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Seiko Epson's inkjet tech brings big-screen OLED TVs closer to reality
We know it's been burning on your mind everyday since December 6th, 2007: "What on Earth are those guys and gals over at Seiko Epson doing now that they've killed production of RPTVs?" At long last, we've located an answer. According to a prideful new release from the outfit, it has developed a new inkjet technology that will enable the "uniform deposition of organic material in the production of large-screen OLED TVs." For what seems like years now, manufacturers have teased us with 37-inch OLED HDTVs, but they've skirted around questions relating to "price" and "release." Now, the last remaining excuse seems to have been vaporized, so if we don't see a market-ready big-screen OLED at CES 2010... well, let's just say the knee-capping club is dying for a reason to reunite.[Via Akihabara News]
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.
Video: Epson's multitouch X-Desk is your next coffee table
When you think about it, it makes perfect sense for Epson to get into the touch-surface game -- most of the larger versions are projector-based, and Epson's been making great little beamers for quite some time. Showcased earlier this year at ISE 2009 alongside a multitouch air hockey table, the Core 2 Duo-powered X-Desk boasts a 1,024 x 768 resolution panel and possesses the ability to recognize up to 16,000 objects using "Smart Tags." Also of note, gesture recognition software enables users to actually speak to the table and see results, though there's no word on whether raising your voice or blurting out obscenities improves efficiency. Like all of these things, we've nary a clue when they'll really be available for the layperson to purchase, but you can certainly live vicariously by hopping past the break.[Via AboutProjectors]
Epson's R-D1x digital Rangefinder locates our analog hearts
There's something undeniably sexy, romantic even, about modern digital rangefinders. Perhaps it's the bevy of tactile controls that stand in such stark contrast to the button-less touchscreen trend infecting consumer electronics. Perhaps it's nostalgia. Whatever it is, the Epson R-D1x just created a momentary pause of reverence amongst Engadget editors. Not much has changed since the R-D1 (followed by the R-D1s) was introduced four years ago: that 6 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor, RAW and JPEG support, and Leica M and L glass compatibility remain. Epson just modernized things a bit by adding a handgrip (model R-D1xG), a bigger 2.5-inch LCD, support for the SDHC card format (up to 32GB), and improved EDiART image processing. But this shooter isn't about the specs, it's about emotion. Ships April 9th for an undisclosed price estimated to be around $2,000.[Via Impress]
Epson dishes up the 4,000 lumen G5000 projector
Making sure to differentiate white and color output separately, Epson's PowerLite G5000 comes in with an even 4,000 lumen figure for both metrics. The 3LCD, XGA resolution projector also boasts some nice convenience features like 30-degrees of tilt and both horizontal and vertical lens shift so you can quickly get things set up when moving from the classroom to the family room. Available now for $2,499 -- but that lack of 1080 vertical pixels and only 1,000:1 contrast leave us a little cold while we look across other Epson offerings, even if they require a little more light control in the room. Still, if blackout drapes are just out of the question for your setting, those 4,000 lumens speak volumes.
Epson's tiny GPS receiver will make everything location aware
Small, right? That's Epson's Infineon XPOSYS chip, its next generation Assisted-GPS device set for mass production in late 2009. The chip measures just 2.8 x 2.9-mm making it 25% smaller than other A-GPS chips on the market, according to Epson, while consuming half the power. The sensitivity has also been improved for a more accurate location fix while indoors. Between this, Google Latitude, and the ever expanding lineup of Skyhook positioning devices, you can kiss your location anonymity goodbye.
Epson adopts new color metric for projector performance
Anyone who's even casually compared front projectors knows there's a lot more to performance than just the number of lumens spilling out the front lens. It turns out that seemingly simple metric is skewed as well, and Epson is going to adopt a Lumita-developed measurement called "Color Light Output" to get a better handle on things. Projector brightness is measured from a white field, which means that for models that use more than just RGB primaries for image formation -- like 4LCD projectors -- the white field can be quite a bit brighter than the sum of the red, green and blue fields and give a misleading representation of white brightness relative to color brightness. The new "color illuminance" figure is the sum of the red, green and blue brightness only and will appear alongside the traditional white brightness. This all sounds very similar to last year's Color Brightness measurement that Sony and Epson backed, and we're all for more meaningful and thorough specs, but the bottom line remains the same -- trust your own eyes.Read - Epson adopts Color Light OutputRead - Lumita whitepaper [PDF]
Epson Ensemble HD Home Cinema System gets reviewed
Let's get one thing straight up front: Epson's Ensemble HD Home Cinema System isn't right for everyone. In fact, we'd say it's right for only a small sect of individuals. You see, this all-in-one solution is really all-in-one, meaning that you'll not only have to be completely okay with each and every component, but you'll need a local installer to come and set everything up. For those looking to exert zero effort into their home theater system, this is the one to beat. E-Gear critics were able to have a sit with the 1080p version of the bundle, and while nothing was absolutely groundbreaking, everything seemed to function well enough. Video and audio were both satisfactory, and the fit and finish of everything was superb. If you've found yourself in that tiny niche of prospective buyers, you owe it to yourself to give the read link a look before throwing down thousands.
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.
Epson's DVD-playing EH-DM2 projector reviewed, little love is shown
We understand that the DVD-packin' projector has a certain place in life, but even in that dark little cavern, Epson's EH-DM2 didn't do much to impress the panel over at TrustedReviews. The first thing that really got 'em worked up was the outright omission of an HDMI port, and of course, the subpar 854 x 480 resolution didn't win over anyone, either. Moving on to even harsher bashing, we find that there's no optical zoom whatsoever, so you best have limitless mounting options if you're looking for optimal quality. Even considering the native resolution, critics were definitely underwhelmed by the images output by the DM2, and their bottom line was this: "we wouldn't have been impressed by the PJ's performance -- even as a mega-budget, ultra-casual projector -- two years ago." Can you say "burn?"
Epson trots out tiny ST120 HTPC, finds room for Blu-ray / TV tuner
Man, talk about a much needed refreshing. Last we recall, Epson was eliciting "awws" from window shoppers who just couldn't get over how delightfully cute its Endeavor ST100 micro PC was. Fast forward two years, and here we have the equally tiny (albeit entirely more useful) ST120. The all-black box comes equipped with a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo P8400 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 80GB of hard drive space, an HDMI output, a Blu-ray writer and a digital TV tuner. Too bad the loaded configuration we just spouted off rings up at ¥137,500 ($1,531), but those with less lavish lifestyles can opt for a DVD model that starts at "just" ¥65,100 ($725).[Via Engadget Spanish]
Epson introduces 1080p EH-TW3000 projector
Epson's EH-TW3000 isn't much to look at, but we all know it's the innards that count. The 1080p beamer sports the company's 3LCD technology, a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, 2,000 ANSI lumens, a 10-bit video processing engine, whisper quiet design, twin HDMI 1.3 inputs and a 3-year warranty. In other words, it's housing everything you need to make your movies look great, but it'll cost you a stiff €1,614 ($2,084) in order to bring one home.[Via AboutProjectors]
Epson's Endeavor Na01 mini is a netbook
Not much to say here, just an Atom N270 1.6Ghz processor, 10.2-inch 1024 x 600 LCD, 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD and a dash of Windows XP, doing what they always do. There's a nice complement of completely standard interfaces, like three USB 2.0 plugs, 802.11b/g WiFi, Ethernet, mini VGA out and a multicard reader, all stuffed into a slightly frumpy 1.5-inch thick enclosure, but let's not get off message: Epson's new Endeavor Na01 mini is all Microsoft-proscribed netbook and nothing more. The Japan-only computer is available today for the completely palatable price of 46,800 Yen (about $484). [Via Impress Watch]
Epson PowerLite Cinema 700 costs only slightly more dollars than its horizontal line count
We're sorry you lost your fortune in the global financial crisis, but we've got some news to cheer you up -- you might still be able to plaster your living room wall with HD video. Epson just launched the PowerLite Cinema 700, a 720p home theater projector that it claims is the first to retail at $799. Sure, they've made this kind of claim before, and it's true that if you look hard enough you'll probably find a couple other 720p projectors at that price, but we're not gonna make a fuss -- this 3LCD projector is a decent deal, what with it doing 2,000 lumens and having a 2,000:1 contrast ratio. It's already available in Epson's online store -- or, at least it would be if it wasn't sold out at the moment. Guess some other economically depressed folks thought it was a decent deal, too!
Epson Imaging Devices introduce a-TFT displays that play well in sunlight or darkness
Epson's developed two transflective amorphous silicon TFT (a-TFT) LCDs for high visibility in a variety of situations on mobile devices. The screens seem to have been developed mostly for gadgets which are used outdoors and in direct sunlight. These new LCDs employ a more traditional, transmissive mode, using backlighting in darker or indoor settings, but are also capable of utilizing a reflective mode, which can harness bright sources such as sunlight to increase clarity. The reflective mode not only increases visibility on the screen, but also reduces the need for backlighting, thus conserving power. The displays will be available in 3 and 3.5-inch sizes, and samples of the screens are said to be shipping before the end of the month.
E Ink's AM300 developer's kit gets shown off on video
E Ink's AM300 developer's kit (made with the help of Epson) certainly seemed impressive enough when it was first announced, but there's nothing quite like a video to bring our newspapers of the future to life, and one courtesy of E Ink itself has now thankfully turned up on YouTube. While the display's 16 levels of gray and pen-based input capabilities aren't entirely unique to E Ink, its ability to display speedy animation does seem to be a step above most other similar displays and, naturally, it's being touted as ideal for advertisements. Head on past the break to check it out for yourself.
Epson teases nobody with its chubby netbook silhouette
Can you feel it? That tepid urge purging itself into a dew of sweaty anticipation across your forehead can only be attributed to another boxy netbook, this time presented by Epson in teaser format. The MiniNote hits Japan in November packing the usual netbook specs: 1.6GHz Atom with XP riding 1GB memory and 160GB hard disk, WiFi, and a 10.2-inch LCD slinging 1,024 x 600 pixels from bezel to bezel. Hardly worthy of so many exclamation points. That unfortunate silhouette even makes the LaVie Light look sleek by comparison. We can hardly wait to be amused by the spectacle of the unveiling.[Via Impress]
Epson keeps it rolling with EB S6, EB X6 and EB W6 projectors
Epson's really on a roll, though it's a shame said roll is one that's bordering on putting us into a deep sleep. After pumping out an uneventful trio earlier in the week, along comes three more that are equally drab. The EB S6 and EB X6 check in with SVGA and XGA resolutions, respectively, and both units offer up 2,200 ANSI lumens and 2,000:1 contrast ratios. The savior of the bunch is the EB W6, which boasts a 1,280 x 800 (WXGA) resolution and comes with an HDMI port, SD card reader, 2,000:1 contrast ratio and an integrated 7-watt speaker. All three are available (at least in Australia) for $999, $1,199 and $1,399 in order of mention.[Via AboutProjectors]
Epson rolls out unexciting EX30, EX50 and EX70 projectors
We'll cut right to the chase -- Epson's EX30 and EX50 PJs come packing SVGA (800 x 600) and XGA (1,024 x 768) resolutions, respectively, so we won't feel bad just hopping over those amateurs and going straight for the big fellow. The delightfully priced ($799) EX70 boasts a 16:10 aspect ratio, 1,280 x 800 (WXGA) resolution, USB Plug 'N Play video, VGA / HDMI inputs, an SD card reader, built-in 7-watt speaker, and 2,000 lumens. It won't satisfy those looking for 1080p images upside their wall, but it also won't force you to take out a second mortgage pawn off your kids' toys in order to take one home.
Epson's PowerLite Home Cinema 6500 UB quietly comes to light
We actually spotted the PowerLite Home Cinema 6500 UB at CEDIA (see it there in the corner?), but given that Epson didn't make a peep about it, we didn't pay it too much mind. After all, that Pro Cinema 7500 UB was what was most interesting to us (and Epson, evidently). Nevertheless, the 1080p beamer is reportedly the successor to the Home Cinema 1080 UB, and while it should perform a lot like the aforesaid 7500 UB, it does arrive sans a mount and with no extra lamp. Still, you will find 1,600 ANSI lumens and a Silicon Optix Reon-VX video processor, and if that's good enough for you, it'll be available this December for around $4,000.[Via AboutProjectors]
