V, Inc. entered the rear-projection TV market with a 56W-inch DLP HDTV monitor, which is marketed under its Vizio brand.
The Vizio RP56 is based on Texas Instruments’ HD2 Digital MicroMirror Device (DMD) with 1280-pixel by 720-pixel resolution. V, Inc. combines the chip with light engine and a 4.0 gain screen technology for full widescreen HDTV resolution. Cabinet depth on the model is listed at 19 inches.
V, Inc. said the rear-projection HDTV monitor carries a $2,999 suggested retail, and is being distributed through “select retailers,” including Costco.
Michael Ritter, V, Inc.’s marketing VP, said, “The addition of a 56-inch DLP-based rear-projection model presents another opportunity for our company to deliver on its promise of providing the benefits of high quality, true digital technology at a great value.”
The contrast ratio on the RP56 is listed as 1,500:1. Inputs include DVI with HDCP. The DVI input’s color space can be selected as PC video (0-255) or HD video (16-235) to preserve black picture detail.
Also included are dual NTSC tuners with picture in picture (PIP) with audio capability, as well as picture on picture (POP). Any of your video streams from HDTV, DVD, VCR, SAT and cable can be displayed using PIP in either 4:3 or 16:9 aspect modes.
V, Inc adds a side panel to house composite video, S-Video and PC RGB with corresponding audio inputs for quick connection to game boxes, camcorders and laptop computers. The panel also allows connection to headphones for the PIP and main screen.
Standard-definition signals are up-converted to 720p using Faroudja’s Directional Correction Deinterlacer (DCDi) technology. The circuitry’s motion-adaptive deinterlacer identifies either video or film-based content. Motion artifacts and jagged edges are virtually eliminated using 3:2/2:2 pull -down techniques.
