Todays & Tomorrows Technology

Samsung have taken the wraps off of their latest pocket-projector, the P410M, and while you’d certainly need reasonably-sized pockets to carry it, it perhaps makes up for things by offering higher than usual specs. The P410M boasts up to 800 x 600 resolution and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, together with inputs that include VGA, composite and a USB port.

There’s also a full remote control, 170 lumen brightness and an LED lamp rated for up to 30,000 hours usage. Twin 1W speakers handle stereo sound, though probably aren’t something you’d like to listen to a whole feature-film on. Unfortunately there’s no sign of a battery, so it looks like the P410M is mains-only.

While there’s no confirmation at the moment, the P410M looks suspiciously like the Samsung PhlatLight prototype projector we saw back in June 2008. Then, production models were tipped before the end of the year, but its obviously taken a little longer to get this Samsung out of the door.

Casio announced a new projector to go along with their other slim models called the XJ-S43W today. The biggest change? This model works much better with widescreen and HD sources when compared to previous models.

Specs include a brightness of 2,500 lumens, a 1,280 x 800 resolution, a 1,800:1 contrast ratio and a super slim form factor, measuring in at only 1.7-inches at the thickest spot. Inputs include HDMI and VGA.

You can scale up images to 300-inches if you’d like, or shrink them down to just 2.8-inches. You should be able to get your hands on the Casio XJ-S43W starting in September for $999.

Sanyo revealed two brand new projectors today called the PDG-DET100L and the PLC-WTC500L DLP. Both of these projectors feature a pretty high brightness rating and sport numerous features.


The PDG-DET100L has a brightness rating of 7,500 lumens with two 330W lamps and a 1,400 x 1,050 resolution. Other features include a contrast ratio of 7,500:1, a 4:3 aspect ratio, HDMI 1.3, DVI-D, S-video and RGB. Additionally, it has a DICOM Simulation Mode, which means it can be used to project X-rays in medical environments.

The PLC-WTC500L on the other hand has a brightness of 5,000 lumens, a contrast ratio of 3,000:1, dual-lamps, 16:10 aspect ratio and a PJ Net organizer connector. Both models share a 10-filter roller and picture-in-picture. Both will be available later this month for $14,995 and $6,995.

First is the PJD6381, which features a .68 throw ratio, a 2,500 lumens brightness level and a 2,500:1 contrast ratio with a 1,024 x 768 resolution. A release date is expected in August and it will sell for $1,249.

Next is the PJD6211 and the PJD6221, which are the more middle of the road models. They have a 1,024 x 768 resolution and several inputs including VGA, S-Video and composite. Both will be available next month for $849 and $999, respectively.

As a leader in home cinema systems, it's always a good idea to keep tabs on Epson's core technologies as a preview of what's coming up in next generation home theater projectors. Today Seiko-Epson announced the start of volume production for its 0.94-inch HTPS-TFT LCD capable of a WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixel) resolution for 3LCD projectors pushing 1080p. The panel supports a brightness of 5000 lumens (or more!) using Epson's D7 process technology while achieving "higher than ever contrast" through its C2 Fine inorganic alignment layer tech. What this means is simple: expect to see a new brightness and contrast champion PowerLite Home Cinema projector announced at the end of Summer, as CEDIA tradition dictates, with product shipping by end of the year.