NEC Display Solutions supplements its M-series with short-throw models

The new models, introduced last autumn, deliver impressive presentations even over

short projection distances. The throw ratio of only 0.47:1 results in a distance of

about 75cm/90cm between the front of the lens and a 77"/87" whiteboard. This minimises

shadows and glare effects and gives presenters more space to move around and interact

with their audience.

The innovative energy-saving features of the M-series also reduce the operating costs

of the short-throw models. As with the other models in the M-series, the NEC short-

throw projectors' outstanding energy footprint is based on an efficient mix resulting

from a lamp life and filter cleaning interval of up to 6,000 hours and effective

energy-conservation features. For example, the innovative Auto Eco Mode automatically

adapts the luminous power of the lamp to the presentation content. Dark content results

in reduced luminosity and at the same time lower power consumption.

Another innovation is the 75% AV Mute function, which allows the picture to be muted

simply by pushing the green AV mute button on the remote control. The presenter can

thus fully focus the audience's attention on him-/herself for a brief period. Moreover,

the projector remains fully operational during breaks in the presentation. Reducing the

luminous power by three-quarters results, not just in reduced energy consumption of the

total projector, but also in significantly longer lamp life.

NEC's TCO-certified short-throw projectors provide brilliant images in both XGA (1024 x

768) and WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution with a contrast ratio of 2,000:1. A further

advantage is the enormous variety of connection options. All models have two VGA- as

well as one HDMI-input, are network-capable and have three USB ports. The first USB

type A interface supports a viewer function so that still images can directly be

projected from a USB stick. The second USB type A input allows owners to connect an

optional WLAN module in order to send content wirelessly via the network using the

Image Express Utility Lite software.

The PC control 4 software additionally allows users to control and monitor multiple

projectors e.g. in a larger campus. The USB type B interface establishes a direct

connection to any PC. This also makes it easy to control presentations using the

projector's remote control unit.

The short-throw projectors follow the manufacturer's new naming concept for its

projector portfolio, which allows suitable projectors to be quickly identified. Thus an

'S' at the end of a name - for example 'M350XS' - identifies a short-throw model from

the multimedia M-series (M), which also provides luminosity of 3,500 ANSI Lumens (35)

and XGA resolution (X) and is a member of the first generation (0).

Availability, prices and warranty

The M-series short-throw projectors will be available from February 2011. The package

supplied includes an IR remote control, a mini-D SUB signal cable, a power cord, a

users manual on CD-ROM together with a quick setup guide and a lens cap. NEC Display

Solutions offers a three-year warranty for these products, plus a warranty period of

six months or 1,000 operating hours for the lamp. For education customers NEC offers a

free of charge three year/3,000h lamp warranty extension upon registration.

NEC to announce P-series installation projectors

In addition to high brightness, both the P420X and the P350W offer great picture

performance paired with outstanding network connectivity and advanced Eco features help

to lower operating and service costs. These new installation projectors also promise

low installation cost thanks to innovative features such as Lens Shift and the wide

zoom lens.

Furthermore, with a large 1.7x optical zoom, contrast ratio of 2000:1 and brightness

levels of 4200 lumens (P420X) and 3500 lumens (P350W), these new projectors provide

dynamic images under normal ambient lighting conditions. The P420X boasts a native

resolution of 1024x768 (XGA) and the P350W supports 1280x800 (WXGA) providing a wide-

screen format, ideal for presenting videos and enlarging presentations. Built-in

software features include wall colour correction, automatic keystone correction and

Virtual RemoteTM for ease of installation.

Also, the built-in wireless access point allows a wireless connection in just seconds

by using available WLAN option. Latest networking features, such as Windows Network

Projector, Windows Remote Desktop, Image Express and Media Connect function, are

designed to make wired or wireless picture transfer simple. Image Express Lite also

enhances the setup experience with built-in cornerstone correction and even complete

geometric correction possibility.

Furthermore, both projectors feature a range of display input options, including HDMI,

S-video, RGB and RCA connectors, and both support the Projector Viewer Function, which

allow users to show PowerPoint files, PDF files, images or movies directly from USB

memory or via network without any need of a presentation PC.

NEC's innovative ECO ModeTM technology means that the P-series projectors' lamp and

filter life are extended up to 3500 hours, and the filter does not need to be changed

until the lamp has reached its end of life. The active lens cover enables presenters to

immediately mute the audio and video, as well as lowering the lamp brightness to 25%.

Additionally, start-up takes under four seconds and direct power-off let users present

and move on within seconds. The sum of these combined features equates a lower total

cost of ownership and energy usage, which are calculated automatically by the

integrated carbon savings meter.

"We have included features in this projector series that not only exceed the needs of

education and corporate users but enhance the user experience with practical and easy-

to-use functionality," says Gerd Kaiser, Product Line Manager Large Venue Projectors at

NEC Display Solutions Europe. "The P-series provides users with everything they need

from built-in technologies and extended connectivity to energy-saving features and

advanced networking capabilities."

TV and computer displays are in, projectors are out

The Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) By Jean-ClaudeElias If you are still using a multimedia projector you may be going out of style. Whether it is to play an important PowerPoint presentation over a business meeting with the idea of closing a deal, or to watch Tom Cruise embarking on Mission Impossible IV (due this year) at home in huge screen size, image projection is not anymore the best way to go, however bright - literally - your projector may be.


As surely as Windows 7 has replaced most other versions, TV screens and computer monitors are kicking out projectors.

For many years multimedia projectors have been an essential tool in the office first and then at home. A large number of consumers have set up a home theatre, building it around a projector, the main idea being to have the biggest possible image size, at the least possible cost. Until a year or two ago the best way to achieve that was by using a projector.

Falling prices of LCD TV sets and computer monitors are changing the deal. The introduction of the very thin LED models, still a bit expensive, has made LCD types very affordable, even those models that are 50" or more.

Typically, a full high definition 52" TV is $1,000 and a 60" unit $1,700 (Internet, US prices). Whereas this may still be a bit more expensive than a projector that can produce a similar size of image, the advantages are many and largely beat any projector.

The quality of the picture displayed on a TV or computer monitor has much more contrast than the one projected on a screen or a wall for that matter. Colours are more vivid and better saturated too, and sharpness is unrivalled - besides, you do not have to focus any lens when using a TV or computer monitor. You do not have to turn down the lights or draw the shades either in order to obtain a well-contrasted picture.

Then there's noise. Whereas TVs and computer screens are silent by design, projectors use a fan to cool the lamp. The bigger and the brighter the projector, the noisier its fan. Not to mention that the lamp has a limited lifetime, typically in the range of 3,000 hours, and must therefore be replaced after that. Lamps cost at least $100 to replace.

Then comes convenience of use. Having to clear the space between the projector and the projection screen is always a hassle and a waste of space, precisely. LCD displays are friendlier and only take the space that the projection screen would take.

In Jordan four of the major importers of quality multimedia projectors, among them LG and Epson, are still supplying the devices to the market. Two other importers, who requested not to be named, have stopped all imports of projectors, strongly believing the market has started shifting from projectors towards LCD displays for good, given the countless advantages of the technology.

The fact that modern LCD displays now provide a 170 degrees viewing angle has come to reinforce the trend. Very little is left in favour of projectors, except again, still a small price advantage, but that should not last too long.

As for connectivity to all equipment that produces the image, like computers, digital cameras, DVD or Blu-Ray players, satellite receivers and even smartphones, both LCD displays and multimedia projectors now feature the almost standard HDMI digital interface which preserves the quality of the generated image.

Soon the multimedia projector will take its place in the museum of technology to join the good old 35mm slide projector that was in fashion till 1990.