Canon USA has introduced the REALiS WUX10, world's first WUXGA-resolution (1920 x 1200) widescreen Multimedia Projector using LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) technology. The company has also introduced the REALiS SX80 Multimedia high-resolution SXGA Projector that is the world's first projector to offer PictBridge connectivity and is suitable for users in corporate, education and other professional fields.

 

Both projectors feature new LCOS reflective LCD panels, with the REALiS WUX10 incorporating a 0.71-inch WUXGA  panel and the REALiS SX80 featuring a 0.55-inch SXGA panel. The two projectors also feature the company's proprietary AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System) Optical Engine which equalizes the light from the projection lamp and maximizes the performance of the LCOS panels to achieve high brightness, excellent contrast, exceptional resolution and a more compact projector form factor.  

 

Moreover, the projectors eature newly developed Genuine Canon 1.5x Powered Zoom/Focus Lenses that deliver increased resolution and suppression of lens aberrations, and improved 10:0 lens offset, reducing the need for tilting and/or keystone correction.

Sanyo has introduced the PLC-XP200L QuaDrive projector to the UK market, reports AVInteractive.

Introduced earlier this year, this projector offers a brightness of 7000 ANSI lumens and a very high contrast ratio of 2000:1.  As a result, the PLC-XP200L projector is capable of producing "clearer and richer images with greater depth than conventional high brightness projectors" (according to Sanyo).  

The projector also requires less maintenance due to the presence of its Active Maintenance Filter system which negates the need for filter cleaning. 

The Samsung P400 Pocket Imager and LG Electronics’ HS-102 Ultra-Mobile Projector, two of the latest portable LED-based projectors, are powered by the PhlatLight LEDs from Luminus Devices. Both of these projectors are lamp-free, weigh less than two pounds and fit in the palm of a hand.

Using these LEDs allows both projectors a brightness of  150 lumens, among the highest for pocket projectors. These projectors consume approximately one-third the power of comparable lamp based projectors and produce an instant-on image at full brightness without the cost and inconvenience of lamp replacement.

Business projectors don't have to be just the equivalent of a home theatre of the office or conference room; rather, knowing and understanding a bit more of the different types and their key features/ functionality can enable them to be used as powerful business tools, says David Stone in eWeek.com.

According to the article, one of the key features to consider is the "throw" of the projector ie. the distance of the projector from the screen [choose between standard, short throw, and ultra-short throw]. Secondly, consider how shadows can be avoided; thirdly, where do you want to place the projector [table top, rear projection; table top, front projection and on-the-floor projection].

Read additional details on projector specifics here.

Amanda C. Kooser of Entrepreneur.com does a comprehensive review of some of the latest models of digital projectors for business use. As she says, projectors are indeed "getting brighter, showing truer colours and tackling HD video."

Some of the models she mentions in her article are: Epson Powerlite 400W, priced at around $1399; the Toshiba TDP-EW25U, priced at about $2059; the Sony VPL-EW5 costing about $1410; the Sharp XR-32X that costs about $1195. Besides these, she does discuss a few other models from NEC, Sanyo and InFocus, while also recommending that projector buyers should also consider models from Dell, Planar and Panasonic before going ahead with a purchase.

So, how should one narrow down the list from the wide choices of projectors available? Here's here advice: "Narrow down your options by deciding if you need a portable or conference room projector, whether you'll be using a widescreen notebook, and whether you'll be projecting in a brightly lit room or projecting a big image in a small space."