Epson Adds 720p 3LCD Projector To Lineup

LONG BEACH, CALIF. — Epson America is adding to its expanding PowerLite Home Cinema 3LCD projector line an affordably priced 720p high-definition model.

The PowerLite Home Cinema 720, which will carry a $1,299 suggested retail when it ships this month, is said to produce a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 16:9 aspect ratio and up to 1,600 ANSI lumens of brightness.

The projector will produce high-quality HD images in screen sizes up to 120 inches, and is said to have strong color control and easy setup capabilities.

Epson is also backing the model with its service and support program.

"As the No. 1 selling projector brand worldwide, Epson continues to expand its leadership position with a continuous wave of innovation influencing all segments of the home theater market," stated Mike Isgrig, multimedia projection products director, Epson America. "The Home Cinema 720 sets a new price/performance standard by offering truly amazing image quality driven by an advanced three-chip optical engine and 10-bit color processing. It also offers state-of-the-art features usually found in more expensive projectors including lens shift and color management combined with our exclusive two-year Road Service and PrivateLine support."

Using three separate LCD imagers, the projector avoids the risk of color break-up and distracting "rainbow effects" sometimes seen in one-chip systems based on color wheel technology, while keeping images smooth and sharp, the company said.

Color is enhanced through the use of 10-bit color processing that is said to display more than 1 billion colors. It also supports 100 percent vertical and 50 percent horizontal offset lens shift, allowing easy installation without the need for digital keystone manipulation.

Epson's proprietary AccuCinema color management supports calibrated performance right out of the box, the company said, while gray-scale tracking includes 1,024 steps between black and white.

Epson's Super White system produces cleaner images with less noise and better picture quality, the company said.

The projector also employs Epson's E-TORL Lamp, which is engineered "to project light more efficiently, maximizing brightness and uniformity across the entire screen and extending lamp life up to 4,000 hours," the company said.

Unit design features sleek styling of a soft white cabinet to blend in smoothly with most homes' décor.

The projector will join Epson's Ensemble 1080 and Ensemble 720 home picture and surround sound packages, which were introduced this summer as a joint effort between Epson and Atlantic Technologies.