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


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.

Sharp launches XG-P560W .65-inch 3-chip DLP professional projector

We should probably preface this by reiterating that when Sharp says "professional," it means precisely that. The firm's latest beamer -- the June-bound XG-P560W (or XG-P560WN sans lens) -- features a modest WXGA (1,280 x 800) resolution, but includes Texas Instruments' .65-inch 3-chip DLP technology along with Sharp's own CV-IC II System for smoothing jaggies and minimizing image noise. Additionally, it features a 1,800:1 contrast ratio, seven interchangeable lenses, a dual-lamp lighting system, DVI / HDMI inputs and a built-in Ethernet port for remote access and control. Remember that whole spill we made at the onset? Yeah, here's proof: $16,995 for the XG-P560W, $15,995 for the XG-P560WN.

SIM2 shows off $21k HT3000 HOST projector

SIM2 updates its line of high end projectors with its Grand Cinema HT3000 HOST system combining the latest 1080p DLP chipset from TI with a three-line optical-digital High-Definition Optical Signal transfer system (H.O.S.T.) in one gunmetal-finished box. The projector itself measures 17-inches square and 24 lbs, while the separate HOST system is designed for installers to connect video sources to its six HDMI inputs, three component inputs and multiple SD jacks up to 750 feet away from the projector with no loss of signal. Depending on lens choice, the price starts at $21, 595, but we're sure you have that kind of money just laying around.

[Via About Projectors]

ProjectionDesign's WUXGA F30 DLP projector now shipping -- a world's first


Oh she's a chubster all right. But that's ProjectionDesign's F30, the world's first DLP projector capable of throwing a business-minded, WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) display. Perfect for native WUXGA laptop-based demonstrations, ProjectionDesign's flagship projector also sources 1080p content in addition to 4:3 formats as you'd expect. Inside this 4,300 lumen projector you'll find TI's DLP .95 chip and 2x 300W UHP lamps offering about 2,000 hours of life at full power (5,000 hours in eco mode). Inputs include DVI, HDMI 1.3a, VGA, and component to name a few. Price? You've gotta ask ProjectionDesign. In other words, too rich for you Mr. Middle Manager.

Future IMAX deployments to utilize DLP Cinema projectors


Electrosonic's MS9600 isn't the only thing flying out of ShoWest this week -- oh no, we've also learned that Texas Instruments will have quite a bit to do with forthcoming IMAX deployments. Apparently, the aforementioned outfit has inked a deal that will land its DLP Cinema projectors in "each IMAX Digital projection system to be deployed to commercial exhibitors around the world from mid-2008." Unfortunately, all the gory details we crave were left out -- starting with a list of cities in which to expect these DLP-powered venues -- but thankfully, the release did manage to spare the whole "it's the mirrors" tagline when getting the point across.

[Via AboutProjectors, image courtesy of Pathe-IMAX]

InFocus 1080p DLP Play Big IN83 projector gets official


While we had every reason to believe that InFocus had another swank 1080p projector waiting to be unleashed last month, it's always good to see a little reassurance from the outfit itself. As of today, the Play Big IN83 is really real, and it's looking to deliver Full HD imagery to your screen later this month. Packed with TI's DarkChip4 DLP chip, this unit sports a native 5,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,600 ANSI lumens, HDMI 1.3, Pixelworks DNX 10-bit video processing and 2.35:1 Cinemascope / widescreen aspect ratio support for good measure. The pain? $5,999 through "exclusive InFocus resellers and installers." Click on through the full release.

TI touts chips for integrated pico projectors, HD recording on mobiles

It's no secret that Texas Instruments has been pushing to get its technologies into more cellphones for awhile now, and considering that even Nokia reckons that HD recording capabilities in mobiles is but a few years away, it's not too shocking to hear what TI busted out at Mobile World Congress. Reportedly, the firm has unveiled "a chip to support cellphones with mini projectors and another chip that would let users record high-definition video on their phones." After showing prototypes in the past, TI asserted that it had chips "ready for production" for pico projectors that could be integrated into a variety of handsets, while the OMAP3440 -- which would let consumers capture HD footage on the same device that gives those thumbs a workout -- will be available in Q2 for handset makers to test out.

TI aims to prove RPTVs still have a place in the market

DLP cinemaAt the same time as some manufacturers are getting out of the RPTV market, Texas Instruments is continuing to find ways to add legs to their RPTV light engine technology. We don't think anyone would try to argue that front projector setups are going anywhere anytime soon, but RPTVs need some extra features to give them an edge over its thinner competitors. The most intriguing new feature is "3D Ready" and with the correct equipment this feature can enable you to enjoy 3D entertainment at home. DualView also sounds pretty cool, the way it would work is that two gamers could play against each other on the same TV without seeing the same video, but unfortunately they'd have to wear some customized DualView eye-wear. Although these features sound interesting, who knows when they will be a reality, but we have already seen a few new sets featuring at least one of them.

DLP evolving with new light sources

DLP is finding new life with the latest advances in illumination technology. We've already seen LED backlights, and now the technology is taking a page from the LCD world. Say "hello" to 240Hz display mode DLPs, with a 100% increase in motion reproduction -- diminishing returns for Hz increases, indeed. Working with LED manufacturer Luminous has produced contrast ratios of 500,000:1. But the ride doesn't stop there, as demonstrated by Mitsubishi's laser HDTV with a DLP heart. We'll be checking that one out, so stay tuned for the details.

Texas Instruments shows off DLP DualView technology

You've already had a chance to see the DLP DualView technology in action, but just in case you needed an official word that it was here to stay (for now, at least), Texas Instruments has doled out just that. Essentially, the system enables two viewers to see two completely different images on the same screen so long as they're both rockin' a set of specialized glasses. Reportedly, TI hopes to make multiplayer gaming a whole lot more fun (and fair, we suppose), but you will need "a compatible source," a 3D-ready DLP TV and a pair of DualView glasses to get things up and running. 'Course, we've no idea how soon this stuff will hit the mainstream, but hey, there's nothing like fraggin' it up with a set of specs that just reek of 1980, right?

NAD intros trio of new receivers

NAD intros trio of new receivers
NAD has launched its new generation of A/V receivers, the T 765, T 775 and T 785 (pictured). As is customary for the brand, they've taken their own approach to feature implementation. Case in point: while most companies tout 1080P upconversion, NAD is performing a simple transcode of video signals to the HDMI 1.3 ports. As we mentioned on this week's podcast, this approach counts on your display's internal scaler being up to snuff. So if you're considering one of these units, get a demo with your specific display (or scaler) to evaluate the results. All three models have Audyssey Auto Set-Up and MultEQ to ease the process of getting your settings dialed in, and have TI's Aureus DSP for decoding. There's a raft of other features, but rest assured that NAD has stayed true to its "Music First" approach, emphasizing audio quality over pure specs. In time for the holidays, you can pick these up now: $1999, $2499 and $2999 for the T 765, T 775 and T 785, respectively.

Texas Instruments' DaVinci chip brings high-def to a new low

Texas Instruments has launched their latest low-cost DaVinci MPEG-4 video encoder / decoder intended to bring high-def to a new product set. The $12 DM355 handles MPEG-4 and JPEG processing on an ARM9E CPU core with uber-low power consumption making it perfect for digital photo frames, IP video cameras, digital still cameras and even video baby monitors. If that's not enough, the chip is also equipped with additional coprocessors for resizing, histogram generation and an on-screen display. The low-cost chip of course has its limitations as it cannot encode and decode at the same time but it should work just fine for the stated on-way applications. Oh, and yes, a high-def baby monitor is a good investment even though the old one works fine.

TI mounts new DLP push

DLP logoTI has given its 20-year old DLP technology a shot in the arm in the form of a $100 million advertising and marketing campaign. The ads should be airing during HD broadcasts of ESPN's Monday Night Football, as well as ABC and ESPN's Nascar Nextel Cup offerings. And if you don't have a HDTV, TI will be moving a 60-seat DLP 3D cinema around the country during the Nascar season to start your HD addiction. This marketing effort is taking place even when iSuppli has estimated shipments of 1.5 million DLP sets in 2007, about flat from last year. It's a bold move for a technology facing increasing competition from plasma and LCD. We're hoping the DarkChip 4 devices deliver real-world results, or the slogan "It's all in the mirrors" could morph into "It's all smoke and mirrors."

Happy 20th, DLP!

Texas Instrument DLP chipIt's hard to believe, but the DLP chip turns 20 this month. The inventor, TI employee Larry Hornbeck, will be inducted to the National Academy of Engineering this month in recognition of his contributions. DLP has faced significant competition in the HDTV market from LCD, plasma and LCoS, but it totally owns the big screen where the technology is used in 99% of the worldwide digital cinemas. Looking forward, DLP keeps improving. Perhaps more exciting, are applications in 3D imaging, which might not take off for comsumer applications, but get oohs and ahhs from the data visualization crowd. Hornbeck must be proud of his invention indeed; quite a turnaround for a physicist who at one point felt "resigned to drive a cab!"

TI produces DarkChip 4 DLP chipset

Texas Instruments doesn't care that almost everyone is eyeing swanky flat-panels for their next TV purchase and therefore, introduced it's next DLP chipset, DarkChip 4. Contrast is improved by more than 30% and when in a 3-chip, 1080p projector, TI claims to have produce a 15,000:1 native contrast ratio. Additionally, TI is demo'n at CEDIA a DarkChip 4 setup using LED illumination that achieves; get this, 100,000:1 native contrast ratio. TI says that this new chipset will be available in a number of products in '08 and we're thinking that a number of those folks looking at flat screens might be swayed if those contrast ratios hold true in the real world.





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