One of the most frustrating aspects of giving presentations is finding the perfect spot for the projector. Too close to the screen and the image is too small to be of any use, too far away and some unwelcome shadow puppetry may creep in. Sanyo has announced the forthcoming availability of the world's shortest focus projector, the PDG-DWL2500J, which may help overcome such issues. Placing it less than an inch away from the screen, wall or blackboard results in a comfortably viewable 80 inch projected image. The unit happens to be 3D ready too.
Sanyo is no stranger to the world of ultra short-focus projection. The company was the first in the industry to introduce an ultra short-focus projector in 2006 and followed that up the very next year with the world leading LP-XL50, where the projector could be positioned only a few short inches from the screen. Now it has stepped up its game again with the unveiling of the PDG-DWL2500J.
Ready for your close-up?
The 1280 x 800 Wide XGA resolution unit can project a very comfortable 80 inch image onto a screen less than an inch away from its edge or 12.59 inches from its lens. Even flush to the screen it can still pump out an image of 74 inches, allowing a presenter to stand directly in front of the screen without fear of casting a shadow or having blinding lights shine directly in the face. The inclusion of something called "Color-board Mode" means that the need for a bright white screen is negated and projection onto colored walls or blackboards made possible.
The new projector benefits from a 275W light source throwing out 2,500 lumens of brightness with 2000:1 contrast ratio and supports color reproduction of up to 1.07 billion colors. It can be set up vertically with an image of between 60 and 110 inches beamed up to a horizontal transparent surface underneath a table (for instance) or down from above onto the floor or raised surface or horizontally from a table top or from above onto a vertical screen or wall.
Its compact form factor of just 12.63 x 6.69 x 15.15 inches has been achieved by the development of a new DLP format compact optical engine which allows smaller components to be used and internal component layout optimized. At a not too unwieldy 6.5kg, lugging it from presentation to presentation could be a less cumbersome and tiresome process.
3D ready too
In recognition of the recent growth in popularity of a more engaging visual experience, the new model includes "Frame Sequential Display Format" for 3D technology that rapidly alternates between left and right eye images to enable stereoscopic viewing, although viewers of the presentation will need to have active shutter 3D glasses. Outside of boardroom or classroom uses, Sanyo is hoping that the new features appeal to new markets such as projecting 3D trailers at the entrance to movie theaters or gaming applications in amusement parks.
Other notable features include a built-in 10W mono speaker, HDMI terminal for digital input, a standard LAN port for possible offsite control and management of the unit and both RCA and S-video input. The presenter is offered freedom of movement with the inclusion of a wireless remote control and timer and freeze functions offer more control possibilities.
Sanyo projects July 2010 availability (price yet to be announced) but the unit will be on pre-release on display at InfoComm 2010 in Las Vegas from June 9 to June 11.