September 29th, 2010 Art Feierman
Comment by Projector Reviews staff:
This $399 device lets the owner of an Optoma 3D 720p projector, hook up to, say a Blu-ray player with HDMI 1.4a (needed by both player and projector to view movies in the Blu-ray 3D standard). The box not only handles the scaling of the 1080p image down to the 720p for the projector, but translates the HDMI 1.4a for the projector.
Posted in 3D Projectors, Blu-ray | 4 Comments »
September 29th, 2010 Art Feierman
Greetings all,
Since I’ve been pounded with emails about the Home Cinema 8350, here, in a nutshell, is the important knowledge I’ve acquired so far.
Black levels have definitely improved. Whether, however, this is an ultra high contrast projector I still can’t make the call. It’s close.
Last night I did some quick viewing, and took some photos of the Home Cinema 8350 side by side with the Pro Cinema 9500UB/Home Cinema 8500UB, the Sanyo PLV-Z4000 and the Panasonic PT-AE4000.
The 8350 is no match for the Epson UB. (I’m figuring the same iris, so a native 4:1 advantage in contrast for the UB, by my math.) And I didn’t expect it to be. Where I was surprised was that the Panasonic PT-AE4000 still does better blacks. The HC8350 is a bit closer to the Panny, than the Panny to the 9500UB, but its still definitely not the Panasonic’s equal.
The Sanyo PLV-Z4000 – the Z3000 update, did not improve on the 3000′s blacks, and they were always the lightest – of the projectors I call ultra high contrast. In other words, the Sanyo was the entry level of the ultra high contrast projectors.
This new Epson is very close to the Sanyo, and on a couple of scenes could beat it, but overall, the Sanyo PLV-Z4000 has the edge.
My thought so far is that, the Epson improvement in blacks, is like that of the Mitsubishi HC4000′s (getting a Darkchip3 upgrade compared to the HC3800′s DC2.) That is, its a real improvement, small, but significant, and yet, not enough to catapult either projector into the middle of the pack, one price point higher – around $2000. I see the Epson as potentially canabalizing Sanyo sales, but not too likely to take from either the Panasonic, the more expensive Epson, BenQ W6000 and others.
That’s it for now. -art
Posted in New Projector Reviews, Opinion | 34 Comments »
September 29th, 2010 Art Feierman
Runco LS-10d/LS-10i
Comment by Projector Reviews staff:
The LS10 series is the first low-cost 3 chip 1080p from Runco. MSRP starts at under $22,000. We reviewed the LS-7 and LOVED it! This new LS-10 we expect to be amazing!
New Runco Projectors Set the Bar for 1080p 3-chip Performance
Adding to its successful LightStyle Series, the LS-10i and LS-10d offer design, technology and brightness at value pricing.
Beaverton, OR – September 14, 2010 – Runco®, the leading brand in luxury display solutions, today announced that it is expanding its LightStyleTM Series with two new 3-chip DLP®, 1080p projectors; the LS-10d and LS-10i. Designed to excel in both the dedicated theater as well as other rooms in the home, such as media rooms, basements, dens, these new Runco projectors deliver uncompromised 1080p 3-chip video performance at an astounding value.
Runco’s LightStyle Series projectors are a testament to Runco’s craftsmanship and video quality, and the new additions enable Runco to broaden the series with its highest resolution, most advanced performance options yet. Combining technology, design and brightness, the LS-10 projectors are not only powerhouse solutions for the dedicated home theater, but also boast performance and brightness to excel in other rooms of the home where very large, expensive, power-guzzling flat-screen TVs have traditionally been considered the only solution for large-screen viewing. Other rooms that are ideal for the LS-10 include the media room, basement, den, bonus or living Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Projector Related Press Releases | No Comments »
September 28th, 2010 Art Feierman
Sharp XV-Z17000
Comments by Projector Reviews staff:
Not to be left out, Sharp also unveiled its first 3D ready projector at CEDIA last week, the XV-Z17000. Projected availability, however, is not until January 2011, and no price has been set yet. Of interest though, at a claimed 1600 lumens, it’s the brightest of the announced 3D projectors under $10K.
P R E S S R E L E A S E
SHARP UNVEILS ITS FIRST 3D READY HIGH-DEFINITION DLP® HOME THEATER PROJECTOR
Delivering outstanding 3D visual experiences, the XV-Z17000 has a full-HD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels) with a 30000:1 contrast ratio-3D projection compatible with “IR Link” and “DLP Link”
- Full-HD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels) delivers 30000:1 high contrast ratio
- 2 Pairs of 3D Glasses Included
- Exceptional image brightness (1600 lumens in High Brightness mode)
- Full digital projection with DLP system and 2 HDMI® terminals
Atlanta, GA, September 23, 2010 — Sharp today introduces its first 3D ready high-definition DLP theater projector for the consumer market. Delivering outstanding 3D visual experiences, the XV-Z17000 has a full-HD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels) with a 30000:1 contrast ratio and exceptional image brightness (1600 Lumens brightness in High Brightness mode). The model is 3D projection compatible via “IR Link” and “DLP Link” and is sold with 2 pairs of 3D active shutter glasses for added value and convenience. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in 3D Projectors | No Comments »
September 28th, 2010 Art Feierman
Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 21000
Comment by Projector Reviews staff:
Epson, the recognized industry leader, has created a new line of home theater projectors, featuring 1080p 3LCD Reflective Technology (similar to LCos technology), a first for them. Also, if you read our reviews, you know that we consider contrast ratio to be of major importance for home theater projector picture quality. Epson’s new line for custom installers, the Pro Cinema 61000 and Pro Cinema 31000, and the Home Cinema 21000 for do-it-yourselfers, offer contrast ratios up to 1,000,000:1, greatly enhancing black levels, and thus, the viewing experience!
P R E S S R E L E A S E
Epson Enters New Home Theater Projector Category With Models Featuring World’s First 3LCD Reflective Technology and Contrast Ratios up to 1,000,000:1
PowerLite Pro Cinema 61000 and 31000 and Home Cinema 21000 Offer Custom Installers and AV Aficionados Exceptional Image Quality and PerformanceATLANTA, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ — CEDIA Expo 2010, Booth 2406 — Epson America today announced its entry into a new home theater projector market with three 1080p 3LCD™ Reflective home theater projectors, the PowerLite® Pro Cinema 61000 and 31000, and Home Cinema 21000. Designed for custom installers and home theater aficionados, these projectors feature the world’s first 3LCD Reflective technology, along with Epson’s UltraBlack™ technology for exceptional picture quality and astounding contrast ratios. The Home Cinema 21000 and Pro Cinema 31000 achieve a 500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio while the Pro Cinema 61000 produces the world’s first mega contrast ratio of up to 1,000,000:1(i).
With Epson’s newly developed 3LCD Reflective technology, along with fully optimized high contrast ratios, these projectors deliver the deepest blacks and brightest whites. As the number-one selling projector brand worldwide(ii), Epson created 3LCD Reflective technology based on its established transmissive HTPS technology to deliver advanced video quality with higher contrast ratios, richer colors, smoother gradation, and enhanced black levels. In addition, each model features a dual-layer auto iris, built-in IDT HQV Vida™ Video Processor and PW390 video Read the rest of this entry »
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September 27th, 2010 Art Feierman
Greetings, back home now.
Catch up tie starting with the new Sony VPL-VW90ES. The flight back to the west coast, was long enough, and a full flight. As soon as the guy in front of me is allowed to put back his seat, there went my chance to get any real writing done on the plane. There simply wasn’t enough room to use my MacBook. My thanks to Delta for such generous seating room.
The $9995 Sony looked pretty good in 3D and great in 2D. I was just a bit spoiled, though coming from seeing Runco’s $49K exceptionally bright 3D projector, (plus any fancy accessories). When I saw the Sony, it was looking pretty good on 3D, on a smaller screen, I don’t recall now, but probably less than 100″. Despite the significant loss of brightness for 3D (figure a minimum 60% drop in most typical designs when compared to 2D), the image was bright enough. Of course we’re sitting inside a true “cave” made of flat black everything, the only thing reflecting light were the dozen or so people watching the demo.
The VPL-VW90ES, (the ES is Sony’s new top of the line series of Receivers, Projectors, LCDTVs), has new 240hz SXRD (LCoS) panels, double the usual 120. That’s likely an excellent move, on several levels. Afterall, we now need more frames per second – for the creative frame motion smoothing, and again for left and right with 3D… 240 isn’t critical for anything to my knowledge, but allows for advantages, that can be exploited. One of those, according to Sony, is to reduce crosstalk for 3D. Sounds good to me. Bring it on.
Rated 1000 lumens, the Sony isn’t going to be handling any large screens in 3D. Before I forget, for the anticipated $9995 price, it includes two pair of active shutter glasses. I was concerned with the new JVC’s being only 1300 lumens for 3D, and therefore I’m even more concerned with the Sony’s 1000. (But then I like a 128″ screen in my room.) Well, typically the JVC D-ILA projectors have been brighter than the Sony’s SXRD projectors, year after year.
From the brief demo, it’s a real nice machine. Black levels looked really good too, Dare I say it? ”Blacks popped” I know the black cave room is a factor, but it did look impressive. Can’t wait to lay my hands on one of these. This Sony, like its predecessors offers good connectivity, and more control of the image than any other brand I’ve reviewed in the price range. It should be a delight for integrators, calibrators, and installers. Sony provides a long list of major room and home control systems its compatible with, from AMX and Crestron to Savant and Vantage.
The Sony VPL-VW90ES will ship in November. I hope to have a review unit in simultaneous with first shipment, so I can get a review out quickly. I’ve volunteered for an earlier unit, but I don’t know if they will lend one of the pre-production VW90ES projectors out for review.
I will keep you posted, as I learn more as to when a Sony will arrive.
Sony also introduced a second, (expected price $3395) projector but I didn’t see it demo’d. Lori’s already posted the press release of the VPL-VWPRO1, just a couple items before this blog entry. That will give you the basic info. Primarily it looks to be the VW40 replacement, and strictly 2D. It has a new iris configuration and 1300 lumens. A potentially brighter than average projector, which would be very welcome in the Sony line up. Gotta review this one too!
Runco and SIM2
Ok, I’m a little out of my normal space looking at projectors that cost a $50K or more by the time they get plugged in.
The Runco 3D projector demonstration was the single most impressive 10 minutes of the day. I should have noted the screen size, but it was a large screen. The projector was Runco’s just announced 3Dimensions Series D-73d, with a base price if $49,995. Options include different throw length lenses, anamorphic lens and sled, and outboard processors (their DHD4 ships with the projector for the $49,995 price). It uses a LED lightsource, rated 480 watts.
The Runco projector claims 20,000:1 contrast, and 1400 lumens. If I understood them correctly, though (I will confirm), in 3D they are putting out 1400 lumens to each eye (less what the passive glasses absorb). As you can see by the image, the D-73D looks like a stacked pair of projectors, which is pretty much what it is, though I assume many components are shared. The two lenses though imply a total of 6 DLP panels. Basically one projector for each eye. I like it.
I take that back, I love it. I watched the clips and, finally after a day and a half, I had an answer to the question – have you seen anything really awesome? Ca-ching! Bingo!
I realize I’m going to have to “settle” for a Sony or JVC or ?, but Runco’s 3D performance – and on a much larger screen than those others.
Later on, I saw another superb demo, and that was in the SIM2 booth, in their mini-theater… Far smaller than the ballroom setup Runco had. The SIM2 setup truly is made of a pair of their C3X Lumis projectors, and the demo was dazzlingly bright, and almost as impressive as the Runco. I’ll just say that I was able to thoroughly enjoy both demonstrations, primarily taking a quick note of the blacks and dark details, then the skin tones and colors, in each clip, and then I just enjoyed the content. I wasn’t looking for artifacts, and none shouted out and interrupted the viewing enjoyment.
OK, that’s it for now. I’ll have to get to a few others tomorrow. Ahh, including an M series Digital Projection 3D projector (with tons of lumens) – that they will send me for review. -art
Posted in Products, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
September 27th, 2010 Art Feierman
Comments by Projector Reviews Staff:
While 3D is the “latest and greatest” in home theater projectors, Sony has also introduced a new 2D home theater projector, the VPL-VWPRO1, a more affordable home theater solution priced at about $3400 and that includes an additional lamp (approx. $300 value)!
ATLANTA, Sept. 23, 2010 (CEDIA Booth #1112)
VPL-VWPRO1 Home Theater Projector
Also announced today, Sony’s VPL-VWPRO1 front projector is a high-performance 2D home theater solution designed to deliver a high-quality cinematic experience at a more affordable price.
The new model is equipped with updated full HD 1080p SXRD panels delivering vivid color and film-like image quality with brightness of 1,300 ANSI lumens. Sony’s Advanced Iris 3 technology delivers a high dynamic contrast ratio of 85,000:1, optimizing both dark and bright scenes to produce deep black levels with stunning details.
Like the VPL-VW90ES, the VPL-VWPRO1 is Control4 Certified, includes an AMX Device Discovery Beacon, and is designed to integrate seamlessly with the other major control company systems such as Crestron, URC, Savant, Vantage and others.
The VPL-VWPRO1Front Projector, is bundled with an additional lamp, and will be available in Early October for about $3,400 through Sony authorized installers and specialty dealers around the country.
Posted in Projector Related Press Releases | No Comments »
September 27th, 2010 Art Feierman
Comment by Projector Reviews Staff:
Not to be left behind in the wave of 3D home theater projectors entering the consumer market, Sony has introduced the new VPL-VW90ES at CEDIA. Sony’s reputation in the projector industry is outstanding for color reproduction, so we expect the VW90ES to be impressive as well. Also, to help offset the loss of brightness in 3D, they have pumped up the VPL-VW90ES to 1000 lumens to help compensate.
3D CINEMA COMES HOME WITH SONY’S NEW SXRD FRONT PROJECTOR
Company’s First “Elevated Standard” Projector Integrates Seamlessly with Third-party Control Systems
ATLANTA, Sept. 23, 2010 (CEDIA Booth #1112) –Sony today brings the big-screen 3D cinematic experience home with the new the VPL-VW90ES – the company’s first 3D front projector.
Designed with the custom and specialty consumer electronics market in mind, the VPL-VW90ES is the first projector to be been branded with Sony’s “Elevated Standard” (ES) moniker, signifying an emphasis on high build quality and outstanding video experience. It was also engineered to integrate seamlessly third-party control systems.
“Delivering on Sony’s promise of innovation, the VW90ES brings the 3D big screen theater home with another Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in 3D Projectors, Projector Related Press Releases | No Comments »
September 25th, 2010 Art Feierman
Comment by Projector Reviews Staff:
Until now, JVC projectors have been priced at or above $5000 MSRP, making them too expensive for some home theater projector consumers to consider. But JVC has now introduced the new DLA-HD250, with an MSRP of only $2,995! We have always loved JVC for its blacker blacks and currently have a RS20 in our dedicated home theater. But we have often wished for a brighter picture to allow for its use when we have more ambient light to contend with. The new DLA-HD250 also boasts 1000 lumens, making it ideal for these brighter environments!
Press Release
JVC UNVEILS ENTRY-LEVEL D-ILA HOME THEATER PROJECTOR
ATLANTA, September 23, 2010 – JVC U.S.A. today introduced a low-cost home theater projector that for the first time provides advanced D-ILA technology at an entry-level price. The new projector, to be marketed as the DLA-HD250 by JVC Consumer and the DLA-HD250Pro by JVC Professional, is priced below $3,000 and delivers 25,000:1 native contrast ratio and 1,000 ANSI lumens brightness. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Projector Related Press Releases | 4 Comments »
September 25th, 2010 Art Feierman
Hmm, my next stop was JVC. I had to hoof it to the Omni hotel next to (a 15 minute walk from the show floor), because they always set up in a real theater or a hotel ballroom each year).
OK, here’s the basics: And yes, all 3D projectors we talk about, of course do 2D!
Remember the JVC DLA-RS15, RS25, and RS35? Well, they are still current products but will be replaced shortly by the JVC DLA-RS40, DLA-RS50, and Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments »
