Fujitsu To Add LCD Projector
By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 9/27/2004
INDIANAPOLIS— Fujitsu is preparing to expand its home theater PlasmaVision offerings with an LCD-based front projector for home theater applications.
Tedd Rozylowicz, the president of Fujitsu, showed CEDIA dealers a prototype projector based on Epson's new “3LCD” technology.
“Epson made a new LCD array that allows us to do true 1,080p resolution,” he said.
Fujitsu's projector, which Rozylowicz said would probably sell for around $24,999 when it ships “hopefully before Christmas,” uses a two-piece design, including a source box that incorporates an A/V switcher.
“The resolution is so good on this projector that you literally cannot see the screen-door effect in the image. It is fabulous,” said Rozylowicz, who worked in Sharp's SharpVision LCD projector unit earlier in his career. “These units really have a superior picture [to rival DLP and LCoS technologies].”
Fujitsu is one of about six manufacturers preparing to launch front projectors based on Epson's “3LCD” technology.
Rozylowicz said Fujitsu realizes that the high-end front projector business has a limited market, but the company believes it has developed enough of a high-end dealer following to warrant an expansion.
“We do such a good job in our plasma business, that our customers are just as inclined to give us [the projector] sale. It's not a big deal for them. We don't make them carry any inventory, and it is just a good arrangement,” he said.
Other features of the projector will include a long-life bulb, he said. Inputs include component video and HDMI/HDCP. The source box will not include tuners, Rozylowicz said.
He said Fujitsu will make the projector available through the same distribution network as its PlasmaVision displays.
