Toshiba introduced their latest mobile projector today called the TLP-XE30U featuring  3LCD technology, 3,000 ANSI lumen brightness, and a new “blackboard” wall color adjustment feature which allows the projector to project images onto non-screen surfaces (like a blackboard). The key features and specs of the TLP-XE30U are as follows:

• Blackboard function allows presentations on non-screen surfaces. Users select wall color, such as green, black, brown, blue, or beige, and the projector automatically corrects the color for a clearer display
• Quick power shutdown - projector can be powered off once disconnected from outlet
• Automatic Vertical Keystone Correction
• One-touch auto setup
• Digital Zoom
• 4.3 aspect ratio
• XGA (1024 x 768) resolution
• 600:1 contrast ratio
• D-sub 15, S-video, RCA inputs

The Toshiba TLP-XE30U is available now for a suggested price of $1119.

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Technorati Tags: Toshiba, TLP-XE30U, Mobile Projector

LG introduced a new mini-LED projector in Korea called the HS102G. Specs include a 30,000 hour + lamp life, 160 Lumens, and a contrast ratio of 2000:1. This small projector is capable of projecting an image ranging in size from 40 inches to 80 inches. It’s just slightly larger than your hand.. so I’m no sure the HS102G can be quantified as a “palm-sized” projector.. yet there’s no mistaking that the unit is portable. The suggested price is around $777.

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Technorati Tags: LG HS102G, LED Projector

Epson America announced today that the new Ensemble HD Home Cinema System was now shipping to dealers and installers nationwide. The Ensemble HD is a complete home theater solution that comes with all the component necessary to transform any room in your home into a full fledged home theater setup. Features of the Ensemble HD Home Cinema System include the following:

• Choice of Epson PowerLite 3LCD (three-chip) high definition multimedia projector with either true 1080p native resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) or a more affordably priced 720p option
• Unique 100-inch motorized screen that quietly lowers and retracts within the unique front channel ceiling mounted speaker system
• Audio/video controller with integrated upconverting DVD player
• Newly engineered Atlantic Technology speaker system and a proprietary 150-watt subwoofer containing all 5.1 channels of amplification
• Universal remote that controls the entire system including the motorized screen
• Every audio, video and power cable needed to complete the installation while maximizing performance (including HDMI)
• Unique wire management track system that hides all of the included cables from the site of users
• All necessary mounting brackets

There are two packages available for the Ensemble HD Home Cinema System - a 1080p system priced at $6999 and a 720p system priced at $4999.

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Technorati Tags: Epson America, Ensemble HD Home Cinema System

As computing devices and mobile equipment get smaller and lighter, it only makes sense that mobile projectors will also follow suit. Who wants to carry a 5 lb projector when they’re carrying a laptop that weighs a mere 2 lbs? An example of this is the newly announced Samsung P400 Pocket Imager - a lightweight, palm-sized DLP projector featuring a glossy black finish.

The specs for the Pocket Imager include the following:

• 800 x 600 SVGA resolution
• 1000:1 contrast ratio
• 150 ANSI lumens
• 30 to 40 inch diagonal image
• RGB, Composite-in, S-Video, Audio-in rear inputs
• 1 watt x 2 built-in speakers
• Measures 5 x 3.7 x 2 inches and weighs 1.9 lbs
• LED lifespan of 30,000 hours
• Includes a remote control, power cables, and a sliding lens cap

The P400 Pocket Imager is available now for $749. The above picture is from CNET.

Technorati Tags: Samsung P400 Pocket Imager

It looks like the Pico projector is finally here and one of the first companies to actually have a real product is Optoma (at least in a limited basis initially). They’ve announced the first Pico projector that fits in the palm of your hand that utilizes the DLP Pico chipset. This micro-portable projector is smaller than most smart phones making it ideal for mobile professionals. This is the ideal “companion” to a portable media player, cell phone, PDA, or ultra-portable notebook since it delivers a far larger viewing experience than these small devices. The Optoma Pico Projector will be shown at InfoComm 2008 and will be available in limited distribution in Europe and Asia in late 2008. A worldwide launch will begin in 2009.

Technorati Tags: Optoma Pico Projector

NEC Display Solutions of America have announced two new installation projectors - the NP905 and the NP901W - both of which are full-featured network-compatible projectors designed for corporate conference rooms and classroom environments.

The NP905 and NP901W include the Windows Network Projector functionality found within Windows Vista which allows users to share information from their computers via a network without the need of proprietary software.

NP905’s feature list is as follows:

• XGA resolution (1024 x 768)
• Integrated high-speed networking
• HQV technology for superior home theater video processing
• Windows Network Projector function
• Geometric Correction Tool
• Remote Desktop connection
• Integrated RJ45 connection
• Advanced color management
• MSRP of $1999.99

NP901W’s feature list is as follows:

• WXGA resolution (1280 x 800)
• Integrated high-speed networking
• HQV technology for superior home theater video processing
• Windows Network Projector function
• Geometric Correction Tool
• Remote Desktop connection
• Integrated RJ45 connection
• Advanced color management
• MSRP of $1299.99

Technorati Tags: NEC, NP905, NP901W, Projectors

Canon USA is introducing two new models to their REALiS line of multimedia projectors - the top of the line REALiS WUX10 and the REALiS SX80 Muiltimedia Projector. The REALiS WUX10 is the world’s first WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200) widescreen multimedia projector with LCoS technology while the REALiS SX80 is a SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) projector and the world’s first projector to offer PictBridge connectivity. Both projectors utilize Canon’s LCoS reflective LCD technology with the WUX10 incorporating a 0.71 inch panel and the SX80 featuring a 0.55 inch panel. Other common features include  Canon’s AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System) Optical Engine, Canon 1.5X Powered Zoom/Focus lens, new user friendly features such as Off and Go, Auto Setup functions for focus, keystone, signal inputs, and screen color correction and RJ-45 network connections.

Specs on the REALiS WUX10 include the following:

• 1920 x 1200 resolution
• Supports 1080 content
• 3200 lumens of brightness
• 1000:1 contrast ratio
• 1.5x Zoom lens
• Advanced color management system
• Full 10 bit color
• HDMI version 1.3 deep color support
• Supports analog RGB and component signals
• Weighs 10.8 lbs
• Available in October for a price of $12,999

Specs on the REALiS SX80 include the following:

• 1400 x 1050 resolution
• Glossy pearl white design
• 3000 lumens of brightness
• 900:1 contrast ratio
• USB/PictBridge connectivity for PC free presentations
• USB port allows users to connect flash drives and PictBridge offers compatibility to digital cameras or camcorders for displaying images
• DVI-I, HDMI inputs
• Weighs 11.5 lbs
• Available this month for a price of $3,999.

Technorati Tags: Canon USA, REALiS, WUX10, SX80, LCoS projectors

Here’s another projector to consider - this time it’s from the folks at Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and it’s called the XD211U data projector. Designed for business and educational markets, the XD211U features native XGA resolution, DLP technology from TI, and a new DDP 2230 DMD chip with BrilliantColor.

Key features of the XD211U include:

• Weight of six pounds
• 3000 hour lamp
• 2200 lumens of brightness
• auto-search feature for automatically recognizing video or data input sources
• Removable control key pad which also acts as a remote control
• Security hook
• Five segment color wheel (R,G,B,W,Y)
• 2000:1 contrast ratio
• Instant Shutdown
• Easy setup
• White intensity
• 1024 x 768 resolution
• Measures 11.9 x 4.1 x 8.7 inches and weighs 6 lbs

The XD211U has a suggested retail price of $1595 and is available this month.

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Technorati Tags: Mitsubishi Digital Electronics, XD211U Projector

Epson introduced a new multimedia projector this week in the form of the EX90. The six pound projector features 2600 lumens of white and color light output, XGA resolutions, and Epson’s latest 3-Chip LCD technology. The EX90 has a street price of $899 and has the following key features:

• Epson 3LCD technology
• 2600 lumens
• HDTV ready (720p and 1080i)
• 5 second quick start up
• Epson Instant Off
• A/V Mute Slide
• Simple setup and flexible positioning
• 1.2x power zoom and auto keystone correction
• Includes carrying case

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Technorati Tags: Epson EX90 Multimedia Projector

Here’s an interesting piece of technology news. QPC Lasers Inc. will be demonstrating their high power miniature prototype BrightLase Red-Green-Blue “RGB” laser at the Society of Information (SID) Display Week 2008. The RGB laser is designed for high resolution miniature projectors in the 100 lumens output region for portable electronic devices. According to QPC, the RBG laser provides advantages to consumer electronics such as expanded color gamut, low power consumption, and ultra-compact form factor. The overall idea is to pair small mobile/portable devices with powerful projectors equipped with the small RGB laser. Instead of watching a video on a small 2 to 3 inch display, project the movie right onto a wall with a compact projector.

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Technorati Tags: QPC Lasers, BrightLase, RGB Laser, Projector