Infocus releases new IN5108 projector for large venues

InFocus® Corporation today announced the availability of the IN5108, the latest member of its InFocus IN5100 family of projectors. Packed with powerful features and display options to suit large venue installations, the IN5108 provides the perfect projection solution for conference halls, school auditoriums and stage facilities. The IN5108 uses a 270 watt bulb that projects 4000 Lumens at SXGA+ resolution, which is 1400x1050, or can be set to Eco mode, which dims the bulb down to 220 watts.

The IN5108 supports Full NTSC, PAL, SECAM, 480i, 576i, 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p/60 video modes.

The IN5108 also provides HDMI 1.3 digital connectivity, BNC connections, RS232 control, VGA, s-video, composite, and component connections.

The IN5108 features interchangeable lenses to easily fit ultra short-throw rear projection or long-throw installation needs. Horizontal and vertical lens shift make the IN5108 an easy projector to integrate. Four "assignable” audio sources allow mix and match pairing of audio with data or video sources.

The Infocus is available this month starting at $5,499.

Travel with Audio Visual Needs Can be a Dream Come True...Seriously!

Imagine, in a perfect business world, you get up, get dressed and head off to give a presentation in San Francisco. Fresh coffee is waiting for you in the kitchen and a taxi is waiting for you at the curb.

You breeze through the check points at the airport because you just have a carry on, and arrive at the conference center with minutes to spare and all you have to do is pick up the remote to the projector and start your presentation. Everything is working and running smoothly and when you are finished, simply zip up your carry on and jet off to Seattle and your next conference.
It’s not a dream, seriously! Audio visual rentals can provide you with audio visual services for your functions. Everything you need is sent to your destination, installed, set up and tested and torn down after you leave. No worries, no fuss over inputs, outputs, microphones, the right kind of software, dragging equipment through the airport or the time it takes for you to set up and tear down. Everything is taken care of by your travel tech so you can stay on the move and work more efficiently and even more importantly worry free.
Technology rental services can provide computers, LCD monitors, microphones, speakers, projectors and software. They also provide the full service from one destination to the next.

So go ahead! Have your assistant book your flight and find a travel tech to take care of the rest and make your working dreams come true.

Pico Projection in the Palm of Your Hand

Texas Instruments has been the big name for calculators ever since I can remember and have been into projectors for quite some time. Now Texas Instruments are making ground breaking technology with mini projectors. These projectors are about the size of a small flip phone and pack some seriously futuristic features. The Texas Instruments‘ DLP Pico Projector Development Kit includes a 7.5 lumen projector unit, combined with a Beagle Board (not included in the kit) embedded Linux developer platform.

Big things come in this little package as this tiny projector is capable of HVGA resolution (640×240 – near-Standard Definition quality movie) Two stacked on top of each other could effectively project 640×480 at true VGA, provided you have the right software and hardware to stitch the two images together. The DLP Pico Projector is perfect for field use and easy to set up and eventually you will be able to bring your presentations with you as easy as bringing your cell phone. The next step in this technology will allow the consumer to load a movie or presentation onto a SD card pop it into a Blackberry, or iPhone and the Pico Projector will be compatible.

The Beagle Board itself features an ARM-derived 600Mhz Texas Instruments OMAP 3530 processor, has an integrated graphics accelerator and digital signal processor, and runs on the Angstrom embedded Linux platform. The device also includes the MSP430 Low-Power micro controller, effectively making the Beagle Board a complete system on a chip which consumes only 2 watts of power and does not require a cooling fan.

The Beagle Board is powered entirely by the USB connection, interfaces with a PC using a DB9 serial connection, and interfaces to the Pico DLP via a miniature HDMI connector cable. The TI DLP Pico Projector Developer Kit is available from TI DLP authorized VARs at a suggested retail price of $349.

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 6500UB

Here we have a projector that serves as a fantastic example of top-notch technology without the price tag to go with it. Equipped with the newest "Crystal Clear Fine" D7 3LCD chip the Espon Powerlite Home Cinema 6500UB pushes the envelope in home theater entertainment.

This projector is capable of displaying full 1920 x 1080 HD resolution and comes with a very impressive 75000:1 contrast ratio. It also comes with a 4000 hour rated lamp capable of outputting 1600 lumens of color and white light and comes with a built-in HQV processor. Another interesting aspect about this projector is that it has been fitted with a Cinema Filter and a state of the art Fujinon lens for improved color accuracy, sharp pictures, and an auto iris function for optimum speed and quality.

Whether you plan on watching movies, sports, or playing video games this 1080p projector is sure to deliver on performance and bring a truly unique cinematic experience to your home. One of the most appealing aspects about this projector is the $3000 price tag. For comparison purposes, just last year Epson released a 1080p PowerLite Home Cinema projector which featured only 1200 lumens and a 12000:1 contrast ratio and came with the exact same price tag as the 6500UB.

What inputs to look for in a projector

When it comes to hooking up a projector to your DVD player or your blu-ray player there is really only about 3 options to consider.

• Composite- Composite Video is just a single video stream used for older devices like VCR’s and game systems. It is used to hook up a yellow RCA Cable that is carrying over video. This is the worst quality and should not be used to carry high quality video
• Component cables- video feed is split into 3 different inputs (red, green, blue) instead of the normal 1 video input (yellow.) Make sure not to mistake the red, white, yellow inputs on your DVD player with these.
• S Video- S-video cable will take the video and run it over one line. S-video will offer a better image quality over component cables.
• HDMI- HDMI cables are the newest high definition connectivity. An HDMI connector is smaller and carries digital audio along with digital video.

The best quality is said to be found using HDMI cables, but the difference is negligible and only really there when you are talking about converting signals of 720p and 1080p.

Most of the time it really does not matter what connector you use. They all do the exact same thing and they do it well enough that you will not notice a huge performance gain. The only reason there is so many of the on your projector is so they can allow it to be plugged into numerous devices.

In today’s times almost every DVD and blu-ray player will have at least component cables and S-Video. So at least make sure you have these hook-ups on your projector. If you want to future proof yourself then aim fro getting an HDMI input. HDMI is being used more and more to transport HDTV signals and will soon phase out the competition.

Also if you are interested in hooking your projector up to a computer then look for a VGA or DVI input on the projector. This will allow you to plug your pc into your projector using a VGA or DVI cable just like you would a computer monitor.

How much should you pay for your projector

The main factor when anyone is looking at buying a projector is how much will it cost. This price range of a projector really reflects on the quality of the projector you will be getting. For anyone looking for a barebones home theater projector you will see a cost generally around $500 to $1000. This is a huge improvement from just 5 years ago when projectors starting price were around $2000. As projectors become more mainstream the prices have dropped dramatically. It is no longer a luxury item that is only affordable to the super rich and businesses, but now is a mainstream item that you can now buy a projector at almost any electronic store.

If you take a quick look over to Amazon.com you will see a long list of projectors that cost around $500. In fact 9 out of the top 10 projectors cost around $500! This is what confuses a lot of people when they are buying a projector. They often see deals like these and wonder why I should spend more on a projector when I can buy one for $500. Well for one thing a $500 projector is not really meant to be used as a home theater projector to display movies and definitely not blue ray. Almost all of these projectors have a native resolution of 800x600 for presentations. The entire projector is made for businesses to use for slide shows, not to play movies. So yes you can buy a $500 projector, but will you be happy, probably not.

The next main price range for a projector is usually around $700 to $1200. This is where you get into the really nice 720p (1280x720) projectors. They are actually designed to be used as a home theater projector. With this price you will see a lot nicer specs on the contrast ratio, lumen output, etc. The big improvement though is you now have an HD projector that can play movies at their native resolution of 1280 x 720. You will be amazed at how nice it is to see a movie on such a large screen and it look so good. These projectors will be able to run everything very smoothly from HD television, to watching DVD’s, and they are even a pretty good blu ray projector.

For a top of the line projector expect to spend $1200+. These are when you truly get to see the almighty power of a home theater projector. You will be watching a movie with your jaw dropped because of the true beauty of the picture being displayed. At this price range lighting and screen size will almost never be an issue because of the high lumen output. You will also notice a cleaner, darker, and crisper image that matches the quality of many high definition televisions. The main difference though is you will be able to play movies at 1080p. The fact is 1080p is not all it is cut out to be in home theater projectors. The true difference with 1080p is when it comes to watching blu ray movies. Blu ray is the only thing that truly broadcasts at 1080p. Make sure to check out our article to hear more about 720p vs 1080p. So if money is not an issue and you want the best image then this is your price range.

The last thing to remember when buying a projector is there is other expenses you need to consider. For one thing a projector uses a projector lamp that does not last as long as your average tv. An average projector lamp lasts around 2000 hours and costs around $400. Now this 2000 hours is when you almost have to replace it because its lumen output will become worse and worse as time goes on.

Another thing you need to consider is a projector screen. Yes you can just use a wall to project your image on, but if you want a better image you should really consider buying a projector screen. For more information check out post: what to look for in a projector screen.

I hope this helped feel free to leave a comment if you have any more questions.

Mitsubishi unveiled XD95U XGA Micro Projector

Mitsubishi has just unveiled a new high quality micro projector called the XD95U. Even though it might not be the lightest and smallest projector out does not mean it is not small. Weighing in at only 3.3 pounds and measuring 7.5 by 8.1 inches the XD95U Micro Projector is a small and very portable projector. It will certainly become a must have for business meetings because it comes with an impressive 2200 ANSI lumens. With such a high lumen output the XD95U allows users to present in almost any lighting situation. It is also has an instant shut-down feature that allows the user to make a quick exit without chancing damage to the projectors bulb.

The XD95U XGA Micro Projector comes with a relatively high resolution of 1024 x 768 resolution, making it one of the best quality micro projectors out on the market. It also delivers a contrast ratio of 2000:1. With the high lumen output the projector is able to produce up to a 200-inch viewing screen. Expect to see the XD95U out next month with a suggested retail price of $1,495.

Toshiba Makes A Projector That Talks

Toshiba has invented the first projector that comes with a new feature called voice guidance. Here is what it does: “The Voice Guidance feature provides ease of use, preventative maintenance updates and a lower total cost of ownership. The voice guidance system in the TLP-X200U directs users with an audible message through the projector’s operating instructions and system warnings, such as the on/off status, lamp life, air filter checks, and cooling fan status.” Source

Pretty much in plain terms the projector talks to you and warns you when something is wrong and tells you the state of a certain thing. Pretty much that is all this projector has to offer is less than useful gadgets and awful specs. It weighs 4.4pounds, it is wireless, has 3,000 ANSI lumens, 600: 1 contrast ratio, and a 1024 x 768 native resolution.

Retail prices on a projector that talks is $1,739, the price seems high for todays market. You can get a a projector with similar specs for a much more reasonable price of around $1000. So it looks like the main selling point here is the projectors voice guidance feature.

1080p vs. 720p - Which is Better?

As of right now, 1080p is all the rage for any type of home theater entertainment system. Whether its a 1080p projector or a 1080p Plasma TV, they are selling like hotcakes due to their ability to provide the best video processing method on the market as well as some of the best pictures. Despite all the hype and enthusiasm surrounding the 1080p format, many users are finding that 720p is still the way to go.

Probably the biggest factor in deciding between 1080p or 720p is of course price. Quality 720p projectors have been falling in price and can now be found for under $1,500 and as low as $1,000. Standard 1080p projectors generally go for about $2,000 and prices can go as high as $4,000. In todays economy, many buyers are sensitive to price and some buyers don't see a $600-$800 difference between 1080p and 720p.

In addition, unless you have upgraded to Blu-ray you will not be seeing the full effects of a 1080p projector. If your viewing material is primarily DVDs with HD sports broadcasting, a 1080p projector will give almost no visual advantage in image quality and will be nearly identical to a 720p projector. The additional resolution won't add to the image quality of an HD sports braodcast since the actual resolution of the signals is limited to 720 lines per frame.

The story is a bit different when dealing with prime time television programming such as seen on NBC or CBS which primarily broadcast in 1080i. While a 1080p projector has the potential to create a sharper and clearer image when compared to a 720p projector, the difference won't be very big. The reality is that a 1080p projector will only give a slight advantage when viewing standard definition DVD's, TV, and HD broadcasting. For price conscious consumers not necessarily looking into Blu-ray, 720p is the way to go.

Panasonic PT AE3000 Reviewed

The Panasonic PT AE3000 is one of the best 1080P Projectors to date and it has a price tag to mach it. With the stunningly low cost of $3,499, Panasonic has set a whole new bar on pricing a top quality 1080P Projector. Where today’s market consists of $10,000 1080P projectors Panasonic is able to contend and if not beat them with a price tag of only $3500. So to start this review here is a quick list of the specs of the new Panasonic PT-AE3000:

Cost: $3499
Lumens Output: 1600 Lumens
Contrast Ratio: 60,000: 1
ANSI Contrast Ratio: 446: 1 (Sounds low, but is in fact the highest contrast ratio to date on a LCD Projector)
Video Compatibility: 1080P
Native Screen Ratio: 16:9
Connection Panel: Three HDMI 1.3 ports, one 15-pin VGA input, two sets of 3-RCA YPbPr component video, one composite video, one S-video, one 9-pin D-sub serial (RS-232c).

Well now that we know a little bit more about the specs on the projector lets talk a little about the numerous features that come with it. One new great feature is it comes with a new lens memory that can easily convert 16:9 widescreen format to the 2.35:1 format. It also comes with a new feature called side-by-side comparison. This feature is really amazing because it lets you tweak an image so that it looks better and when you are done you can compare it to the original image to see if you like the changes you have made. Also a feature that Panasonic is famous for is their smooth screen filter. Projectors are notorious for having pixilation problems, but smooth screen filter removes all signs of pixilation. These are just a few of the best features that come with the new Panasonic PT AE3000.

The Panasonic AE3000 is a must buy for anyone who wants the best projector. Everything is great on this new projector. I cannot find one true flaw about this projector. Everything is great about the AE3000 from the price, to the specs, to the features, and it even looks great. What more can you ask for in a home theater projector.

Mitsubishi announces FL6900U Projector

Mitsubishi Digital Electonics will release the high-brightness 1080p resolution FL6900U projector this month. It will be priced at $9,995, and is the ultimate in commercial projectors. Featuring a built-in anti-theft alarm, this projector is designed for public settings with high ambient lighting.

The FL6900U can project a 1080p high-definition picture up to 250-inches measured diagonally. It boasts a brightness of 4000 lumens, and is perfect for applications ranging from classrooms and conference rooms to restaurants and sports bars. The alarm is an excellent addition since projectors in many of these locations are prone to theft. It is quiet enough to run in a whisper-quiet library without disturbance, estimated at approximately 29 decibels. Installation is quick and easy, with automated focusing and correction. The projector comes with a three-year warranty on parts and labor. Mitsubishi guarantees the utmost in quality and versatility with its most recent introduction, the FL6900U.

LG Releases HS102 Projector that runs on Rechargeable Battery and comes with Divx Player

It is about time that we see a projector run on rechargeable batteries that are similar to that of a laptop’s battery! The LG HS102 comes with a two hour rechargeable battery. The only problem: it is only available in Korea right now. The projector comes with a Divx player built straight into the projector that plays files straight from a USB device. Some quick specs for the projector include a native resolution of 800 x 600, it supports both 4:3/19:9 screen ratios, contrast ratio of 2,000:1, and 150 lumen output. The specs are not too great, but the price is only $550. LG has not announced when the HS102 Projector will be coming over to the states yet.

Dell M109S Pocket Projector

Palm projectors have been seen on the net for a while now, but Dell is the first to offer a pocket projector to the mass market. The Dell M109S projector is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand (3.64” x 4.12” x 1.46”). The specs are nothing spectacular with a brightness of 55 lumens, resolution of 858x600 and a throw distance of 8 feet, but who cares when the projector is smaller than my hand. The main selling point on M109S is that it is tiny and has a weight of only .8 pounds and lets not forget the price either. With a pricetag of only $500 this is one gadget that will be on many tech enthusiasts holiday shopping list.

What is a long throw Lens?

A long throw lens is a special type of lens that allows a projector to be placed farther back without stretching out the screen as far as a normal lens would. Long throw lenses are usually external lenses that are mounted on in front of the normal lens, like a pair of glasses. Some projectors will come stock with a long throw lens, but this is very rare and are often from name brands you cannot trust. Typically you can find a long throw lens from any where from $1000 for a very cheap one to all the way up to $5000 for a high quality lens for very long distances.

A long throw lens is typically used in a larger facility like a church. A church for example would not want a bulky projector in the middle of the church, but would rather have it placed in the back of the church where it is far out of site. Also University lecture halls, reception halls, and convention centers are often a common place for long throw lens due to the buildings large size. Another common place you might see a long throw lens is a school auditorium. If you have ever looked at the very back top corner of a school auditorium there is usually a sound and video box where a projector is placed. Now think of how big that projectors screen would be if it did not use a long throw lens, so in most cases like this a long throw lens a must have.

One last reminder when planning your budget and seeing how much money you want to spend. Consider whether or not you want a long throw lens.