Powerful projectors and large flat screen displays can deliver your business message with maximum impact. The latest cost-effective systems can add a real "wow" factor to presentations and signage applications.
Designed for flexibility and ease of use, new meeting and board room projectors offer superior color accuracy and extensive connectivity. Sharp recently introduced the XG-C330X, a projector that delivers super-bright 3000-ANSI-lumen images at a native XGA resolution. This 3-LCD unit ($3,695) delivers top-notch video and HD images, and features a wired LAN connection and built-in Web server for direct computer control. Three panel LCD projectors with first-class video reproduction are also available from Epson, Hitachi, NEC, and Sony.
Many new projectors from Dell, Mitsubishi, Optoma, Panasonic, and other major manufacturers employ the latest BrilliantColor DLP technology from Texas Instruments. The BenQ PB8263 is a great example of this powerful new class of imaging device. This sub-$4,000 XGA portable projector delivers an auditorium-filling 4000 lumens of PowerPoint or HDTV picture with a snappy contrast ratio of 2000:1, yet weighs only 7.9-lbs.
Flat Screens Rule
New LCD and plasma displays stole the show at the recent InfoComm gathering of AV professionals from all over the world. The spectacular M5500C-BA, LCD HDTV monitor from LG Electronics (sub-$11,000) won the coveted Most Innovative Display Award. This 55-inch LCD monitor, with 1920x1080p resolution and 178-degree viewing angle, is a great choice for use in a brightly lit conference room and for digital signage applications.
The versatile ViewSonic IP integrated ND4200-LS is a combination 42-inch plasma TV and network enabled media player with a 40 GB hard disc. This all-in-one sub-$5,000 unit eliminates the need for a local PC at the point of signage display, and can play a variety of files and streaming media content, including HTML Web pages with Flash animations and MPEG-2 or 4 video signals in real-time. Many of the same functions can be added to existing LCD or plasma displays with ViewSonic's $799 NMP-500 network media player.
At InfoComm, Panasonic reinforced its position as a leader in plasma flat screens with the introduction of the new 9-Series professional displays. The 50-inch TH-50PH9UK ($3,295) and other 9-Series units feature a spectacular 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 16-bit color processing, and card slots for stand-alone signage and network applications. Through the use of the new PC board PLUG-VC251 ($3,200), a 9-Series plasma can be set up as an integrated display and computer system.
Digital Worlds
Perhaps the most unusual and interesting display we saw at InfoComm was not flat--it was round! The Magic Planet digital video globe with a spherical display screen and integrated DLP projector, provides a dramatic way to display of all kinds of visual information. Units ranging in size from 16 inches to 6 feet in diameter have been used in museum exhibits and also for presentations, marketing, and signage applications.
With a little imagination, and some help from an experienced AV integrator, new display technologies can greatly expand the reach and impact of your multimedia communications.
