ViewSonic Unveils Plasma TV, Projectors
By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 6/21/2004
ATLANTA— Video display supplier ViewSonic used the InfoComm show to announce three front projectors and an HDTV-level plasma display monitor for corporate and home theater markets.
The new plasma panel, model VPW4255, is designed for ultra-high brightness, sharpness and contrast levels, the company claimed. The 42W-inch display features 1,024-by-1,024 high-definition resolution, and supports all data sources.
Standard-definition signals are processed with an internal progressive scan, motion adaptive de-interlacing and 3-D comb filter technology, to eliminate jagged lines and signal noise. The contrast ratio is listed as 1,000:1, and brightness is said to be 1,100 nits. The viewing angle is listed at 160 degrees.
ViewSonic will offer the VPW4255 at a $5,499 suggested retail price when it ships in July. The company is positioning the display for either home theater or professional applications. It is backed by a one-year limited warranty on parts and labor with onsite service. An optional two-year extended warranty is also available.
Connections on the panel include inputs for composite, component, S-video, analog RGB and DVI/HDCP. Also supported are user controls that enable the simultaneous creation, viewing and customization of picture-in-picture (PIP), split-screen or full-screen windows for data, video and TV signals.
The company also announced three front projectors optimized for the corporate channel. Models PJ255D, PJ520 and PJ1165 were designed for flexible usability options and mobility.
The PJ255D is suited for either professional or home theater use. The high-resolution "micro-portable" DLP front projector is shipping now at a $1,999 suggested retail price. It weighs 2.1 pounds and produces 1,024-pixel-by-768-pixel resolution, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,100 lumens of brightness.
Multiple input options offer support for 720p and 1,080i HDTV signals and PIP capabilities.
The PJ520 is a 5.9-pound SVGA projector optimized for mobile corporate applications. Brightness is listed at 2,000 lumens and resolution is 800 by 600 pixels.
Features include manual zoom and focus, horizontal and vertical keystone corrections, and dual RGB inputs that allow users to connect two PCs or add video for multimedia presentations. An RGB output is offered for monitor passthrough.
The PJ520 is available now at a $1,499 suggested retail price.
The PJ1165 was designed for wall or ceiling installations and provides a wide level of presentation options for use in large lecture halls or home theaters. An included remote with mouse control and laser pointer adds interactivity options to presentations.
The projector includes PIP capability, progressive scan display and quiet operation. Brightness is listed at 3,500 lumens, and the contrast ratio is 800:1. Resolution is 1,024-by-768. The PJ1165 carries a $4,299 suggested retail price.
