Friday, January 27, 2012

Runco's More Affordable LightStyle LS-1 Projector

Runco LightStyle LS-1
Runco home theater projectors have a reputation of being high-class and high-performance projectors that come with a high-class pricetag as well. And when I say high price, I mean it. One device that the company offers is an absolutely amazing device that has an absolutely amazing price tag of $200,000. Yeah, you read that right, $200,000 for one projector. Thankfully, the company has developed a projector that will likely make its way into a lot more homes, the LightStyle LS-1, which is significantly cheaper at only $3,000.

The LS-1 is a single-chip DLP projector that is also said to have a 10,000:1 contrast ratio as well as a 780 ANSI lumens brightness. The lumens output seems kind of low, to be honest, especially with other manufacturers offering cheaper devices with lumens output exceeding 1,000. The device itself is fairly heavy, weighing approximately 18 lbs., which indicates that the internals of the device are pretty heavy duty. Just make sure you're careful when you mount it to your ceiling because nothing breaks up a party like an 18 lb. projector cracking somebody in the head.

All the inputs for the device are covered by a stylish removable panel which makes the device look more presentable. Behind the panel are two HDMI ports, one Component, one RGB, one S-Video and one Composite port. In There is also an RS-232 for control systems.A small control panel can be found on the top of the device for menu access, though the remote is much easier to use. The remote itself is also backlit, allowing you to use it in dark situations such as watching a movie with the family.

Features include things like ISF day/night settings, built-in test patterns and Runco's ViVix processing. There is also a vertical lens shift for precise picture tweaking ,though reports are stating that there is little need for tweaking out of the box, which is always a nice thing to hear.

Full specs include full 1080p HD, 230W lamp with 4,000 hours of life, two HDMI, one Component, one RGB, one S-Video, one Composite and one RS-232 port, Vivix technology processing, remote control, ISF certified calibration configuration and BT.709 color gamut.

Source: Electronic House - Review: Runco LightStyle LS-1 Home Theater Projector

Thursday, January 12, 2012

QP Optoelectronics' LightPad Turns Your Smartphone into a Laptop/Projector

LightPadOne of the coolest new pieces of tech at CES 2012, at least in the projector world that is, is the LightPad, a pico projector combined with a keyboard and trackpad. All you have to do to make this thing work is plug your phone into the device and it beams whatever is on your screen to a nearby wall. However, that isn't the coolest part. The main feature for the LightPad is that you can flip the lid up and turn it into a makeshift laptop with software that adds a virtual mouse.

Some of the tech behind the LightPad has already been seen in mass production, specifically with Motorola's Atrix smartphone. The Atrix allows you to plug it in to a laptop-style dock and create a portable computer. However, there is one major difference between the Atrix from Motorola and the LightPad and that is that with the LightPad there is absolutely no LCD screen whatsoever.

Resolution for the LightPad tops off at 854 x 480, which is slightly less than your average smartphone screen. A second-generation model is already set to be released next year, which promises a 1,280 x 720 HD display upgrade. The projector for the LightPad, which wasn't on display at CES, is also able to cast a 40" diagonal image on any wall for a nice, big picture.

Aside from the projector and the keyboard, the enclosure for the LightPad also comes with a battery that is said to last up to five hours with performance increasing to seven hours on the second-generation model. In addition to that, the second-generation model promises to reduce the overall size and weight of the device while simultaneously boosting the brightness of the projector.

The LightPad is said to be shipping out in the second quarter of 2012, as stated by the device's manufacturer QP Optoelectronics Corporation. Aside from the release date, QP has yet to announce an official pricetag, though word from CES is that the company is expecting it to be around $300.

Source: CNET - LightPad turns your cell phone into a laptop, projector

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