The Favi E1-LED-Pico ($200 street) projector is the consumer counterpart to the Favi B1-LED-Pico business-oriented pico projector ($280 street, 3.5 stars). Geared mainly for projecting video and photos, the E1 can be used most anywhere, as it can run off AA batteries when it's not plugged into its included power adapter. It's equally at home in a family room, a hotel room, or on a camping trip (provided you have a makeshift or portable screen). Though not the brightest or most full-featured model in town, it does a good job for a projector at this price.
The matte-black E1 measures 1 by 4.5 by 2.4 inches (HWD) and weighs 4 ounces, excluding batteries. The 12-lumen, RGB LED-based lamp—using LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) display technology—is rated to last up to 20,000 hours, so it should last the life of the projector. The E1 has a native VGA (640 by
The focus wheel is positioned in the front of the projector, just above the lens, and is best turned by an index finger. Focusing isn't as smooth as with the lever control in the Favi B1. It's also easy to get one's finger in the way of the projected image while trying to focus. The E1 includes a tiny tripod with bendable legs. If the projector should topple (between the lightweight tripod and the projector usually being tugged at by at least one cable, that's bound to happen sooner or later), the focus wheel can pop out, as I discovered while doing video testing. Be careful not to lose the wheel, as the projector can't be focused without it.
The E1 has 1GB of internal memory, and a slot for an SD card, hidden behind the door that also houses the 4 AA batteries that power the E1 when it's not connected to a wall adapter. Favi claims that the battery life should be 4-6 hours. I tested battery life with Duracells; they lasted about 4 hours, although the image started to fade after about 3 hours. Although a rechargeable internal battery would have been preferable, a set of batteries will get you through a long movie, and you could always use rechargeable NiMh or NiCad AA cells.
In addition to the power adapter and tripod, accessories that come with the projector include a mini USB cable for transferring files, a composite video cable, a carrying pouch, a remote control, and a set of international power-plug adapters.
The E1's small remote lets you access the menu system as well as control basic video functions (play, pause, fast-forward, rewind, increase or decrease volume). It lets you choose between internal memory and SD card as the file source. One level down, you can choose between Photo, Video, and Setting. Clicking on Photo will show you the photos and let you access them. Clicking on Video will show the filename name, time, date, and size of video files you have stored.
From Setting, selecting Photo Setup lets you choose between browse mode, slideshow, and thumbnail; select whether you want the images full-screen or cropped; choose a duration of the slideshow (between 5 seconds and 15 minutes), and choose between various slideshow effects. It only plays .mp4 and .avi movie files, as well as files of other formats after being converted into .mm2 files by the ArcSoft Media Converter software that comes with the projector.
From Video Setup, you can choose between full-screen and original size in Display Mode, and whether to play a video once, repeat it, or play videos in random order.
The E1's composite video connector lets you use the projector to show video from, say, a DVD player. I viewed video in a dark room: It could project video up to about a meter wide without it significantly losing detail. The video quality was reasonable, adequate for showing a full-length DVD in darkness. The built-in speakers, however, weren't really up to the task—either for volume and sound quality. You'd want to use either headphones or a powered set of external speakers. On the plus side, the projector has no fan, so you won't be contending with fan noise like you would with the Favi B1-LED-Pico.
2011年6月29日 星期三
Ingram Micro Welcomed to European Projector Lamp Market
Ingram Micro (News - Alert) has launched the company’s own V7-brand projector lamps into Europe and the U.K.; and, according to Britain industry observer Fleur Doidge, established replacement lamp vendors and distributors are pleased.
You’d think that, like in most business fields, more competition is the last thing they want. But according to Doidge, Andy Read, sales and marketing director at replica lamps vendor Diamond Lamps, said new entrants help “increase awareness of alternatives and helps grow its market. We do welcome more competition.”
Read said his company was the first to market with aftermarket lamps from the original manufacturers built into replica cages: ”At the time our aim was to stop the spread of copy lamps by offering a lower cost OEM alternative with equal performance... Our lamps are as good quality as any genuine-inside lamps can get. I don't want to speculate on the quality of theirs."
Earlier this month TMCnet reported that Revolabs, a provider of wireless unified communications products, signed a North American distribution agreement with Ingram Micro to be a distributor of Revolabs Wireless Audio Systems for Unified Communications.
Ingram Micro will offer Revolabs FLX, a line of wireless conference telephones, and the xTag BT (News - Alert) wireless microphone to its North American network of value-added resellers (VARs). Revolab's wireless audio products are based on the company's wireless audio technology.
Simon Kitson, at distributor Just Lamps, told Doidge that competition in the sector may drive prices and margins down in the already well-served market. "However, I welcome that V7 is promoting genuine lamps or from OEM IP, as is the case with us. I'd rather see a new competitor taking this approach than introducing inferior copies.”
You’d think that, like in most business fields, more competition is the last thing they want. But according to Doidge, Andy Read, sales and marketing director at replica lamps vendor Diamond Lamps, said new entrants help “increase awareness of alternatives and helps grow its market. We do welcome more competition.”
Read said his company was the first to market with aftermarket lamps from the original manufacturers built into replica cages: ”At the time our aim was to stop the spread of copy lamps by offering a lower cost OEM alternative with equal performance... Our lamps are as good quality as any genuine-inside lamps can get. I don't want to speculate on the quality of theirs."
Earlier this month TMCnet reported that Revolabs, a provider of wireless unified communications products, signed a North American distribution agreement with Ingram Micro to be a distributor of Revolabs Wireless Audio Systems for Unified Communications.
Ingram Micro will offer Revolabs FLX, a line of wireless conference telephones, and the xTag BT (News - Alert) wireless microphone to its North American network of value-added resellers (VARs). Revolab's wireless audio products are based on the company's wireless audio technology.
Simon Kitson, at distributor Just Lamps, told Doidge that competition in the sector may drive prices and margins down in the already well-served market. "However, I welcome that V7 is promoting genuine lamps or from OEM IP, as is the case with us. I'd rather see a new competitor taking this approach than introducing inferior copies.”
2011年6月26日 星期日
City figures in action-fantasy plot
I recently watched the trippy action fantasy, “Sucker Punch,” in Blu-ray on an HDTV.
This was not at my home, of course, where our TV is so old it runs on lamp oil.
No, it was in my friend’s fabulous man cave, where I want to be buried when I die (I haven’t told him yet, but I have been looking at plots).
I am not going to review “Sucker Punch” except to say that I think director Zack Snyder was trying to make a feminist statement, and like a lot of geeky male filmmakers before him, he could envision only one way to go about that: by populating his film with sex kittens, sexual predators, exotic dancers, child-women in peril, and lady assassins whose dress code is predictably impractical.
Would it have killed Snyder to make one of the secret agents a woman in Birkenstocks who doesn’t shave her legs and lectures the other assassins about the social ramifications of wearing perfume?
But I am not going to sit here and try to claim that I am immune to the universal erotic allure of beautiful women in lingerie fighting giant samurai and robot Nazis.
I would describe “Sucker Punch” as a perfect home entertainment option, where you can relax in the comfort of your living room without having to worry about being ejected from the multiplex for having sneaked beer into the theater.
Whatever misgivings I might have had about the film while watching it were entirely dispelled by “Sucker Punch’s” surprising yet inevitable ending.
Now, I am a person who hates revealing too many plot details about movies that some readers may not have seen yet, but I am about to do just that right now.
So if you still plan to see “Sucker Punch,” read no further.
The women of “Sucker Punch” endure a lot of suffering in the film, although it’s not always easy to tell how much of that suffering is real and how much is hallucinated. Which is to say, you never know how sorry you should feel for any of them.
I hallucinate suffering all the time and no one ever feels sorry for me.
I think it’s safe to say that, as an example of non-traditional storytelling, “Sucker Punch” makes “Inception” look like Dr. Seuss’ “Hop on Pop.” However, the ending has unexpected poignancy.
A single survivor of all the cartoonish carnage with the environmentally friendly and nutritionally conscious name of Sweet Pea is given a chance for a new life. She arrives at a bus station with the police hot on her heels.
A magic bus arrives, which is being driven by Scott Glenn, who plays a succession of mystical gurus throughout the film.
Like Obi Wan Kenobi before him, Glenn convinces the weak-minded cops that she is not the Sweet Pea they are looking for. So Sweet Pea boards a bus headed to the only place where she will be safe from the world’s madness: Fort Wayne.
Yes, Fort Wayne.
You may be asking yourself as we did, “Is this a special copy of the disc that was tailored specifically for the Fort Wayne market?”
While Hollywood regularly invests that kind of money in the northeast Indiana market, it does not seem to have been the case with “Sucker Punch.”
A brief Google search reveals that Fort Wayne was Sweet Pea’s destination in every English-language copy of the film, and perhaps some foreign language copies as well (Summit City in German is Gipfel-Stadt).
I assure you that this is presented sincerely in the film not satirically (at no point does Glenn threaten to show her all the places in Fort Wayne where Harry Baals hung out).
I saw this movie a day after MSN Real Estate and Local Market Monitor selected Fort Wayne as one of the top 10 “Best Places for Starting Over.”
Because I am one of those rubes who believes that there are no coincidences in life, I couldn’t help but ask aloud, “What could this mean?” and then sob for 10 minutes like the guy in the double rainbow video.
What does Zack Snyder know about Fort Wayne that I don’t know he knows?
Here’s one thing I do know: Fort Wayne really is a great place to start over.
I once did it myself.
When I arrived 15 years ago here wearing nothing but lingerie torn by robot Nazis, I was not a big fan of this place.
I had lived in Buffalo, N.Y., western Massachusetts and central New Jersey, and Fort Wayne had very few of the features I thought I needed to be happy back then.
A decade and a half later, I am flat-out in love with this place.
Fort Wayne is a great place to start over and a great place to keep going.
I know plenty of far cooler people than myself who feel the same way.
I have introduced you to a few of them in this column and I would love to introduce you to a few more.
But first, I have to pick Sweet Pea up at the bus station.
This was not at my home, of course, where our TV is so old it runs on lamp oil.
No, it was in my friend’s fabulous man cave, where I want to be buried when I die (I haven’t told him yet, but I have been looking at plots).
I am not going to review “Sucker Punch” except to say that I think director Zack Snyder was trying to make a feminist statement, and like a lot of geeky male filmmakers before him, he could envision only one way to go about that: by populating his film with sex kittens, sexual predators, exotic dancers, child-women in peril, and lady assassins whose dress code is predictably impractical.
Would it have killed Snyder to make one of the secret agents a woman in Birkenstocks who doesn’t shave her legs and lectures the other assassins about the social ramifications of wearing perfume?
But I am not going to sit here and try to claim that I am immune to the universal erotic allure of beautiful women in lingerie fighting giant samurai and robot Nazis.
I would describe “Sucker Punch” as a perfect home entertainment option, where you can relax in the comfort of your living room without having to worry about being ejected from the multiplex for having sneaked beer into the theater.
Whatever misgivings I might have had about the film while watching it were entirely dispelled by “Sucker Punch’s” surprising yet inevitable ending.
Now, I am a person who hates revealing too many plot details about movies that some readers may not have seen yet, but I am about to do just that right now.
So if you still plan to see “Sucker Punch,” read no further.
The women of “Sucker Punch” endure a lot of suffering in the film, although it’s not always easy to tell how much of that suffering is real and how much is hallucinated. Which is to say, you never know how sorry you should feel for any of them.
I hallucinate suffering all the time and no one ever feels sorry for me.
I think it’s safe to say that, as an example of non-traditional storytelling, “Sucker Punch” makes “Inception” look like Dr. Seuss’ “Hop on Pop.” However, the ending has unexpected poignancy.
A single survivor of all the cartoonish carnage with the environmentally friendly and nutritionally conscious name of Sweet Pea is given a chance for a new life. She arrives at a bus station with the police hot on her heels.
A magic bus arrives, which is being driven by Scott Glenn, who plays a succession of mystical gurus throughout the film.
Like Obi Wan Kenobi before him, Glenn convinces the weak-minded cops that she is not the Sweet Pea they are looking for. So Sweet Pea boards a bus headed to the only place where she will be safe from the world’s madness: Fort Wayne.
Yes, Fort Wayne.
You may be asking yourself as we did, “Is this a special copy of the disc that was tailored specifically for the Fort Wayne market?”
While Hollywood regularly invests that kind of money in the northeast Indiana market, it does not seem to have been the case with “Sucker Punch.”
A brief Google search reveals that Fort Wayne was Sweet Pea’s destination in every English-language copy of the film, and perhaps some foreign language copies as well (Summit City in German is Gipfel-Stadt).
I assure you that this is presented sincerely in the film not satirically (at no point does Glenn threaten to show her all the places in Fort Wayne where Harry Baals hung out).
I saw this movie a day after MSN Real Estate and Local Market Monitor selected Fort Wayne as one of the top 10 “Best Places for Starting Over.”
Because I am one of those rubes who believes that there are no coincidences in life, I couldn’t help but ask aloud, “What could this mean?” and then sob for 10 minutes like the guy in the double rainbow video.
What does Zack Snyder know about Fort Wayne that I don’t know he knows?
Here’s one thing I do know: Fort Wayne really is a great place to start over.
I once did it myself.
When I arrived 15 years ago here wearing nothing but lingerie torn by robot Nazis, I was not a big fan of this place.
I had lived in Buffalo, N.Y., western Massachusetts and central New Jersey, and Fort Wayne had very few of the features I thought I needed to be happy back then.
A decade and a half later, I am flat-out in love with this place.
Fort Wayne is a great place to start over and a great place to keep going.
I know plenty of far cooler people than myself who feel the same way.
I have introduced you to a few of them in this column and I would love to introduce you to a few more.
But first, I have to pick Sweet Pea up at the bus station.
MPS leaders tout successes, new initiatives
MPS leaders will get an update on the system's financial state this week. WSFA 12 News was first to report that the system is running low on its financial reserves. Despite the tough economic situation, there are some bright spots for MPS.
"We are moving in the right direction," said Charlotte Meadows, School Board President. "We have made great strides this year and for the last several years. We have really been focusing on student achievement."
Speaking during the mayor's weekly news briefing, Meadows cited recent accolades won by Floyd Middle Magnet School and LAMP High school as examples of the system's commitment to excellence.
"Number 13 in the nation is not something to be taken lightly at all," Meadows said. "And certainly the students, the faculty, the administration at Lamp is to be applauded. But we have got so much good going on throughout the entire school system."
Superintendent Barbara Thompson also cited progress with the high school graduation rate.
"Four years ago, the graduation rate was 76 percent," Thompson said. "The next year 77 percent. Last year it was 85 percent. This year it is 89 percent on the same measurement."
And she says the system is launching a renewed effort to focus on its middle schools.
"Because our data shows us that our kids really start to drop off around middle school," Thompson said. "That's when those grades start to drop and everything changes, but we're still trying to capture that energy that we think is so important."
For the first time MPS will host a middle school fair on July 9th at Alabama State University. there parents will get the opportunity to learn more about the curriculum and other aspects of the middle schools.
"We are moving in the right direction," said Charlotte Meadows, School Board President. "We have made great strides this year and for the last several years. We have really been focusing on student achievement."
Speaking during the mayor's weekly news briefing, Meadows cited recent accolades won by Floyd Middle Magnet School and LAMP High school as examples of the system's commitment to excellence.
"Number 13 in the nation is not something to be taken lightly at all," Meadows said. "And certainly the students, the faculty, the administration at Lamp is to be applauded. But we have got so much good going on throughout the entire school system."
Superintendent Barbara Thompson also cited progress with the high school graduation rate.
"Four years ago, the graduation rate was 76 percent," Thompson said. "The next year 77 percent. Last year it was 85 percent. This year it is 89 percent on the same measurement."
And she says the system is launching a renewed effort to focus on its middle schools.
"Because our data shows us that our kids really start to drop off around middle school," Thompson said. "That's when those grades start to drop and everything changes, but we're still trying to capture that energy that we think is so important."
For the first time MPS will host a middle school fair on July 9th at Alabama State University. there parents will get the opportunity to learn more about the curriculum and other aspects of the middle schools.
2011年6月22日 星期三
Sony enters the short throw projector fray
Sony Professional has launched two short throw projectors for classrooms and meeting rooms. The VPL-SX125 and VPL-SW125 have been designed to improve ease of use, and optimise the image quality of presentations used in educational and business environments.
The VPL-SX125 and VPL-SW125 feature a 0.62:1 throw ratioand a contrast ratio of 3,800:1.
The VPL-SX125 and VPL-SW125 projectors offers a 3-system brightness mode to allow users to choose High, Standard and Low brightness levels to suit their specific content and surroundings. The Low brightness mode also helps to save power and boost efficiency, lowering the total cost of ownership and allowing a lamp life of 6,000 hours.
For easy accessibility, a control panel layout is located on top of the unit. Security is provided by password protection, a panel key lock, and a security lock and bar fitted to both projectors.
The VPL-SX125 and VPL-SW125 are available now.
The VPL-SX125 and VPL-SW125 feature a 0.62:1 throw ratioand a contrast ratio of 3,800:1.
The VPL-SX125 and VPL-SW125 projectors offers a 3-system brightness mode to allow users to choose High, Standard and Low brightness levels to suit their specific content and surroundings. The Low brightness mode also helps to save power and boost efficiency, lowering the total cost of ownership and allowing a lamp life of 6,000 hours.
For easy accessibility, a control panel layout is located on top of the unit. Security is provided by password protection, a panel key lock, and a security lock and bar fitted to both projectors.
The VPL-SX125 and VPL-SW125 are available now.
Sanyo Unveils 2 New Projectors
Sanyo has unveiled two LCD projectors, one of them a portable model with an automatic setup process, the other a full sized HD unit with high brightness.
For projecting HD content in venues with large amounts of ambient light, the full sized unit, dubbed the PLC-HP7000L, offers a brightness of 7,000 lumens and a native resolution 1080p (1,920 x 1,080).
The projector uses a short throw lens with a 1.6x optical zoom and a 380-watt lamp to display videos and images in a 100-inch area at distances between 8.3 feet and 13.2 feet.
An active maintenance filter that holds up to ten air filters and automatically swaps them when its sensor detects restricted air flow allows the projector to run for up to 10,000 hours without maintenance.
Additional features include powered zoom, powered focus, Ethernet connectivity, and corner Keystone correction.
AV inputs include HDMI, DVI/DVI-D/DVI-I, 5BNC, analog RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin), S-video, composite video, and two sets of stereo RCA jacks. The one AV output port is RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin). Peripheral and control ports include RJ-45 LAN, RS-232, USB type B, and a mini jack for wired remote control.
Using a 275-watt lamp and a short throw lens with a 1.6x optical zoom, the portable PLC-WU3800 projects images and video on areas ranging from 40 inches to 300 inches at distances between 3.25 feet and 39.7 feet.
The PLC-WU3800 offers a brightness of 3,800 lumens, a contrast ratio of 500:1, and a native resolution of 1,280 x 800 (WXGA).
To enable quick connections, the projector has an automatic set up function that searches for video inputs and corrects some video distortion by detecting the projectors incline and adjusting vertical Keystone correction in a range of +- 20 degrees.
For projecting HD content in venues with large amounts of ambient light, the full sized unit, dubbed the PLC-HP7000L, offers a brightness of 7,000 lumens and a native resolution 1080p (1,920 x 1,080).
The projector uses a short throw lens with a 1.6x optical zoom and a 380-watt lamp to display videos and images in a 100-inch area at distances between 8.3 feet and 13.2 feet.
An active maintenance filter that holds up to ten air filters and automatically swaps them when its sensor detects restricted air flow allows the projector to run for up to 10,000 hours without maintenance.
Additional features include powered zoom, powered focus, Ethernet connectivity, and corner Keystone correction.
AV inputs include HDMI, DVI/DVI-D/DVI-I, 5BNC, analog RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin), S-video, composite video, and two sets of stereo RCA jacks. The one AV output port is RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin). Peripheral and control ports include RJ-45 LAN, RS-232, USB type B, and a mini jack for wired remote control.
Using a 275-watt lamp and a short throw lens with a 1.6x optical zoom, the portable PLC-WU3800 projects images and video on areas ranging from 40 inches to 300 inches at distances between 3.25 feet and 39.7 feet.
The PLC-WU3800 offers a brightness of 3,800 lumens, a contrast ratio of 500:1, and a native resolution of 1,280 x 800 (WXGA).
To enable quick connections, the projector has an automatic set up function that searches for video inputs and corrects some video distortion by detecting the projectors incline and adjusting vertical Keystone correction in a range of +- 20 degrees.
2011年6月20日 星期一
Wavien, Inc. and AAXA Technologies, Inc. Introduce a 1,000-Lumen Projector Using the
Wavien, Inc. announces today the introduction of a 1,000-lumen projector to be manufactured and sold by AAXA Technologies, Inc. (AAXA). This new projector, which uses Wavien's proprietary DPR™ light engine, outperforms LED projectors by producing 1,000 lumens of brightness and a lifetime of 25,000 hours at the cost of a conventional desktop projector.
A production prototype unit will be shown at the Wavien booth, #5283, at the InfoComm in Orlando, Florida from June 15th to 17th. Performance, pricing, and delivery details for the new projector are now available from AAXA.
"Wavien's DPR light engine provides a maintenance-free light source for projectors suitable for home theater/gaming applications, classrooms and small conference rooms. It outperforms LED projectors, providing a higher output, smaller footprint and longer lifetime, at a lower cost," stated Dr. Kenneth Li, President and CEO of Wavien, Inc., who is also the inventor of the DPR technology. Dr. Li added: "This unique patented design enables a significant reduction in the cost of projector operation, which is especially important for use at home and classrooms where projector usage is very high and trouble-free operation is essential. We are very excited to work with AAXA, with its proven track record for manufacturing and marketing cutting-edge projectors on a worldwide scale."
"The maintenance-free features of LED and hybrid projectors created expectations in consumers that all state-of-the-art projectors should use those technologies. We have identified a void in the market for affordably priced projectors with a screen brightness of about 1,000 lumens. LED projector outputs are too low, and hybrid projectors are costly," stated Gary Huang, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at AAXA. "We are very fortunate to have identified Wavien's DPR light engine technology, which allows us to fill this void in the market. We believe that there is a great opportunity in this area by combining Wavien's technology with AAXA's manufacturing, sales and marketing capabilities," added Mr. Huang.
About Wavien, Inc.
Wavien, based in Valencia, California, is a technology licensing company developing long-life, high-performance light sources and engine prototypes for the projection and general lighting industries. Wavien currently offers its unique "Dual Paraboloid Reflector" ("DPR") technology using ultra-high-pressure arc lamps for education and business uses, and xenon lamps for cinema projectors. Wavien has also entered the LED illumination market with its recycling and non-imaging optical technology. These technologies improve lamp life, brightness, and efficiency when teamed with applications in the projection display, fiber optics, entertainment, and general lighting markets.
A production prototype unit will be shown at the Wavien booth, #5283, at the InfoComm in Orlando, Florida from June 15th to 17th. Performance, pricing, and delivery details for the new projector are now available from AAXA.
"Wavien's DPR light engine provides a maintenance-free light source for projectors suitable for home theater/gaming applications, classrooms and small conference rooms. It outperforms LED projectors, providing a higher output, smaller footprint and longer lifetime, at a lower cost," stated Dr. Kenneth Li, President and CEO of Wavien, Inc., who is also the inventor of the DPR technology. Dr. Li added: "This unique patented design enables a significant reduction in the cost of projector operation, which is especially important for use at home and classrooms where projector usage is very high and trouble-free operation is essential. We are very excited to work with AAXA, with its proven track record for manufacturing and marketing cutting-edge projectors on a worldwide scale."
"The maintenance-free features of LED and hybrid projectors created expectations in consumers that all state-of-the-art projectors should use those technologies. We have identified a void in the market for affordably priced projectors with a screen brightness of about 1,000 lumens. LED projector outputs are too low, and hybrid projectors are costly," stated Gary Huang, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at AAXA. "We are very fortunate to have identified Wavien's DPR light engine technology, which allows us to fill this void in the market. We believe that there is a great opportunity in this area by combining Wavien's technology with AAXA's manufacturing, sales and marketing capabilities," added Mr. Huang.
About Wavien, Inc.
Wavien, based in Valencia, California, is a technology licensing company developing long-life, high-performance light sources and engine prototypes for the projection and general lighting industries. Wavien currently offers its unique "Dual Paraboloid Reflector" ("DPR") technology using ultra-high-pressure arc lamps for education and business uses, and xenon lamps for cinema projectors. Wavien has also entered the LED illumination market with its recycling and non-imaging optical technology. These technologies improve lamp life, brightness, and efficiency when teamed with applications in the projection display, fiber optics, entertainment, and general lighting markets.
Opportunities Dot Slowing Front-Projector Market
So far this year, the market for hometheater- focused front projectors, like many other CE categories, is growing at slower-than-expected levels, but analysts and manufacturers are seeing pockets of new opportunities emerging in certain markets, namely the highend market and the low-end combo DVD market.
Conversely, the market for data projectors is growing at healthier levels as corporations, government offices, schools and universities increasingly look at value-added display systems that are more economical to maintain.
On the home-theater projector side, Tamaryn Pratt, Quixel Research principal, said unit sales are up about 3 percent over 2010 levels at this time.
“This is a little soft compared to last year’s increase of over 30 percent due to the more significant increase in availability of lower-cost 1080p models,” she said. “We’re expecting a 6 percent decline in revenues over 2010, which was flat.”
Quixel said the home-theater projector market last year shipped 150,899 (units) for $306 million in factory dollar value. It is forecasting dollar volume to drop 6 percent to about $287 million in 2011.
Some of the better growth segments of the home business, she said, appeared to come in models with alternative lighting systems to bulbs — like LED. But as with other new tech CE segments, this too has felt the pinch of the economy.
“LED projector sales were really hot out of the gate and there was plenty of excitement. However, once the initial demand was saturated, we’ve seen sales stall,” Pratt said. “In a rough economy the prices are still steep, although DPI recently dropped the price of their LED unit, and there was a little lift.”
Hindering projectors with the new light sources, she said, are high manufacturing costs and limited overall market volume.
“For there to be a significant adoption, we’ll need to see LED projector price points for consumers around $6,000 or $7,000.”
Alberto Fabiano, Sim2 USA executive VP, called customers embracing LED “gratifying,” adding that for his company, “it is a thriving segment with our Liquid Cooled MICO. Look for a new, brighter model coming to market soon.”
Meanwhile, 3D is generating some interest among front-projector enthusiasts.
“It is a feature — a needed one,” Sim2’s Fabiano said of 3D. “No new performance units should be designed without it. Our product line will feature 3D at key price points.” Quixel’s Pratt said that for projectors, 3D “makes sense because it is immersive 3D, not 55- or 60-inch 3D. Even the usage makes sense as people primarily watch movies or sports events with their projector, and in those instances people can accept wearing glasses. JVC has been very successful with their 3D projector, and we are seeing strong numbers out of the gate for Sharp’s new model.”
Pratt predicted the industry will see a new class of entry 3D products in the fall, and to “expect a $200 to $300 price delta for the feature.”
Meanwhile, manufacturers like Sim2, who have turned their attention to the small, but relatively economyresistant, upscale home-theater market, said they see expansion on the horizon.
“It is curious, and clearly not reflecting other’s experiences, but our dealer base has not shrunk this year,” said Fabiano. “If anything, we have opened a dozen new highcaliber dealers to date.”
Pratt explained that players like Sim2, DPI and Runco are “holding up the high end. There has been limited unit growth, but the price points are steady and even increasing. But, interestingly, several of these high-end manufacturers have become very successful downstream (sub- $10,000). The aspirational customers who purchase the entry BMWs are also interested in buying an entry DPI or Runco model.”
“It will be interesting to see the longer-term effect on the midrange market players like JVC and Sony as it is unclear if we can grow the pie,” she added.
At the entry end of the business, Epson and Optoma “are the clear leaders,” she said, adding that Epson continues to do well with its WSVGA all-in-one projector/DVD combo model at $599.
“For this reason alone, low-resolution projectors are still alive,” Pratt said, adding that the next move to a 720p or even a 1080p combo model is inevitable.
“Last quarter, 77 percent of the market was 1080p, and all of that volume was derived from single function models,” she said.
At retail, the days of front projectors being the exclusive domain of custom installers are clearly in the past.
Mainstream CE dealers like Best Buy have embraced the category “very successfully with entry models joined by online resellers who are also doing very well with the category.
Conversely, the market for data projectors is growing at healthier levels as corporations, government offices, schools and universities increasingly look at value-added display systems that are more economical to maintain.
On the home-theater projector side, Tamaryn Pratt, Quixel Research principal, said unit sales are up about 3 percent over 2010 levels at this time.
“This is a little soft compared to last year’s increase of over 30 percent due to the more significant increase in availability of lower-cost 1080p models,” she said. “We’re expecting a 6 percent decline in revenues over 2010, which was flat.”
Quixel said the home-theater projector market last year shipped 150,899 (units) for $306 million in factory dollar value. It is forecasting dollar volume to drop 6 percent to about $287 million in 2011.
Some of the better growth segments of the home business, she said, appeared to come in models with alternative lighting systems to bulbs — like LED. But as with other new tech CE segments, this too has felt the pinch of the economy.
“LED projector sales were really hot out of the gate and there was plenty of excitement. However, once the initial demand was saturated, we’ve seen sales stall,” Pratt said. “In a rough economy the prices are still steep, although DPI recently dropped the price of their LED unit, and there was a little lift.”
Hindering projectors with the new light sources, she said, are high manufacturing costs and limited overall market volume.
“For there to be a significant adoption, we’ll need to see LED projector price points for consumers around $6,000 or $7,000.”
Alberto Fabiano, Sim2 USA executive VP, called customers embracing LED “gratifying,” adding that for his company, “it is a thriving segment with our Liquid Cooled MICO. Look for a new, brighter model coming to market soon.”
Meanwhile, 3D is generating some interest among front-projector enthusiasts.
“It is a feature — a needed one,” Sim2’s Fabiano said of 3D. “No new performance units should be designed without it. Our product line will feature 3D at key price points.” Quixel’s Pratt said that for projectors, 3D “makes sense because it is immersive 3D, not 55- or 60-inch 3D. Even the usage makes sense as people primarily watch movies or sports events with their projector, and in those instances people can accept wearing glasses. JVC has been very successful with their 3D projector, and we are seeing strong numbers out of the gate for Sharp’s new model.”
Pratt predicted the industry will see a new class of entry 3D products in the fall, and to “expect a $200 to $300 price delta for the feature.”
Meanwhile, manufacturers like Sim2, who have turned their attention to the small, but relatively economyresistant, upscale home-theater market, said they see expansion on the horizon.
“It is curious, and clearly not reflecting other’s experiences, but our dealer base has not shrunk this year,” said Fabiano. “If anything, we have opened a dozen new highcaliber dealers to date.”
Pratt explained that players like Sim2, DPI and Runco are “holding up the high end. There has been limited unit growth, but the price points are steady and even increasing. But, interestingly, several of these high-end manufacturers have become very successful downstream (sub- $10,000). The aspirational customers who purchase the entry BMWs are also interested in buying an entry DPI or Runco model.”
“It will be interesting to see the longer-term effect on the midrange market players like JVC and Sony as it is unclear if we can grow the pie,” she added.
At the entry end of the business, Epson and Optoma “are the clear leaders,” she said, adding that Epson continues to do well with its WSVGA all-in-one projector/DVD combo model at $599.
“For this reason alone, low-resolution projectors are still alive,” Pratt said, adding that the next move to a 720p or even a 1080p combo model is inevitable.
“Last quarter, 77 percent of the market was 1080p, and all of that volume was derived from single function models,” she said.
At retail, the days of front projectors being the exclusive domain of custom installers are clearly in the past.
Mainstream CE dealers like Best Buy have embraced the category “very successfully with entry models joined by online resellers who are also doing very well with the category.
2011年6月14日 星期二
NEC India Unveils New Range of Portable Eco-Friendly M Series Projectors
The M-Series projection solutions offer users improved ease-of-use at a reduced cost. Company officials said that these models will address the needs of corporate and educational institutions that are on a tight budget, but require bright wired, or wireless, network projectors with remote monitoring and control capabilities.
With NEC’s (News - Alert) new range of M-Series projectors, the company aims to strengthen small and medium businesses and educational institutions in their operations, said Abhilesh Guleria, head of IT Platform and Display Solutions Business at NEC India.
For projecting high-quality digital images, the projectors feature HDMI connector and a wired/wireless (option) LAN port. In addition, users can connect to a computer using a standard USB cable, and there is no need for computer cables, said company officials.
Moreover, the projector’s remote control is capable of conventional computer mouse operations. Company officials said that this eliminates the continuous switch between a mouse and remote for different operations during presentations.
Equipped with a viewer function, the projector allows the user to project data stored on USB memory via the plug and play mode. Company officials said that this enables presentations to be made without a computer.
Additionally, the projectors feature the options of an Auto Eco Mode, which automatically adjusts the brightness of the projected image to suit the environment. Eco2 Mode reduces light intensity during small screen projections. Company officials said that these modes are easily accessible through Eco buttons on the projector and remote control for easy engagement.
These projectors also feature 5,000 to 6,000 hours of projector lamp life in Eco Mode, which greatly reduces maintenance costs. Additional eco-friendly features of the M-Series include a carbon savings meter, energy-saving functions such as power save, quick setup, direct power off; and more.
Guleria said that these projectors are absolutely convenient and highly portable to address their business requirements. “Also, due to being ecologically modeled, they ensure higher efficiency in terms of value and features.”
With NEC’s (News - Alert) new range of M-Series projectors, the company aims to strengthen small and medium businesses and educational institutions in their operations, said Abhilesh Guleria, head of IT Platform and Display Solutions Business at NEC India.
For projecting high-quality digital images, the projectors feature HDMI connector and a wired/wireless (option) LAN port. In addition, users can connect to a computer using a standard USB cable, and there is no need for computer cables, said company officials.
Moreover, the projector’s remote control is capable of conventional computer mouse operations. Company officials said that this eliminates the continuous switch between a mouse and remote for different operations during presentations.
Equipped with a viewer function, the projector allows the user to project data stored on USB memory via the plug and play mode. Company officials said that this enables presentations to be made without a computer.
Additionally, the projectors feature the options of an Auto Eco Mode, which automatically adjusts the brightness of the projected image to suit the environment. Eco2 Mode reduces light intensity during small screen projections. Company officials said that these modes are easily accessible through Eco buttons on the projector and remote control for easy engagement.
These projectors also feature 5,000 to 6,000 hours of projector lamp life in Eco Mode, which greatly reduces maintenance costs. Additional eco-friendly features of the M-Series include a carbon savings meter, energy-saving functions such as power save, quick setup, direct power off; and more.
Guleria said that these projectors are absolutely convenient and highly portable to address their business requirements. “Also, due to being ecologically modeled, they ensure higher efficiency in terms of value and features.”
Ingram Micro launches own-brand projector lamps
Distribution behemoth Ingram Micro has expanded its house-brand portfolio, called V7, to include projector lamps.
Rainer Kozlik, vice president and general manager of the global V7 and private label group at Ingram Micro, said: "V7 lamps are only sourced from the lamp manufacturers that own the intellectual property rights, ensuring that V7's customers are assured of a genuine quality lamp."
He maintained that V7 lamp quality compares well with OEM rivals, although the V7 product is offered at a "more attractive" price.
Ajay Chandhok, regional category manager for V7 at Ingram Micro UK, said the price -- which he claimed would prove to be around 40 per cent less than many comparable brands -- should prove a real incentive for resellers.
"We have 50 SKUs at the moment, with 150 to come in by August," Chandhok told Channelweb. "This is an expansion of the V7 product range, which has been available to UK resellers from the beginning."
Chandhok said that resellers on the V7 partner programme would be able to take advantage of many of the same rewards and incentives.
V7 operates globally as a provider of IT peripherals, accessories and supplies underneath the Ingram Micro umbrella.
According to a statement released by V7, the new replacement projector lamps will offer "the brightest light, the best colour reproduction and the longest burn time" as well as being fully compatible with most leading OEM lamps. The lamps will come with a four-month warranty.
Rainer Kozlik, vice president and general manager of the global V7 and private label group at Ingram Micro, said: "V7 lamps are only sourced from the lamp manufacturers that own the intellectual property rights, ensuring that V7's customers are assured of a genuine quality lamp."
He maintained that V7 lamp quality compares well with OEM rivals, although the V7 product is offered at a "more attractive" price.
Ajay Chandhok, regional category manager for V7 at Ingram Micro UK, said the price -- which he claimed would prove to be around 40 per cent less than many comparable brands -- should prove a real incentive for resellers.
"We have 50 SKUs at the moment, with 150 to come in by August," Chandhok told Channelweb. "This is an expansion of the V7 product range, which has been available to UK resellers from the beginning."
Chandhok said that resellers on the V7 partner programme would be able to take advantage of many of the same rewards and incentives.
V7 operates globally as a provider of IT peripherals, accessories and supplies underneath the Ingram Micro umbrella.
According to a statement released by V7, the new replacement projector lamps will offer "the brightest light, the best colour reproduction and the longest burn time" as well as being fully compatible with most leading OEM lamps. The lamps will come with a four-month warranty.
2011年6月12日 星期日
This lamp lights up when the International Space Station flies by
Nathan Bergey has built and programmed a lamp that shines whenever the International Space Station is in the vicinity. It's definitely a groovy idea, and what's even cooler is that the inventor's put directions and the code up for grabs.
Says Bergey:
The International Space Station (ISS) is a marvel of current technology and humanity. Sadly, we often forget it's there. This light sits on a desk and lights up when the space station passes overhead. It stays lit as long as the station is more than 10 degrees above the horizon. Being reminded that there are astronauts doing science over our heads every day helps reconnect us with our space program.
Says Bergey:
The International Space Station (ISS) is a marvel of current technology and humanity. Sadly, we often forget it's there. This light sits on a desk and lights up when the space station passes overhead. It stays lit as long as the station is more than 10 degrees above the horizon. Being reminded that there are astronauts doing science over our heads every day helps reconnect us with our space program.
Collider Visits Pixar for the CARS 2 Press Day
A couple of months ago, Collider was invited to travel out to Emeryville, California to Pixar Animation Studios in order to take part in the Cars 2 press day. As one would expect, it was a pretty fantastic experience. We were privy to a number of presentations regarding all things Cars 2, given by the very people responsible for making the Pixar films we know and love.
In addition, we got the chance to sit down and interview quite a few of the people involved with the film including director John Lasseter, composer Michael Giacchino and actress Emily Mortimer, and we were given a tour of the Pixar building itself. Hit the jump to check out a full rundown of our visit. Cars 2 hits theaters June 24th.
We’ve been running our interviews from the press day once a week for the past couple of months, but for our last article we wanted to do a recap of sorts rounding out our visit to the studio. First up, the studio itself.
Pixar Tour
When we first arrived at the front gates of Pixar, just outside San Francisco, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonderment. I began running through all the incredible films the studio has released over the years and was a bit dumbfounded to find myself at the very place where they’re all created. When walking up to the front doors of Pixar, it’s obvious that this isn’t your typical workplace. In the middle of an outdoor lecture pavilion a group of employees were taking part in a yoga session, adjacent to a giant Luxo Jr. lamp and bouncy ball.
When you enter the front doors of the main building, you step into an enormous atrium. This area houses the café where all the employees eat, the mail room, the Pixar Studio Store and entrances to all the other areas of the studio. The building was designed to foster spontaneous meetings, so employees are encouraged to walk around throughout the hallways during the day.
Also at the front entrance is a glass trophy case housing all the awards that the studio has won. The large walls of the atrium are home to giant mattes made up of concept art from Pixar films, usually from whichever flick the studio is currently promoting. While we were there, gorgeous images from Cars 2 were on display.
pixar-atrium-cars-2-imageWhile at the studio, we were also given the opportunity to take a tour of the brand new building (deemed “Phase II”) that’s currently in the final stages of construction. What’s seen as the most significant development for Pixar since the studio first moved to Emeryville, Phase II is every bit as awe-inspiring as the main building. The centerpiece of its atrium is a giant hearth in the middle of the ground floor, with a chimney extending all the way up to the ceiling. A fire was lit, and a number of super comfy-looking couches were parked in front. However, something even cooler was just around the corner.
Our tour guide took us to the backside of the hearth and proceeded to explain to us that what makes the main building so special is that the artists and employees working there began carving out secret spaces, creating hidden bars throughout the building (yes, real bars, with alcohol and such). In keeping with this tradition, a bar has been created inside the hearth. A large black steel door swings open when prompted with the correct keycard (how many lucky employees will have one of these?), unveiling an incredibly cozy bar waiting to be stocked. There are couches inside, with a flat-screen television mounted on the wall. Our guide explained to us that this television will be hooked up to a camera on the roof, so whoever’s in the bar will have a perfect view of the San Francisco skyline just over the bay.
pixar-awards-case-imageIn addition to the gorgeous hearth, the new building also features a “healthy option” café, and Pixar characters made out of metal embedded into the floor/walls/ceiling hidden throughout the structure. We also saw some workers preparing to hang a giant matte of concept are from next summer’s Brave that looked stunning. Additionally, the new building features two new screening rooms/movie theaters. Presently, the main Pixar building houses one screening room that can comfortably hold a good deal of people. In the Phase II building, they’ve built one slightly smaller screening room, and one significantly larger screening room. These theaters’ projector systems are wired to be able to project material sent from any computer on campus, so when teams are viewing and critiquing dailies or a short rendering, they don’t even have to bring their computer.
All-in-all, Pixar Animation Studios is pretty much the perfect workplace. The buildings’ designs foster creativity and fun, leading to employees actually choosing to stay late and work.
cars-2-movie-image-01Cars 2 Presentations
The reason we were all at Pixar in the first place was in anticipation of the studio’s 12th feature film.. We were given presentations by producer Denise Ream, production designer Harley Jessup, director of photography/lighting Sharon Calahan, composer Michael Giacchino, Cars franchise guardian Jay Ward and many more. Here are a few interesting tidbits we gleaned from these presentations:
-The idea was to do a sort of genre shift from the first Cars, intending to make the film a little more sophisticated, but still enjoyable for all audiences.
-30 car companies agreed to let Pixar use the likeness/brands in the film.
cars-2-movie-image-The idea of casting Bruce Campbell as one of the voices came from some of the animators.
-The character of Finn McMissile (voiced by Michael Caine) was originally supposed to appear in Cars. During the drive-in sequence in that film, the movie that was going to be showing was first imagined as a spy movie, with a car named Finn McMissile as the hero. The movie-within-a-movie was eventually changed, but they liked the McMissile character so much that they revisited the idea when developing Cars 2.
In addition, we got the chance to sit down and interview quite a few of the people involved with the film including director John Lasseter, composer Michael Giacchino and actress Emily Mortimer, and we were given a tour of the Pixar building itself. Hit the jump to check out a full rundown of our visit. Cars 2 hits theaters June 24th.
We’ve been running our interviews from the press day once a week for the past couple of months, but for our last article we wanted to do a recap of sorts rounding out our visit to the studio. First up, the studio itself.
Pixar Tour
When we first arrived at the front gates of Pixar, just outside San Francisco, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonderment. I began running through all the incredible films the studio has released over the years and was a bit dumbfounded to find myself at the very place where they’re all created. When walking up to the front doors of Pixar, it’s obvious that this isn’t your typical workplace. In the middle of an outdoor lecture pavilion a group of employees were taking part in a yoga session, adjacent to a giant Luxo Jr. lamp and bouncy ball.
When you enter the front doors of the main building, you step into an enormous atrium. This area houses the café where all the employees eat, the mail room, the Pixar Studio Store and entrances to all the other areas of the studio. The building was designed to foster spontaneous meetings, so employees are encouraged to walk around throughout the hallways during the day.
Also at the front entrance is a glass trophy case housing all the awards that the studio has won. The large walls of the atrium are home to giant mattes made up of concept art from Pixar films, usually from whichever flick the studio is currently promoting. While we were there, gorgeous images from Cars 2 were on display.
pixar-atrium-cars-2-imageWhile at the studio, we were also given the opportunity to take a tour of the brand new building (deemed “Phase II”) that’s currently in the final stages of construction. What’s seen as the most significant development for Pixar since the studio first moved to Emeryville, Phase II is every bit as awe-inspiring as the main building. The centerpiece of its atrium is a giant hearth in the middle of the ground floor, with a chimney extending all the way up to the ceiling. A fire was lit, and a number of super comfy-looking couches were parked in front. However, something even cooler was just around the corner.
Our tour guide took us to the backside of the hearth and proceeded to explain to us that what makes the main building so special is that the artists and employees working there began carving out secret spaces, creating hidden bars throughout the building (yes, real bars, with alcohol and such). In keeping with this tradition, a bar has been created inside the hearth. A large black steel door swings open when prompted with the correct keycard (how many lucky employees will have one of these?), unveiling an incredibly cozy bar waiting to be stocked. There are couches inside, with a flat-screen television mounted on the wall. Our guide explained to us that this television will be hooked up to a camera on the roof, so whoever’s in the bar will have a perfect view of the San Francisco skyline just over the bay.
pixar-awards-case-imageIn addition to the gorgeous hearth, the new building also features a “healthy option” café, and Pixar characters made out of metal embedded into the floor/walls/ceiling hidden throughout the structure. We also saw some workers preparing to hang a giant matte of concept are from next summer’s Brave that looked stunning. Additionally, the new building features two new screening rooms/movie theaters. Presently, the main Pixar building houses one screening room that can comfortably hold a good deal of people. In the Phase II building, they’ve built one slightly smaller screening room, and one significantly larger screening room. These theaters’ projector systems are wired to be able to project material sent from any computer on campus, so when teams are viewing and critiquing dailies or a short rendering, they don’t even have to bring their computer.
All-in-all, Pixar Animation Studios is pretty much the perfect workplace. The buildings’ designs foster creativity and fun, leading to employees actually choosing to stay late and work.
cars-2-movie-image-01Cars 2 Presentations
The reason we were all at Pixar in the first place was in anticipation of the studio’s 12th feature film.. We were given presentations by producer Denise Ream, production designer Harley Jessup, director of photography/lighting Sharon Calahan, composer Michael Giacchino, Cars franchise guardian Jay Ward and many more. Here are a few interesting tidbits we gleaned from these presentations:
-The idea was to do a sort of genre shift from the first Cars, intending to make the film a little more sophisticated, but still enjoyable for all audiences.
-30 car companies agreed to let Pixar use the likeness/brands in the film.
cars-2-movie-image-The idea of casting Bruce Campbell as one of the voices came from some of the animators.
-The character of Finn McMissile (voiced by Michael Caine) was originally supposed to appear in Cars. During the drive-in sequence in that film, the movie that was going to be showing was first imagined as a spy movie, with a car named Finn McMissile as the hero. The movie-within-a-movie was eventually changed, but they liked the McMissile character so much that they revisited the idea when developing Cars 2.
2011年6月8日 星期三
Acer enhances home entertainment with the new H9500 Full HD projector
In London on Monday, Acer unveiled the H9500 video-projector, a projector suitable for a home theater theater system that has a full HD resolution with a 16:9 native aspect ratio.
Making this a great projector for any home system, Acer packed it with DynamicBlack technology that dynamically fine-tunes each scene to optimal black levels, which they said images maintain their original brightness. The technology also allows a contrast ratio as high as 50,000:1 and vibrant colors for a true cinematic experience.
Other features include Acer TRUE MOTION technology to improve picture clarity in fast moving scenes and reduce motion blur, the ability of a 1080p resolution image in 24 frames per second, plus it has two HDMI ports and the lens can be moved horizontally or vertically, so images can be projected in their original size without moving the H9500.
If you’ve been looking for an eco-friendly projector with up to 2500 hours of lamp life, the Acer H9500 is available now for £1699 ($2,794).
Enchanting entertainment in your living room
London, June 6th, 2011 – Acer presents the new H9500 video-projector that offers Full HD projection with native 16:9 aspect ratio; implements a number of technologies designed to produce a stunning visual experience and incredibly lifelike images with enhanced contrast and greater brightness.
Better black levels are the key to enhance the home theatre experience, and the H9500 projector features DynamicBlackTM technology that dynamically fine-tunes each scene to optimal black levels while maintaining the original brightness of images, achieving a contrast ratio as high as 50,000:1 and vibrant colours for a true cinematic adventure.
Making this a great projector for any home system, Acer packed it with DynamicBlack technology that dynamically fine-tunes each scene to optimal black levels, which they said images maintain their original brightness. The technology also allows a contrast ratio as high as 50,000:1 and vibrant colors for a true cinematic experience.
Other features include Acer TRUE MOTION technology to improve picture clarity in fast moving scenes and reduce motion blur, the ability of a 1080p resolution image in 24 frames per second, plus it has two HDMI ports and the lens can be moved horizontally or vertically, so images can be projected in their original size without moving the H9500.
If you’ve been looking for an eco-friendly projector with up to 2500 hours of lamp life, the Acer H9500 is available now for £1699 ($2,794).
Enchanting entertainment in your living room
London, June 6th, 2011 – Acer presents the new H9500 video-projector that offers Full HD projection with native 16:9 aspect ratio; implements a number of technologies designed to produce a stunning visual experience and incredibly lifelike images with enhanced contrast and greater brightness.
Better black levels are the key to enhance the home theatre experience, and the H9500 projector features DynamicBlackTM technology that dynamically fine-tunes each scene to optimal black levels while maintaining the original brightness of images, achieving a contrast ratio as high as 50,000:1 and vibrant colours for a true cinematic adventure.
Do I need to draw a picture?
That line is probably an under-estimate of the value that was sucked out of USA and sent elsewhere. Because when you set up a factory in a Special Economic Zone in Guangdong Province or somewhere, to manufacture something that you know you can sell, particularly in USA; because you own the patents and the distribution and the brand. You also have the luxury of “transferring” intellectual capital, outside of the beady eyes of US tax-inspectors reading up the statutes on “Transfer Pricing”; so a lot of what get’s transferred is “intangible” (as in the tax-man can’t get his sticky fingers on it).
Here is a statistic, 80% of China’s exports have “value-added”, added, in what they call “Special Economic Zones” (and what I call Free Zones). That’s huge.
Here’s another one, 50% of the earnings of S&P 500 corporations (that’s the “E” in “P/E”) are generated outside of America.
My part in all that:
In June 1990 I drove with my business partner at the time, to meet with His Excellency Mr. Sultan bin Sulayem, who was then the Chairman of the Jebel Ali Free Zone.
The meeting had been set up because Sulayem had been invited to speak at the Confederation of British Industry in UK about how British companies might like to invest in the Zone. The head of the Dubai Promotion Board had figured it might be nice if someone wrote his speech and perhaps coached him a little on his delivery technique. We were a boutique consultancy doing work for the Board, so we were asked to “lend a hand”.
As we drove through quite a few miles of flat empty desert inside the fence that designated The Zone, I remember thinking, “Who on earth are they trying to fool?” The idea at the time, if ever you could get someone to sit down long enough to think about it for more than one minute, was that General Motors was going built factories; which wasn’t (in our humble opinion), very realistic….and the place was empty, like a desert, with roads and lamp-poles here and there, waiting for…GODOT?
Anyway, we put together a 20-Slide presentation; that was in the days you “shot” the Power Point onto actual slides and carried them around in a Xerox carrousel to put in a slide projector. We wrote a script to go with the slides (being careful never to follow a line-chart with a line chart in case our customer lost his place, and started inadvertently talking about the wrong slide), and Sulayem did his homework like he was told, and submitted to a practice session, and off he went. The trip was a success, he kept to his 20-minute time-slot (one minute per slide); and at the end, everyone clapped; mission accomplished.
From then on for about five years, we wrote all of Sulayem’s speeches, and not just for him, for other Excellencies too; after the word got around that people tended to clap when you delivered one of our presentations, rather than going to sleep and having to be woken-up at the end.
During that time, we managed to sell the idea that if the Zone was to be successful, then it might be a good idea to devote some very modest resources, as in put money into our pockets – (since the “speech” thing was a complete loss-leader for the time we spent), to find out (a) who were the potential customers, and (b) what they might want, that the Zone could offer? That was a pretty radical idea at the time.
So we got hired to do research, we pulled together information on all the Free Zones in the world, we did cross-section analysis, and we interviewed everyone who had expressed an interest the zone (mainly on the telephone). Based on that we kind of eased the marketing strategy away from “this is what we got, take it or leave it”, into “this is how we can meet your needs and exceed your expectations”.
Whether we had any effect is impossible to know, but from flat-lining for the ten previous years, the numbers of new arrivals and also the exports from the Zone went up by 40% a year (compounded) for four years.
And whether what we learned applies directly to America’s story, I don’t know, most of the “customers” were European, or from the region.
The point of that story is that we found out a lot about why corporations, Europeans, in particular, some Americans, were moving out of the “safety” behind the wall that keeps the “Great Unwashed” separated from the “Great Washed”, into the “danger zone”.
Seeing as that was twenty years ago (or so); and when we started off there were only 300 companies registered in the Zone; now there are over 6,000 so I don’t think I’m breaking any client confidentiality by “sharing”.
1: It’s nothing to do with Labor Costs.
There is a popular idea that cheap labor is why America lost its manufacturing jobs, perhaps that might play a part in something (although if it did, why didn’t Germany and Japan lose more?), but there is nothing I ever saw to support that notion.
One thing we found out pretty-quick; was that the ability of the new-arrivals to hire cheap labor and suck blood out of their veins before throwing them on the scrap heap; was not an important reason why they were coming. In point of fact, the labor was relatively expensive because there was a minimum wage, there were laws on how many hours people worked, you had to provide decent accommodation (luxury accommodation by Third-World Standards), there were strict Health, Safety and Environmental rules that were enforced, and the employers had to pay for medical care.
In short, compared to the indignities that Wet-Backs in USA and the kids who strap themselves under trains to get into fortress Europe, have to endure, it was Paradise.
Sure, you can find other less salubrious Free Zones elsewhere, but right from the start the Unique Selling Proposition of the Jebel Ali Free Zone, was never as a place where you could squeeze the last drop of blood out of cheap labor and make a profit out of doing that.
Regardless, if the applicants’ business model was to do that, and there were plenty, they got told to go elsewhere; none of the decent companies were interested in that business model. The stuff you read about exploiting labor; is done by sub-contractors, on the fringe of what the whole Free Zone idea is about, and often outside; sure you can make money, good money, doing that, but that’s not core to what Free Zones are about.
2: Infrastructure.
Things had to work; planes & ships had to arrive on time, and go places on time, plus telephones, electricity, water and waste needed to work, all the time. Sheikh Rashid bin Sultan, once said to someone I knew, “I will build the infrastructure and the rest will follow”. How right he was, but you go to USA or UK, and the infrastructure is lousy, the money that gets paid by corporations in tax, does not end up servicing their needs.
3: Security:
A lot of people have this thing about other people stealing what they got; and whether the crooks are government “gate-keepers” hustling kick-backs, clever tort lawyers, or the mafia, it makes no difference. And violence is a real turn-off; you would be surprised how important having proper laws and decent-honest policemen are for people making 10-Year or so investment decisions. You think America is a “safe” place to do business? Well sorry to have to break the news, compared to a lot of places, it isn’t, and I got “genuine customer feedback”, to prove it.
4: Tax.
Of course, and sure, (2) and (3) have got to be in place first, that’s what marketing guru’s call an “absence of gross-negatives”, but tax is huge.
A while back in America, they had this idea about “no taxation without representation”; that got changed to “shake-down the dirty capitalists so we can live off their ill-begotten riches”.
Corporate taxation in USA is 38%; it’s 37% in UK. The interesting thing is that not a big part of the total tax-revenue comes from that source (in UK it’s about 7%, I didn’t find what it is in USA, perhaps I didn’t look hard enough, but I don’t imagine it’s much different). The reason it isn’t much is (a) the cost of the process of making sure you pay less tax, is tax-deductable, so a huge amount of “GDP” is devoted to employing legions of accountants and lawyers so as to pay less tax, (b) since the early 1990’s there has been an alternative, as in Free Zones outside USA (and Europe).
And the point is that when you pay that 38%, you often don’t get much if anything in return. Think of it; you set up a factory or a business process, you employ people, but you have to pay out of your nose to support all the people in the area where you set up your business, who don’t work for you! That might sound logical to some people, but the reality is that faced with that “incentive”, a lot of people, quietly…leave.
Here is a statistic, 80% of China’s exports have “value-added”, added, in what they call “Special Economic Zones” (and what I call Free Zones). That’s huge.
Here’s another one, 50% of the earnings of S&P 500 corporations (that’s the “E” in “P/E”) are generated outside of America.
My part in all that:
In June 1990 I drove with my business partner at the time, to meet with His Excellency Mr. Sultan bin Sulayem, who was then the Chairman of the Jebel Ali Free Zone.
The meeting had been set up because Sulayem had been invited to speak at the Confederation of British Industry in UK about how British companies might like to invest in the Zone. The head of the Dubai Promotion Board had figured it might be nice if someone wrote his speech and perhaps coached him a little on his delivery technique. We were a boutique consultancy doing work for the Board, so we were asked to “lend a hand”.
As we drove through quite a few miles of flat empty desert inside the fence that designated The Zone, I remember thinking, “Who on earth are they trying to fool?” The idea at the time, if ever you could get someone to sit down long enough to think about it for more than one minute, was that General Motors was going built factories; which wasn’t (in our humble opinion), very realistic….and the place was empty, like a desert, with roads and lamp-poles here and there, waiting for…GODOT?
Anyway, we put together a 20-Slide presentation; that was in the days you “shot” the Power Point onto actual slides and carried them around in a Xerox carrousel to put in a slide projector. We wrote a script to go with the slides (being careful never to follow a line-chart with a line chart in case our customer lost his place, and started inadvertently talking about the wrong slide), and Sulayem did his homework like he was told, and submitted to a practice session, and off he went. The trip was a success, he kept to his 20-minute time-slot (one minute per slide); and at the end, everyone clapped; mission accomplished.
From then on for about five years, we wrote all of Sulayem’s speeches, and not just for him, for other Excellencies too; after the word got around that people tended to clap when you delivered one of our presentations, rather than going to sleep and having to be woken-up at the end.
During that time, we managed to sell the idea that if the Zone was to be successful, then it might be a good idea to devote some very modest resources, as in put money into our pockets – (since the “speech” thing was a complete loss-leader for the time we spent), to find out (a) who were the potential customers, and (b) what they might want, that the Zone could offer? That was a pretty radical idea at the time.
So we got hired to do research, we pulled together information on all the Free Zones in the world, we did cross-section analysis, and we interviewed everyone who had expressed an interest the zone (mainly on the telephone). Based on that we kind of eased the marketing strategy away from “this is what we got, take it or leave it”, into “this is how we can meet your needs and exceed your expectations”.
Whether we had any effect is impossible to know, but from flat-lining for the ten previous years, the numbers of new arrivals and also the exports from the Zone went up by 40% a year (compounded) for four years.
And whether what we learned applies directly to America’s story, I don’t know, most of the “customers” were European, or from the region.
The point of that story is that we found out a lot about why corporations, Europeans, in particular, some Americans, were moving out of the “safety” behind the wall that keeps the “Great Unwashed” separated from the “Great Washed”, into the “danger zone”.
Seeing as that was twenty years ago (or so); and when we started off there were only 300 companies registered in the Zone; now there are over 6,000 so I don’t think I’m breaking any client confidentiality by “sharing”.
1: It’s nothing to do with Labor Costs.
There is a popular idea that cheap labor is why America lost its manufacturing jobs, perhaps that might play a part in something (although if it did, why didn’t Germany and Japan lose more?), but there is nothing I ever saw to support that notion.
One thing we found out pretty-quick; was that the ability of the new-arrivals to hire cheap labor and suck blood out of their veins before throwing them on the scrap heap; was not an important reason why they were coming. In point of fact, the labor was relatively expensive because there was a minimum wage, there were laws on how many hours people worked, you had to provide decent accommodation (luxury accommodation by Third-World Standards), there were strict Health, Safety and Environmental rules that were enforced, and the employers had to pay for medical care.
In short, compared to the indignities that Wet-Backs in USA and the kids who strap themselves under trains to get into fortress Europe, have to endure, it was Paradise.
Sure, you can find other less salubrious Free Zones elsewhere, but right from the start the Unique Selling Proposition of the Jebel Ali Free Zone, was never as a place where you could squeeze the last drop of blood out of cheap labor and make a profit out of doing that.
Regardless, if the applicants’ business model was to do that, and there were plenty, they got told to go elsewhere; none of the decent companies were interested in that business model. The stuff you read about exploiting labor; is done by sub-contractors, on the fringe of what the whole Free Zone idea is about, and often outside; sure you can make money, good money, doing that, but that’s not core to what Free Zones are about.
2: Infrastructure.
Things had to work; planes & ships had to arrive on time, and go places on time, plus telephones, electricity, water and waste needed to work, all the time. Sheikh Rashid bin Sultan, once said to someone I knew, “I will build the infrastructure and the rest will follow”. How right he was, but you go to USA or UK, and the infrastructure is lousy, the money that gets paid by corporations in tax, does not end up servicing their needs.
3: Security:
A lot of people have this thing about other people stealing what they got; and whether the crooks are government “gate-keepers” hustling kick-backs, clever tort lawyers, or the mafia, it makes no difference. And violence is a real turn-off; you would be surprised how important having proper laws and decent-honest policemen are for people making 10-Year or so investment decisions. You think America is a “safe” place to do business? Well sorry to have to break the news, compared to a lot of places, it isn’t, and I got “genuine customer feedback”, to prove it.
4: Tax.
Of course, and sure, (2) and (3) have got to be in place first, that’s what marketing guru’s call an “absence of gross-negatives”, but tax is huge.
A while back in America, they had this idea about “no taxation without representation”; that got changed to “shake-down the dirty capitalists so we can live off their ill-begotten riches”.
Corporate taxation in USA is 38%; it’s 37% in UK. The interesting thing is that not a big part of the total tax-revenue comes from that source (in UK it’s about 7%, I didn’t find what it is in USA, perhaps I didn’t look hard enough, but I don’t imagine it’s much different). The reason it isn’t much is (a) the cost of the process of making sure you pay less tax, is tax-deductable, so a huge amount of “GDP” is devoted to employing legions of accountants and lawyers so as to pay less tax, (b) since the early 1990’s there has been an alternative, as in Free Zones outside USA (and Europe).
And the point is that when you pay that 38%, you often don’t get much if anything in return. Think of it; you set up a factory or a business process, you employ people, but you have to pay out of your nose to support all the people in the area where you set up your business, who don’t work for you! That might sound logical to some people, but the reality is that faced with that “incentive”, a lot of people, quietly…leave.
2011年6月6日 星期一
Smart Engineering, But Not a Projector Lamp Miracle
If you’re looking for the latest in projector lamp reviews, you’ve come to the right place. We’re plugged into MyProjectorLamps.com, which as you might suspect, is your go-to site for all things projector lamp.
And today MyProjectorLamps.com has for us a review of the LG DS325 Projector and 5811100235 projector lamp products. As you might know, LG is known for having professional electronic products at competitive prices, as the review states. And now, “keeping with the image of good life electronics, the product developers at LG have released a few different models of audio visual data projectors and projector lamps.”
Not that this was a no-brainer, according to MyProjectorLamps.com: “It can be argued that they maybe LG should have stayed out of the LCD projector market altogether.”
In the words of the experts at MyProjectorLamps.com, “the DS325 projector is not a projector miracle.” So if you were looking for a projector miracle, keep looking. It’s designed for conference rooms with a shape and color scheme best described as “basic” and “status quo with how 9 out of 10 people would describe a projector,” MyProjectorLamps.com said. The projector is “square in shape, bland in color, there are no unique features, and it comes in standard issue size.”
“Under the hood of this projector is smart engineering by the folks at LG. The DS325 is ultra light weight, weighing in at only 1.45kg (3.2 lbs).” The 1W mono speaker is nothing to get excited about and it will not be blowing your audience away, either, the reviewer notes.
So it’s a great feature for someone with mobility, but as the reviewer points out, if LG is marketing this puppy for the conference room, why is mobility a concern?
As the review sums up, the projector will get the job done. But if you’re looking to wow someone, you might want to look elsewhere.
And today MyProjectorLamps.com has for us a review of the LG DS325 Projector and 5811100235 projector lamp products. As you might know, LG is known for having professional electronic products at competitive prices, as the review states. And now, “keeping with the image of good life electronics, the product developers at LG have released a few different models of audio visual data projectors and projector lamps.”
Not that this was a no-brainer, according to MyProjectorLamps.com: “It can be argued that they maybe LG should have stayed out of the LCD projector market altogether.”
In the words of the experts at MyProjectorLamps.com, “the DS325 projector is not a projector miracle.” So if you were looking for a projector miracle, keep looking. It’s designed for conference rooms with a shape and color scheme best described as “basic” and “status quo with how 9 out of 10 people would describe a projector,” MyProjectorLamps.com said. The projector is “square in shape, bland in color, there are no unique features, and it comes in standard issue size.”
“Under the hood of this projector is smart engineering by the folks at LG. The DS325 is ultra light weight, weighing in at only 1.45kg (3.2 lbs).” The 1W mono speaker is nothing to get excited about and it will not be blowing your audience away, either, the reviewer notes.
So it’s a great feature for someone with mobility, but as the reviewer points out, if LG is marketing this puppy for the conference room, why is mobility a concern?
As the review sums up, the projector will get the job done. But if you’re looking to wow someone, you might want to look elsewhere.
2011年6月1日 星期三
InfoComm Floor Shopper
The new 55-inch X551UN ultra-narrow display from NEC Display Solutions is a professional-grade, large-format display designed for the rigors of 24/7 operation. Features include LED backlighting, full high-definition resolution (1,920 x 1,080), and a 5.5 mm distance between active screen areas. The X551UN can be deployed in video walls of up to 100 displays (10 x 10), and offers Intel's Open Pluggable Specification (OPS), the first industry-wide standardization in option slots that facilitates installation, use, and maintenance of digital signage. Estimated street price: $7,799. Booth 1901
Washable Headphones and Headsets
Califone International's new Titanium Series line of headphones and headsets can be completely immersed in soap and water (after the cord has been detached) for easy cleaning. To maintain safe hearing levels, the playback volume is restricted to the ASHA-recommended maximum of 85 decibels (this feature can be disarmed for hearing-impaired students). In addition, the devices' ear cups provide passive ambient-noise rejection to block external distractions. A variety of cord options are available, including USB, 3.5 mm, and dual 3.5 mm plugs. Headset prices range from $52 to $92; headphone prices, from $36 to $76. Booth 4117
Widescreen Interactive Pen Display
The DTU-2231 HD interactive pen display from Wacom features a 21.5-inch, 16:9 widescreen LCD screen and a cordless, battery-free pen that allows users to annotate presentations, create hand-drawn images, capture handwritten notes, and more. A new, customizable radial menu provides on-screen access to PowerPoint tools, eliminating the need to memorize keyboard shortcuts or search for PowerPoint menus in the middle of a presentation. Other features include a built-in DVI-I pass-through connector that handles digital or analog input and allows mirroring directly to a projector or other display; an internal scaler that can take video-input signals in different resolutions and display them in their native resolution and aspect ratio; two USB ports; anti-glare surface; and an adjustable stand that allows for 15 to 72 degrees of incline. MSRP: $1,899. Booth 2447
Washable Headphones and Headsets
Califone International's new Titanium Series line of headphones and headsets can be completely immersed in soap and water (after the cord has been detached) for easy cleaning. To maintain safe hearing levels, the playback volume is restricted to the ASHA-recommended maximum of 85 decibels (this feature can be disarmed for hearing-impaired students). In addition, the devices' ear cups provide passive ambient-noise rejection to block external distractions. A variety of cord options are available, including USB, 3.5 mm, and dual 3.5 mm plugs. Headset prices range from $52 to $92; headphone prices, from $36 to $76. Booth 4117
Widescreen Interactive Pen Display
The DTU-2231 HD interactive pen display from Wacom features a 21.5-inch, 16:9 widescreen LCD screen and a cordless, battery-free pen that allows users to annotate presentations, create hand-drawn images, capture handwritten notes, and more. A new, customizable radial menu provides on-screen access to PowerPoint tools, eliminating the need to memorize keyboard shortcuts or search for PowerPoint menus in the middle of a presentation. Other features include a built-in DVI-I pass-through connector that handles digital or analog input and allows mirroring directly to a projector or other display; an internal scaler that can take video-input signals in different resolutions and display them in their native resolution and aspect ratio; two USB ports; anti-glare surface; and an adjustable stand that allows for 15 to 72 degrees of incline. MSRP: $1,899. Booth 2447
The new XG-PH80 Series projectors provide outstanding performance
Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, today introduced the new XG-PH80 Series systems integration projectors which offer high brightness and image quality in addition to DLP® Link™ 3D-compatibility. This provides superior performance for large venue applications in corporate, university, government, house of worship and rental/staging settings.
“The new XG-PH80 Series projectors provide outstanding performance and image quality,” said Les Burger, senior product planning manager for professional projectors at Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “With the fast-growing amount of 3D content becoming available, these are clearly the right projectors at the right time for just about any organization’s presentation needs."
The XG-PH80 Series includes the XG-PH80W-N (5600 lumens, HD compatible WXGA native resolution) and XG-PH80X-N (6300 lumens, XGA native resolution) models which are among the first in this systems integration / large venue class to incorporate DLP Link technology for high quality 3D output from a single projector. When used with compatible 3D field sequential content, PC, and optional 3D active shutter glasses that support DLP Link, the projectors captivate audiences with magnificent 3D imagery. Both models offer 3D support for 60Hz and 120Hz XGA (1024 x 768) and SVGA (800 x 600) sources. The XG-PH80W-N also offers support for 60Hz and 120Hz WXGA (1280 x 720) sources. When not being used for 3D projection, both models offer full compatibility with traditional “2D” sources.
The new models feature an intelligent dual-lamp design which gives users the flexibility to choose single or dual-lamp projection, as well as standard brightness or “Eco+Quiet” mode projection. Additionally, the dual-lamp system provides extra reliability, in the event one lamp should fail, the playback performance can be maintained by using the other lamp without interruption.
Through a sealed DLP chip with a user-interchangeable color wheel, the user has the option to use either a 4-segment color wheel for the highest brightness or the optional BrilliantColor™ AN-PH80CW color wheel for video applications where color accuracy is paramount. The DLP chip in the XG-PH80W-N incorporates more than 1 million micromirrors, and the XG-PH80X-N’s DLP chip contains close to 800,000 micromirrors. These silicon chips with their finely structured mirrors deliver very stable performance and high quality images while offering an estimated lifetime of 20,000 hours. Additionally, through DynamicBlack™ technology, the black levels are dramatically presented, providing incredible detail in dark scenes with virtually no noise or loss of brightness and a contrast ratio of up to 2100:1.
The new XG-PH80 Series also offer five lens options which make these Sharp models flexible projection solutions with 1.3 to 8.3 throw ratios. A fixed wide angle lens with 0.8 throw ratio is also available for special short-throw applications. Additional features include web browser control, remote access for control and adjustment, PJLink® capability, diagnosis and email alert. The new models also offer flexible installation with extensive security features and a three-year parts and labor limited warranty with 24-hour turnaround express repair support. This maintenance package includes a 90-day warranty on the user-replaceable projection lamps.
“The new XG-PH80 Series projectors provide outstanding performance and image quality,” said Les Burger, senior product planning manager for professional projectors at Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “With the fast-growing amount of 3D content becoming available, these are clearly the right projectors at the right time for just about any organization’s presentation needs."
The XG-PH80 Series includes the XG-PH80W-N (5600 lumens, HD compatible WXGA native resolution) and XG-PH80X-N (6300 lumens, XGA native resolution) models which are among the first in this systems integration / large venue class to incorporate DLP Link technology for high quality 3D output from a single projector. When used with compatible 3D field sequential content, PC, and optional 3D active shutter glasses that support DLP Link, the projectors captivate audiences with magnificent 3D imagery. Both models offer 3D support for 60Hz and 120Hz XGA (1024 x 768) and SVGA (800 x 600) sources. The XG-PH80W-N also offers support for 60Hz and 120Hz WXGA (1280 x 720) sources. When not being used for 3D projection, both models offer full compatibility with traditional “2D” sources.
The new models feature an intelligent dual-lamp design which gives users the flexibility to choose single or dual-lamp projection, as well as standard brightness or “Eco+Quiet” mode projection. Additionally, the dual-lamp system provides extra reliability, in the event one lamp should fail, the playback performance can be maintained by using the other lamp without interruption.
Through a sealed DLP chip with a user-interchangeable color wheel, the user has the option to use either a 4-segment color wheel for the highest brightness or the optional BrilliantColor™ AN-PH80CW color wheel for video applications where color accuracy is paramount. The DLP chip in the XG-PH80W-N incorporates more than 1 million micromirrors, and the XG-PH80X-N’s DLP chip contains close to 800,000 micromirrors. These silicon chips with their finely structured mirrors deliver very stable performance and high quality images while offering an estimated lifetime of 20,000 hours. Additionally, through DynamicBlack™ technology, the black levels are dramatically presented, providing incredible detail in dark scenes with virtually no noise or loss of brightness and a contrast ratio of up to 2100:1.
The new XG-PH80 Series also offer five lens options which make these Sharp models flexible projection solutions with 1.3 to 8.3 throw ratios. A fixed wide angle lens with 0.8 throw ratio is also available for special short-throw applications. Additional features include web browser control, remote access for control and adjustment, PJLink® capability, diagnosis and email alert. The new models also offer flexible installation with extensive security features and a three-year parts and labor limited warranty with 24-hour turnaround express repair support. This maintenance package includes a 90-day warranty on the user-replaceable projection lamps.
訂閱：
文章 (Atom)