Epson America will show at CEDIA Expo three LCD-based home theater projectors including its MovieMate 30 and 33 combination projector and DVD systems.
The company will also show a Cinema 400 3LCD model with native 720p resolution at a $1,599 suggested retail price and a step-up PowerLite Pro Cinema 800 HQV ($6,999 suggested retail), positioned for custom installer distribution.
The MovieMate models 30 ($999 estimated street retail) and 33 ($1,199) are targeting mass retail distribution. Both will ship in October and include a 3LCD projector, integrated JVC DVD/CD player, with built-in stereo speakers and illuminated remote control.
As a bonus, Epson offers a dual-aspect ratio (4:3 and 16:9) projection screen that folds into a travel-friendly case. The screen ships standard with the MovieMate 33 version and is available separately for the MovieMate 30.
The projectors include a VGA input port for easy computer/laptop connectivity, and offer 854 by 480 resolution, up to 1,200 ANSI lumens of brightness and a 1.5x optical zoom lens.
The short-throw lens projects an 80W-inch image from 6.6 feet away or up to 300W inches from 24.8 feet. An offset lens shift reduces distortion without the need for perfect alignment between the projector and screen.
The company will also show its PowerLite Home Cinema 400 (shipping this month at a $1,599 suggested retail) 3LCD projector featuring native 720p resolution, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,500 ANSI lumens of brightness. The projector uses the latest Epson Cinema Filter and Dynamic Eye Iris, seven color modes, vertical and horizontal optical lens shift, and HDMI input.
Meanwhile, Epson will also show a new home theater front projection system, featuring Silicon Optix’s HQV video processing technology.
The Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema 800 HQV ($6,999 suggested retail) is being positioned for distribution through the custom installation channel. It incorporates an advanced three-chip 3LCD light engine producing 720p HD resolution.
The projector uses Epson’s Cinema Filter and Dynamic Eye Iris technology to achieve a contrast ratio up to 5,000:1 and a brightness level of up to 1,600 ANSI lumens.
The HQV video processor TX3 was said to be “specifically tailored for the Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema 800 to achieve a higher degree of professional-level performance.” The processor performs more than one trillion operations per second and delivers superior video image quality using true 10-bit video processing, Epson said. The technology uses pixel-based (rather than frame-based) motion adaptation and detail enhancement.
