Skip to Content

Find your next home with Luxist's "Estate of the Day"
AOL Tech

pj posts

Panasonic issues mildly revamped PT-AE4000 1080p projector at IFA

by Darren Murph posted Sep 3rd 2009 at 3:28AM

Panasonic's PT-AE3000 has gone over quite well in the home theater space, with its 1080p resolution and gorgeous image quality winning over more than a few projector junkies. But given that there's always room for improvement, the outfit has today introduced the PT-AE4000, an ever-so-slightly refreshed version that looks essentially identical to its predecessor. The Full HD native resolution and 1,600 ANSI lumens remain unchanged, though the contrast ratio has been bumped from 60,000:1 to 80,000:1 and Panny has outfitted it with a new "red rich lamp" and dynamic iris. Finally, this beamer supposedly eliminates those nasty Cinemascope issues that some users were seeing on the AE3000, though the estimated £2,000 ($3,255) asking price still feels a bit steep when you consider the alternatives.

Prototype Sanyo projector throws up 1080p at near point-blank range

by Darren Murph posted Apr 14th 2009 at 2:14PM


Sanyo's had a knack for pumping out short-throw projectors, but its latest prototype unquestionably takes the cake. Debuting without so much as a model name, this here DLP beamer -- which, at 93- x 20- x 25-inches, easily doubles as a bench -- throws up a 100-inch 1080p image with just 24-inches of space between it and the wall. Better still, that can scale up to 150-inches by adding just another foot of breathing room -- and just to remind you, we're talking full 1,920 x 1,080 resolution here. Sanyo also tossed in 7,000 lumens of brightness, though mum's the word when it comes to price or nearness to production.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Gallery: Prototype Sanyo projector throws up 1080p at near point-blank range

Sony's VPL-FW41 projector don't need no darkness to shine

by Darren Murph posted Mar 27th 2009 at 7:10PM


Sony's certainly got lots of cheaper, higher-res options out there for folks who've already sealed out all of the light from their downstairs den (er, "home theater room"), but if you're looking for something to cut through ambient light, search no more. The VPL-FW41 WXGA 3LCD beamer sports an expected 1,280 x 800 native resolution but impresses with its 4,500 lumens of light output -- or enough to make The Sun look like a faraway glow in comparison. All kidding aside, Sony's newest PJ should do wonders for rooms with oodles of sunshine seeping in, and the 12-bit 3D gamma correction circuitry, HDMI socket and 3D digital comb-filter should keep most everyone happy. Unfortunately, you'll be paying for all that brightness, with the MSRP sitting at $6,710.

[Via AboutProjectors]

Forever Plus finally takes a pico projector to 720p

by Darren Murph posted Mar 26th 2009 at 5:59AM


Well, would you look at that! It's not 3M, Dell, Toshiba or any other mega-corp taking the totally tired pico projector from lackluster to 720p -- oh no, it's, um, Forever Plus. Said beamer has been around the block a time or two, but given the native 1,280 x 768 native resolution, we couldn't help but take notice. Reportedly, the 0.49- x 0.59- x 0.19-inch box outputs via HDMI and packs a lamp life of 30,000 hours, but we definitely have serious doubts about the quality. And the actual availability, for that matter.

Mitsubishi's HL2750U projector suits the "detail-oriented" crowd

by Darren Murph posted Mar 10th 2009 at 8:40AM

We know, we could totally see you confusing "detail-oriented" with "high-resolution," but unfortunately Mitsu's not referring to those kinds of details. The HL2750U checks in with a barely respectable SXGA+ (1,400 x 1,050) resolution and a lovely 3,100 ANSI lumens for lighting up even mildly lit rooms. The 10.8 pound beamer also touts a lamp life of 5,000 hours, digital vertical and horizontal keystone correction, various lens options, Ethernet / RS-232c ports and an array of video inputs. Obviously, we'd recommend looking elsewhere for your dedicated home theater PJ, and we suspect you'll agree after swallowing the $3,995 MSRP.

Toshiba forced to pay up in class action DLP lawsuit

by Darren Murph posted Mar 1st 2009 at 11:03PM


Just what Toshiba needed, right? As if the economy wasn't hammering the company's bottom line badly enough, United States Magistrate Judge Steven M. Gold of the Eastern District of New York has just entered a decision that'll force it to pay up over $1 million in order to settle a class action lawsuit it just lost. Originally filed in 2007, the suit alleged "that the lamps of certain Toshiba DLP televisions were susceptible to premature failure causing purchasers to repeatedly expend hundreds of dollars for replacement bulbs, which allegedly suffered from the same defect." After a thorough investigation, it was found that Tosh would be responsible for reimbursing those who purchased a bulb replacement that failed prematurely, and the warranty on replacement bulbs has been pushed from six months to a full year. Naturally, the law firm representing the 265,000 or so affected individuals was quite stoked with the outcome, as should you be if you're in that mix.

Vivitek intros ultra-bright D5500 DLP projector

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 12:00AM


Quite honestly, the HC7500A turns us on a bit more than this D5500, but Vivitek is clearly aiming at two separate markets here. This one is hoping to wiggle into large concert halls, churches, etc. -- you know, places that can't always blot out the light to make the picture perfect. Boasting 5,500 ANSI lumens, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio, XGA native resolution and Texas Instruments' BrilliantColor technology, the single-chip DLP projector promises a decent image even in a partially lit room. You'll also find a six-segment color wheel, a dual-lamp design, RS-232 / USB ports, Ethernet socket for remote control and the usual complement of inputs (VGA, DVI, etc.). The heavy duty device can be snapped up as we speak for $5,999, and you can catch the release in full after the break.

Continue reading Vivitek intros ultra-bright D5500 DLP projector

Mitsubishi's 1080p HC7000 HD projector reviewed: it's a keeper

by Darren Murph posted Dec 13th 2008 at 7:26PM


Mitsubishi's HC7000 1080p projector just started leaving the docks not too, too long ago, and now the kind folks over at BigPictureBigSound have published a thorough review after spending a decent bit of time with it. Installation and setup was said to be "a simple affair," and one of the first things they noticed upon firing it up was just how quiet it was while operating. In fact, critics deemed it the quietest projector they had tested in this price range. Testers fired up an upscaled DVD after calibration procedures were done, and what they saw was "perfectly acceptable," with black levels being ultra black and color being "vibrant and very natural." Blu-ray Disc and HDTV content were even more stunning, and overall, only minor niggles ("remote backlight shuts off too quickly," for instance) were mentioned. In case you couldn't guess, critics deemed this one "a keeper," and to sweeten things up, the street price on this puppy is a far cry from its original MSRP. Mmm, price drops.

[Via AboutProjectors]

Sharp introduces PG-F255W 720p DLP projector for under $1,000

by Darren Murph posted Dec 6th 2008 at 1:40AM

Nah, it's no 1080p, but if 720p will do ya, Sharp's got a new one you should consider. The PG-F255W DLP beamer packs a WXGA resolution (1,280 x 800), BrilliantColor technology, 2,500 ANSI lumens, a 2,200:1 contrast ratio, DVI / VGA inputs, integrated speakers, RS-232C / USB sockets, Ethernet and a variable audio line-out. The PJ is geared for more commercial applications (think education, churches, board rooms, etc.), but we don't see any reason why it won't handle your home cinema needs just fine. It's available this month for "under $1,000," which probably means $999.99 plus applicable sales tax.

Cineversum intros $6,500 BlackWing One 1080p projector

by Darren Murph posted Nov 26th 2008 at 2:23PM

If the BlackWing Three was just a touch too rich for your blood, yet you dug what Cineversum had going on, have a look at this. The BlackWing One 1080p digital video projector relies on three 0.6-inch LCoS panels (all with a 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution, obviously) and comes pre-calibrated for optimal performance right out of the box. Additionally, it features a 15,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,400 ANSI lumens, two HDMI 1.3 sockets, an RS-232 control port and a "futuristic deep metallic-black ABS plastic chassis" designed by France's own Antoine Béon. The first batch is scheduled to hit North America in mid-December for $6,500 apiece, but those up for spending more can have their unit splashed with a custom color.

InFocus ships X9 720p DLP projector for $1,099

by Darren Murph posted Oct 15th 2008 at 7:28AM


InFocus' latest may not offer 1080p, but it also won't force you to sell your outhouse in order to stomach the sticker. This 720p beamer leverages DLP BrilliantColor technology and offers up 1,800 lumens, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio, a lamp life ranging between 3,500 and 4,000 hours and an array of ports including HDMI 1.3, component, composite, S-video and VGA. If you don't exactly have the coin to bring home the Play Big IN80, here's your man. It's available now for $1,099 (MSRP).

Toshiba TDP-WX5400U DLP projector: dual lamps, interchangeable color wheel

by Darren Murph posted Oct 14th 2008 at 7:29PM


Straight up, Toshiba's latest beamer wasn't designed with the home theater in mind, but that doesn't mean it's unfit for your abode. The TDP-WX5400U arrives with DLP BrilliantColor technology along with DynamicBlack tech to offer "incredible contrast in images and video, with darker elements providing a superior black image." All that hubbub aside, you'll also find twin lamps to offer up 5,400 ANSI lumens (or 2,700 with a single lamp), an optional interchangeable color wheel, native 1,280 x 800 resolution, automatic vertical / horizontal keystone correction and enough ports to shake a stick at. At $6,299, though, you'll want to figure out a way to slap it on the corporate card (legally, of course).

[Via AboutProjectors]

Mitsubishi now shipping HC6500 / HC7000 HD projectors

by Darren Murph posted Oct 13th 2008 at 10:48AM


Mitsubishi's HC6500 / HC7000 projectors got official in late August, and now it's time to pay up if you've been eying either one. Both of the 1080p beamers are shipping to those with the requisite coin, and speaking of, neither is particularly cheap. The latter checks in at $3,995, which buys you a 72,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,000 ANSI lumens; the former demands a little less at $2,495 and offers up a 15,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,200 ANSI lumens. Hit up your nearest Mitsu Diamond dealer to set up a preview session (and talk 'em down from MSRP, obviously).

[Via AboutProjectors]

JVC shows off 8k x 4k D-ILA projector, asks when SHV is dropping by

by Darren Murph posted Oct 11th 2008 at 7:18AM


Think 4k x 2k is intense? Get a load of this. At CEATEC 2008, JVC is once again proving its mastery of the projector art form by showcasing a somewhat ridiculous 8k x 4k beamer. The prototype device boasts a native resolution of 8,192 x 4,320 and packs a dynamic contrast ratio of 1,100,000:1. In case you couldn't guess, its purpose is to display Super High Vision material in all of its natural glory, though only time will tell when that content (and this machine) are widely available to enjoy.

[Via AboutProjectors]

Mitsubishi unveils beastly FL6900U 1080p projector

by Darren Murph posted Oct 6th 2008 at 3:42AM


There's nothing lightweight about Mitsubishi's latest beamer, as the burly FL6900U checks in with a man-sized 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, 4,000 ANSI lumens, an RS-232 control port, automated zoom / focus and digital keystone correction, and a built-in motion-sensitive anti-theft alarm. It also packs a man-sized price, but hopefully that corporate card can handle another $9,995 when this thing lands later in the month.

[Via AboutProjectors]




AOL News

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

Joystiq
Download Squad
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
BloggingStocks
Joystiq Xbox
Autoblog
Big Download
Fanhouse NFL Blog