Sep/090
JVC’s 4K DLA-RS4000 projector in your home
By and large, any 4K x 2K projector that we’ve seen — be it at CES, CEDIA or any other trade show — has been solely for looks. Oh sure, they’re for sale, but they’re only being sold to cinema owners and the select few that find themselves within the same tax bracket as Bill Gates and Lawrence Ellison. But the DLA-RS4000… the DLA-RS4000 is different. Introduced in Atlanta, the ultra high-definition projector spots a native resolution of 4,096 x 2,400, enabling it to display up to four screens of Full HD content (you listening, college football / NFL fans?) at once. Naturally, it’s fully ISF and THX certified, and it packs 3,500 ANSI lumens, a Xenon lamp, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, RSVP4 video processing unit, Ethernet port and an RS-232c control port. Interested in showing 1080p what’s really up? Great! Crack open that wallet and yank out $176,000 — $175,000 for the beamer, and a grand to rent the forklift you’ll need to get a 110 pound box into your home.
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 . 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 .
Sep/090
Sony’s VPL-VW85 & VPL-HW15
Sony today announced a new high-contrast, high-definition projector, adding more options for those looking for a true cinematic home theater experience.
The new VPL-VW85 projector features a full HD 1920 x 1080 progressive Silicon X-tal Reflective Display (SXRD™) and 24p True Cinema™ technology, delivering a true film-like performance. The new model also has an exceptionally high dynamic contrast of 120,000:1 and brightness of 800 ANSI lumens.
Specifically designed with the custom installation market in mind, the VPL-VW85 has a motorized, fully adjustable, ‘lens shift’ function that offers more options in terms of installation and projector placement, without any image distortion. Additionally, the lens offers a 1.6x motorized zoom with horizontal and vertical adjustment, making it easy to set up in a variety of environments.
The VPL-VW85 projector also adds Sony’s Motionflow™ 120Hz with black frame insertion technology, providing exceptional clarity and resolution for fast moving images. The model also features Sony’s Anamorphic Zoom Mode that, when paired with an external anamorphic lens (sold separately), allows users to enjoy a true big screen home theater experience.
The new projector also offer RS-232C control, as well as two HDMI inputs, single component and composite inputs, and a PC input. In addition, the VPL-VW85 includes access to a dedicated CEDIA certified technical support hotline for all troubleshooting and is eligible for Sony’s Advance Exchange program. This minimizes downtime for exchanges if a customer experiences any problems within 90 days of original purchase.
The VPL-VW85 will be available in October for about $8,000, and will be offered direct at Sony Style® retail stores nationwide and authorized installation dealers around the country.
Sony also introduced the VPL-HW15 SXRD projector, for those looking to upgrade their home cinema experience at a value. The full HD 1080p model features 24p True Cinema™ technology, a 60,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and a brightness of 1,000 ANSI lumens. It offers RS-232 control, two HDMI inputs and single component and composite inputs, as well as a PC input.
This VPL-HW15 projector will also be available October, for about $2,800, and will be offered direct at Sony Style® retail stores nationwide and authorized installation dealers around the country.
Aug/090
Optoma Released the Sub-$1,000 1080p Projector
At the beginning of August, Vivitek made a splash by announcing the H1080FD, a $999 1080p HD projector, the first to come in below the $1,000 barrier. 
Sure enough, Optoma Technology has introduced the HD20, a 1080p DLP digital projector, also priced at $999 and now available through a variety of retailers and e-tailers.
Incorporating Texas Instruments’ 1080p DLP chipset, the projector offers two HDMI inputs, allowing users to connect to more than one device at a time, such as their cable/satellite receiver and DVD player or video gaming system. It also provides VGA, component and composite video inputs for connection to other devices. The HD20 is rated at 1,700 ANSI lumens, with a 4,000:1 contrast ratio. The projection lamp is rated to last up to 4,000 hours in standard mode or 3,000 hours in bright mode.
The HD20 operates at a native 1080p resolution (1,920 by 1,080 pixels), while it also is compatible with most computer formats, such as UXGA, WXGA, SXGA+, SXGA, XGA, SVGA, VGA resized, VESA, PC and Macintosh, and it can also accept common global video inputs and video formats up to 1080p (HDTV, EDTV, SDTV, NTSC, PAL, SECAM). The HD20 weighs 6.4 pounds and is equipped with a remote control (with batteries) that has backlit illumination, a composite video cable, and other accessories.
The HD20 incorporates a rapid shutdown feature, and it comes with a one-year parts and labor warranty, with the lamp being covered for 90 days.
Jul/090
Should Businesses Buy a Projector or an LCD Display?
With the price of large (>32”)LCD displays decreasing rapidly and new functionalities being added to LCD displays, does it still make sense for businesses to buy a projector vs. an LCD display?
Some of the variables to consider when evaluating this question are product quality, price, picture quality, screen size and other such considerations. We discuss these and other factors from a typical business organization perspective. Read other articles and make your informed judgement.
Product Life: LCD TVs or displays typically have a backlight life of 30,000 to 60,000 hours (ie, if you have the display on for ~6 hours every day, the backlight will last for 16 years). Even then the backlight can be replaced in most LCD displays. A projector bulb typically has a life of 2,000 hours.
Price Considerations: A basic projector can be found for INR25000. However, if the projector is going to be used for video conferencing or board room presentation, a high resolution, good contrast ratio and saturated colour projector would be required. The cost of such a projector is close to INR 1 lakh. Thereafter, you need to factor in the prices of projector bulb and projection screens. A typical projector bulb needs to be replaced almost every year or two with bulbs costing Rs 20,000+ per bulb. We have added these costs over a five-year period to compare a projector vs. an LCD (see chart below). With 46” LCD TV or display costing around Rs 135,000 – Rs 150,000 and dropping, price becomes less of an issue when considering whether to buy a Projector or LCD display
Figure: Total Cost of Ownership Comparison for Projector vs. LCD Display
Basic Device capital cost for projector is INR 70,000 and that of an LCD display is INR 150,000,Projector Screen Capital Cost (Wall Mount Screens INR 5-15K) is INR 10,000, Consumable cost of the projector is 20,000 x 3 = INR 60,000, Consumable life of a projector is 2,000hrs and that of an LCD display is 60,000hrs and the Cost of Ownership of a projector is Rs.140, 000/- and Rs.150, 000/- for an LCD display.
Assume: 5years of usage @ 5hrs a day ~ 6600hrs of use. This translates to 4 lamps in 5 years requiring the customer to buy 3 lamps in addition to 1 supplied with machine.
What is clear from the above figure is that a Full High Definition 46” LCD Display is, at best, only marginally costlier than a XGA Projector of ~2500AL. Additional costs of low screen installation costs and lower device loss costs are purely additional.
Picture Quality: Projectors such as a DLP or LCD projector use glass panels to combine red, green and blue colours to create the image. When sitting close to screen, the viewer can see the different colours at the borders of an image, aptly described as the rainbow effect. The rainbow effect takes away from the image quality and can give headaches. High-end projectors have been able to reduce the rainbow effect, however the problem still remains and these high-end projectors cost more. LCD TV or LCD displays do not have rainbow effect issues and the quality of the picture is good at close range.
Rather, projectors cannot compare with the picture quality for an LCD display. The vividness of the colours, the contrast ratio, the colour saturation and image sharpness are much better for an LCD display than a projector. When viewing a projector image, especially in ambient light, the viewer has to dim the lights or close the curtains unless the business has purchased an even more costly higher lumen projector. Not true with LCD displays, as the brightness and colour quality are much better.
Viewing angles used to be an issue with LCD displays but this issue is no longer true. Most LCD displays can be viewed from up to 176 degrees.
Dead or Stuck Pixels: Projectors can suffer from dead pixels and LCD displays can suffer from stuck pixels. Both dead pixels and stuck pixels result in white spots in the projected image. However, the manufacturers of both technologies have worked hard to minimize such issues and in most cases they provide warranty against such issues.
Screen Size: A common thought is that screen size is not an issue for most projectors as the thinking is that the projector image can be made larger by moving the projector away from the screen. This is not true as the image quality deteriorates as the image becomes larger. With projectors, most buyers opt for maximum optimized projector image sizes from 76-inches to 120-inches and the actual working normal projection image used is much smaller. Today, if businesses need a large LCD display in the maximum projector image size, a wide variety of competitive LCD displays can be found in this range.
Portability: Projectors are easy to carry and move around. For a business this could be a value-add or a drawback. LCD displays are durable and can be moved however they are not as light as projectors.
Power Consumption: Projector power consumption varies more from unit to unit, with brighter conference projectors requiring more power than smaller portable projectors. It is hard to compare the two technologies on this performance parameter.
Connectivity: Most LCD displays have more number and different types of ports than projectors. As a result more types of devices can be connected to an LCD display than a projector.
Other Value-Add Features: New features are appearing in LCD displays that could be quite valuable for businesses. For example, touch screen features on LCD displays allow for LCD displays to be used as digital whiteboards where the data written on the display can easily get captured electronically in a text document.