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Epson launches next-gen Ensemble HD Home Cinema System
Considering that Epson's highest-end HTIB is nearly two years old now, we'd say an update was definitely in order. Today, the outfit has just taken the wraps off of its next-generation Ensemble HD Home Cinema, which gets updated by way of including the PowerLite Home Cinema 6100 or Home Cinema 6500 UB. As with the prior kit, these two also include a motorized 100-inch screen, integrated surround sound, AV controller with built-in DVD player, universal remote and all virtually components needed for installation. The only thing that's glaringly absent is a Blu-ray player, which -- at this point -- is completely and utterly inexcusable. At any rate, those content with treating themselves to upscaled DVD can fork out $4,999 for the Ensemble HD Home Cinema 720p, $6,499 for the Ensemble HD Home Cinema 6100 and $7,999 for the Ensemble HD Home Cinema 6500 UB.
Epson prices, displays the PowerLite Home Cinema 6500 UB
We caught sight of Epson's PowerLite Home Cinema 6500 UB quite a while back, but now it's available and on display at CES as the company's flagship home projector. If you've forgotten, this little beast boasts a 920 x 1080 full HD resolution, displays 1600 ANSI lumens, and a 75000:1 contrast ratio. All in all, not too bad for the $3,000 asking price.
Pioneer's LX01BD Blu-ray home cinema system now available in Europe
Remember that ultra-sleek Pioneer LX01BD HTIB system that was introduced back in June? No? Well, for those in Europe, today's a great day to get caught up. The system, which bundles a Profile 1.1 BonusView Blu-ray player with a 5.1-channel amplifier and an equal amount of speakers, is finally available for sale in Europe. The player boasts two-in / one-out HDMI connections, Deep Color support, 1080p playback and internal DTS-HD Master Audio / Dolby TrueHD processing. If only the reported £2,000 ($3,154) price tag was easier to digest, we might actually be excited.[Via ElectricPig]%Gallery-36382%
Planar announces Viper DLP HD projector
Planar has remained mostly quiet since CES, but given that CEDIA is within spittin' distance, it's no shock to see it making waves once more. Today, the outfit has revealed its first 3-chip HD projector, the DLP-based Viper. Other specs include a native 1,280 x 720 resolution, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 2,000 lumens and 10-bit independent dual image / motion adaptive processing. You'll also find an RS-232 port, twin HDMI 1.3 sockets and a jaw-dropping $15,495 price tag. It's shipping immediately for those with the requisite coin. Full release after the break. %Gallery-30156%
Epson's Ensemble HD Home Cinema System now shipping
We're still rather bummed that Epson failed to add in a third option for its Ensemble HD Home Cinema System that included a Blu-ray player, but nevertheless, those interested in picking up a complete -- and we mean complete -- home theater system at once can finally do so. Said package is available with your choice of a PowerLite 1080p or 720p projector, a 100-inch motorized screen, upconverting DVD player, Atlantic Technology 5.1 speaker system, universal remote, every single cable you'll need to hook things up, a wire management track system and all necessary mounting brackets. Ready for the sting? You're looking at $6,999 for the 1080p system and $4,999 for the 720p edition.
Pioneer reveals four new HTIB systems, three with Blu-ray players
We've seen a few HTIB systems trickle out from the Pioneer labs of late, but never four at once. Today, the firm has made official a foursome of home cinema systems slated to hit Europe in the fall, so we'll cut right to the chase. The LX03 is the lone system with a DVD / SACD player and USB port, while the others thoughtfully include Blu-ray decks. The LX03BD (satellite speakers included) and LX08BD (no satellites included) feature 500-watts of power, HDMI 1.3 sockets (2 in / 1 out), KURO LINK, an iPod connection and a 7-band equalizer. The LX01BD includes omni-direction speakers, 400-watts of power and pretty much everything else found on the LX08BD. For complete specifications, be sure to give the read link a visit; as for availability, you'll find the LX03, LX03BD and LX08BD systems in October while the LX01BD arrives in November.
Sony's Bravia VPL-VW60: the SXRD black pearl with 35,000:1 contrast
September 20th: know it home cinema buffs. That's the date Sony releases their SXRD followup to the VPL-VW50 "Pearl" projector in Japan. The new Bravia VPL-VW60 projects a 1,920 x 1,080 image with a 35,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,000 lumens courtesy of its (¥42,000 / $367) 200W high pressure mercury lamp and trio of 0.61-inch SXRD chips. It's also quieter than its predecessor at 22dB while packing a pair of HDMI-CEC class HDMI jacks supporting 1080/60p, 50p, and 24p. Best of all though, Sony managed to seriously up the specs while cutting the introductory list price nearly in half to "just" ¥441,000 (about $3,858).%Gallery-6177%[Via Impress]
SIM2's HD5000: another 1080p, 3-chip DLP for the home
SIM2 dropped additional product for home theater buffs today with the introduction of their HT5000 projector and Home Cinema Scope System. The HT5000 is yet another 1080p projector targeting home cinemas which, just like the DPI's TITAN 1080p, features three of TI's 0.95-inch 1080p DarkChip3 DMD chips albeit dolled-up in a prettier dress. While we know the DLP sports a 300-watt lamp and 5000:1 (full on / full off) contrast ratio, SIM2 fails to mention any inputs. Nevertheless, we're hoping to find at least a couple of HDMIs like those found in their HT3000 when more details (and pricing) are released in Q4. Also announced at the CEDIA Expo in Denver is the SIM2 Scope System which combines a new lens with enough processing power to convert the typical 16:9 widescreen output from your projector to a theater-like 2.35:1 aspect ratio sans letterboxing. Just prepare to drop an additional $12k for such excessive luxury, mkay? Check the Scope System snuggled up to a SIM2 C3X projector after the break. Read -- HD5000Read -- Scope
Runco promises eight new 1080p projectors
Deets are a bit slim, but Runco seems set on having something for pretty much everyone (everyone with money, that is) with their new line of high-end 1080p projectors. They're starting things off with their new RS-1100 Ultra, a DLP unit that will be released for around $20,000 once it's done with quality assurance testing, but they'll also have models ranging from $12,000 for single chip models to $100,000 for three-chip action. Runco also plans to have CineWide versions of most models, which boosts the aspect ratio to "true widescreen" at 2.35:1 for a cinema-style experience. Other options include CineWide AutoScope, which can switch between 16:9 and 2.35:1, but bumps the price substantially. They'll be showing off these models at the upcoming CEDIA tradeshow in September, and if prior quality is any indication, they should be some pretty hot stuff -- so you might want to start saving those pennies.[Via AboutProjectors]
