Sanyo's got a new duo of projectors hitting the Japanese market today, the LP-XC55 and LP-XC50. Both beamers boast white motifs, a boisterous 7-watt internal speaker, 1,024 x 768 resolution, a security bar enabling extra thick cabling to hold it in place and the Active Maintenance Filter system for easy maintenance. Essentially, the latter enables the filter to last longer between changes and "automatically senses when airflow is obstructed by dust, and advances the cartridge to the new filter." The only notable difference between the two is the 3,100 ANSI lumens (XC55) / 2,600 ANSI lumens (XC50), and of course, the ¥365,400 ($3,529) / ¥312,900 ($3,022) price tags.

[Via AboutProjectors]

It's a pretty obvious concept, really: take a semi-transparent dome and project an image on it. Then, stand in the middle and surround yourself with 180-degrees of gaming action. John Nilsson went and patented the concept and is now developing the jDome with an estimated cost of around $125-200. We have some serious reservations about this system, though. That $125-200 pre-order price tag doesn't come with a projector and you'll have to tweak your games' field of view setting to work with the round shape of the dome. What's more, the product assumes you're going to spend your game time standing in front of a dome. Criticisms aside, you can buy a prototype for a bit more -- $6,000 to be exact. Video of the jDome in action after the break.

Sure, those flashy new KURO plasmas or that new array of receivers may have taken you by surprise, but don't pretend you didn't know this one was coming. Known simply as the PRO-FPJ1, this 1080p beamer incorporates LCoS technology, dual HDMI 1.3 ports, wide lens shift capacity, a trio of viewing modes (standard, dynamic and movie) and a real semblance to JVC's DLA-HD100. According to the firm, it's designed for "high-end cinematic installations and supports advanced calibration," and of course, you can't escape a KURO release without a little bragging about black levels. We're still waiting on a finalized specifications list, but 'til then, you can chew on that $9,000 price tag and wait for these to hit dealers next month.

Aw yeah, that sexy-on-paper Kuro projector you've been dreaming about the past few weeks just got real today in Munich, as Pioneer made official (even more official?) the KRF-9000FD. Said beamer will be packed with LCoS technology, twin HDMI inputs to go along with the component / composite / S-Video sockets, full 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution, 600 lumens and a 30,000:1 contrast ratio; you'll also find a RS-232c control port, a noise level of just 24-decibels in normal operation and a striking likeness to JVC's DLA HD100. Here's to hoping you weren't expecting this thing to be a bargain, however, as it's all set to land in the next week or so for a stiff €8,000 ($12,460).

[Via Heise]

Open up, as Epson's got not one, not two, but five new multimedia projectors aimed squarely at you (or maybe just your boss). Starting us off are three newcomers to the PowerLite Pro series: the XGA G5150NL / G5350NL and the WXGA G5200WNL. Respectively, each one offers up 4,000, 5,000 and 4,200 lumens, and the first two even support the Network Projector functionality found in Vista. Moving on, we've got the PowerLite 6110i ($2,899; pictured) and 1825 ($2,299), which both feature XGA resolutions and 4,000 / 3,500 lumens, but only the latter includes an 802.11a/b/g module for wireless projection. Hit up the read link for lots more details on the whole lot, just try not to get lost in there.

[Via AboutProjectors]

We applaud the effort, we really do, but even $499 for a projector touting a lowly 800 x 600 native resolution, 2,000:1 contrast ratio and 2,200 lumens is a tad steep in our eyes. Then again, you'll likely find ViewSonic's 5-pound PJ513DB marginally cheaper on the street, and of course, it's quite obvious the outfit was aiming this one at those deep-pocketed boardroom bigwigs and district superintendents. Nevertheless, this DLP PJ promises to toss up a visible image even in well-lit rooms, and you'll find composite / S-Video / component inputs 'round back to go along with the VGA in / out ports and the audio input. Knock off another Benjamin or up that resolution a hair, and maybe then we'll talk.

[Via Electronista]

Presumably ensuring that no one views Sanyo as hypocritical, the company's Superbright PLC-ET30L actually can throw up a fairly recognizable image even in a well-lit room. Featuring an SXGA+ (1,400 x 1,050) resolution, a 1,300:1 contrast ratio and a remarkably high 4,200 ANSI lumen rating, this PJ was undoubtedly designed to function in classrooms and boardrooms (or living rooms) that just can't avoid ambient light. Additionally, Sanyo's introducing the lower-spec'd PLC-XT21/L, which offers up an XGA (1,024 x 768) resolution, 1:000:1 contrast ratio and 4,000 ANSI lumens. Both newcomers to the T series line support wired networking and emit just 35dB of fan noise, but being priced at $6,495 and $4,995 (respectively), the duo is most definitely cut out for the corporate card and not your own.

[Via ShinyShiny]

Not enough room to fit a front projector, overhead projector, document camera, scanner and electronic whiteboard into that hole in the wall your district supervisor calls a classroom? Fret not, as the AVIO iP-60E is out to make the most of the measly square footage you are entitled to. This all-in-one-type projector features 3,500 lumens of brightness and a unique top which enables instructors to place objects on a glass platen and see them on-screen as if they were operating a typical overhead unit. Packed within is a 4-megapixel CCD sensor which can purportedly capture full-size documents and nearly anything else you want to lay up there for the audience to peek. Unfortunately, such a multifaceted piece of kit isn't exactly cheap, but we're pretty certain the principal's plastic can handle an extra $8,495 if necessary.

[Via AboutProjectors]

Pretty amazing what passes as a "business and education projector" these days, huh? The fairly well-spec'd WL6700U is somehow lumped into the aforementioned category, despite it packing a respectable WXGA (1,366 x 800) resolution, 5,000 ANSI lumens, 1,000:1 contrast ratio and a trio of 1.2-inch 3LCD inorganic panels. To be fair, Mitsu does concede that this beamer wouldn't be too out of place in a home theater environment, and the included DVI port, RJ-45 connector (for online management and control) and built-in motion-sensitive anti-theft alarm certainly help prove that point. Unfortunately, such a versatile PJ will likely fit better on the company card than the personal -- unless your Platinum piece isn't fazed by the $9,995 sticker, that is.

Though not quite as awe-inspiring as Meridian's all new MF10, Knoll's April-bound HDP460 is a far cry from being a slouch. This 1080p DLP projector boasts the oh-so-coveted TI DarkChip4 along with a 5,000:1 contrast ratio, Pixelworks DNX 10-bit video processor, 1,600 ANSI lumens, HDMI 1.3, ISF day / night presets and built-in scaling support for 2:35:1. Unfortunately, Knoll's being a little stingy in the imagery department, but those who can just imagine this beamer sitting pretty in their den / home theater can phone up the company in order to get a presumably large dose of sticker shock.

[Via AboutProjectors]

Every so often, a projector hits the market that's just so delectable, it's hard to stop fantasizing about what pieces of your kids' rooms could be auctioned off in order to procure it. Enter the $14,995 Meridian MF10, which is most certainly one those units. Packin' a totally familiar black chassis, three 0.7-inch 1080p D-ILA chips, a native 30,000:1 contrast ratio, 700 lumens, and a 2x zoom lens (2:35:1 Cinemascope is optional), this PJ exudes confidence. You'll also find a pair of HDMI 1.3 ports along with component, S-Video and composite (saywha?), an RS-232 control terminal and the ability to play nice with the firm's $3,995 DVP2351 digital video processor (shown after the jump). Yeah, they're both available as we speak, but can your Centurion Card really handle it? [Warning: PDF read link]

If you reckoned that Sony's VPL-EX4 and VPL-ES4 were getting a bit long in the tooth, we suppose Sony agrees. Across the way (in Asia-Pacific, to be precise), Sony has launched four new PJs on us: the VPL-EW5, VPL-EX50, VPL-EX5 and VPL-ES5. According to the company, the whole lot is aimed at boardroom masters, but these 3LCD units and their 2,500 ANSI lumens would certainly hold their own after hours. Additionally, the first three incorporate Sony's BrightEra imaging technology, and you'll find resolutions as high as WXGA (1,280 x 800) and contrast ratios up to 900:1. For more specifics on each, check out the nitty-gritty in the read link below.

[Via AboutProjectors]