More Cool New Stuff : PP at Infocomm 2008

More from our Projector People team on the showroom floor at Infocomm 2008. Again we should have photos and more information in future posts. Whenever possible we will link to other tech sites covering the technology too.

InFocus is first to transmit video to projector over USB, instead of VGA

It started with computer monitors, docking stations, and photo frames. The cool DisplayLink USB graphics core is just now making it's way to the world of projectors.

This is revolutionary. InFocus is the first projector manufacturer to bring models to market that use mini-USB to transmit video. Their new IN1100 and IN3100 series projectors feature "DisplayLink", the technology that enables near instantaneous video connection via USB as well as multi-display capability to show multiple presentations on multiple projectors from just a single USB connection and single computer. More than that, when connected to the projector via USB, your computer can act as a fully functional projector remote control too.

Advantages of using the InFocus projector USB connection:

• Near instant recognition of video source
• No fumbling for the function key to toggle the image between PC or laptop display and the projector
• Smaller input real estate on the projector, so future projectors can continue to shrink
• Makes projector presentation setup faster and easier
• Computer becomes a projector remote control
• One USB output can power multiple projectors and presentations

InFocus projectors with the new USB video connection:

• IN1100
• IN1102
• IN3102
• IN3104
• IN3106

Click here to see all InFocus projectors

Previously, InFocus opted out of the regular VGA connection in favor of the much less popular, but flexible, M1 connection. This new USB solution is a true innovation and will be a very popular feature for users in school and small business settings.

What's missing? There is neither a DVI nor an HDMI input on the new InFocus units with USB. But there may still be VGA connections. Check your specs for details.

Epson Projectors : Three New VoUSB Options Under $800!

Along with InFocus, Epson has also invested in a video over USB option (VoUSB) for its projector lineup. First, here is a quick look at the Epson offerings with VoUSB.

New Epson Projectors with VoUSB:

• Powerlite S6 : SVGA, 2200 lumens for $549
• Powerlite 78c : XGA, 2200 lumens for $649
• Powerlite W6 : WXGA, 2000 lumens, SD card slot, for $799

Thusfar, Epson looks to have lowest price VoUSB option available this year. Epson usually offers strong feature sets on low priced products, and in particular, successfully meets the needs of Educators – low price points, user friendly interface, low cost of ownership. Unlike the InFocus VoUSB products, there is also an HDMI input on the modestly priced Epson projectors with USB video. Epson also has E-TORL lamp technology which improves power efficiency and lengthens lamp life (4000 hours) which lowers total cost of ownership. More Epson features include Instant on / off, auto keystone correction, AV mute, and because of the VoUSB, there is also Plug and Project connectivity which allows the computers to be connected to the projector without the need for adjustments.

Also noteworthy, the new Powerlite W6 is priced very competitively for a widescreen 2000 lumen projector with HDMI. We haven’t seen it manage video yet, but at this price point, as long as it can project video at all, it will be popular as a cross-over projector.

Quick Tip: USB connections have existed on projectors for a long time, however their functionality did not include video transfer from a computer. USB cards could be used for computerless presentations, or the USB could be used to create an optional wireless connection.

This new VoUSB projectors are expected to be on the streets in September 2008

More Cool New Stuff : PP at Infocomm 2008

More from our Projector People team on the showroom floor at Infocomm 2008. Again we should have photos and more information in future posts. Whenever possible we will link to other tech sites covering the technology too.

What if They Made a Projector without a Lamp?

DLP technology from Texas Instruments asked, and answered, the question of a lampless projector at this year's Infocomm trade show. The new technology utilizes LED technology (version called PhlatLight Light Emitting Diode has been used in LCD TVs) in place of the DLP color wheel and mirror and light engine. Instead of a spinning red, blue, and green color wheel, there are RBG LEDs which plus rapidly to create the color.

The new product is the first of its kind with a regular sized chassis, but many new projectors using LED technology have been released for cell phones and so-called "pocket" projectors.

So what are the benefits? For starters, you could kiss the $200 - $500 cost of a replacement lamp goodbye along with any of the hassle of caring for it. That is good news for consumers who might have been hesitant to incur future costs after the purchase. It may also mean a dramatic increase in consumers choosing projectors as a primary display source, as the lamp life would be comparable to that of LCD and plasma TVs. Also, as we have seen with the pocket projectors, the lamp lack also allows for smaller footprints and even more portable opportunities. The fan will also not be required to cool that hot lamp, which means nearly silent operation and less energy consumption.

But wait, there's more! With the new LED-based DLP technology, the color space possible for a projector is increased beyond that of traditional lamp'd projectors up to 50%. That's a big benefit for the folks in the DLP camp, since color has been one area where they have been consistently challenged by 3LCD.

Are there any drawbacks to this new technology? Well for one, it's new. So even though you won't pay to replace the lamp, there will probably be a premium to pay initially. It's not yet available to the general public yet, and won't be for a while. And some reporting on the scene mention the color is not quite "lifelike" and has a bit of a red haze.

"But what about brightness?" you may ask. A good question, since previous LED projectors were in the 25 - 100 lumen range. The latest incarnation on the tradeshow floor is said to be very bright. TI claims a brightness from 500 - 1000 lumens, which was once considered a benchmark for home theater projectors. However, newer products are typically upwards of 1000 lumens. So, brightness is an issue that will probably need to improve.

But hey, nobody's perfect on their first go. Texas Instruments says they will begin by focusing on Home Theater projection, since here is less brightness required and expects to have products released by manufacturer partners by the end of 2008. Watch us here for more updates on this potentially groundbreaking technology.

[ read more from PCWorld ]

5000 Lumen Home Theater Projector - Coming Soon from Mitsubishi

Replacing the top selling HC4900 will be the new HC5500. What's noteworthy about the HC5500? To start, the Mitsubishi HC5500 is reported to produce just 19db of fan noise, which is a nice improvement for home theater enthusiasts.

[ photo: Mitsubishi HC4900 projector ]

But more importantly, this projector is VERY bright for a home theater product. The super high powered 5000 lumens should be plenty bright for lights on viewing, a plus for those looking for a projector for watching daytime football games. As we mentioned above, the benchmark for Home Theater seems to be something over 1000 lumens.

In fact, one of the brighter (and current best selling) projectors is the Panasonic PT-AX200U which measures just 2000 lumens. Coincidentally, both the PT-AX200U and the brand new HC5500 native 720p resolution. But the additional brightness comes with a higher price tag, at a $2,495 MSRP. The question is, will consumers pay for brightness, or do they want to save their dollars for true HD resolution?

[ read press release ]

How Much Does it Cost to Go Wide?

Our projector PI's has been looking for industry trends to share, and one point of interest has come to light. As more people begin adopting widescreen technology in business, either in their lapotop computers or high definition displays at home, the question arises, how much more does one have to spend to go widescreen?

So how much more will you pay for widescreen resolution over an equivalent 4:3 model? About $200.

That's all for now! But stay tuned for more from our roving reports on the floor at Infocomm 2008!

LED projector, DLP LED technology, Mitsubishi HC4900, Infocomm 2008, PhlatLight, 5000 lumen 720p, widescreen projectorsprojector trends

Cool New Stuff : PP at Infocomm 2008

Projector People has a team of technology investigators that are scouring the showroom floor looking for the hottest new products and ideas in projection technology. Here are a few quick notes. We should have photos and more information in future posts. Whenever possible we will link to other tech sites covering the technology too.

Sanyo Introduces 4LCD

You may have heard of 3LCD technology which is employed in about every LCD projector we carry. The 3LCD panel includes, as you would guess, 3 different panels. One green, one red, and one blue, which through some wizardry create the color you see on screen.

Well new 4LCD from Sanyo does color one better. Sanyo has added a yellow and green layered panel to compliment the red and blue panels which produces about 20% more shades of red and green color than is possible with 3LCD. The image, it is reported, should look more like a CRT monitor than it will a 3-chip DLP projector.

Sounds cool, but what's the catch? Currently the panel is only available on one very high end Sanyo projector. The Sanyo PLC-XP200L is not exactly portable at 25 lbs., but it packs a wallop with 7000 ANSI lumens of brightness and should produce some great looking rich, saturated images.

The Sanyo PLC-XP200L projector is expected to ship in September and has a MSRP of $9,999. [ Read more here ]

Canon Projectors Even More Photographer Friendly : Add PictBridge

Already a popular choice for photographers, Canon has added a feature that is sure to please professional picture takers. The new Canon REALiS SX80 will include a USB input that supports PictBridge connectivity. Just plug your digital camera into the projector to display your photos. No computer required. The SX80 uses LCoS technology, has native SXGA+(1400x1050) resolution, and is expected to list for $3,999.

Also new from Canon is the REALiS WUX10 which is reported to be the world’s first WUXGA resolution (1920x1200) projector. List price is expected to be about $12,999

[ read more here ]

New Up-Lifting Screen from Elite

Elite screen manufacturers are the first screen company to develop a screen (called the Kestrel) that rises up out of its case. Partly sweet for it's cool factor (your 84-100 inch screen rising up out of your cabinet), but also a nice option for home owners with high ceilings who don't want to drop the screen from a great distance, and who want to keep their walls looking clean and modern. List price looks to be about $1,599.

Also new from Elite, the Mirage, a high gain whiteboard that comes in sizes of 60,80, and 96 inches. More on this later.

That's all for now! But stay tuned for more from our roving reports on the floor at Infocomm 2008!

Sanyo 4LCD, 4LCD, Sanyo XP200L, Infocomm 2008, Canon REALiS WUX10, Canon REALiS, Elite Kestrelkestrel screenMirage Whiteboard

Treat your Super Dad with a home theater package! Just for Dad we are reducing prices on home theater projector bundles that are sure to please him, as well as the whole family. From big screen sports and entertainment for Dad and friends, to a safe and fun environment for the entire family, home theaters are one of America's most coveted gifts. And now they cost less than ever before. . Here's the deal:

Home Theater Projector Package Coupon Codes

Save $50 : use code "SUPERDAD"

Two packages that are budget focused. One for indoor or outdoor theater fun, and the other is our most popular projector for low-priced home theater.

Native 720p : Panasonic PT-AX200U Package

Backyard Theater : Optoma DV11 Package

Save $100 : use code "SUPERDAD"

For the true videophile, the Panasonic PT-AE2000U is one of the best selling native 1080p projectors on the market this year.

True HD 1080p : Panasonic PT-AE2000U Package

[ More Father's Day Savings information ]

More New Coupons Added

Save $25 : use code "SAVE25"

• Hitachi CPX1
• NEC VT700

Save $50 : use code "SAVE50"

• Mitsubishi X470
• NEC LT280

New Blowout Additions

• Sharp PG-F211X
• Sharp PG-F212X
• Sanus Projector Ceiling Mount (silver only)

[ More Father's Day Savings information ]

Questions about our latest specials? Call a Projector Expert today at 1-888-248-0675.

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Big screens bring big excitement to your local sports bars and restaurants. 10 years ago projectors were the only game in town for giant images. Old '3-gun' CRT 500 pound monstrosities sat in the middle of the sticky floor, surrounded by peanut shells and French fries. They were big, in the way, and usually the colors were out of sync. But you had to love them, because big games look better bigger. Right?

Today, front projectors have grown up. The giant chassis have been replaced by sleek, 10 pound, barely noticeable, perfectly synced high definition video. They also cost less, are easier to install, and are available in native HD widescreen format. So, we thought we'd offer up some advice to those buyers looking for a new projector in the restaurant and bar business. Here are a few tips from us to you.

Brightness

Like Projector People customers Dave and Busters, a sports bar or restaurant will usually have controlled lighting in the primary big screen viewing areas. If you are designing your own entertainment space, that's a good tip for you. Make sure you have controlled lighting where your displays will be located. You want controlled lighting for several reasons. For one, it will save you money and space. Super bright projectors cost a little more, and are a little bigger (because they need more room for cool air to circulate). So, here's a guide for brightness (measured in lumens) in controlled lighting situations.

Of course controlled lighting is also important for setting ambiance as well. For instance, when the Minnesota Vikings win the SuperBowl (and they will win the SuperBowl) there will be grown men crying. Enough said.

Quick Tip: If your bar or restaurant turns into a nightclub in the evenings, and you want to use your projector for some cool flashy imagery, be sure that your disco lighting doesn't wash out the screen. Indirect light shouldn't wash out the picture entirely, but direct light may.

Resolution

There aren't a whole lot of options for a true big screen video projector. The big decision here is whether to choose a lower cost standard 4:3 resolution projector, or to go with the trend and select a native widescreen HD projector. Here's a good, better, best list for resolutions. Short and sweet.

Flexibility

In some cases a new projector may be replacing older displays, or it may be that the projector will serve multiple purposes and be placed in varying locations. If that's the situation for you, then you will require a projector designed for flexibility.

• Short throw distance (allows for bigger images when projector is close to the screen)
• Zoom lens (make your image larger or smaller without physically moving the projector)
• Lens shift (move your image from side to side or up and down without moving projector)

The Casio XJ-S31 is a great example of a flexible projector. It has a 2x zoom lens, short throw distance, and is competitively priced.

Replacement Lamps

We sell a lot of replacement lamps to our sports bar clients because the projectors are used as much as 12 hours a day (maybe more). That means the 2000-4000 expected lamp life can get 'used up' in a few months. Replacements lamps usually cost between $250 - $400. Check out our Tips to Extended Lamp Life for some tips on keeping the lamp going as long as possible.

Quick Tip: Ever wonder what the pros and cons of using a projector versus a Flat Panel TV? Here's a quick comparison of the technologies.

Smoky Rooms

If your establishment allows smokers to light up indoors, you might want to an extra look at stipulations in the manufacturer warranty. Some LCD projectors may not honor a warranty in a smoky environment because smoke can do damage to the optic system. DLP projectors have 'sealed' optics, and are more likely to be unharmed by smoke. Ask a Projector Expert for warranty details before you purchase.

So whether you are a sports bar owner, or a guy who wants to create the sports bar environment in his home, we hope these tips were helpful. As always, if you have more questions, feel free to contact a Projector Expert.

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We are getting ready to celebrate our Memorial Day Weekend here at ProjectorPeople.com. And we have decided to offer our valued customers a little pricing relief. Here's the deal:

Get Free 3-Day Shipping on All Projectors!

This weekend only (May 22nd - May 27th) Projector People is offering FREE 3-day shipping on ALL of our broad selection of projectors for home theater and business applications.

Home Theater Price Drops!

Also, watch for serious price drops on some of our most popular high definition home theater projectors, 1080p and 720p, this weekend only! See the Projector People website for details.

Orders placed after 4:00pm on Friday, May 23rd will be processed on Tuesday, May 27th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

projector price drops, projectors, home theater, DIY Home Theater, home theater projectors

As of May 1, 2008, InFocus and Ask Proxima projectors for business will have a better warranty when purchased from authorized Pro AV resellers (like Projector People). Here's the new deal:

You buy from a ProAV dealer and you get:

• Three (3) years parts and labor warranty
• Two (2) years ProAV Dealer Priority Exchange
• Six (6) month lamp warranty

There are some excluded InFocus products, particularly those from their 'value segment' and home theater products. The new coverage does include the $649.00 Ask Proxima A1200EP which is a great deal, but is only available for education and public sector sales.

Products excluded are:
InFocus Value Segment Products: IN24+, IN26+, IN24+EP, IN26+EP, IN2102, IN2104, IN2106, IN2102EP, IN2104EP, and ASK Proxima A1100, A1200, A1300. And all current and future InFocus Home Theater/Home Entertainment Products.

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ClearOne conference phones are now available for purchase at ProjectorPeople.com. Our new "Collaborative Communications" area will include these new audio conferencing products as well as a selection document cameras and interactive whiteboards, and possibly more soon.

Cool New Low Cost Speakerphone for Skype and Telephony.

Among our cool new ClearOne products, is a hot little low cost speaker that is not only a handy tool for traveling presenters, but is also a low priced solution for Skype users or people want a quality speaker phone for personal use. The product is called the Chat 50.

The Chat 50 was mentioned in PC Magazine as a Tool for Cheap Chats and has become a very popular option for consumers, moving conference phone technology beyond the office.

[ photo: ClearOne Chat 50 next to a quarter. The Chat 50 is a speakerphone option for PC and Mac telephony and can also be used as a playback speaker for music and other sound from a laptop. Powers through USB. ]

From the PC Mag review:

If you travel frequently and spend hours in hotel rooms using your VoIP softphone, Skype, or even your cell phone, you'll definitely appreciate the ClearOne Chat 50 ($149 direct) personal speakerphone...

...If you hate the speakerphone quality on your laptop or have gotten sick of constantly wearing headsets, you should consider the Chat 50. It's well worth the investment. Read complete review

Wireless Conference Phones and More for Business

Along with the Chat 50 (and the slightly beefier Chat 150), we also carry a full line of award winning conference phones for business environments. That full line includes a unique wireless solution (MAX Wireless) with up to a two phone wireless daisy-chain, a feature unique to ClearOne phones. We also have the very popular and cost effective MAX Attach and MAX EX audio conferencing options for conference rooms of all sizes. VoIP solutions are also available. This broad selection of products meets the needs of large and small businesses alike. View our selection of ClearOne products here.

Conference Phones for Greener Business

Now more than ever, companies are focusing on greener business practices, including reducing their carbon footprints by using more interactive solutions like video and teleconferencing. Travel expenses are also (obviously) reduced with virtual meetings. Recently new RoHS standards have also been implemented on ClearOne conference phones. RoHS stands for the "restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment" and is a new British standard to which ClearOne complies.

View our selection of ClearOne products here.

It's that time again. Soon you'll be savoring long, hot nights, and looking for ideas for bigger and better entertainment that doesn't cost too much. So, how will you enjoy those summer nights? How about outside in your very own backyard theater? Sound like a dream? It's not. And it's probably cheaper than you think. Read on.

The Cost of Doing Movies

So let's do a little math. If you were to take your (2) kids (or a date) to see all the big movies coming out this summer; how much would it cost you? Here's a list of just a few of the 2008 Summer Movie releases and their tentative release dates (source):

• "Iron Man"    (May 2nd)
• "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"    (May 16th)
• "Indiana Jones 4"    (May 22nd)
• "Kung Fu Panda"    (June 6th)
• "The Incredible Hulk"    (June 13th)
• "Get Smart"     (June 20th)
• "Wall E"    (June 27th)
• "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D"    (July 11th)
• "The Dark Knight"    (July 18th)
• "Star Wars : The Clone Wars"    (August 15th)

[ photo: Iron Man is scheduled for release May 2nd, 2008 ]

Now you might not see all of these movies in theaters this summer. In fact, the average family goes to see just about eight movies a year in movie theaters ( source Nielsen). But since you are reading our story, it's likely that you like movies more than the average American. So, let's pretend you actually do want to see all ten of the movies listed above. Below is an approximation at what you would spend:

Estimated Cost for Seeing Ten Summer Movies

• Adult tickets: 2 @ $9 = $18
• Kids tickets: 2 @ $7 = $14
• Refreshments aprox = $20

-----------------------------

• Total per movie = $52


• $52 per movie x 10 movies = $520
• ( Resale / Investment value = $0 )

(If you don't have kids, then you can factor in the cost of the kids and refreshments as about what you'd pay for dinner and a movie if you were generous enough to pay for ten with a date or friend.)

Now you've spent $520 on movies, and what do you have to show for it? You'll have the experience, which was hopefully positive, and if the movie was good enough, you'll want to pick up the DVD when it comes out. Other than that, you're pretty much out the $520 bucks. Now if you love movies, it's probably worth it for the big screen experience, the quality time with family, and the movie popcorn.

But what if there was a way to watch movies on the big screen, experience quality time with the family, eat healthier popcorn, and enjoy the great outdoors all summer long with one simple investment?

Low Cost, Better Investment Big Screen Entertainment

A Backyard Theater does not require additional space inside the house, but rather takes advantage of space you have outdoors. Some use their garage door as a screen and set up their temporary outdoor theaters in the driveway. Other folks will take the time to rig up a semi-permanent backyard theater, complete with a projection screen and an outdoor sound system.

Cost of Budget Backyard Theater Component:

• Low cost projector = $449 and up (example NEC NP100 is coming soon!)
• Twin size bedsheet or tarp = $10
• Portable speakers (computer or regular AV)= $35 - $60
• DVD player = probably already own
• Component video or HDMI cable (depending on source) = $35 - $99
• Bug spray = $5 - $10

-----------------------------

• Total = $534 - $628
• Resale / Investment value = better than $0

[NEC's new low-priced NP100 is coming soon and just might do the trick. It's $499 with a $50 rebate for a limited time.]

But wait, there's more!

So, while the cost of the projector will vary, you can find yourself in for as little as $550 or so. That's just a few dollars more than your ten movie summer. Plus, once the summer is over, you can think about where to set up your projector indoors for the upcoming NFL football season, the holidays, and beyond. Our own anecdotal evidence shows that houses with home theaters will sell better in a tough economy than houses without a home theater.

How to Choose a Projector?

There are a number of important considerations for buying a projector. We have updated our Backyard Theater Buyers Guide from last year for your reference. We made this guide because considerations for backyard use only, might be different from the projector you might choose for a permanent installation in a dedicated home theater like these [ see photos of our customer's dedicated home theaters. ].

Survey Says

A number of American's (about 20%) report that they would prefer to watch movies at home (source). After you get your home theater, you might just be one of them!

projector, projectors, home theater, DIY Home Theater, home theater installation, backyard theater,

Here is a quick look at a few of the specials that are only available at Projector People.com.

Exclusive Projector People Specials

Unlike our Coupon specials. These deals will show up in your shopping cart automaticailly. Ya can't beat that. Purchase on or before 5/15/2008.

• Oppo DV-980HD Free ground shipping
• Oppo DV-981HD Free ground shipping
• ASK Proxima C445 Free replacement lamp (INFSPLAMP027).
• Canon SX6 Free replacement lamp (CAN1311B001).
• Canon SX60 Free replacement lamp (CAN1312B001).
• Canon X700 Free replacement lamp (CAN2396B001).

Coupon Code: FREEMOUNT : Free Sanus projector ceiling mount when you pre-order select 1080p projectors. Through May 4th, 2008 only!

• Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB
• Panasonic PT-AE2000U

Blowout Sale Continues!

Supplies are limited, but there are still deals to be had.

• 3M Digital Media Systems 800
• Casio XJ-S36 - Sold Out!
• Casio XJ-S41
• Hitachi CPX2
• Mitsubishi XD206U
• Mitsubishi XD430U
• Mitsubishi XD470U - Sold Out!
• NEC VT595 - Sold Out!
• NEC VT695 - Sold Out!
• Optoma HD73
• Optoma TS400
• Panasonic PT-F100U - Sold Out!
• Panasonic PT-LB60U - Sold Out!
• Sharp PG-F200X - Sold Out!
• Sharp PG-F211X
• Sony VPL-CW125 - Sold Out!

[ see complete list of our recently reduced projectors. Quantities are limited! Offers valid while supplies last! ]

Blowout Savings on Projector Accessories

More than just projectors, Projector People is also offering savings on projector accessories.

• Mitsubishi Soft Projector Case
• Kramer Electronics 1:2 VGA Distribution Amplifier (B-stock) - Sold Out!
• Tannoy EFX 5.1 Home Theater Package - Anthracite - Sold Out!
• Tannoy EFX 6.1 Home Theatre System - Platinum - Sold Out!
• Tannoy EFX Satellite Speaker - Anthracite - Sold Out!

[ see complete list of accessories ]

[ Coupon codes not valid with other ProjectorPeople offers, but can be combined with manufacturer rebates and incentives. While supplies last. Shipping charges may apply. ]

projector coupon codes, projectors, home theater, DIY Home Theater, home theater installation