Panasonic Bows LCD Projector With Contrast Ratio Of 2,000:1
Steve Smith -- TWICE, 10/25/2004
TOKYO— Panasonic unveiled the PT-AE700 high-definition LCD home cinema front projector equipped with a dynamic iris that provides a high contrast ratio of 2,000:1.
The unit, which was previewed to selected international press attending CEATEC, here, also features a 2x optical zoom lens that can provide a wide range of about 3 meters to 6 meters for the projection distance of 20 inches to 100 inches, in 16:9.
The projector includes a brightness level of 1,000 lumens and produces 480i, 480p, 720p and 1,080i images, the company noted.
Panasonic said that its new Cinema Color Management technology has capabilities that come close to the color-correction systems used for motion pictures. Such technology makes it possible to freely adjust any individual color from up to about a total of 1.07 billion. Based on this technology for image control, color tuning was performed with a top Hollywood colorist David Bernstein.
The unit's performance, especially the 2x optical zoom lens and lens shift function, enables consumers to use a permanent setup in which the projector is always present, blending into the living space. Panasonic suggested placing the unit on a shelf in the back of a room, like the projection room of a movie theater, or on a casual table in front of the viewers.
The unit also features 10-bit full-digital processing, 10-bit gamma correction and “Smooth Screen” technology to achieve images similar to film, the company said.
Shipping this month in the United States, the PT-AE700 has a suggested retail of $2,999.
