Last week, projectiondesign, one of the top-tier DLP projection companies, announced their new F10 projector that utilizes TI’s latest DLP chip. The new DMD microdisplay has a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, called WUXGA, a format common to computer monitors but uncommon to projection technology. Like myself, you are probably used to 1080p projectors, as a standard, but why would you need or want this uncommon 16:10 instead of 16:9 format?

John DiLoreto
Analyst and Editor for
Insight Media

Insight Media spoke with Gary Plavin, President of American Operations for projectiondesign. Mr. Plavin explained that the "Holy Grail" is to have your projection resolution match the resolution that is used all along your workflow. This would apply less to mere video consumers than to those involved in computer work, including the production of video. Matching this native resolution allows users to see on the big screen exactly what’s on their computer monitors, pixel for pixel. This may include for many computer users the Windows menus at the bottom of the screen.

The new TI chip has been out for only the past few months, and as a leading OEM, projectiondesign is among the first to adopt the new technology. It is another hotrod projector design, delivering 3500 or 4100 ANSI lumens (depending on color wheel) in a 7.7lb. chassis. The unit will also offer a variety of lens options, as is the case across their product line.

So far, only a limited amount of information is available about the new projector models. Right now, projectiondesign is finishing up the "industrialization" of the first models that should be available in the next 45 - 60 days, according to Mr. Plavin. More information on these models will be made available as the company gets closer to their release date.

One thing he tantalized us with is that projectiondesign is experimenting with different lighting technologies. This includes technology from Philips called "Vidi", which allows the lamp to be "pulsed" for greater efficiency and a reduced thermal load. It also produces "marvelous light," he said.

According to the company, the WUXGA resolution is much sought after by custom installers and systems integrators, which makes sense to us because of the increasing popularity of home theatre PCs, not to mention the increasing use of video in the business world.

Personally, I’m not a fan of PCs in the living room, but for larger installations in home theatres, and even boardrooms and conference rooms, this is a format that might make sense. TI might be onto something here. It will be interesting to see how well this projection format catches on.

Reply to the author