HD HOME CINEMAS

Epson is proud to announce today the new flagships that for their home theater projector line. The EH-TW5500 and EH-TW4400 are designed for the best home theater experience possible. Both models feature full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and 1600 ANSI lumens. The TW4400 projector features an amazing 130000:1 contrast ratio, while the TW5500 features an even greater 200000:1 contrast ratio. No other Epson projector can match the contrast of these two projectors. This feat is created wit the use of Epson’s D7 C2Fine display panel that delivers images that are sharp, bright and crystal clear. Both the TW4400 and TW5500 will be released this November but are also on display this week at the IFA conference. The TW4400 will retail for €2799 ($4002), while the TW5500 is priced at €3299 ($4723).

Epson advances the home cinema experience with the launch of outstanding Full HD video projectors

The flagship EH-TW5500 and EH-TW4400 video projectors harness advanced 3LCD imaging technology to deliver the very best in home cinema entertainment.

03 September, 2009 – Epson, the worldwide leader in the video projector market , today announces the launch of two HD Ready 1080p (Full HD) home cinema video projectors, the EH-TW5500 and the EH-TW4400. Designed specifically for the home cinema enthusiast, these video projectors combine unrivalled quality, style and performance with a fantastic array of features, including Epson’s superior 3LCD imaging technology. For those looking for the very best in home cinema video projection, these machines are the perfect choice.

Alexandre Di Caro, Product Manager, Epson Europe, commented: “Home cinema enthusiasts looking for the ultimate in HD video projectors need look no further than our new EH-TW5500 and EH-TW4400 models. With fantastic contrast ratios, D7 3LCD panel technology and the most advanced image enhancing features around today, these new Full HD machines reflect our continuous quest for outstanding innovation in the home cinema market.”

The EH-TW5500, Epson’s flagship HD Ready 1080p (Full HD) video projector for the home, reaches an outstanding contrast ratio of 200000:1 – one of the highest on the market – and incorporates D7 C2Fine panels, delivering images that are sharp, bright and crystal clear. In addition, ISF certification allows the video projector to be calibrated by an Epson dealer to ensure it is expertly fine-tuned for optimum performance. With an HQV processor, the EH-TW5500 allows for 12 bit video processing, resulting in stunning picture quality and motion flow.

The more accessible option, the Full HD EH-TW4400, also provides exceptional image quality. A contrast ratio of 130000:1, coupled with a stylish white design, means that this video projector fits perfectly within any living room and reproduces fantastic images.

3LCD technology, harnessed by both the EH-TW5500 and EH-TW4400, ensures that images are bright and achieve accurate colour reproduction and finer grey scaling. The frame interpolation feature means that video output is smooth and the addition of super resolution software contributes to a brilliantly clear picture. Whether the user is viewing a DVD or watching television from a set top box, this new software ensures that images from any input are viewed in breathtaking quality.

Epson has carefully considered that even the smallest details are not overlooked in these groundbreaking machines. The EH-TW5500’s matte black finish ensures that light from its video projection does not reflect from the surface and convenient horizontal and vertical lens shift capabilities on both machines allow for easy and flexible installation. The inclusion of cable covering ensures that all wires are neatly shielded away from view.

The EH-TW5500 and EH-TW4400 will be available from November 2009 from AV specialist and home cinema installer outlets and both come with a three year warranty on their lamps as standard.

The EH-TW5500 and EH-TW4400 will both be announced at IFA 2009.

Epson EH-TW5500 key features summary:

* HD Ready 1080p (Full HD) video projector with true high definition 1920 x 1080p resolution
* Home cinema video projector ideal for a premium home cinema experience
* Sophisticated and stylish black design
* Superior image quality with Epson’s 3LCD technology and C2 Fine inorganic D7 panel
* Amazing contrast ratio of 200000:1 with Epson DeepBlack technology for jet blacks
* Super resolution software ensures that images from any input are viewed in breathtaking quality
* High Colour Light Output (CLO) of 1600 lumens for viewing in any light conditions with perfect rendering thanks to the improved Cinema Filter
* HQV video processor to realise clear and sharp motion pictures
* 12bit video processing, frame interpolation and 4-4 pull-down for film-like images
* Flexible placement with horizontal/vertical lens shift and 2.1x optical zoom
* Anamorphic wide mode (to use with third part anamorphic lens)
* Connection to a range of input sources including 2 x HDMI version 1.3, YUV and RGB
* x.v. Colour mode for vivid colour reproduction
* ISF calibration menus for professional calibration
* Included cable cover for stylish and neat ceiling mount installation
* Quiet video projection of 22dB
* 3 year warranty on lamp and video projector
* RRP including VAT, €3,299 – available November, 2009

Epson EH-TW4400 key features summary:

* HD Ready 1080p (Full HD) video projector with full high definition resolution
* Amazing contrast ratio of 130000:1
* High Colour Light Output (CLO) of 1600 lumens for viewing in any light condition with perfect rendering thanks to the improved Cinema Filter
* Super resolution software ensures that images from any input are viewed in breathtaking quality
* Wide connectivity including 2 x HDMI version 1.3 input
* Easy and flexible to install: convenient horizontal and vertical lens shift, ceiling mount possibility, long throw lens and optical zoom x 2.1
* Full 10 bit video processing (Pixelworks scaler)
* x.v. Colour mode as standard
* Quiet 22dB fan noise
* Included cable cover for stylish and neat ceiling mount installation
* 3 year warranty on lamp and video projector
* RRP including VAT, €2,799 – available November, 2009

About Epson

Epson is a global imaging and innovation leader that is dedicated to exceeding the vision of customers worldwide through its compact, energy-saving, high-precision technologies, with a product lineup ranging from printers and 3LCD projectors for business and the home, to electronic and crystal devices.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises over 70,000 employees in 108 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and the communities in which it operates. http://www.epson.co.jp/e

February 20, 2009 | by Steve Crowe

3DFusion (3DF) will debut its 3DFMax, a stereoscopic glasses free, broadcast ready 3D display, at the Digital Signage Expo. (via EngadgetHD)

The 3DFMax, built upon the Philips WOWvx 3D solution, is believed to be the first 3D broadcast ready display.

Unfortunately, no specs such as resolution, contrast, pricing, etc. have been announced.

3DF seems to be on the right track with its 3D technology as nearly 75 percent of consumers would recommend 3DTV. Consensus seems to be, however, that 3DTV won’t catch on with glasses on your face while watching Chuck flop in 3D or those promos during the Super Bowl.

If you happen to be at the Digital Signage Expo in Vegas (Feb. 25-26), stop by booth 1813 to see 3DFMax in person and let us know what you thought.

February 20, 2009 | by Chuck McKenney

Strong holiday sales made Vizio the second best selling flat panel TV brand in the U.S, new research shows.

Samsung remains the top-seller, followed by Vizio, Sony and Panasonic.

“The demand for Vizio products has never been stronger,” stated Laynie Newsome, Vizio Co-Founder and VP Sales & Marketing Communications. “Even during times when tier one competitors drop their prices (and lose millions of dollars in the process) the American Consumer clearly recognizes Vizio as a preferred consumer electronics brand.”

The news comes on the heels of Vizio’s decision to stop manufacturing plasma TVs. Pioneer is leaving the TV market completely.

“The current sales environment is obviously difficult for all television makers due to the slowdown in consumer spending; retaining position and achieving growth in these challenging times is an accomplishment,” says Riddhi Patel, principal analyst at research firm iSuppli.

Vizio increased holiday sales (November 24 - December 31) by 52 percent over 2007 levels.

02.13.2009 — ReQuest appears to have the first high-performance media server with Hulu built in.

A pioneer of integration-friendly music and movie servers, ReQuest now has a free Hulu app that lets users access thousands of free TV episodes, movies and other content from the comfort of their couch.

Anything that can be done from a computer desktop can now be accomplished with a simple IR remote.

The solution was "not at all easy" to develop, says ReQuest CEO Peter Cholnoky. That's because Hulu has a PC-centric, mouse-driven interface, and ReQuest wanted something that was more TV-friendly.

"We think we put together a really simple interface," Cholnoky says. "It's all IR-based – up, down, left, right, enter."

ReQuest did the dirty work on the back end to offer navigation tools that Hulu alone does not provide. "You can fast-forward and skip really easily," says Cholnoky. "There's no Mickey Mouse-stuff involved at all."

There's an on-screen text-search engine, as well.

In the ReQuest scheme, users can tag favorite shows using a simple IR remote. "You can put any shows into 'My Shows' and it is automatically updated as new episodes come online," Cholnoky explains. "We do all of that tagging. You never have to go to the Hulu site."

Furthermore, he says, users need not mess with full-screen toggles. Once you select a show, "it just starts playing through the entire thing at full screen. You can fast-forward, reverse, jump around, etc., with a simple IR remote."

Do ReQuest Customers Care about Hulu?

Cholnoky notes that Hulu content "is not the best looking on a big screen, but it's free."

Considering that ReQuest customers pay big bucks for that crisp music and movie experience, do they really care about inferior – albeit free – content from Hulu?

Apparently so. Cholnoky says its dealers have been requesting this feature "big time."

That and Netflix. The Netflix application for ReQuest should be available "fairly quickly" and the company is "working with a whole bunch of partners," Cholnoky says. "The end user should be able to pick which one [content engine] they want."

ReQuest already added YouTube to the line up last year, as well as photos, Web cameras, stock tickers and other widgets.

The Hulu interface is available today via a free download.

Currently the software works with ReQuest's IMC (Intelligent Music and Movie Client). Up to four IMCs (15 when coupled with an approved NAS) can be connected through the home network to a ReQuest server, delivering 1080p video throughout the house. Users can access music and videos (including DVDs stored on the server) from any ICM in the home.

To be sure, plenty of other providers have integrated Hulu navigation into their TV-centric products.

Newcomer Boxee has it; Media Center almost has it via a third-party developer; ZeeVee offers it through its Zviewer application; and I suspect Roku will come out with a Hulu box similar to its $99 Netflix version (which still requires you to do the legwork on your PC before actually watching your movies).

And when will Hulu ever come to Vudu (sigh) and Slingbox?

Microsoft promises similar functionality with Windows 7, and Crestron will soon release the ADMS server which aggregates all sorts of content whether onboard, online or in-house.

But -- correct me if I'm wrong -- ReQuest is the only company that currently provides a rich Hulu interface through a high-performance, integration-friendly, custom-oriented media server.

The ReQuest ICM client retails for $2,495 and requires a ReQuest server, sold separately.

Mac component specialist FastMac has begun selling three new Blu-ray drives, all external Blu-ray models connected through USB. The APP-6907 is a 1x DVD±RW/BD model, only capable of reading Blu-ray discs rather than writing to them. The APP-6963 also operates at 1x speeds, but additionally supports writing to blank BD-R discs. The top-end APP-6964 mirrors the 6963 but accelerates to 4x spin.

All of the drives are compatible with both Macs and PCs, but FastMac warns that Blu-ray movies are not natively supported by Mac OS X. As a result, Macs can only transfer files to and from Blu-ray discs, unless they use Boot Camp and supplemental video software. The drives are priced at $100, $300 and $400, respectively.