Canon Expands LCD Projector Line

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 3/17/2010

Lake Success, N.Y. - Canon USA said Wednesday it has expanded its LCD multimedia projector line with two new WXGA resolution (1,280 by 800) widescreen and four new XGA resolution (1,024 by 768) models.

Models LV-8310 ($1,199 suggested retail), LV-8215 ($1,099), LV-7385 ($1,699), LV-7380 ($999), LV-7285 ($899) and LV-7280 ($799) are billed as compact and lightweight models with more convenient user features. All are targeted primarily at educational and business applications.

All six models will incorporate the following energy-saving features:

• an improved lamp-lighting system to enable running the lamp at lower wattage to help reduce power consumption (without reducing lamp intensity); lamp life is also said to be extended to 4,000 hours in Normal mode and 5,000 hours in Quiet mode;
• carbon-reduction meter to calculate and display the amount of CO₂ emissions reduced from operating in Quiet mode;
• auto energy saver that automatically switches the projector to Quiet mode when no input signal is received for one minute; and
• power-saving Stand-by mode that aids in reducing overall power consumption to less than 1 watt by setting the Stand-by mode to "Power Saving."

Models LV-8310 and LV-8215 have native WXGA widescreen resolution (1,280 by 800) and a 16:10 widescreen aspect ratio. This enables the two new projectors to support WXGA resolution computers without the need for compression and/or unsightly distortion.

Another common feature in the new models is high brightness performance for use in such areas as classrooms or meeting rooms, where ambient light exists and cannot be controlled, and turning the lights off is not preferred.

Brightness levels for each model are as follows:

• LV-7385: 3,500 lumens
• LV-8310 and LV-7380: 3,000 lumens
• LV-8215 and LV-7285: 2,600 lumens
• LV-7280: 2,200 lumens

All models have multiple inputs for use with computers, video, and control sources and functions. A DVI-I interface is HDCP enabled for use with copy protected HD source material. Also included is an RS-232 port and a built-in RJ-45 network port, which is often required by colleges/universities and those managing larger A/V systems to connect projectors to an existing network for control and maintenance from a remote location.

All of the new models are scheduled to ship in early April and will be backed by Canon USA's three-year limited warranty and exclusive projector protection program ("Triple P"), which is a free service program that provides a loaner projector of equal or greater value in the event that a qualifying unit is in need of repair.