Using the infinite focus capability of the PicoP display engine, combined with a motion sensing module, it's now possible to play video games on multiple surfaces, all while tracking your character's point of view in 3D space.

Granted, this platform looks cool and everything, but it seems like you would have to have a perfectly spherical room to take full advantage of it. Besides the dinky "screen," the image would become distorted on any misshapen surface. What do you think? Is this a gaming experience you could get into? [Microvision via Crunchgear via TechEBlog]

Yes, it's just an Epson viral-ish video, but that doesn't make the clip any less wonderful, as a gamer walks the streets, choosing any convenient building for his giant canvas (while surely getting paid for it). Eventually, as pico projectors become more popular and powerful, it'll be interesting to see how many of us torture the landscape with Tekken 6 matches, and just how authorities choose to respond. [Epson via RegHardware via Engadget]

Rodger Cleye set out to make damn sure kids in his neighborhood had a fun halloween this year. Candy, you see, if a cop-out. The best adults are the ones who make robots. Every child knows this. Rodger knows this too, which is why he built the Robo Theater, a five-mph, remote-controlled projector with a five-foot screen.

And candy is part of the problem, people: what kids need now is a motivation to get out and exercise, even if that exercise involves slowly wandering around the cul de sac, watching Ice Age 3, kept alert by the slight but always present threat of becoming a pedestrian fatality. [Hacked Gadgets]

Dell's Vostro 1015, the rare business laptop that brings a halfway elegant design to the boardroom table, is now available. The base model of the 15.6" laptop costs $429 but only comes with a 2.2GHz Celeron 900 processor, so you will likely want to make the jump to the $629 model which sports a 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo T6670. You know, to ensure that Excel performs snappily. Or at least for making sure you can snappily Alt-Tab back to Excel when the boss strolls by. The $629 price tag also gets you 3GB of RAM, a 320 GB HD and Windows 7 Professional. To check out more details on the Dell Vostro 1015, head over to Dell.

The Samsung Omnia II is now available at Verizon for $200. Though the Omnia II sports a pretty 3.7" touch screen, that beauty is only skin-deep; John thought just about everything else was a hot mess. The phone runs WinMo 6.5 mucked up with Samsung's 3D-Cube TouchWiz 2.0 UI and is the first phone to feature Swype input technology, which may or may not save you some time when you're texting all your friends to tell them that your new phone sucks. The Omnia II packs a 5-megapixel camera, an 8 GB HD, and supports both social networking widgets and Microsoft Office Mobile. To be the first person to submit an expense report via Swype, head to Verizon.

The Nokia N900 Maemo which, Nokia will have you know, is mobile computer and not a smartphone, is now available. For $570 you can fetch an unlocked N900 with a 600 MHz processor, a 32 GB hard drive, a 5-megapixel camera capable of capturing 800 x 400 video, and all the other expected bells and whistles. The N900 has a slide-out hardware keyboard for all your texting—err, mobile computing—needs, supports playback of a wide range of both audio and video file formats and offers VoIP integration. All of this is packed into Nokia's Debian-based Maemo OS which the company's announcement boasted as offering "computer-grade performance in a compact size". Ooh and ahh at the impressive N900 and its correspondingly grandiose website here.

The Cinemin Swivel Pico Projector by WowWee, a $300 pocket-size projector designed for use with other pocket-size devices, is now yours for the having. The Cinemin swivels on a 90-degree hinge for versatile projection without a tripod, which is sweet like cinnamon but only offers 480 x 320 resolution, which is like the minimum of cinema, thus Cinemin. That might not be what they had in mind with the name but I'm sticking to it. You can get your hands on the little guy over at Amazon.

It was awkward to say the least, but as I said the ingenuity was there. A for effort, and all that, but I would have lost the cheerleaders during the "costume change." I was about to say they looked out of place, but then I stopped myself with a face palm because nothing could be out of place in a video like this.

The video was actually shot in late September, so I can only assume these guys are Japanese superstars by now. [YouTube via DesignBoom via Switched via Engadget]

The HypnosEye throws up a few red flags right out of the gates: Instead of connecting to your iPod or iPhone's dock connector of video-out, it simply magnifies your screen, like your math teacher's old overhead projector. This means it'll project almost anything portable with a screen, which is fantastic! This also means that, since the only light source is the backlight on your device's screen—this thing isn't even powered—the image quality shown above is probably pretty close to accurate. Charming incapability: in!

The HypnosEye can be imported for about $80, which isn't a terrible deal, assuming you'll be doing most of your projecting in perfect blackness. Stuck inside a white-satin-lined coffin, buried unusually deep, at night? Get the HypnosEye! Happen to be on the dark side of the moon during at the beginning of its cycle, in a tent, with a projector screen handy? Get the HypnosEye! Etc. [Technabob]

In case you missed the news, the S1000pj is an utterly unexciting point and shoot camera from Nikon, except for one minor detail: it's got a projector—like a real, don't-look-straight-into-it lamp projector—built right into its face. This is why it's funny, why it's interesting, and why we're writing about it. Moreover, it's why this camera exists in the first place: as a sort of high-profile tech demo for Nikon.

But first!

And for that matter, foremost! This is a standard point and shoot camera, with generally standard point and shoot camera specs. Nowadays, that equates to 12.1 megapixel photo resolution, a 5x lens that's 25mm equivalent on the wide end, built-in vibration reduction and SD storage. A/V connections are served by a single microUSB slot, and the rechargeable battery juices up on a separate charger.

Taking photos on the S1000pj is extremely simple, almost to a fault: ISO and white balance controls, for example, are hidden behind two layers of menus. But for lack of a better word, the point of a point and shoot is to make taking OK pictures as easy as possible, which the S1000pj certainly does.

As you can see in the sample gallery, the shots are never spectacular, but never terrible. The Nikon rarely finds a situation where it can't return a decent shot in auto mode, be it in a dark room, a sunbleached roof or a tungsten-lit kitchen. High ISO performance was a pleasant surprise as well, since Nikon opted for the S1000pj's sensor to automatically draw down to three megapixels during ISO 6400 shooting, which keeps the results from being too spectacularly bad. In fact, ISO 800 shots are clean enough to print, while ISO 400 returns crystal-clear photos, even during longer exposures.

That said, this is still a point and shoot, and not even a very high-end one. The lens isn't spectacularly sharp, and the colors are particularly vivid. The VGA video is dull and mostly lifeless. Button-press-to-shoot time is quick, but still not quite instant. That's the biggest problem for this camera: It'd be a perfectly acceptable—even above average—point and shoot for, say, $250. It costs a good deal more than that, becauuuuuuuuuuse:

Yes, It's Got a Projector

My love affair with the S1000pj didn't start until the day after I got it. It was early evening so my room was dim, and I'd only taken a few photos with camera the day before, as I was unboxing and summarily dismissing the camera in a well-lit office. "This projector looks like ass," I believe I said. "Human ass."

But when I flicked the little projector button this time—it's a dedicated switch on top, next to the projector's manual focus slider—I was stunned. It looked fine. I shut the windows. I backed up, stretching the image to about 40 inches. Now it looked great. This dinky little projector, and hacky and ridiculous as it looks and sounds, is legitimately useful.

It's an instant wow-piece for anyone who uses it, and a great way to show off photos (and yes, videos—though sadly not external inputs) in a bind. And by bind, I mean any time you don't want to ask everyone where you are to crowd around a computer screen and awkwardly watch while you import photos. Now, you just tell them to dim the lights. That'll do fine.

Oh, But You Probably Shouldn't Buy It

It was a tough call not to recommend this outright, but I really can't, unless you've got a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket, or don't mind paying a $150 (rough) premium for the projector. Yes, the camera itself is capable enough. And yes, the projector concept isn't nearly as ridiculous as most people make it out to be. What's so appealing about this camera is that it's nailed what will be, if not a universal feature, something we'll come to expect in a certain class of camera before too long.

But that makes this product admirable, not buyable. For the Nikon to be a worthy purchase, we'll need to see a change: Either the photographic experience itself gets a little closer to what you'd expect for $430—about how much you're going to end up spending on this now—or the camera drops significantly in price.

Nikon is charging a classic early adopter tax, and you won't just be paying for it in dollars: battery life is predictably bad when using the projector (I could easily lose a quarter of my charge just showing off a set of photos to friends). And this thing isn't particularly svelte, considering the specs. But if you know what you're getting into—and now you do—it's your call.

You will have fun with the Nikon s1000pj, even through the pangs of buyer's remorse.

The projector is surprisingly decent in low light

Chunky design

Adequate photography

Battery drains very quickly when projecting

Hefty early adopter tax

I have to admit, I didn't have high hopes for these two machines. The first "budget" products in any category always seem to fall short, but in this case I was pleasantly surprised. Both the Vivitek H1080FD and the Optoma HD20, which use DLP technology, offered exceptional performance for the price, but one definitely stood out.

The Results...

The Vivitek takes gold almost every category.
Stack those results up (by weighting each gold medal with 3 points and each silver with 2), and you can see how it all adds up.

Winner: Vivitek H1080FD

While the Optoma HD20 and the Vivitek H1080FD are alike in many respects, the bottom line is that Vivitek pushed the envelope a bit more with picture quality, and provided more of those features that you might find in a pricier projector.

It's a shade bigger than the Optoma, and a little more than a pound heavier at 7.8 lbs, but it is still an extremely portable device (they even go so far as to throw in a carrying case). Both the Vivitek and the Optoma lack lens shift capability, so I had to set them up on this ghetto cardboard box on top of a card table configuration in order to deliver a straight, unobstructed picture to the wall. However, once things were set up and calibrated properly, the Vivitek offered up slightly richer colors and better overall contrast (5000:1) than the Optoma—although black levels and overall quality of the 1080p picture appear similar between the two devices. I also give the Vivitek an edge in the brightness department—especially when comparing the brightest modes. Still, after running through several 1080p video clips on both machines, I was really wowed by the overall image quality on these entry-level projectors.

As I mentioned earlier, the Vivitek brought a few features to the table that you usually find in pricier models. For one thing, it's extremely quiet—especially when compared to the Optoma. It also features more inputs/outputs than the Optoma, including S-Video, RS-232c connector and audio jacks (although it would be a crime to use S-Video). It even features a small 5W onboard speaker which aids in portability and ease of use for those who are looking for a simple, all-in-one solution. The speaker is basic, but I found it helpful in my temporary setup when I just wanted to plug and play.

There isn't much to complain about with regard to the Vivitek H1080FD, but I did notice that menus in the UI don't collapse, so you have to exit in order to get a full picture of your changes. However, the most troubling negative has to do with the $400 cost of a replacement lamp. The overall lamp life of the Vivitek and the Optoma are the same, but there is a $150 difference in the price of the replacement. Given the fact that there isn't a vast difference in performance between the two models, this expense could be a real dealbreaker for people who are looking to use their projector on a more regular basis.

Runner-Up: Optoma HD20

Sure, the runner-up in a contest of two is the "loser," but there's a lot to like about the Optoma. Right off the bat, you have to marvel at how small this thing is. At 12.76" x 3.82" x 9.21" and 6.4 pounds, users don't need to use the HD20 in a permanent setup. It can be easily stored and transported—but, again, the lack of lens shift means you might struggle to get an optimum viewing angle.

Granted, the HD20 isn't going to blow away enthusiasts who will settle for nothing less than the blackest blacks and whitest whites, but most of us will be more than satisfied with the clarity, color and contrast (4000:1). Overall lumen output wasn't quite up to snuff when compared to the Vivitek, but it was still considerably better than you would expect in a budget model in both bright and theater modes—easily allowing for a screen just under 100" in my living room to be comfortably viewable with ambient light.

Of course, the HD20 is not without it's flaws. First of all, excessive fan noise makes it sound more like what you might expect from buying a cheaply priced DLP. It's noticeable in Standard mode, but I was definitely distracted by it in Bright (users might also find the light emanating from the front vent to be distracting). I also found the UI to be well organized but fairly annoying to navigate, mostly because the remote isn't very responsive. I felt like I had to mash the button down to get a response.

Feature Comparison

But What If You Spend More?

OK, so what if you're willing to spend a bit more than $1000?

Epson's HC 8100 represents a price point in the entry-level market for consumers willing to pay extra for better 1080p performance. At $1600, the LCD-based 8100 is a big step up from the Vivitek and the Optoma. In my opinion, it is worth the added expense.

Simply put, it easily outstrips both of its cheaper competitors in just about every performance category. It also has some advantages that the others lack, many of which derive from the advantages 3LCD has over DLP. Brightness and color accuracy are better, no color wheel means no rainbow effect (for the people who suffer from that—you know who you are) and it has a high degree of vertical and horizontal lens shift, meaning you can put this thing just about anywhere and throw a clean image. However, it is literally twice as big and heavy as the Vivitek, which could make it unsuitable for some setups.

If you are concerned with the long term cost of ownership, the Epson is competitive in that area with a $300 lamp replacement cost (4000 hour lamp life in Normal and Eco modes) and a two-year limited warranty. So, in that sense, it could be cheaper to own in the long term than both the Vivitek and the Optoma, depending on your usage.

Verdict

If you have your heart set on 1080p, the good news is that you will probably be satisfied no matter which one of these projectors you choose—definitely an encouraging sign at these price points. That having been said, I think it is worth spending an an extra $600 for the improved performance of the Epson HC 8100.

However, if the HC 8100 isn't in your budget, there is no shame in going with the Vivitek—it will deliver a lot of bang for your buck. On the other hand, if you plan on using your projector frequently and the long term cost of ownership is a concern, the Optoma HD20 will be less expensive in the long run—and the choice might be further justified since there isn't a vast difference in performance. Perhaps the best news is that, within the next year, more 1080p projectors from the likes of Sony and Panasonic will be competing at these lower prices, too. If you are patient, it might be worth it to wait and see how the market develops. [Epson and Vivitek and Optoma]

CHATSWORTH, CA. — October 20, 2009 –SANYO, one of the world's largest manufacturers of LCD and DLP projectors, announces the release of a new two-lamp projector, the PLC-XF1000, which features the exclusive QuaDrive™ optical engine for exceptional color reproduction for brighter capacities, 12,000 lumens brightness, 4000:1 contrast ratio, and the proprietary Active Maintenance Filter (AMF) for increased reliability.

The high brightness, two-lamp PLC-XF1000 projector is the second SANYO model to be equipped with their proprietary QuaDrive optical engine. Unlike conventional 3LCD (red/green/blue) systems, the QuaDrive includes an additional color control device that allows the PLC-XF1000 to automatically control the amount of yellow light in the image, producing higher luminosity with improved color accuracy and clarity.

The demand for even brighter projectors continues to come from the field as systems integrators are asked to install video displays in extremely large venues such as convention halls, conference rooms, auditoriums and houses of worship with high levels of ambient light. It is also especially well suited for the digital signage market where high resolution is in demand. However, as brightness levels increase on traditional 3LCD projectors, there is a reverse effect in color reproduction. Colors become noticeably washed out, lacking vibrancy and realism.

SANYO's innovative QuaDrive technology provides a solution for these specific cases, providing new projectors capable of extremely high luminosity without the trade off in color accuracy. The PLC-XF1000 is rated at an extraordinary 12,000 lumens, the highest brightness available in 100V AC projectors. Coupled with the impressive high contrast ratio of 4000:1, the PLC-XF1000 is capable of generating clear and color-rich images that are more vivid for cases where brightness and high resolution become primary installation factors.

The PLC-XF1000 is equipped with two high-output 330-watt lamps, improving light efficiency and achieving the industry's highest brightness of 12,000 lumens. It uses a basic 100V AC electrical outlet for ease of use and installation convenience.

The QuaDrive optical engine uses an inorganic panel for increased reliability contributing to the projector's outstanding 4000:1 contrast ratio for improved image depth, resulting in a 3D-like appearance. With the incorporation of three mirrors and SANYO's two-lamp combining technology, the overall color uniformity is significantly improved resulting in richer high definition images. The new design allows the PLC-XF1000 to produce the same brightness with two lamps as previous models did with four.

Maintaining projectors in the field can be costly and time-consuming. The integration of SANYO's exclusive Active Maintenance Filter (AMF) system enables filter cartridge replacement intervals of approximately 11,000 hours because a single cartridge contains a filter roll that is equal to 10 individual filters.

Installation is also simplified with key SANYO features such as the Power Vertical/Horizontal Lens Shifting and Power Zoom/Focus functions, which enable easy projection adjustments without changing the projector's position. These power-driven systems can be easily operated with the supplied remote control, which is especially convenient when the projector is installed on the ceiling or wall. Moreover, the projector can be installed in virtually any location, due to versatile setup positioning functions like the Vertical 360-degree Tilt Angle and a Center Lens Design. There are ten optional lenses available for use with the PLC-XF1000, ranging from short to long-focus choices.

Other features include a mechanical shutter, which can completely block projection light, convenient for presenters making presentations on stage, easy stacking grooves for placing a back-up unit on top of the main projector, and a built-in MVP expansion-slot system that enables the addition of SANYO's network and uncompressed HD data wireless transmission boards.

SPECIFICATIONS
• Resolution: 1024 x 768 (WUXGA)
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3
• Brightness: 12,000 lumens
• Contrast Ratio: 4000:1
• Uniformity: 90%
• Projection Lamp: NSHA 330W x2
• Screen Size: 40"-600" distance varies based on lens type used
• Input Terminals: DVI-D (HDCP), RGB D-sub 15-pin (input and output), RGBHV/Y/VIDEO, Pb/Cb,Pr/Cr (BNC x5), S-video
• Control: RS232C (in)/ D-sub 9 x 2 (out)
• Dimensions: 21 (W) x 10.55 (H) x 30(D) inches
• Weight: 60.1 lbs (excluding lens)

Like all new SANYO products, the PLC-X1000 conforms to the EU RoHS Directive. It will be available from the beginning of December 2009 for an MSRP of $24,995.00, (excluding lens).

The "ultra-small color laser projector" allows for rotating, zooming and flicking through projected images with just a finger. It uses a new sensor that can determine the position of a finger along with the intensity of light on the projected area. Apparently not only is it capable of finger movement but it should be able to recognize gestures and hand waves. Hello, Minority Report!

It is only a prototype for now but Funai says it could commercialize the technology as early as 2010 and that it could be even cheaper than touchscreens. Well, call me a monkey's uncle! [Tech-On]

A major problem was the heat put off by the projector, which was fashioned into an L-shaped module so it'd fit inside the case. They wound up having to move the CCD image sensor to a different part of the camera to isolate it from the heat, while also figuring out a way to focus scattered light emitted by the LED powering the projector. The result is that the camera doesn't burn the crap out of your hand, even though there's a full-fledged projector inside of it (which was surprisingly bright when I checked it out the other day).

It's still absolutely bonkers. [TechOn via About Projectors via Engadget]

If you can stand the drop from 1080p, the PowerLite 705HD still brings something to the table when compared to their 8100 model. Most notably, it's less than half the price. The 705HD is 3LCD-based, it delivers 2,500 lumens brightness, 3000:1 contrast and Component Video, S-Video, HDMI, and USB connectivity.

Epson also released the MovieMate 60—an all-in-one unit with a built-in DVD and speaker system. Of course, it seems pretty absurd to spending $700 on a 540p combo device with DVD given that much more future-proof technology exists at that price point. That having been said, keep in mind that 1080p projectors are starting to drop below the $1000 mark. If you are willing to spend a little extra money or put off the purchase for another year, you stand to get a lot more bang for your buck. Both of the projectors featured here will be available in October.

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 705HD Offers Big Screen High-Definition Performance for Under $750

Versatile Home Entertainment Projector Delivers High-Quality Movies, Gaming and More

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Sept. 17, 2009 – Bringing affordable, big-screen home entertainment to households across the country, Epson today announced the new Epson PowerLite® Home Cinema 705HD. Available for $749.99, the Home Cinema 705HD joins Epson's award-winning line of 3LCD™ home theater projectors, providing families and first-time home theater enthusiasts with a versatile, high-quality 720p high-definition solution for a range of options – from movies and gaming, to broadcast TV and sports, to videos and music with an Apple® iPod.

The Home Cinema 705HD is designed to make home entertainment simple and enjoyable, and comes with a variety of consumer-friendly features and performance benefits for enjoying the big screen at home. The projector boasts 2,500 lumens of color and white light outputi to accommodate movie viewing or game playing in different environments – even daytime. It also features four pre-set color modes optimized for video, as well as HDMI connectivity and a USB 2.0 connection for sharing photos and slideshows. Featuring Epson's three-chip 3LCD technology and exclusive energy efficient E-TORL® lamp, the Home Cinema 705HD delivers bright, movie theater-like images and video with amazing detail and no possibility of color break-up or "rainbow effect."

"Whether you're watching your favorite movie with that special someone, or gathering family and friends to cheer on the home town team for the big game, there's nothing like the visual impact of viewing high-definition output on a 120-inch screen at home," said Marge Ang, senior product manager, Epson America. "The Home Cinema 705HD offers that experience to even more consumers with an affordable, easy-to-use, high-quality solution."

More About the Home Cinema 705HD

The Home Cinema 705HD features a sleek white, compact design that offers a range of options and performance, expanding its versatility for home entertainment needs:

* 3LCD Quality and Reliability – 3LCD technology for incredible color, amazing detail and road-tested reliability with no possibility of color break-up or "rainbow effect"
* Increased Brightness – Movie theater-like images with 2,500 lumens of white and color light output for brightness levels that are among the highest in this home theater category

* Big Screen Performance – Widescreen capability with 720p performance
* Easy Set-up and Installation – Epson Universal Mount and 1.2x optical zoom and Instant On, Instant Off® technology allows for no waiting time to start or shut-down projector

* Versatile Connectivity – Component Video, S-Video, HDMI, and USB Type A digital connections to share photos and slideshows
* E-TORL® (Epson Twin Optics Reflection Lamp): Provides optimum light uniformity and increased light output for screen sizes larger than ten feet with exclusive 200 watt high efficiency design; uses less energy for up to 5,000 hours of lamp lifeii

Availability and Support

The Epson Home Cinema 705HD will be available in October through online A/V specialty retailers, select retailers nationwide, and the Epson online store for an estimated street price of $749.99. The projector comes with the service and support only Epson can offer, including a two-year limited warranty with toll-free access to PrivateLine®, Epson's priority technical support, and free two-business day exchange with ExtraCareSM Home Service.

Go Big And Stay Home With New Epson MovieMate 60 All-in-One Home Entertainment Solution

Integrated Projector, DVD/CD and Stereo Speaker Unit Delivers Big Screen Performance

Just About Anywhere for Under $700

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Sept. 17, 2009 – Epson America today announced the Epson MovieMate™ 60, the lightest, brightest and most versatile offering in Epson's innovative line of "all-in-one" home theater projectors. By combining a high-quality, high-brightness projector, a CD/DVD player, microphone input, and stereo speakers in one portable unit, MovieMate 60 offers families and home theater enthusiasts an affordable, easy-to-use and versatile solution for home entertainment in any room of the house, in the backyard, or on vacation.

With MovieMate 60, consumers can enjoy their favorite DVDs, sporting events, TV shows, gaming consoles, and even karaoke up to 8 times larger than a 40-inch widescreen TV. MovieMate 60 features a bright, energy efficient lamp that delivers 2,000 lumens of color and white light output1, Dolby® Digital audio and big-screen image quality in a portable and convenient home theater solution. MovieMate 60 also offers easy plug ‘n play connectivity, including HDMI, allowing consumers to enjoy and share digital content from computers, camcorders, digital cameras, or MP3 players. With the performance and reliability of Epson's three-chip 3LCD technology and energy efficient E-TORL® lamp, the MovieMate 60 delivers home theater enthusiasts brighter, natural colors for years to come.2

"These days, families are looking for more affordable ways to entertain themselves and share good times," said Marge Ang, senior product manager, Epson America. "Whether watching a movie, hosting a gaming night or singing karaoke, Epson's unique MovieMate all-in-one projectors help bring families and friends together with a big screen entertainment experience anywhere – in any room of the house or in the backyard."

Epson MovieMate 60
The Epson MovieMate 60 features a sleek, compact design with a built-in handle and cushioned carrying case for portable convenience. Additional features and benefits include:

* Projecting a 16:9 widescreen 60-inch image from only six feet away or a 120-inch image from just 12 feet away
* Built-in progressive scan standard definition 540p resolution DVD/CD player
* Great sound quality using two built-in ten watt 5.1 Dolby Digital DTS® speakers
* Integrated microphone jack to allow for voice amplification – great for narrating a slide show, karaoke and more
* Compatible with Apple® iPod, Nintendo® Wii™, Sony® PlayStation® 3 and Microsoft® Xbox 360®
* New, brighter, energy-efficient E-TORL lamp with 2,000 lumens white and color light output to maximize brightness and uniformity so viewers can enjoy the projector even in well-lit rooms
* No additional cables needed for easy set-up and portable flexibility

Availability and Support

The Epson MovieMate 60 will be available in October through national resellers for an estimated street price of $699. The projector comes with the service and support only Epson can offer, including a two-year limited warranty with toll-free access to PrivateLine®, Epson's priority technical support, and free two-business-day exchange with ExtraCareSM Home Service.

[Epson]

Besides now being able to hold pictures and video, the Pico PK102 also now has a new universal port capable of receiving VGA and component video. This should make connecting it to a laptop easier and the component port will let you hook it up to your iPod or portable gaming device with the bundled cords. Other than that there aren't any substantial updates — it still got the same 480 x 320 native resolution and a DLP engine as the PK101.

The Pico PK102 is now available for $250 (which is significantly less than the $450 that the PK101 hit the market at and its 3M MPro120 competitor). The now slightly chunkier PK101 has been lowered to $230. [Optoma PR via Engadget]

Spewing a 10 megapixel, 4,096 x 2,400, 12 to 21-foot image onto your wall, the DLA-RS4000 LCD projector could never live up to its cost, but then again, it manages to produce a bright, 3500-lumen image while still maintaining a 10,000:1 contrast ratio (granted, those specs still might be mutually exclusive, each appearing only during optimal adjustments...but at this price, we're going to give JVC the benefit of the doubt).

So you can watch movies at 4K, assuming you can make a deal with the devil and acquire digital cinema files that hover in the resolution range (good luck, even JVC could only show us a 2K Hellboy clip). Or you could allow your 1080P Blu-rays to be unconverted. Or—and JVC actually endorses this use—you could watch four 1080P signals at once. (4K is 4x the quality of 1080P, after all).

But hey, if you have this much to spend on a home theater projector, no one is questioning your judgment. They've already deemed you crazy.

JVC INTRODUCES DLA-RS4000 HIGH-END 4K
HOME CINEMA PROJECTOR AT CEDIA EXPO 2009
WAYNE, NJ (September 10, 2009) – JVC Visual Systems Division introduces its new DLA-RS4000 Reference Series 4K home cinema projector at CEDIA Expo, September. 10-13 at the Georgia World Conference Center in Atlanta. The system is being showcased in the JVC D-ILA Theater in the Omni Hotel North Tower throughout the duration of the CEDIA Expo. Based on the same projection engine used in advanced simulation systems, it provides the superior imagery as well as installation flexibility required by uncompromising home theater consumers. This system is ISF and THX* certified.
Three newly developed ultra high definition 4K2K D-ILA devices allow the DLA-RS4000 to deliver a 10 megapixel image with a native resolution of 4,096 x 2,400—more than four times the resolution of HD. Up to four screens with full HD or WUXGA resolution images can be displayed simultaneously .
A new optical design provides 3500 ANSI lumens from a Xenon lamp and delivers excellent color rendering. Lamp power can be adjusted in eight steps for the ideal brightness for a variety of home theater settings and screen sizes. In addition, new Wire Grid polarizers in the optical engine that minimize light leakage are combined with new liquid crystal technology and a novel liquid crystal orientation to significantly reduce off-state light, resulting in a 10,000:1 native contrast ratio.

The RSVP4 custom digital video processing unit serves as a signal switching, scaling and processing hub for virtually any video source, including Blu-ray and gaming systems, cable and satellite receivers, and DVD players. The RSVP4 has a special feature enabling certified calibration specialists to calibrate either of two custom gamut memories based on the installation's specific requirements. This enables each system to achieve an accurate color space for the source material being shown. Other features include audio delay compensation, and three separate gamma tables for customization of various image sources and viewing environments. The DLA-RS4000 is shipped complete with a JVC high quality projection zoom lens to maximize performance in almost any home theater setting.

Despite its advanced performance, the 110-pound DLA-RS4000 achieves a 65 percent reduction in size compared to conventional projectors in the same class. Generous horizontal and vertical lens shift capabilities permit flexible projector positioning, and its stackable design allows for applications such as 3D. Ethernet and RS-232C interfaces allow projector installation and adjustment from a PC-based Web browser for multiple units, plus an e-mail function can send out status messages and lamp replacement reminders.

"The DLA-RS4000 4K projector is the ultimate projector for discerning home theater enthusiasts," said Jack Faiman, vice president, Visual Systems Division, JVC U.S.A.. "Not only does it produce amazing images for movies, sports, and video games, but its smaller footprint and incredible flexibility make it the ideal premium home theater projector for custom installations. Plus, despite all its high-end features, its user-friendly interface makes it easy to sit back and enjoy the view."

The DLA-RS-4000 projector has a suggested list price of $175,000 and will be available October 2009 .

The 3LCD-based 8100 features a contrast ratio of 36,000:1 and a brightness bump to 1800 lumens. It also includes a Dynamic Iris system that allows for frame by frame light control (up to 60 frames per second)—helping to smooth out movies with fast scene changes. Of course, the $1599 price tag doesn't quite compare to the new crop of sub-$1000 1080p projectors that are starting to hit the market, but Epson's 8100 does represent a second tier of affordability with specs that would probably have cost you at least twice as much a year ago. Of course the game is about more than just impressive contrast ratios, but even without a review these shrinking price points are encouraging. Expect the 8100 to arrive sometime in late October along with a $100 rebate offer that would bring the price down to $1499.

Epson Adds Two High-Performance 1080P Projectors to
Award-Winning Home Theater Lineup

Feature-Packed PowerLite Home Cinema 8100 and 8500 UB Offer Home Theater Enthusiasts Unsurpassed Image Quality and Affordability

ATLANTA (CEDIA Expo 2009, Booth 3353) – Sept. 8, 2009 – Epson America today announced two 1080p front projectors, the PowerLite® Home Cinema 8100 and 8500 UB, expanding its award-winning line of 3LCD™ home theater projectors. Featuring D7 technology for brilliant color and detail, and higher contrast, the Home Cinema 8100 reaches a 36,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and the Home Cinema 8500 UB achieves an unprecedented 200,000:11. The Home Cinema 8100 and 8500 UB also offer the latest in real color reproduction capabilities for more natural and precise colors, delivering an outstanding viewing experience for home entertainment and AV enthusiasts.

With pricing of $1,599 (plus an additional $100 rebate at launch) and sub-$3,000, respectively, the Home Cinema 8100 and 8500 UB offer consumers affordable high-definition 3LCD home entertainment, delivering bright and natural color, crisp image detail, and unsurpassed light efficiency and reliability. These 3LCD projectors use an advanced, three-chip optical engine for brilliant color and image quality without the possibility of color break-up, unlike DLP projectors that generate images using a spinning color wheel with a white segment.

"Epson is committed to leading the market when it comes to home theater performance and value," said Marge Ang, senior product manager, Epson America. "These new models take advantage of Epson's latest technology to offer consumers the highest-performing1080p solutions available at their respective price points."

Epson Home Cinema 8100
The value-packed Home Cinema 8100 features an improved contrast ratio of up to 36,000:1 (double that of previous models) and higher brightness – 1,800 lumens color and white light output - for outstanding image quality in dark or lighted rooms. The projector's exclusive Dynamic Iris system contributes to the dramatic contrast improvement, allowing light to be controlled on a frame-by-frame basis at up to 60 times per second, making it ideal for fast-action movies with frequent scene changes. Designed for home entertainment and AV enthusiasts on a budget, this projector offers high-quality home entertainment for enjoying movies, video games, sports, and more.

Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB
Along with the latest D7 chip set, this high-quality projector adds Epson's C2Fine® and UltraBlack™ technology for superb black levels and vivid images. Further boosting black levels, the Home Cinema 8500 UB includes brightness of 1,600 lumens color and light output and new dual-layered auto iris technology, allowing for an impressive contrast ratio of up to 200,000:1. As a result, the projector controls light intensity more effectively, causing dark images to appear even darker and blacks to appear even richer and deeper.

The projector also features Epson's new Super-resolution™ technology to create a sharper, more detailed picture resolution ideal for broadcast signal noise reduction or enhancing the quality of poor DVD transfers. Super-resolution technology improves the resolution of a blurred image, allowing consumers to fully enjoy high-definition quality at all times. Epson has also added new real color reproduction capabilities, which delivers more natural and precise colors, allowing viewers to experience the true-to-life colors filmmakers intended.

To ensure sharp, clear images, the projector features Epson's 12-bit 3LCD driver technology and a built-in Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX scaling and de-interlacing video processor. This processor reduces mosquito and block noise and augments multi-level contrast enhancement to further improve picture quality. The Home Cinema 8500 UB also features enhanced FineFrame™ technology resulting in smoother frame interpolation, sharper video quality and the elimination of judder.
Shared Features of the Home Cinema Line – The Home Cinema 8100 and 8500 UB share features designed to improve image quality and total cost of 3LCD projector ownership, including:

*
Cinema Filter: Delivers larger color space for improved color fidelity.
*
Fujinon OptiCinema™ Multi-Lens Optics System: Projects clean, precise edges with consistent image quality across the entire screen, expanding installation flexibility.
*
Pre-set Color Modes: Features seven color modes (Dynamic, Living Room, Natural, Theatre, Theatre Black 1, Theatre Black 2, x.v.Color) for optimal viewing in any environment.
*
E-TORL® (Epson Twin Optics Reflection Lamp): Provides optimum light uniformity and increased light output for screen sizes larger than ten feet with exclusive 200 watt high efficiency design; uses less energy for up to 4,000 hours of lamp lifeiii.
*
Advanced Dust Filtration System: Ensures efficient power use, reduced cool-down periods, lower fan speeds, quieter operation (only 22 db), and 98 percent efficiency for longer filter life.
*
Input Options: Features two HDMI 1.3a inputs with Deep Color support, high definition component video input, S-video input, composite video input, and VGA-type RGB input (D-sub 15).

Availability and Support
The Epson Home Cinema 8100 will be available in late-October and the Home Cinema 8500 UB will be available in November through authorized Epson projector dealers and select retail outlets, and come with Epson's industry leading service and support. Pricing for the Home Cinema 8500 UB will be released at that time. This includes a two-year limited warranty with access to Epson PrivateLine® priority toll-free support, 90-day limited lamp warranty, and free two-business day exchange with Extra CareSM Home Service.

Epson's Latest 1080P Pro Cinema Projectors Bring Custom Installers High
Performing
PowerLite Pro Cinema 9100 and 9500 UB Offer New Levels of Image Quality, Detail and Performance

ATLANTA (CEDIA Expo 2009, Booth 3353) – Sept. 8, 2009 – Epson America today announced two native 1080p 3LCD™ home theater projectors designed for custom installers and home theater buffs, the PowerLite® Pro Cinema 9100 and 9500 UB. These projectors feature the latest 3LCD chips with D7 technology for amazing color and detail, and significantly higher contrast ratios – the Pro Cinema 9100 achieves a 36,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and the Pro Cinema 9500 UB attains an unprecedented 200,000:1 in its class . With professional-level color tools including ISF calibration and color isolation, the Pro Cinema 9100 and 9500 UB offer professional installers full-featured solutions.

Available for $2,599 and sub-$4,000 respectively, the Pro Cinema 9100 and 9500 UB offer state-of-the-art image quality and performance in each of their respective categories with enhanced color reproduction capabilities and 3LCD technology to deliver bright and natural color, crisp image detail and reliability. As Epson's flagship home theater model, the Pro Cinema 9500 UB brings several technology enhancements to the market, including a new dual-layered auto-iris to control light reduction rates, Super-resolution™ technology for enhanced picture quality and improved FineFrame™ technology.

"Epson understands the needs of the custom installation channel and is committed to providing high-quality products that meet the needs of dealers in today's competitive market," said Marge Ang, senior product manager, Epson America. "These latest Pro Cinema projectors have been packed with a range of value-add features and technology refinements that allow custom installers to build a customized high-performance, home entertainment system for their discerning customers."

Epson Pro Cinema 9100
The Pro Cinema 9100 offers a high-value, customizable home entertainment experience. The projector includes ISF Day and Night modes for switching between picture modes and lamp output, as well as Epson's Color Isolation system for fine-tuning of color saturation and hue without the need for blue and red optical filters, making set-up and calibration quick and simple. With a contrast ratio of up to 36,000:1 and brightness of 1,800 lumens color and white light output , this projector offers amazing big-screen image quality. Housed in a stylish black and silver design, the Pro Cinema 9100 features an exclusive Dynamic Iris system which contributes to the improvement in contrast. It controls light on a frame-by-frame basis at up to 60 times per second, making it ideal for fast-action movies with frequent scene changes.

Epson Pro Cinema 9500 UB
The flagship Pro Cinema 9500 UB offers custom installers the ultimate in image quality, combining Epson's C2Fine® and UltraBlack™ technology with 3LCD and D7 technology to produce superb black levels and vivid images. The projector also features a dual-layered auto iris to control light reduction rates more effectively, contributing to its astounding contrast ratio – up to 200,000:1. With brightness of 1,600 lumens color and white light output, the projector delivers deeper blacks and crystal clear detail.

Adding to its high-quality performance, the Pro Cinema 9500 UB features Epson's improved FineFrame technology for smoother frame interpolation, sharper video quality and the elimination of judder for viewing sports and fast-action movie scenes, and playing video games. Epson has also added new Super-resolution technology to sharpen blurry images or low-resolution pictures. This new technology is ideal for high-definition content, addressing broadcast signal noise reduction or improving the quality of poor DVD transfers.

The Pro Cinema 9500 UB also features new real color reproduction capabilities for more natural and precise colors, while Epson's 12-bit 3LCD driver technology and a built-in Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX video processor and PW390 scaler ensure a smoother picture. It also includes pre-set color space selection to set color gamut according to geography and source material, a feature typically found only on high-end high-definition broadcast monitors. And, with an optional external anamorphic lens (available from Epson) and "vertical stretch" picture mode, the Pro Cinema 9500 UB enables anamorphic viewing without an external processor for a full theatrical image – projecting true 2.35:1 and 2.40:1 ultra widescreen images without the black bars above and below the picture.

Shared Features of the Pro Cinema Line – Epson's Pro Cinema projectors share a range of value-add features designed to further enhance performance, image quality and total cost of ownership, including:

*
3LCD Technology: Delivers bright and natural color, amazing detail and road-tested reliability; uses an advanced, 3-chip optical engine for full-time color without the possibility of color break-up.
*
Cinema Filter: Delivers larger color space for improved color fidelity.
*
Fujinon OptiCinema™ Multi-Lens Optics System: Projects clean, precise edges with consistent image quality across the entire screen.
*
E-TORL® (Epson Twin Optics Reflection Lamp): Provides optimum light uniformity and increased light output for screen sizes larger than ten feet with exclusive 200 watt high efficiency design; uses less energy for up to 4,000 hours of lamp life ; both models include a spare lamp.
*
ISF Certification: Allows installers and calibrators to fine-tune picture quality and match output with front projection screens.
*
Input Selections: Features two HDMI 1.3a inputs with Deep Color support, high definition component video input, S-video input, composite video input, and VGA-type RGB input (D-sub 15).
*
Installation Options: Includes ceiling mount, reversible front panel Epson logo for various mounting positions, rear panel cable cover to hide wires and cable hook to ensure connections remain secure.

Availability and Support
Available in October and November respectively, the Pro Cinema 9100 and 9500 UB can be purchased through authorized Epson projector dealers and select retail outlets. Both models come with Epson's industry leading service and support, including a three-year limited warranty with toll-free access to Epson's PrivateLineSM priority technical support, 90-day limited lamp warranty, and free two-business day exchange with Extra CareSM Home Service.

[Epson]

Price

$350, just like its predecessor.

Verdict

What a difference 10 months make.

While the 12-lumen projector isn't noticeably brighter, the throw is substantially tighter, so at the same distance you get about 25% more picture. In terms of use, I could comfortably watch a screen of about 32 inches on the 120 (as opposed to the 110's 20 inches) and could get nearly 50 inches out of it in a very dark room before the picture just got too blurry to enjoy. A 32-inch screen size may not be great shakes in the age of $1000 50-inch plasmas, but in a dorm room or other close quarters, it sure beats a laptop.

The MPro120 is a bit larger than the 110, owing not just to better optics, but to a larger battery—with up to four hours of juice, rather than just one—and built-in stereo speakers. (The 110 is really just a monitor.) The speakers are loud, and not as tinny as one would expect. It won't give you the full butt-shaking DTS treatment, but I was surprised when I started a video, left the room, and heard everything clearly, 20 feet away through a doorway. As you can see from the slides, the video handled the Blu-ray of Generation Kill surprisingly well via composite output, and I wasn't even vexed by the 480x640 resolution. Given what I was trying to pull off, it looked good.

Connections & Accessories

• VGA adapter for laptops
• Composite adapter for AV sources
• Female-to-male RCA converters so any video output kit for your phone, iPod or camera will work
• Small Gorilla Pod-style tripod
• Built-in flip-down stand for just a bit of lift

When I reviewed the MPro110, I bitched that it was pretty flimsy too. Not so with the MPro120. It's sturdy, has nice firm buttons for volume and brightness, and has a focus dial on its face that stays where you put it. The MPro110 and MPro120 are so different despite their naming, my theory is that 3M shot the guy who built the 110 and hired his arch-nemesis to build the new one.

Does this mean you should buy a pico projector? If you have $350 to spend and find yourself in situations where a very portable 32" monitor that requires relative darkness would come in handy, go for it. It's still not good enough for corporate presentations, and it's still not a true theater-on-the-go. My thought is, if it got this much better in just 10 months, why not wait another 10 months for even more improvements—and perhaps a tiny cost drop? [Product Page]

Vast improvements in build quality and image size, compared to predecessor

New features such as stereo speakers, plus included tripod, make it a more self-contained theater

Cost didn't go down from last version

As improved as it is, the video experience could be much better

This is still a very niche product

The dome screen measures 3 by 6 feet, and uses a special 18-inch mirror to reflect the image from your projector that's hidden away on the outside. In the pic above you can see the little hole that the projector beams through, but in the video below they've just clumped it on the desk.

The screen ain't super cheap at $1440 (including international delivery), but that's still about $3000 less than some similar products we've seen in the past. If you're a gaming junkie (particularly with racers or flight sims), have a projector lying around, and don't mind a little bit of skewed perspective around the edges, then this might be an alternative to a big screen HDTV. Maybe.

Oh, fun fact: An inflated outdoor (8 by 16 foot) version is also available for your crazy backyard hi jinks. [Think Out of the Box aka T.O.O.B. via BornRich]

The last 3M pico experiment, the MPro110, was a mixed bag: Passable image quality was tainted by poor build quality and low battery life, and the overall experience, while promising, just wasn't quite there yet.

The MPro120 is a replacement for the MPro110, and on top of the verifiably awesome image quality from its liquid crystal on silicon imager, it multiplies battery life by a factor of six to four hours, pushes the life of its 12 lumen lamp to 20,000 hours, and adds stereo speakers, while hanging onto the prior product's 640x480 resolution and $350 price tag. Another difference: Assuming 3M's tightened up their hardware quality, people might actually buy one this time around. The MPro120 is due to land on September 1st. [3M]

COMING SOON TO A POCKET NEAR YOU: THE MPRO120

3M's New Handheld Projector Set for September Launch

ST. PAUL, MINN. (August 26, 2009) – This fall, Hollywood's biggest blockbusters are coming to a pocket near you! Less than a year after launching the MPro110 - the handheld digital projector that won the "Grand Award" in the gadget category of the Popular Science 2008 Best of What's New Awards – 3M announced today the September debut of the MPro120, the newest member of the MPro family. The MPro120 provides improved functionality, increased portability and an expanded feature set.

The MPro120 is the first projector to incorporate 3M's MM200 projection engine, the next generation of the MPro family. As announced at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, the MM200 engine uses an advanced liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) electronic imager and boasts enhanced image quality with a full color gamut. The MPro120 provides users with a robust battery life of two to four hours (depending on brightness setting) - enough to watch a full-length film – and, in full brightness mode, achieves a brightness of 12 lumens. Featuring an integrated flip stand, tripod, stereo speakers and a variety of input cables, the MPro120 is ready to use "out-of-the-box" with a wide range of today's most popular video output gadgets. And, as with its predecessor - the MPro110 - the MPro120 will be the ideal projection solution for laptops and netbooks. Available optional accessories include an adapter cable for Apple® products, component video cable and car charger.

"Following the success of the MPro110, the MPro120 will further reinforce 3M's leadership position in the development and implementation of advanced projection technologies," said Mark Colin, general manager, 3M Projection Systems Department. "The functionality of the MPro120 represents technical achievements that were manageable only by the long-term commitment to research and development that is 3M's hallmark."

The MPro120 will be on-sale September 1 with an estimated price of $349. Optional accessories are sold separately.

The H1080FD burns at 1800 lumens of brightness with a 5000:1 contrast ratio, with HDMI, composite, s-video and component ports. The chip is standard TI stock—the S450— and the entire package is unlikely to get videophiles too sweaty. But that's not the point—the point is that for just a $1000, you can get a 1080p, semi-portable projector that'll throw an image—assuming it's not terrible—that's equivalent to a truly huge TV, without looking like pixelated garbage. At $2,000 just less than a year ago, the 1080p prospect was exciting; at $1000, it's fantastic.

The company's a bit of an unknown quantity to us, but the h1080FD's ultra-high-end LED brother, the H9080FD, sounds pretty great. I'd wait on the reviews for this one—it ships in August—but if it can deliver decent image quality, it might be time to rethink your staunch allegiance to flatscreens. [Vivitek]

The big rumor/tip comes from someone at the French photo magazine Chausseur D'Image, which has some established Nikon rumor cred thanks to a D300 specs scoop that they ran in their July issue (before anyone else, notes Crunch). Their next issue apparently features the VP650, and this is what the source is saying Nikon will "break ground" with this week.

The combo unit would officially drop in August, to be shipped to consumers by September. The camera would sport an LED projector, would have a compact size/form factor, and is capable of producing 8x12in. pictures in a dark environment. So, a camera with a projector built in. Is that "groundbreaking" to you? It's certainly interesting, to say the least. [Nikon Rumors via CrunchGear]

The Price: $100, cheap!

The Verdict: At age 27, I may be a successful gadget writer with a decent BS filter. But apparently, I still get suckered by the flashy promises of a new children's toy. It's in the DNA, I guess.

I went into this review with very low expectations. If the $100 toy could produce an image of even nominal quality, I'd be gushing over it. Unfortunately, it's just not capable enough to ever become fun.

Daytime viewing is simply not happening—not a complete surprise, given that brightness is the number one downfall of any projector. But the EyeClops' LEDs can't cut through even the slightest inklings of stray light...except at a throw distance of about a foot away when the screen is tiny.
At night, the screen may be brighter, but it's still not something you'd want your kids watching. At a size of about 46 inches, it was impossible to find any sort of critical focus. And the picture below makes the image look a lot more contrasty than it actually was.
The surprise? The EyeClops speaker is loud and very clear. At max volume, you can hear the thing in the next room. So theoretically, the projector could replace a TV without the need for some extra speaker solution. Theoretically.

Products like the EyeClops Bionic Eye and Night Vision Goggles are both highly regarded tech toys for children—and both are quite a bit cheaper than this projector. Go with one of those choices and wait for mini projection technology in general to catch up.

Can operate on four D batteries with larger base...no lithium ion?

Poor quality in the daytime

Only slightly better quality at night

The structure is O. M. Ungers' "Galerie der Gegenwart"—or it was before projection artists at Urbanscreen got involved. Their vision of "dreaming" architecture gave the textureless, motionless facade a dynamic new look.

Some of the illusions work better than others. For instance, the first animations of two hands pressing in the bricks actually fall short of desired surrealism—probably because you see the wrists floating over the building's real windows. But other moments will exploit your perspective in the most satisfying ways, as if Optimus Prime were redesigned by M.C. Escher. [Urbanscreen via freshome via Engadget]

this eye-catching digital signage system consists of a 0.3-millimeter-thick high-luminance rear-projection film (Vikuiti Rear Projection Film developed by 3M) applied to a 3-millimeter-thick glass substrate cut into the shape of a woman. A rear projector beams video onto the film, whose microbead-arrayed surface produces a crisp, brilliant image viewable from any angle, even in brightly lit environments.

That's all well and good, but can she pretend to not be skeeved out by chubby, sweaty dudes who want their pictures taken with her? That's the sign of a real booth babe. [Robot Watch via Pink Tentacle]

You'll be able to create your own "shows" with 55 different explosions which you can then take anywhere, as the device is designed to be portable—it takes AAA batteries for power and looks fairly diminutive. It'll retail for around $160 when it's released, but that release isn't until August 1st. Releasing a fireworks machine, virtual or no, four weeks after both July 4th and Canada Day is like investing in pumpkins in mid-winter. [Sega via OhGizmo]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

While projectors traditionally use lenses to offset the throw of the image (pretty effectively, I might add), the floating ball (suspended from an electromagnetic base) can rise or fall in space to make projection even more flexible. Plus, the projector is not just a projector but a series of microprojectors, allowing users to display multiple images to and from multiple angles. So little Billy can watch the latest Power Rangers on one wall while you pretend to watch CNN on another.

Of course, by the time microprojectors are good enough for home theater use, we'll probably all have HD imaging paints anyway and just cover our walls with electronic wallpaper. (A guy can dream, can't he?) [Yanko Design]

In the most abstract sense, the iJector is fine: it can project videos at a reasonable brightness to diagonal sizes of 50 inches, plays back amplified stereo audio, and has a proper "made for iPod" device certification. It'll work with just about any video-enable iProduct—possibly, though not definitely—excluding the iPhone 3GS.

Now, look closer. That (up to) 50 inches of projected imagery will be resolved at a comically low 557×234 pixels, and will cost around $670 when it ships in Japan next month, which means by the time you smuggle it to the US through your chosen Japanese gadget importer, you're looking at over $700 for a device that can push fewer pixels than your iPhone's teeny little screen.

Your only consolation would be that it comes with a remote, I guess, and that it can at least accept composite video inputs and functions as a regular projector. Still, no. [Impress Watch]

While Casio's projectors, just 4lbs and 1.7 inches thick at their widest point, actually have decent specs, they've traditionally started well over $1,000 and made their way into the 2s. Now the XJ-S43W is priced at $999, plus it adds WXGA (1280 × 800) widescreen—making the data projector ever so more entertainment friendly in your company's off hours.

Other specs include 2500 lumens, 1800:1 contrast, 2X zoom and HDMI in.

While pico projectors are on the rise (with subpar picture quality), Casio brags that their Super Slims are still the thinnest 2,0000-lumen projectors in the industry...which must be why the creepy hand wants to mate with one in our lead photo. [Casio Super Slim]

Designed for little light displays and maybe as an accessory to a really lousy sales booth, the Ultra Projector is capable of farting out a 320x240 res image from 10- to 150-inches. The lamp is actually just a high-powered LED, which doesn't seem to be replaceable.

The Ultra Projector features no AV-in, just a USB port and 2GB of storage to play back some movin' pictures in a proprietary video file that requires conversion. Oh, and there's no audio. Not just no speakers, but no audio-out either. The company says, "This was done by design as audio is not needed for the applications intended," though their list of intended applications specify that this could be used as a low-cost projector for the deaf. It's claimed as "weather-proof," thought the FAQ specifies that it's not waterproof—we think that means you can leave it out in the rain, but can't take it swimming. It's available for pre-order now, aiming for an August release at a $179 price point. [Ultra Projector, Thanks, Richard!]

Different from other lamp-drive projectors, the ESLP 8K laser projector displays quality that is apparently sixteen times 1080p HD resolution, with a 200% wider color spectrum, smoother playback and a miniscule environmental footprint. This laser projector is also the first one to display 3D content in 4K x 4K resolution, using only a single projector.

For those interested in checking out these high definition projectors for themselves, the ESLP 8K will be demonstrated at InfoComm this year, and will also be available on the market sometime during the second half of 2009. [E&S]

JVC has also created a prototype of their new 4K handheld camcorders, which shoot in 4240p and was made to be more of a broadcasting camera. Although release dates and prices are yet to be announced, they are rumored to cost under $200k, which is not that surprising considering that this cutting-edge technology is aimed more at professionals. [Akihabara New via CrunchGear]

Faster Wi-Fi should imply higher quality signals for video streaming, with "n" speeds having set the benchmark for wireless HD in the home theater industry already. But technically, no streaming bitrate limitations are listed on the product at this time.

The system also features a Vista-friendly Windows CE infrastructure with 4GB of storage that's compatible with MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, and WMV. You get home theater ports like HDMI and component. And the projector itself creates a WXGA (1280 x 800) image at 3,800 lumens.

Oh...but...it's gonna be like $6500 when it hits Japan this June. (The headline read "first!!" not "cheap!!") [Sanyo via SlashGear]

Epson's ensemble projector kit is being paired with their Powerlite 6100 and 6500 UB models, both 1080p projectors, with the UB model getting a much higher dynamic contrast ratio of 75,000:1.

The projector itself is LCD based, accounting for the price of the total kit, as LCD based projectors have been traditionally more more price competitive than their DLP counterparts.

The setup includes a few other niceties for $6500/$8000, specifically a motorized 100-inch screen with left, right and center channels, a ceiling mounted projector cradle with rear speakers, a universal remote (which looks scary) and an AV controller with two HDMI inputs, a DVD player with ipod inputs and upscaling capabilities. No Blu-ray player, however. [Epson]

EPSON ANNOUNCES NEXT-GENERATION ENSEMBLE HD HOME CINEMA SYSTEM FEATURING LATEST 1080P PROJECTOR MODELS

Award-Winning Fully-Integrated Home Entertainment Solution
Now Available Online and Through Authorized Dealers

LONG BEACH, Calif. – April 28, 2009 – Epson today announced that its multi-award winning Ensemble HDTM Home Cinema System is now available with the company's latest 3LCD 1080p front projectors. The PowerLite® Home Cinema 6100 and Home Cinema 6500 UB offer home entertainment and AV enthusiasts two outstanding options for an incredible viewing experience with Ensemble HD.

The Ensemble HD Home Cinema System is a fully-integrated, high-end home entertainment solution for viewing movies, TV and playing video games. With a motorized 100-inch screen, integrated surround sound, AV controller with built-in DVD player, universal remote and all virtually components needed for installation, the unique system can transform any home's living or family room into a dual-purpose living and entertainment area without compromising space or the room's decorative integrity.

"Available now with two of Epson's best performing home theater projectors, the Ensemble HD Home Cinema Systems provides arguably the greatest true home theater value in the industry," said Rajeev Mishra, director, Projector Marketing and Development, Epson America. "As a global leader in projector technology, Epson's commitment to lowering home theater cost of ownership is at the core of everything we do. Our decision to offer this impressive entertainment system online for home cinema enthusiasts who want to install it themselves was a logical step in meeting the needs of this growing market."

The Ensemble HD Home Cinema System is available in three models to meet varying consumer needs, ranging from entry-level families looking for an affordable home theater solution to AV enthusiasts looking for the best performance and feature-set. Pricing for the models includes $4,999 for the Ensemble HD Home Cinema 720p, $6,499 for the Ensemble HD Home Cinema 6100 and $7,999 for the Ensemble HD Home Cinema 6500 UB. Available directly online at select retailers such as Visualapex.com and Projectorpeople.com, consumers interested in do-it-yourself projects and undertakings will now be able to install Ensemble HD themselves. For consumers who prefer professional installation, the system can also be purchased through Epson's authorized dealers and installers.

Since its launch, the Ensemble HD Home Cinema System has received numerous awards and accolades, including an Honoree designation in the 2008 CES Innovations Awards, 2008 Excite Award, 2008 AVS Forum Product Appreciation Award, Projector Review's Outstanding Product Award, and more. For additional information, please visit the Ensemble HD Home Cinema System fact sheet.

Obscura Digital, the company behind the light show at Youtube's Symphony last week, has has used their propriety software to control a giant HD light show spread across multiple HD projectors for a Mcafee ad. Never mind the marketing purpose, this is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I think of it as using 3d graphics gear to make the real world look like video games, instead of using 3d graphics gear to make games appear realistic.

To get the image to look seamless, the software calculates distance and angle and surface shape of the building, compensating for brightness, picture shift, and other variables. This sort of thing would normally take months to plan, but they set up this example in a matter of days, due to the flexibility of the software. Here are examples of their other work, including the iGoogle launch in NYC (which used almost 20 projectors) and the youtube symphony. [Obscura via Fast Company]

This diminutive 0.49 x 0.59 x 0.19-inch box projects footage from HDMI at 1,280 x 768 resolution for 30,000 hours thanks to LED lighting. There's no word on price or availability.

Oh, but we don't recommend you buy the thing. Sharpness alone is only part of the equation, and with no brightness or contrast ratio listed, those measurements can't be good. We're really just posting this to light the fire under Dell, Samsung and the like. Forever Plus is doing it, why can't you?? [Forever Plus via Engadget]

The E-Pod is a dock concept that fits a projector, speaker (with subwoofer), and alarm clock all inside what looks to be a swiveling retro microphone case. It's pretty small, but as incredulous as I was taking a first look at the design, there's really no feature here that stops the E-Pod from going into production tomorrow (assuming that you could deal with a somewhat craptastic Pico projector smearing 30 Rock all over your wall). [Early Factory via Yanko]