HDTV Lounge

Sharp have announced three new HD projectors from what we assume be the the VX-V line.
Firstly is the XV-Z3100 portable projector which does 720p resolution at 1280×780, has a contrast ratio of 6,500:1 and a brightness of 1,000 lumens for $2,700.
The DT-510 is also a portable projector which does HD 720p at the same resolution of 1280×780 at 1,000 lumens but has a lower contrast ratio of 4,000:1 and goes for $2,500.
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Sharp have just announced two full HD 1080p projectors, the XV-Z21000 and the XV-Z3000

The XV-Z21000 is the top end model, which is a full HD DLP projector which has a resolution of 1,920 x 1080 pixels and have a contrast ratio of 12,000:1. The XV-Z21000 supports the full 1080p through to 480i HD resolutions. This projector has two HDMI inputs, DVI and component and s-video inputs. The XV-Z21000 is due for release in October.

The Sharp XV-Z3000 is also a HD projector with is of a 16:9 widescreen format and has a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels and a contrast ratio of 6500:1. There is only one HDMI input on the XV-Z3000, with a VGA connection for PC, media center conectivity or office presentations.

Sony’s Pearl VPL-VW50 1080p HD Projector, is the latest from Sony using 3rd-generation .61-inch microdisplay technology, the VPL-VW50 “full hd” uses a 200-watt lamp producing over 900 lumens of brightness and features two HDMI inputs as well as component inputs for the 1920×1080 resolution content. The Pearl can support 1080/60p, 1080/50p and 1080/24p via the HDMI so it can handle Blu-Ray or HD DVD players with no problems.
The Pearl VPL-VW50 can project an image of up to 300-inches with a max contrast ratio of 15,000:1.

The Mitsubishi LVP-HC1100 is the most new affordable HD projector from Mitsubishi at only $1,500, a fair amount less than the other bigger brothers of the LVP-HC1100. With this lower price also brings less features. It is of course HD and has a resolution of 1,280×720 and is powered by the image improving DarkChip2 technology. The LVP-HC1100 has a contrast ratio of 3,000:1 and 1,000 lumans brightness. There is no HDMI input on the LVP-HC1100 which is unfortunate, but there is a DVI-D input along with the normal composite and S-Video inputs. The unit is powered by the same 200 watt lamp that powers the HC3100 projector. This projector would make a nice starting point for a first time budding HD enthusiast.

The Mitsubishi LVP-HC3100 HD Projector may not be 1080p like it’s bigger brother the LVP-HC5000, but the LVP-HC3100 is powered by the DarkChip3 DLP system that will give the viewers great colors and a very smooth but clear image than a 3LCD powered 1080p projector. Unfortunately the DarkChip3 does not support 1080p so the
LVP-HC3100 HD Projector has a resolution of 1,280 x 768 and a contrast ratio of 4,000:1 with 1,000 lumens brightness powered by a lamp of 200 watts. LVP-HC3100 has the all important HDMI port, VGA, component, S-video, and composite. The LVP-HC3100 should be available at about $2,000 when released.

Mitsubishi have just released their first 1080p “Full HD” projector, the LVP-HC5000. The Mitsubishi LVP-HC5000 projector is a 3LCD design with a dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1, brightness of 1,000 nits, 1080p.

The LVP-HC5000 connections are fairly normal for a modern HD projector with a single HDMI input, one DVI-D, one VGA, component and composite. The price for this 1080p projector is respectable at about $3,800. No word on the US release date as of yet, but a projector like this will sure prove to be popular, so we can expect it soon.

The problem with front projection is that the room has to be very dark, this is where the Planar Xscreen come in.
Planar has reportedly developed a specially designed screen that works with any front projector to provide a “colorful, sharp image” even with all the lights on. This widescreen display, dubbed the Xscreen, pulls off the seemingly impossible by sporting a 4mm layer of hardened glass beneath the actual screen, which apparently provides the “perfectly flat” surface needed to reflect those rays of light that currently cause all that viewing frustration in lit environments.
The upgraded version also rocks “Pixelworks video processing,” onboard speakers, a universal remote, and Europeans even get the luxury of dual TV tuners (got beef with America, Planar?). While both flavors are available in 60-, 70-, 80-, and 100-inch sizes, there’s no telling how much this gigantic blank picture frame / front projection display will run you — but until we get some face time with this enlightening panel to determine marvel or gimmick, you’re probably better off left in the dark.

The Sharp XV-Z21000 features the highly desirable 1080p, representing the pinnacle of our current HDTV specifications. It also supports a very impressive contrast ratio of 12000:1, and a 1.35 optical zoom.

It is currently priced at a very higg $11,279. 1080p projector prices are coming down in price, so hang in there a little while.

Right now we would only recommend a DLP projector if you want to install a massive screen, and instead suggest a 1080P DLP rear screen projectors which are much better priced.

Acer have annouced three new DLP projectors to their line. Using DLP technology enabled them to be slimmer, smaller and lighter than standard projectors. The new line up is: The Acer PH730, PD525PW & PD525PW.

The Acer PH730 is aimed at the home entertainment market and features a 230W bulb that delivers 1,200 ANSI lumens brightness, and a 2500:1 contrast ratio. It supports a large number of image formats and features lots of connections including, HDMI, DVI, VGA, Component, Composite and S-Video, so there will never be any problems connecting something to this projector. It also features two internal speakers.

The Acer PD525PW is a wireless projector working on the 802.11b/g protocol enabling it to receive data in for form of video and audio wireless from a PC and project this information onto the screen. It also features internal speakers or an audio output for connecting to something more powerful. It has a powerful 2700 ANSI lumens of brightness which means a bright image at a distance of around 12 meters from the screen. It has a contrast radio of 2000:1 and is HDTV compatible supporting 720p/1080i and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
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The JVC-Victor DLA-HD10KS LCoS based 1080p projector has been nnounced by JVC. With a hope to beat DLP projectors in the market
It makes use of their D-ILA implementation of LCoS as we have seen in their large panels, with almost theater-like 27-decibels and features a respectable 2,500:1 contrast ratio & 2048 x 1536 resolution, unfortinatly only one DVI-D HDCP port and no HDMI. Read more