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Sony’s 400-disc BD Mega Changer was just a small part of what it had going on at CEDIA, and we couldn’t pass up the chance to photograph its two newest SXRD BRAVIA beamers. The VPL-VW70 and VPL-HW10 projectors didn’t look all that different than previous units in the family, with smooth lines, a rather large body and all of the ports conveniently tucked on one side. At $8,000 and $3,500 (respectively), they ain’t cheap, but even those tags are minuscule compared to similar units just a few years back. Have a closer look in the gallery here at Engadget HD.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Look, we aren’t kvetching about yet another 1080p projector for under two grand, but Epson’s getting a tad carried away by claiming that its PowerLite Home Cinema 6100 is the first 1080p PJ under $2k. Sanyo’s $1,995 PLV-Z700 notwithstanding, this 3LCD beamer is still a pretty good value, offering up a 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution, 18,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and Epson’s exclusive Dynamic Iris system, which allows light to be controlled precisely on a frame-by-frame basis. Additionally, the E-TORL lamp delivers 1,800 lumens to light up even a mildly lit room, and the 22dB operation should keep most folks sufficiently pleased with noise output. As for ports, you’ll find two HDMI 1.3a sockets, an S-Video / composite jack and a VGA connector. Check it this November for $1,999.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

The HD projector flood gates have officially opened here at CEDIA, and next down the waterfall is Epson. The company is introducing the PowerLite Pro Cinema 7100 (shown after the break) and 7500 UB (pictured above) today, both of which boast a full 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution using the latest-generation 3LCD chips. As for the former, it features an 18,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio while the latter comes up with 75,000:1. Hit the read link for lots, lots more details on the pair, but here’s the low-down on pricing / availability. The Pro Cinema 7100 ships in November for just under $3,000; the Pro Cinema 7500 UB lands just before Christmas for around $4,500.

Continue reading Epson churns out 1080p PowerLite Pro Cinema 7100 and 7500 UB projectors

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

If your friends ever cracked a single joke on you for having a liquid-cooled gaming rig, watch real close and see if they don’t end up swooning over this one. Taiwanese OEM / ODM supplier Chilin Technology has introduced the planet’s first “lamp-free 1080p projector with liquid cooling” at this year’s CEDIA Expo. The firm has partnered with Luminus Devices (for its PhlatLight LED) and Texas Instruments (for its 1080p DMD tech) in order to produce the device, which will boast 600 ANSI lumens, a 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 128% NTSC color gamut and a lamp good for around 50,000 hours (or, in Chillin’s view, forever). As for a release date, we know it’ll be demonstrated here in Denver, but there’s no word on how quickly it’ll begin shipping out to customers.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

We already knew that Sony’s VPL-HW10 was well on its way to retail shelves, but now you can mark it down — it, along with the VPL-VW70, are officially official here in Denver. This 1080p SXRD two-fer offers up 24p True Cinema technology and the BRAVIA Engine video signal processing engine. As for the VPL-VW70, it checks in with a 60,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 800 ANSI lumens; the VPL-HW10 offers up half the contrast ratio and 1,000 ANSI lumens for use in brighter areas. Full specifications are just after the cut, but if you’re anxious for pricing: the VW70 will hit this November for a staggering $8,000, while the HW10 can be had later this month for around $3,500.

Continue reading Sony trots out 1080p SXRD BRAVIA VPL-VW70 and VPL-HW10 projectors

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

It was this time last year when Panasonic shook up CEDIA with its 1080p PT-AE2000U. Fast forward twelve months, and here we are starting down the lens of the predictably named PT-AE3000. The latest in the company’s line of 1080p LCD PJs, this one boasts 1,600 lumens, a 60,000:1 contrast ratio, Frame Creation Technology optimized for large screen viewing and a Lens Memory Load feature which is capable of “memorizing and restoring zoom / focus positions for multiple aspect ratio flexibility.” You’ll also find the Detail Clarity Processor V2.0 for sharpening up images, and the Split Adjust mode allows users to split the screen into two halves; one to make picture adjustments and one to see those adjustments as a baseline reference. As for ports, there are a trio of HDMI 1.3 sockets and two component terminals. Those anxious to get this one in their home cinema will be asked to hand over $3,499 this October. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic launches PT-AE3000 1080p home cinema projector

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

As the pre-CEDIA releases continue to roll, we’ve got yet another projector from Sanyo. The PLV-Z60 offers up a native 720p resolution, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,200 ANSI lumens, 3D color management system, 12-bit processing IC for video decoding, scaling and gamma curve generation and a 2x optical zoom. You’ll also find VGA, HDMI (x2), component (x2) and S-Video connections, and you can find the PJ itself next month for $1,295. [Warning: PDF read link]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

We’re not at all pleased by Epson’s refusal to reveal the native resolution of its MovieMate 55, but judging by the $699 estimated street price, we’d bet it’s no better than 1,024 x 768. At any rate, the 8.4-pound unit is designed more for sleepovers and summer camps than home cinema applications, as it boasts a built-in DVD player rather than a Blu-ray unit (and the resolution to match). You’ll also find a pair of 8-watt speakers, 1,200 ANSI lumens, E-TORL lamp and a built-in handle for good measure. Snag one for the youngin’ this October at resellers all across the land.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

While some outfits evidently operate with a dysfunctional Caps Lock key, projectiondesign is taking things to the opposite extreme by announcing the lower-cased spectra, optix and prisma. The aforesaid trio of DLP projectors is gearing up for a CEDIA debut, where they each will be showing off their 720p / 1080p resolutions, UHP VIDI lamp technology, RealColor management suite, 10-bit processing and HDMI 1.3 connectivity. For the full rundown of specifications (no prices, sorry), tag the read link — and don’t be shocked to hear a teaser about the helios (pictured) and two other unnamed units destined for Q4.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Planar has remained mostly quiet since CES, but given that CEDIA is within spittin’ distance, it’s no shock to see it making waves once more. Today, the outfit has revealed its first 3-chip HD projector, the DLP-based Viper. Other specs include a native 1,280 x 720 resolution, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 2,000 lumens and 10-bit independent dual image / motion adaptive processing. You’ll also find an RS-232 port, twin HDMI 1.3 sockets and a jaw-dropping $15,495 price tag. It’s shipping immediately for those with the requisite coin. Full release after the break.

Continue reading Planar announces Viper DLP HD projector

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays

Just what the world needs — another pair of perfectly average projectors to choose from. Vivitek has boldly gone where so many others have gone before by introducing the D326MX (XGA) and D326WX (WXGA) projectors, both of which rely on Texas Instruments’ DLP engine and boast rapid start-up / instant shutdown features, HDMI / component connectors, 2,600 ANSI lumens, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio, 5-segment color wheel and a 1-watt speaker for mind-blowing monaural sound. The units weigh in at just 3.2-pounds apiece, and both should be available now for $999 / $1,199 should you remember to look within the next 15 seconds. Full release after the break.

Continue reading Vivitek introduces its very first projectors, forgets to make ‘em memorable

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

“Entry-level” and “1080p projector” don’t often go hand-in-hand, but Sanyo’s mashing the two terms together with its PLV-Z700. The Full HD beamer provides a 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution, 1,200 ANSI lumens, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, twin HDMI 1.3b ports (along with an array of others) and a variable iris that can “control lens iris adjustment every 1/60th of a second.” Unfortunately, the most tantalizing tidbit has been omitted for now (yes, the price), but word on the street has it shipping to the UK in October.

[Via AboutProjectors]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

While we won’t complain about the performance or styling of InFocus’ Play Big IN83 projector, the $6,000 price tag is a little steep. Sure, it’s got that 1080p DarkChip4 DLP and styling that don’t look like you “borrowed” it from the boardroom, but that $6,000 price tag gives us pause. InFocus is adding the Play Big IN80 model to the lineup to fill the gap, though. The specs put the IN80 above the company’s X10 model — it packs a 1080p DarkChip with BrilliantColor, can pump out 1300 lumens in the snow scenes and shares the design with its IN83 big brother, so you won’t be tempted to try out your PowerPoints at home. Best of all, though is the MSRP £1,299 ($2500) when it ships in September.

[Via AboutProjectors]

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Original post by Steven Kim

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Although high-end projection makers have been figuring out this whole 3D beaming thing for awhile now, Lightspeed Design and InFocus are looking to bring the technology to a wider audience with the introduction of its DepthQ stereoscopic 3D projectors. Available in XGA and WXGA flavors, these PJs promise “rock-solid, 120Hz stereo 3D at 1,280 x 720 or 1,024 x 768 resolution” and feature Texas Instruments’ DLP / BrilliantColor technologies, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio and a total weight of just 6.9-pounds. Best of all, these undercut most other single-lens 3D projectors by coming in somewhere under $6,000 apiece, though exact numbers have yet to be disclosed.

[Via AboutProjectors]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones

We could tell by looking that RIM wouldn’t think of charging too many hundies for its still unannounced BlackBerry KickStart, but $49.99? CrackBerry has it that said flip phone will be selling at T-Mobile for a penny under $50 on a two-year contract, which certainly seems smart given the competition. ‘Course, we’ve nothing to substantiate this with just yet, but take one more look at that chubby side and tell us this thing deserves a triple digit price tag. That’s right, you can’t.

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Original post by Darren Murph