Epson Introduces Its First-Ever Projector Designed Specifically For The Home Theatre Market

3-Jul-02

Epson America Inc. unveiled its first-ever home theatre product with the introduction of the Epson PowerLite TW-100 video projector. This projector combines Epson's 3-LCD technology with newly added video processing and an array of user-friendly features. ""Since the introduction of our first multimedia projector in 1995, Epson video display technology has won numerous awards and established a reputation and for outstanding image quality, ease-of-use, and reliability,"" said Mark Pickard, Group Product Manager, Epson. ""Now that we've gained such a prominent position in the projector market and have become the brand of choice among so many demanding presenters and AV specialists, it's become a logical step for our display technology to expand into the home theatre environment."" The PowerLite TW-100 projects high-resolution video at HDTV 720p native resolution and in a 16:9 wide format aspect ratio required for high-definition. Epson's 3-LCD technology is said to give it the ability to reproduce a broader color palette than other technologies on the market, and contrast ratio is claimed to be 600:1. The projector is HDTV-ready and supports 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. The aspect ratio is also adjustable -- since many of today's DVDs offer a variety of aspect ratios to choose from, users have the ability to fill an entire 16:9 wide format screen without having to look at large black borders. At 30 dB, the PowerLite TW-100 is Epson's most quiet projector to date. It is also designed to be visually unobtrusive, with a white exterior that should accent most contemporary environments. The projector can be hung from a ceiling, placed on a table, installed on a bookcase or shelf for downward projection, or even placed behind a screen for rear-projection. It also has a fixed optical 10-degree projection angle, in addition to a 30-degree digital keystone adjustment.Faroudja Video Image ProcessorThe core of Epson's newly enhanced video technology lies in Faroudja's DCDiô image processor. This chip helps reduce the ""jaggies"" that are often caused by converting an interlaced scan conversion to that of a progressive scan conversion. The processor also features a 3D Y/C separation function that reduces color noise at the color boundaries of a composite video signal. A ""Motion Detect Function"" can also be selected to optimize the quality for images that have fast motion. The projector can automatically determine whether or not the source signal is a movie and if it is, the original image is reproduced fully by means of inverse 3:2 pulldown.Remote Controlled Adjustments And Color ModesA full-featured remote control is included with the PowerLite TW-100. Black levels can be altered without affecting the white level (or vice versa). Users can also adjust color temperatures and RGB colors. The projector also offers a sleep mode and a memory capability that stores up to six customized settings for each type of video input. Since customers' color preferences may vary depending on what type of images they are viewing, Epson has preprogrammed the PowerLite TW-100 with five different color modes for different applications.The heart of this projector's advanced imaging technology lies in Seiko Epson's own 3-LCD projection system, with three LCDs at 1280 x 720 resolution. Furthermore, the Epson PowerLite TW-100 takes advantage of a 150-watt UHE lamp with a reduced arc for increased energy efficiency and a life of approximately 3,000 hours.The PowerLite TW-100 will be available in July 2002 for $4,995 (estimated street price) through authorized pro audio/visual dealers throughout the U.S. Epson's PowerLite projectors come with a two-year limited warranty.

For more information on Epson's current projector product line, visit www.epson.com.

Read More:
http://www.epson.com