Epson PowerLite W16SK projector
Until the first shipments in March of Epson's new W16SK Projector, 3D projectors have been almost exclusively required active shutter glasses. That means to equip a classroom you need dozens of expensive glasses. Even in quantity good 3rd party glasses are likely $30-$40 plus at this time. With the potential of glasses disappearing, cost can become a very expensive problem for a school district, even after initial purchase.
Epson's passive glasses - similar to those used in virtually all 3D movie theaters in the US are only $3 each, don't require batteries or recharging, nor an IR or RF signal for syncing.
The Epson Powerlite W16SK projector system accomplishes this by consisting of two "stacked" projectors. This is an old trick. Back in the days when 50 pound projectors could barely produce 2000 lumens, two or more might be stacked to fill a large auditorium or similar venues.
One projector essentially projects the info for your right eye, the other the left. This is accomplished by the two lenses of the glasses, having opposite polarization. Bottom line, it works in movie theaters and it works in the classroom. You also get exceptional brightness 6000 lumens total in 2D, and 3000 lumens to each eye in 3D!
Up until now, to our knowledge, there was no passive system available from a manufacturer. Some integrators may have been doing stacked projectors on a very small scale. Epson's W16SK, though, is a ready to go, manufacturer backed, 3D passive projector solution that can be implemented throughout a school, school district or even state wide through one of the big Education consortiums.
Below is the full press announcement of the W16SK.
Also below Epson is announcing a more traditional active 3D projector, the Powerlite W16.
Press Release
Epson Announces 3D Projectors Designed Specifically for Education
Epson PowerLite W16 and W16SK Deliver Ultra Bright, Affordable and High Quality
3D Projection to Broaden Learning Possibilities in Classrooms
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Jan. 16, 2013 – Epson, the number-one selling projector brand worldwide1, today introduced two 3D projector solutions designed to enhance the learning experience in classrooms – the PowerLite® W16 and W16SK. Epson is offering two 3D projection choices – one based on active 3D technology and the other on passive 3D technology – which both deliver three times brighter colors than most competitive projectors2, allowing 3D content to be easily viewed in typical, well-lit classroom settings. The projectors also offer a wide range of features including easy setup and connectivity options, bringing ease of use and convenience to the classroom at an affordable price point. The PowerLite W16 and W16SK will be shown at the Epson booth (#709) at FETC in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 28-31, 2013.
“Studies have shown that 3D in education is on the rise and 3D lessons increase student learning and retention3. Epson now offers a solution to help bring 3D into the classroom in a more affordable way,” said Sara Kim, associate product manager, K-12 Education Marketing, Epson America. “For example, whether faced with high ambient light or the need to provide affordable 3D glasses for all students, the Epson PowerLite W16SK addresses these challenges by delivering high quality and incredibly bright images, and leveraging technology that allows for inexpensive 3D glasses to be used for all content for every student.”
By offering both an active and passive model, Epson is able to provide broader choices for educators selecting the right 3D projection solution for their classroom. The PowerLite W16 and W16SK deliver WXGA widescreen resolution and, unlike most 3D-ready projectors, support multiple HDMI 3D formats4 out of the box, with no external converter box required.
The Epson PowerLite W16 is designed for educators interested in an active 3D projection solution and offers great image quality, brightness and ease of use with Epson’s active shutter 3D RF glasses. The PowerLite W16 also offers a dynamic 2D visual experience with 3,000 lumens of color brightness and 3,000 lumens of white light output5. The PowerLite W16 requires minimal set-up with automatic vertical and horizontal keystone correction, 3-in-1 USB Plug ‘n Play and the option to install or remain as a portable projector.
The PowerLite W16SK dual projection system is the industry’s only stacked projector kit available today made specifically for education. This highly cost effective 3D solution includes two projectors, polarizing lenses and a stack mount to deliver ultra-bright passive 3D projection. The PowerLite W16SK uses inexpensive passive 3D glasses, priced at only $3 a pair and sold as a box of five pairs. It delivers up to 6,000 lumens of color brightness and 6,000 lumens of white light output5 in 2D mode when stacked, making them bright enough for well-lit classrooms.
More about the PowerLite W16 and W16SK
The Epson PowerLite W16 and W16SK offer several additional features beneficial to the classroom, including:
- Versatile connectivity for any classroom: HDMI, computer/VGA inputs, monitor output, audio input, audio output, USB, and RS-232c
- Supports multiple HDMI 3D formats: No external 3D converter box is necessary
- Positioning Flexibility:
o PowerLite W16: Automatic horizontal (+/- 20 degrees) and vertical (+/- 30 degrees) keystone correction, Quick Corner® to allow the four corners of an image to be moved independently for a perfectly rectangular image, and Screen Fit that automatically adjusts the projected image to fill the screen size that is being used
o PowerLite W16SK: +/- 15 degrees vertical and horizontal keystone image correction
- Energy-efficient and low cost E-TORL® lamp: The lamp life can last up to 5,000 hours6 in economy mode, helping to maximize presentation time; Brighter Futures® education customers also have the benefit of purchasing replacement lamps at a special discounted rate of $99, helping to further maximize the cost effectiveness of this solution
- 3LCD Technology: Features the latest 3LCD, 3-chip technology to deliver amazing, true-to-life color and detail for powerful presentations; 3LCD technology provides an energy-efficient light engine which efficiently uses available lamp light to create stunning images; in contrast to 1-chip DLP technology, 3LCD requires, on average, 25 percent less electricity per lumen of brightness7
Epson also offers the Brighter Futures program, a unique sales and support initiative available specifically for schools. Designed to help educators select and implement the best products for their classrooms while making the most of their budgets, Brighter Futures offers special pricing, extended Epson limited warranty coverage for three years, dedicated education account managers, and toll-free technical support for all Epson projectors and associated accessories.
Color Brightness Specification and Projector Performance
The new color brightness specification (measuring red, green and blue) published by the Society of Information Display (SID) allows consumers to compare projector color performance without conducting a side-by-side shootout. With today’s high definition content, teachers and students want to enjoy content with higher quality in brighter environments. For a truly impressive image, projectors need to offer both high color brightness and high white brightness. High color brightness also enables an even better image for larger screen sizes and on a larger variety of screen materials. Without sufficient color brightness, images may be muddy, soft and lose detail, even in a dark room.
Epson’s line of education projectors delivers consistent color brightness and white brightness, allowing students and teachers to view life-like reproduction of any content.
Availability and Support
The Epson PowerLite W16 ($849) and W16SK ($1,899) will be available in January 2013 through pro audio/visual dealers, mail order, distribution, commercial channels, and at www.epson.com. Epson’s PowerLite projectors come with a two-year limited warranty (three years for Brighter Futures customers) that includes two elite technical support services – Epson PrivateLine® phone support with direct access to an expedited support telephone line, and a two-year Road Service projector replacement program that includes projector exchange in one business day with paid shipping. For additional information, visit www.epson.com/projectors.
About Epson
Epson is a global imaging and innovation leader whose product lineup ranges from inkjet printers and 3LCD projectors to sensors and other microdevices. Dedicated to exceeding the vision of its customers worldwide, Epson delivers customer value based on compact, energy-saving, and high-precision technologies in markets spanning enterprise and the home to commerce and industry.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 81,000 employees in 97 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and the communities in which it operates. Epson America, Inc. based in Long Beach, Calif. is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: www.Epson.com.
You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EpsonAmerica), Twitter (http://twitter.com/EpsonAmerica) and (http://twitter.com/EpsonEducation) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/EpsonTV).
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1 Based upon Q3 2012 worldwide front projection market share estimates from Pacific Media Associates.
2 Compared to leading 1-chip DLP business and education projectors 5,000 lumens or less based on NPD data, July 2011 through June 2012. Color brightness (color light output) is measured in accordance with IDMS 15.4. Color brightness will vary depending on usage conditions.
3 Source: 3D in the Classroom Public Health Support; American Optometric Association, 2011
4 Includes side-by-side, top-and-bottom, and frame packing 3D formats via HDMI.
5 Color brightness (color light output) and white brightness (white light output) will vary depending on usage conditions. Color light output measured in accordance with IDMS 15.4; white light output measured in accordance with ISO 21118
6 Lamp life will vary depending on mode selected, environmental conditions and usage. Lamp brightness decreases over time.
7 Data source: ProjectorCentral.com Jan. 2012. Average of 1,122 shipping models for which the manufacturers provided lumens and total power data, all resolutions and brightness levels. Energy efficiency was measured as wattage per lumen. It was measured for both 3LCD and 1-chip projectors in each of five brightness segments. 3LCD projectors averaged less required electricity per lumen in each of the five segments.
Note: EPSON, PowerLite, E-TORL and QuickCorner are registered trademarks, EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark and iProjection is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. Brighter Futures and PrivateLine are registered trademark of Epson America, Inc. All other product brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks.
