1080p projector with HDMI 1.3
Epson just unleashed a new 3LCD projector in Japan under the EMP-TW1000 guise. Most notable is the ability to blast a Full HD (1080p) 1920x1080 resolution image across that 2.1x optical manual zoom lens and the inclusion of HDMI 1.3 to pump pixels at up to 340Mpixels/sec in support of 48-bit color depth and lossless audio streams. The TW1000 throws a maximum contrast ratio of 12,000:1 in a room of total darkness (read: not your home theater) off a 1200 lumen lamp while operating within 26dB worth of noise. The TW1000 should retail for around ¥350,000 or about $2,927 when these go on sale in Japan this December. No world on relese for the rest of world but they should ship closer to home under the same PowerLite branding we're already familiar with. A picture of the backside ports after the break.[Via Impress]
Mitsubishi's first 1,080p projector, the LVP-HC5000
Runco, obviously, is already in the game. So are Sony, Sharp, Marantz, JVC, and even a little outfit called projectiondesign. But when it comes to 1,080p front projectors, we've been wanting to call up Mitsubishi on our Boost Mobile phone and ask them "Where you at?" Well the venerable rear-projection TV manufacturer has apparently been biding its time in order to release its first full HD unit, but the pricetag on this 3LCD model may convince you that it was worth the wait, as the LVP-HC5000 will cost "just" 450,000 yen (about $3,890) when it hits Japanese shores on October 12th. Even at this bargain basement price, you're still getting a very respectable set of specs, most notably a dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1 (though static is a mere 2,000:1), 1,000 nits of blinding brightness, as well as a full complement of inputs including HDMI, DVI-I, component, composite, S-Video, and even D-sub. Yeah, this all sounds like a pretty good deal; now we're just hoping that they'll ship this puppy overseas and help us finally purge that embarrassing 27-inch CRT from our otherwise kick-ass home theater setup.[Via HDBeat]
