[Updated 4:24PM EST, 3/13/14. HDBaseT connection distance was incorrect in an earlier version]
Ladies and Gentlemen, the future is here, technology has advanced to replace the lightbulb and paved the way for laser technology in projection systems. Yes that's right, lasers. Okay, maybe I'm a little to excited here, but as someone who replaces projector lamps every year, I get excited at the prospect of never changing another one.
Digital Projection Systems (DPI) is launching their new 10,000-lumen, laser-powered projector later this summer and with it, are boasting 20,000 hours of nearly maintenance-free run time. The HighLite Laser WUXGA 3D is designed to be a “set it and forget it” system. Replacing conventional lamps with a high-powered laser, creating a solid state illumination system.
Standard inputs include Dual HDMI, DVI, and 3G-SDI are all included as well as HDBaseT connection accepting uncompressed HD video via a CAT6 network cable at a distance of up to 328 feet. Native display resolution of 1920 x 1200 at 24p and 1080p. Built in active 3D capabilities with frame rates up to 144 Hz, image edge blending and warp correction capabilities allow this projector to be used in a variety of applications. Interchangeable lenses with a selection of both zoom and fixed styles also enable flexibility in placement.
Utilizing the latest three-chip DLP technology, this projector utilizes the Dark Chip DMD technology to achieve smoother grayscale and deeper contrast. Measuring at a 2000:1 ANSI ratio, this is well above comparable projectors from other manufactures.
The MSRP for all of this is $44,000, which with a little help from Google, seems to be incredibly reasonably priced. Especially since it is a brand new technology without much competition on the market. I would have expect it to carry a higher price tag. If the hours of operation are true, I wouldn't mind paying more upfront if my usage costs go down. That is to say, there are no expensive lamps to replace every 1,000 - 2,000 hours.
Read Company's Initial New Product Announcement on the Digital Projection HighLite Laser WUXGA 3D Projector
On my current projectors I average around 800 hours a year on them, causing me to replace all my lamps (six projectors in the main room) yearly. This new projector is offering me essentially 10 to 20 years of operation. I will replace it, just due to age before it's operating hours are up.
With any new technology, comes questions that I think only time will answer. I'd like to know operating temperatures. Does the laser technology make it run hotter or cooler? The company's website gives it identical specs to other lamp-based projectors of the same line on one page and different on another. What I was able to find, it would seem to run warmer than conventional lamp projectors, which requires more fan noise, rated at 48 dBA. Its power consumption (again if accurate) seems higher than other projectors as well, at 1600 watts.
As excited as I am, I am curious if Digital Projection HighLite Laser will catch on. Now, this may be my naiveté speaking, because my only knowledge of lasers comes from movies. I am wondering what the constraints are for growing it, is 10,000 lumens as bright as it can get? All of my current projectors are 12k - 16k lumens. I am curious if the technology is capable of increasing to those lumens, or if potential restrictions like heat are too much.
Bottom line, I would love to get my hands on one of these. The lamp savings alone should put this projector on the radar of any church looking for a new projector. The built-in edge blending and warp features also increase my interest. Not having to purchase this capability separately is something I wish I had in my current projection system. I hope to actually get to see one soon.
