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3D and Special Venue Projectors

3D is for real and manufacturers have committed substantial resources to bring it to the masses.

3D and Special Venue Projectors

Jul 25, 2011 4:15 PM,
by Bennett Liles

Acer HS360

3D is for real and manufacturers have committed substantial resources to bring it to the masses. Industrial applications abound, but the strongest market to date for 3D has been home theater and we offer a survey of what’s available for a wide range of home 3D projection scenarios. At the pro end of the spectrum, one of the most exciting and fast-growing projection apps is simulation and this most notable of special projection venues is represented by some impressive models.

Introduced last year, the single chip 3D-ready H5360 from Acer is a good entry point for bringing 16:9 3D to a home theater setting. Its 2500 lumens will paint a screen with 1280×270 resolution at a distance between 3ft. and 33ft. using a color wheel spinning at 9000 rpm. The lamp is rated to last up to 3000 hours in standard mode illumination level and of course, at this size, easy portability is a major plus. For gamers, Nvidia 3D Vision kits add a full stereoscopic 3D experience and Acer EcoProjection technology cuts standby power consumption from 5W to 1W.

Barco Galaxy NW-12

For a more professional or top-end home theater environment, Barco offers the Galaxy NW-12 3D stereo network-centric WUXGA 3-chip DLP projector with a 12,000 lumen output. The unit is also suited for simulation in which multiple projectors are used for different simultaneous viewing angles through edge blending. Featuring full compatibility with Barco’s XDS Control Center software suite, the user is presented with a familiar Windows desktop with access to all local and network sources. The 2kW xenon lamp is warranted for 750 hours, and the projector’s stereoscopic capabilities include both active and passive Infitec.

Benq MX763

The recently launched MX763 from BenQ is a DLP system with native XGA resolution that puts out 3700 ANSI lumens in 4:3 aspect ratio and features a 1.6X zoom, lens shift, auto keystone correction, LAN control, and a USB reader/display. The 3D-ready unit accepts D-sub 15-pin video sources, composite, S-Video, and HDMI 1.3. It can also be controlled on a standard serial connection as well as LAN. The audio capabilities include both line level and mic inputs. The UHP 300W lamp is designed to last up to 2000 hours in normal brightness mode, and the MX763 exhibits compatibility with video display formats from 480i to 1080p.

Casio XJ-H1650

Casio designed the XJ-H1650 single 0.7in. chip DLP projector with a 3500-lumen output, XGA picture resolution in 4:3 aspect ratio, 1.2X manual zoom, manual focus, and a Casio laser/LED hybrid light source that can last up to 20,000 hours (warranty is three years or 6000 hours). The unit can project an image frame from 27in. to 300in. diagonal. It accepts video sources on two 15-pin D-sub, composite on RCA, S-Video, and locking HDMI Type A, while providing a 15-pin RGB output. USB models also come equipped with an RJ-45 network port.

Christie Matrix Sim LED

The special venue part of our survey includes simulation, a field in which Christie Digital products excels. The single-chip DLP Christie Matrix Sim LED simulation projector is used in some very sophisticated simulation environments, providing 600 ANSI lumens in a native 1920×1200 display resolution with DVI and HD15 analog connections (HD-SDI card optional) along with onboard Ethernet control capability including ChristieNET. The unit also features Christie ArrayLOC technology to automatically adjust color and brightness in realtime, and the MTBF on the illumination system is 60,000 hours. To maintain maximum simulator up-time, the light module can be swapped in 15 minutes.

One of the latest entries in active-3D-capable reference displays from Digital Projection is the Titan Reference 1080p 3D featuring a 6000 ANSI lumen display (depending on lens), three .95in. DarkChip 1080p DMD imaging devices along with wired and wireless LAN control and monitoring. The unit accepts composite, S-Video, RGBHV, and HD/HD-SDI among other video formats along with 120Hz active stereoscopic DVI with no frame doubling. Also provided is an interface to drive an infrared transmitter to synchronize switching glasses with active displayed frames. The user can elect to pass through an external sync pulse or to use the reference generated internally by the projector. There are a number of lens options along with motorized horizontal and vertical lens shift, zoom, and focus.

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3D and Special Venue Projectors

Jul 25, 2011 4:15 PM,
by Bennett Liles

JVC DLA-VS2100U

For simulation apps, the DLA-VS2100U from JVC performs with 850 ANSI lumens, 10-bit gamma correction and a seven-axis color management system. More than 700 of the first-generation VS2000 models are currently installed in Level D simulators worldwide. With a 1920×1080 native resolution produced by three active matrix 0.7in. sim-specific digital D-ILA devices, the projector provides digital smear reduction via black frame insertion. Using a 220W ultra-high pressure lamp with a 3000-hour nominal life to 50 percent brightness, the DLA-VS2100U dips to only 0.9W power consumption in standby mode. The unit has a wide range of installation orientations and control options include IR, serial, and LAN.

LG CF3D

LG Electronics offers the CF3D LCoS passive 3D projector with dual engine, single lens technology for a range of applications including industrial 3D CAD rendering and home theater. The projector sports a fairly wide assortment of video input formats including VGA in/out, composite, and component along with three HDMI ports. The imaging system produces native 1920×1080 resolution and a choice of 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios with a light output of 2500 lumens in 2D and 1250 lumens in 3D adjusted with a 1.3X optical zoom. Additional features include auto source selection, advanced digital keystone correction, and 120Hz TruMotion technology. A 3D auto picture calibration algorithm helps maximize 3D effects by automatically adjusting brightness of the left and right images.

Mitsubishi HC9000D

A primary 3D home theater entry for Mitsubishi Electric is the HC9000D using high-def SXRD imaging panels to produce 240-frame operation for active shutter glasses. A separate liquid crystal panel reproduces each of the primary colors, and there is a range of display modes available. The unit displays a 16:9 aspect ratio and can illuminate a 100in. screen from a distance of 11.2ft. to 20.6ft. Video input ports include analog RGB, two HDMI, composite, S-Video, and component. Remote control options include IR and a 9-pin serial port. The system uses a 230W high-pressure mercury lamp and power consumption drops to 7W in standby mode.

NEC NP216

The DLP 3D-ready NP216 projector from NEC offers 3D home theater users a 2500-lumen light output in normal mode, native 1024×768 picture resolution (1600×1200 maximum), a projection distance of 3.9ft. to 38.4ft. and a 1 to 1.1 zoom with manual focus. This model also provides built-in closed captioning, a Kensington lock slot, and 10-step magnification with location control. The Macintosh-compatible unit includes two 15-pin RGB inputs along with composite and component video connectors. The audio section contains 1/8in. mini stereo inputs and a 7W speaker while external control options include RS232 serial, IR, and wired LAN.

Optoma TW675UTi-3D

Optoma brings 3D projection and interactivity to the boardroom with the TW675UTi-3D WXGA ultra-short-throw projector. Designed to upgrade whiteboards, screens, or even blank white walls into an immersive learning experience, the unit comes with a full version of Qwizdom WizTeach interactive software and provides 3200 ANSI lumens at a projection distance from 5.5in. to 11.5in. from the projection surface with a diagonal picture size of 77in. to 100in. There is a VGA monitor loop-through along with inputs for HDMI v 1.3, VGA, S-Video, and composite. Audio inputs include both line and mic level connections. 3D compatibility includes 120Hz frame sequential 3D for resolutions up to 720p, and it offers 60Hz field sequential 3D for resolutions up to 480i.

projectiondesign F10 AS3D

The F10 AS3D from projectiondesign packs full 3D stereoscopic capability at a 120Hz refresh rate into a very small chassis, making the single-chip DLP unit easily portable. At the German Aerospace Center, three of these are mounted vertically next to each other to provide a resolution of 2555×1400 pixels on a rear-projected flatscreen measuring 11.5’x6.5′. Generating up to 2000 lumens to produce a picture with 1920×1080 or 1400×1050 resolution, the projector can display either 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio images. The 220W UHP lamp is rated up to 3000 hours in normal brightness mode while the video inputs include two DVI-D, two VGA, one component, one S-Video, and one composite terminal. Control and communication options include USB, 9-pin serial, and an RJ-45 LAN connection.

Sanyo PDG-DWL2500

Sanyo has another notable entry in the ultra-short-throw 3D category in the PDG-DWL2500, which can throw an 80in. diagonal image from a distance of about 13in. Using the frame sequential display format, the projector emits 2500 lumens in a 16:10 aspect ratio. The unit draws a total of 400W using a 275W NSHA lamp and provides a fixed focal length with manual focus. The range of video inputs includes 15-pin D-sub, S-Video, composite, and HDMI along with a PC monitor output connector. The projector is network controllable on an RJ-45 terminal and offers closed caption capability. The entire unit is easily portable at 13.7lbs.

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3D and Special Venue Projectors

Jul 25, 2011 4:15 PM,
by Bennett Liles

Sharp XG-PH80XN

Introduced by Sharp just in time for InfoComm 2011, the 3D-ready XG-PH80XN has a light output of 6300 lumens in a native 1024×768 resolution. The unit uses a sealed DLP chip with an interchangeable color wheel while the dual lamp system adds reliability with the backup lamp, and it can be operated in simultaneous dual lamp mode as well. Customization extends with a choice of five lens options and there is also a 12V trigger function to activate a motorized screen when the projector is powered up. The unit is network connectable with an RJ-45 terminal for control and monitoring. Security features include Kensington compatibility, PIN code lock, control panel key lock, and optional security cable kits. The recent product release also provided the debut for the companion XG-PH80WN model in the XG-PH80 series.

Sony VPL-HW30ES

A new addition to the Sony ES line, the VPL-HW30ES employs SXRD reflective display panels and a 240Hz frame rate to deliver 3D to active shutter glasses in a wide variety of formats including frame packing, side-by-side, and top and bottom. The model is capable of 2D to 3D conversion and offers RS-232 serial control and monitoring along with an IR port for easy control system integration. Delivering 1300 lumens, the unit also supports HDMI 1.4a and provides Motionflow with Dark Frame Insertion. The VPL-HW30ES began shipping in July.

ViewSonic Pro8500

The 3D-ready Pro8500 from ViewSonic delivers 5000 lumens and a native resolution of 1024×768 with a 1.5X optical zoom for a display size up to 300in. diagonal. The image is generated with a 0.7in. DLP chip, and low maintenance features include a filterless design and 4000-hour lamp rating in normal display brightness mode. This model can accept video inputs in 15-pin D-sub (two), HDMI, component, composite, and S-Video while the audio inputs include a 3.5mm mini jack for line sources, one mini jack for mic input, and a set of RCA connectors while the audio output plays through two 10W speakers. Control and monitoring connect either through RS-232 9-pin or on an RJ-45 network port.

Vivitek D538W-3D

For converting 2D to 3D and showing 3D content directly, the D538W-3D single DLP chip projector from Vivitek can produce a WXGA resolution picture at 3200 lumens with a 3000-hour 180W lamp and a 1.16:1 manual zoom/manual focus lens. Features include a rapid on/off function, closed captioning, a Kensington lock port, and a keypad lock feature to avoid accidental settings changes. The unit can take video inputs on VGA, composite, S-Video, and HDMI v1.3. Audio inputs consist of a 3.5mm mini jack and a pair of RCA ports. Control processing may be connected on the RS-232 9-pin serial port. The 230W standard mode power consumption drops to less than a watt in standby mode.

Wolf Cinema WC SDC-15

Wolf Cinema recently introduced the WC SDC-15 for the 3D home theater market. Known as “the Cub,” the new three-chip D-ILA model is designed for both 2D and 3D (stereoscopic) projection. To maximize installation choices, the unit has 99 custom memory calibration settings and offers IR, RS-232 serial, and LAN remote control and monitoring capability. The WC SDC-15 accepts video on dual HDMI v1.4 connectors as well as component and 15-pin computer input. The gloss black cabinet is design-optimized for best thermal cooling.

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