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SIM2 delivers $5,000 1080p DOMINO D60 DLP projector

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 23rd 2008 at 4:35AM


SIM2's DOMINO line -- okay, SIM2's entire line -- isn't known for being the cheapest bunch. The new DOMINO D60, however, is actually affordable by said company's standards, checking in at just 4,995 US dollars. This 1080p beamer is based on Texas Instruments' DarkChip3 0.95-inch DMD chipset and includes a single-chip DLP projection system, BrilliantColor, three different preset modes (Cinema, Dynamic, and Standard) and three user-customizable memories. It's shipping now for those with fat wallets.

How-to guide simplifies calibration for new HDTV owners

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 22nd 2008 at 9:37PM


We'll go ahead and get this out of the way: seasoned HDTV owners won't likely gain much from this one, but those brand new to the world of high-definition are probably wondering what on Earth "calibration" even means. Rather than simply brushing it aside and dealing with those factory settings, we'd suggest tapping the read link for a simplistic guide that explains how to get your new set looking its finest. Be warned -- you'll probably have to spend some dollars if you expect class-A results, but anyone who has calibrated their own TV will likely agree that it's worth it.

Samsung's 61-inch Samsung HL61A750 RPTV gets reviewed

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 22nd 2008 at 1:27PM


You're probably dusting the dirt from your spectacles as we speak, but yes, the set you see above is an RPTV. You know, those not exactly wafer-thin rear-projection TVs that used to be all the rage? This 61-inch set provides an awful lot of screen space for not a lot of dough (comparatively speaking), and as with most sets with a little junk in the trunk, picture quality was seen as "excellent" in a recent CNET review. On the downside, off-angle performance was expectedly poor and there was no 2:3 pulldown for SD sources, but the positives here far outweighed the negatives. For under $1,800 (way under in some places), you can get 61-inches of LED-backlit goodness in your den -- just have to make room for it, is all.

[Thanks, Matthew]

Texas Instruments extends projector-based DLP chip warranty to 5 years

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 5th 2008 at 7:11AM


In a bid to assure you, the prospective customer, that Texas Instruments' DLP chip is "bullet-proof" (its word, not ours), said outfit is stretching the warranty on any single-chip DLP module to five full years. Of note, this announcement covers chips within education, business, and home theater projectors only, and each manufacturer will be responsible for "providing details regarding their warranty programs, taking into consideration this new five year extension." Curiously enough, we can't decipher whether units that have already been purchased will be covered under the extension or if only new units purchased post-July 1, 2008 will be affected. If we owned one such device, we'd sure be on the phone with our manufacturer with this press release (in the read link) in hand.

Christie unloads DS+655, LW400 and M Series projectors at InfoComm

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 24th 2008 at 7:21PM


Although InfoComm 2008 has drawn to a close, there's still a few releases surfacing from the show. For whatever reason, Christie's introductions into the projector realm weren't noticed among all the others last week, but they're still worth mentioning. Up first is the pictured WXGA (1,280 x 800) LW400, which features a 3LCD light engine, 4,000 ANSI lumens and a lamp life of 3,000 hours. Next up is the DS+655, a single-chip DLP beamer that packs a 7,500:1 contrast ratio, SXGA+ resolution and 10-bit image processing technology. Lastly, we see the pricey new M Series, which includes a three-chip DLP engine, upwards of 5,000 ANSI lumens and resolutions up to 1080p. Browse around in the read links below for more specifics on each.

[Via AboutProjectors]

Read - LW400
Read - M Series
Read - DS+655

IMAX starts digital projection rollout

by Richard Lawler, posted Jun 23rd 2008 at 9:37AM

Keep an eye out for a new development at IMAX theaters near you, as it starts to roll out digital projection to its 296 theaters next month. Two sites in Washington and one in Philadelphia are first (not to mention those new theaters in Russia), with 50 expected to be complete by the end of the year. The big deal here is that the savings cost, switching from a $22,000 70mm IMAX print to $800 hard drive copies, along with more joint venture deals, should lead the company to profitability according to analysts. Look for more flicks available in IMAX format as a result, with Madagascar 2 making the first big jump to digital, with plans to hit 35 screens on November 7.

Panasonic reveals new DLP projectors: 12,000 lumens and pixels galore

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 20th 2008 at 10:23AM


Hmmph. Outside of Samsung's blisteringly hot SP-A800B, we're fairly certain Panasonic's latest duo are the most impressive at InfoComm. Putting those XGA / WXGA units to shame, the PT-DZ12000U packs a drool-worthy WUXGA resolution (1,920 x 1,200) and 12,000 lumens to boot. The PT-D12000U checks in with the same three-chip DLP engine and lumen count, but eases up on the pixels with just 1,400 x 1,050. Furthermore, both units boast a System Daylight View to keep things visible even in well lit rooms, and the built-in Ethernet port enables remote monitoring and control through a web browser. Just one problem with all of this, though: the $69,000 (PT-DZ12000U) / $59,000 (PT-D12000U) price tags. Must be that Auto Cleaning Robot -- good help is hard to find these days.

Samsung's 1080p SP-A800B DLP projector now available

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 3:39PM


It took nearly a year to get here, but shortly after being reviewed, Samsung's upscale SP-A800B DLP projector is finally available in the USA. Co-developed with industry legend Joe Kane, this 1080p PJ features a native contrast ratio of 10,000:1, a 95% aperture ratio, 16-microsecond response time and a full 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. Additionally, it hums along quietly at 25dB and gets backed by a two-year warranty. Sammy's not bothering to tell you the price, but we've heard it'll list for just under ten grand.

Casio cranks out Pro-Series Super Slim Projectors

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 8:49AM


And you thought the projector overload from InfoComm was all done. Think again. On the docket today is Casio, who is bringing out a new Pro-Series of PJs that looks quite different from your typical beamer. Both the XJ-SC200 and XJ-S50 series sport a "Super Slim" profile -- hailed by Casio as the industry's slimmest, in fact. Each of the 3.97-pound members will feature an XGA (1,024 x 768) resolution, between 2,500 and 3,000 ANSI lumens, a DLP projection engine and VGA input, while a few even include a USB port for wireless connectivity through an optional WiFi receiver. Both the Super Color and Super Bright models are scheduled to ship in August and will range from $1,299 to $1,599 in price.

[Via FarEastGizmos]

Toshiba intros TDP-XP1U and TDP-XP2U DLP projectors

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 18th 2008 at 9:46AM


Ah, the onset of InfoComm. Getting the presumed onslaught of new projectors rolling is Toshiba, which has just dished out its 4.8-pound, filter-free TDP-XP1U and TDP-XP2U. As for the former, you'll find 2,200 ANSI lumens, a 700:1 contrast ratio, XGA (1,024 x 768) resolution, VGA / S-Video / composite inputs, DLP BrilliantColor technology, an integrated speaker and a three-year warranty. As for the eerily similar XP2U, it steps things up ever-so-slightly with 2,500 ANSI lumens and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio. Both beamers are expected to offer up whisper quiet operation (30bD in low mode) and see store shelves this July for $779 and $899, respectively.

TI showcases 3D projector and DLP Pico chipset at InfoComm

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 18th 2008 at 9:00AM


InfoComm is in full swing down in Vegas, and Texas Instruments isn't wasting any time showcasing its latest gear. First up is a prototype 1080p beamer hailed as the industry's first with a lamp-free design. Said unit also utilizes a PhlatLight LED light source and a BrilliantColor chipset, and if TI is to be believed, certain vendors will be shipping wares based on this stuff later this year. Moving on, we're being (re)treated to the planet's "first" 3D front projector (also known as the F10 AS3D), designed in cooperation with projectiondesign. Hidden beneath the big boys is the DLP Pico chipset for mobile applications, which will unsurprisingly pop up in pico projectors from companies like Optoma in late 2008 (Europe and Asia) / 2009 (the rest of us). Peek the full release after the break.

Continue reading TI showcases 3D projector and DLP Pico chipset at InfoComm

Barco intros three-chip NW-12 DLP WUXGA projector

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 3:39PM

Here's something you don't see every week: a pair of lust-worthy WUXGA projectors revealed within 48 hours. Shortly after the iVision 30-WUXGA broke cover, in comes Barco's NW-12 to steal some thunder. Dubbed the "world's first three-chip DLP WUXGA projector for professional presentations," this saucy beamer packs a native 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, a mind-blowing 12,000 lumens and a sealed optical engine. For those on a slightly tighter budget, the outfit is also delivering the NW-5, which features a single-chip DLP engine and "just" 5,000 lumens. Pricing and availability are unknown for both, but we have all ideas this is one of those classic "If you have to ask..." type scenarios.

[Via AboutProjectors]

Joe Kane-designed Samsung SP-A800B DLP projector gets reviewed

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 12:38PM


Look, there's no way you're expecting anything less than perfection from this projector, and sure enough, that's (almost) exactly what it delivers. The Joe Kane-designed Samsung SP-A800B has finally been reviewed by the lucky, lucky cats over at CNET, and simply put, it dethroned the Sony VPL-VW200 as its top-of-the-line Editors' Choice. In a nutshell, this bad boy "outperformed every projector in its class hands-down, and competed favorably with the three-chip DLP units that cost three times as much." For just shy of ten large, you too can own the rig that these folks deemed "spectacular." Really, we couldn't make this cornucopia of compliments up, so trek on down to the read link for more proof of the A800B's awesomeness.

Luminus Devices' PhlatLight technology gets detailed

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 5th 2008 at 8:59AM


Today, Samsung is the only TV maker with sets containing Luminus Devices' PhlatLight, but according to a new report detailing the technology, that could be a-changin'. We heard that this stuff was taking home some fancy award earlier this year, but now we're getting a real in-depth look at what all it can do to make our lives better. Aside from having the potential to last the entire lifetime of the TV (over 60,000 hours) and "deliver a consistent picture without fading," PhlatLight essentially "combines the benefits of both LED and laser technologies." There's plenty more on the technicalities waiting in the read link below, but those focused on end products will be delighted to know that this system is slated to arrive in front projectors and pocket projectors in the not-too-distant future.

Foxconn showcases tiny PD-W1001 DLP projector

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 4th 2008 at 5:10PM


Although Computex has largely delivered a slew of netbooks to digest, a handful of new pico projectors have also managed to get a little face time. The latest is Foxconn's PD-W1001, which features a 0.3-inch Texas Instruments DLP chip, WVGA (854 x 480) resolution and 25 Lm -- all within a 55- x 46- x 26-millimeter package that weighs just 65-grams. In its current form, we can't see this being much more than a novel concept, but when these critters start inching closer to 1080p, you can color us very much interested.

[Via AboutProjectors]




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