Casio unveils "world's thinnest" high-brightness projector

 

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Posted on 7 Jan 2010 at 00:49

CES 2010: Casio has launched a new hybrid projection technology at CES in Las Vegas. Claiming to be the world’s first mercury-free high brightness projector, the new Green Slim units substitute traditional high-pressure mercury bulbs with a combination of LED and laser light.

The new method overcomes problems with creating a high-brightness green light by using a phosphor colour wheel to convert a blue laser light source. The red part of the spectrum is then produced via an LED, with all three light sources combined using a traditional DLP chip and colour wheel.

With greater bulb longevity, TCO (total cost of ownership) savings and improved environmental credentials, the company’s vice president of business projection, Frank Romeo, additionally claimed that colour gamuts were 50% greater than the company’s current line-up. He also cited benefits such as instant-on, maximum brightness.

Nine new models were introduced, all of which are housed in an impressively thin chassis, measuring a mere 1.7in high, and with resolutions of up to WXGA (1,280 x 800). The range is initially aimed at business users though Romeo also announced that consumer models will be available later in 2010, showing off a prototype with a footprint akin to a Mac mini.

Camera revamp

The company also took the opportunity to announce a refresh of its Exilim compact camera range, with the new Exilim Engine 5.0 image processing and 10x optical zoom. Offering ultra-fast burst modes and "faster than the human eye" ultra-slow motion modes, other new features include an updated Dynamic Picture mode, which allows moving and still images to be combined.

Less impressive was the introduction of a 10in photo display, christened Digital Art Frame. Described by Casio’s founder and CEO Kazuo Kashio as "changing the culture of the photo frame", the unit features eight picture processing modes to turn your snaps into dubious renditions of pastel, watercolour or oil paintings.

Attendees also appeared less than rapturous about the demonstrations of the unit’s Dynamic Picture mode, with a queue forming to leave the session before the end.

Pricing and UK availability are yet to be announced.

Author: Ross Burridge in Las Vegas