DlpProjector
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Carnegie Mellon smart headlight prototype blacks out raindrops for clearer view of the road
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon have developed a prototype smart headlight which blots out individual drops of rain or snow -- improving vision by up to 90 percent. Made with an off-the-shelf Viewsonic DLP projector, a quad-core Intel Core-i7 PC and a GigE Point Grey Flea3 camera, the Rube Goldberg-esque process starts by first imaging raindrops arriving at the top of its view. After this, the signal goes to a processing unit, which uses a predictive theory developed by the team to guess the drops' path to the road. Finally, the projector -- found in the same place as the camera -- uses a beamsplitter like modern digital 3D rigs. Used in tandem with calculations, it transmits a beam with light voids matching the predicted path. The result? It all stops light from hitting the falling particles, with the cumulative process resulting in the illusion of a nearly precipitation-free road view -- at least in the lab. So far, the whole process takes about a hundredth of a second (13 ms) but scientists said that in an actual car and with many more drops, the speed would have to be about ten times quicker. That would allow 90 percent of the light located 13 feet in front of the headlights to pass through, but even at just triple the speed, it would give drivers a 70 percent better view. To see if this tech might have a snowflake's chance of making it out of the lab, go past the break for all the videos.
Runco reveals LS-10d and LS-10i projectors to bring home theaters out of the basement
Unlike most high-end projectors designed strictly to live in nice dark dungeons, Runco's new three chip DLP, 1080p LS-10d and LS-10i projectors are built to perform in a wider range of rooms -- which is good news for penthouse dwellers lacking a basement. Both are packed with the usual proprietary picture-enhancing accoutrements and also support the firm's nifty CineGlide motorized 2.35:1 anamorphic lens solution for users who can't bear to view black bars around their image. The LS-10i sports an internal image processor, while the LS-10d ups the ante with Runco's DHD rack-mounted external video processor. That upgrade enables IR and RS-232 control as well as the ability to install the processor next to your existing HT setup -- a real boon for those not building a fresh home theater out of their old squash court. Either can also be custom painted and printed to match any decor, so there's no need to fear the gear clashing with the drapes. Release-wise, the LS-10i is coming in October for just under $22,000, while the LS-10d ships later in December for a hair below $27,000. That's way more than the sub-$10k range of other LightStyle models, but it's nothing compared to Runco's $90k+ 3D cinema projectors, so we'll quit our plebeian whining. For full details see the PR after the break.
Optoma adds HW536 and EX762 DLP projectors to the 3D party
If 3D monitors aren't doing it for you, here are a couple of larger display options -- our lucky pals over at Engadget Chinese witnessed the birth of Optoma's two new 3D projectors in Taiwan yesterday. Pictured on the left is the HW536 cinema DLP projector (NT$36,900 or about US$1,150), which has HDMI input and projects a 1,280 x 800 image at 2,800 lumens with a 3,000:1 contrast ratio. Next up is the EX762 business DLP projector (NT$79,900 or US$2,490) that also sports HDMI input and a network jack, while delivering a 1,024 x 768 resolution at 4,000 lumens and a 3,000:1 contrast ratio. Just to add a tad more burden to your overdraft, each pair of ZD101 shutter glasses -- not bundled with either projectors -- will cost you a further NT$4,000 (US$125), in return offering a wireless range of up to eight meters courtesy of Texas Instruments' non-directional DLP Link technology (so no need to position any external emitters). A couple of close-up photos after the break.
Acer rights its wrongs with K11 pico projector
Why hello there, Acer. Not only does this K11 DLP pico projector look sexier than its predecessor, but it's also been given some nice internal enhancements. Starting with display performance: the K11's resolution remains about the same at 858 x 600, but it's twice as bright at 200 lumens (while maintaining the same 20,000-hour lamp life) and has twice as much contrast ratio at 2,000:1. As for connectivity this machine now packs an HDMI socket (along with the usual VGA and composite AV ports) as well as an SDHC card reader and a USB port for opening music, video and picture files. Even with all these extra goodies, the K11's only managed to gain 0.13 pounds (reaching 1.34 pounds) while sporting a smaller body. All we need now is a price, launch date, a few friends and a destination for our road trip. Oh, and some content. Update: apparently an Acer representative hinted that the K11 will be available for about €500 ($685; translated page shows "$" instead of "€"). Yikes. Anyway, vielen Dank, Felix Fdot!
Mitsubishi rolls out 1080p HC3800 projector for $1,395
It's not always easy for a projector to stand out from the pack these days, but it looks like Mitsubishi has turned to one of the most tried and true tricks in the book for its new HC3800 model: offer a ton of features for a great price. That starts, naturally, with a full 1080p resolution, and things stay more than respectable all along down the line with 1,300 lumens of brightness, a 4,000:1 contrast ratio, a promised 5,000 hour lamp life (in conservation mode) and, get this, full support for anamorphic lenses in case you're really looking to top off your home theater. Best of all, the projector is set to run just $1,395, and should be available sometime in the third quarter of this year.[Via About Projectors]
Viewsonic announces three new 3D projectors
Good news, 3D fanboys and girls, looks like Viewsonic's back on the scene with a clutch of 120Hz 3D-enabled projectors. The first new model, the PJD6381, looks to be aimed at schools and businesses, with an extremely short throw ratios (around .68) for reducing shadowing effects, and a number of interactive whiteboard options. Available in August, this guy has 1024 x 768 XGA resolution, 2,500 ANSI lumens, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio, 120Hz refresh rate, and is compatible with the both Texas Instruments' DLP Link and NVIDIA's 3D-Vision 3D technology -- expect it to have an MSRP of $1,249. The PJD6211 and PJD6221 ($849 and $899, respectively) also sport 1024 x 768 XGA resolution, as well as up to 2,700 lumens, a 2,800:1 contrast ratio and both DLP Link and 3D-Vision compatibility. These two should hit the stores some time in July.
BenQ GP1 LED pocket projector reviewed: loved, possibly lurved
The universal acclaim for BenQ's GP1 LED projector is deafening. Naturally, some trade-offs were made in brightness, contrast, and resolution in order to squeeze things down to a palm-sized 5.4 x 4.7 x 2.1-inch footprint. But at just 1.4-pounds, it won't cause your bicep, atrophied by pantywaist netbooks, too much strain. Thanks to a LED light source with a 20,000 hour lifespan, this $499 DLP projector manages to spread 100 lumens across 858 x 600 pixels with a 2,000:1 contrast -- specs that give solid results when projecting a 40-inch image in a bright, shades-drawn room on up to 80-inches in near-black environments. Better yet, pop in a USB stick loaded with images (JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF) or videos (MPEG4, MJPEG, xvid, 3ivX) and the projector will automatically launch a media playback menu -- no laptop required. The lack of zoom, an ailment common in all these tiny projectors, will limit placement and a measured 38dB (from a distance of 30cm) operational hum will be distracting to home theater buffs or cubical monkeys forced into the sleepy corporate dens of PowerPoint. But all-in-all, BenQ's come up with a winner, and truth doesn't make a noise.Read -- TrustedReviews Read -- TrustedReviews (video)Read -- SlashGear Read -- iLounge
ViewSonic turns off spell check, launches Fuhzion line of 3D display devices
3D displays are hotter than Hansel right now, and ViewSonic is getting in to the new (old) tech of goggle-driven depth with a line of displays dubbed Fuhzion. First up is the 22-inch VX2265wm LCD, announced last year and sounding quite similar to the Samsung 2233RZ from yesterday. It's a 1680 x 1050, 120Hz panel with a 2ms response rate, enabling it to tackle the quick cycling that will be required to reproduce a 3D image. The other addition to the line is the PJD6220-3D DLP projector, an updated (or at least renamed) version of the company's existing PJD6220, illuminating 1024 x 768 pixels at 120Hz and a respectable contrast ratio of 2000:1. The projector is due next month for $1,499, while the VX2265wm drops in the next few weeks for a rather more reasonable $399 -- another stat that happens to match Samsung's offering.
Foxconn shows off pint-sized PD-S2900 DLP projector
It's not quite shooting for the world's smallest title, but Foxconn's new PD-S2900 DLP projector will certainly turn quite a few heads nonetheless, with it boasting a form factor of just 4 x 3.6 x 1.4 inches and a weight just under a pound. That'll still give you an SVGA resolution though, along with a whopping 55 lumens of brightness and an apparently decently-sized image from a few feet away. No word on a price just yet, but you can look for this one to hit Taiwan sometime in the third quarter of this year.
Toshiba announces $1,000 TDP-PX10U projector
While it likely won't cut it in a home theater, Toshiba's new TDP-PX10U projector looks like it should please quite a few business types, with it boasting a lightweight 2.9 pound carrying weight and an equally light $1,000 price tag. For that grand, you'll get a standard 1,024 x 768 resolution, along with a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, 2,200 ANSI lumens, a built-in two watt speaker, and a USB port to accommodate a flash drive for presentations without a PC. Toshiba's also promising a "50 percent increase in the brightness of colors" thanks to its trademark BrilliantColor DLP technology, and it's touting the projector's automatic setup feature, which promises to give you clear images in "even in the most unforgiving presentation situations." If that's enough to sway you, you can get your order in right away
Samsung's SP-A800B 1080p DLP projector sure is curvy
Samsung knows a thing or two about working a trade show. IFA's no different. Meet the spacey SP-A800B 1080p (0.95-inch DMD chip from TI) DLP projector on the loose in Berlin. It features a 24fps film mode and a 2,000-hour, 300W lamp which throws 1,000 lumens at a 10,000:1 rated contrast at a relatively noisy 25dB. Around back you'll find 2x HDMI, RGB for your PC, 2x component, S-Video, and RS-232. Sorry, no prices or expected date for availability.
Kaga's TAXAN PS series 3 DLP WiFi projector
Kaga Electronics is set to unleash a trio of new DLP projectors onto Japan this March. The TAXAN PS series 3 consist of the KG-PS125X, KG-PS120X, and KG-PS100X models. The top-end PS125X can source pictures off SD cards or USB drives when connected to the projector's USB host port. Of interest, is the possibility to source PC content over a rather tight, 802.11b WiFi pipe in addition to an uninspiring array of inputs including analog RGB, composite, and S-Video. The PS125x and PS120X are both capable of a 1,024×768 resolution whereas the PS100X is limited to a mere 800x600 pixels. Prices will range from ¥198,000 to ¥99,800 ($1,644 to $829) when these inexpensive, 2,500 lumen DLP projectors hit Japan in March.[Via Impress]
Optoma's EP series of DLP projectors
Optoma just launched their EP series of projectors set to go on sale in Japan next month. In contrast to their budget 720p/1080p capable HD series, all the EP models 'cept the 800x600-limited EP716P (¥207,900 / $1,745) are capable of a mere 1024x768 pixel resolution. The EP729 (¥302,400 / $2,538) DLP pictured above delivers a 2200:1 contrast ratio, 1.15 optical zoom lens and throws 33~36dB of noise and 1,600 lumens off its 156W lamp. Ideal for the busy sales goon on the go since it weighs just 0.99-kgs / 2.2-pounds and can project an image onto a surface as close as 1.5-meters. The EP7150 (¥281,400 / $2,362) meanwhile, packs TI's DarkChip2 at the guts with a 1.1x zoom, 2,000 lumen capable 156W lamp, 2500:1 contrast ratio, and cranks 33~36dB during operation. Bringing up the tail is the entry-level EP719P (¥260,400 / $2,186) DLP with 200W lamp delivering 2000 lumens and 2500:1 contrast ratio. Sorry, no HDMI or DVI inputs anywhere in the mix so you'll have to settle for component, composite, S-Video, and analog RGB. See the others after the break, if you really care.
LG's Chocolate DLP "hand held" projector
Ok, we admit it, we never saw it coming. Introducing the Chocolate "hand held" DLP projector from LG. Guess we can't blame 'em, when you've got a winning design you just kinda have to milk that teet. But sweet baby jeebus, under what situation is a projector really useful as a hand held? Not like it runs on batteries or anything. Best we can tell from the pics, you'll get VGA and HDMI inputs for projecting images on the side of vans, in the car, in the office, or uh, in the mall. Really. In fact, we've got our interns holding a few right now, projecting our delicate prose into the lard tubs at Sbarro's. Oh juicy meatball, how you mock thee. More of the goods after the break.
BenQ's 4,000 lumen SP831 DLP projector
Here's the latest DLP projector from BenQ, the SP831. Besides requiring the not one, but two skinny product-waifs to hoist the unit for photos, the SP831 features a 2000:1 contrast ratio and is capable of blasting 1280x768 resolution images at 4,000 lumens off that 300W bulb. That puts this projector a notch above their SP820 announced earlier. From the photos we can also see that the unit ships with laser-etched keys, DVI (with HDCP support), Ethernet, and a smattering of in and outs with Twin View (POP,POP,PAP) capabilities for viewing multiple sources at the same time. No word on price or availability yet, but you can expect it to be priced a bit above the $4,699 SP820 whenever it ships. In the mean time, we'll treat ya to some more snaps after the break.
Optoma intros $1000 720p projector, the HD70
Since not everyone's down with dropping as much on a projector as they would on, say, a car, it's nice to see companies bringing up the low-end with some decently specced units. Optoma's the latest to give your bank account a break, announcing its HD70 DLP projector, which'll give you native 720p resolution, 4,000:1 contrast ratio, and 1,000 ANSI lumens at a $1,000 list price. What's more, the HD70 comes equipped with an HDMI port for all your newfangled devices in addition to the standard compliment of component, composite, S-Video and VGA inputs. Of course, you'll also have to budget for a replacement bulb sometime down the line which, unfortunately, still don't come cheap, though Optoma promises a reasonable 3,000 hours of use in standard mode. And if you looking for ways to save even more money, you could always build your own screen.[Via About Projectors]
