Sony announces the VPL-FHZ55, the first lamp-free Laser Light Source projector using 3LCD technology, initially revealed back at ISE 2013.

The technology uses a blue laser light source to excite a phosphorous material into generating white light. The 3LCD optical system splits the white light into RGB, producing 4000 lumens of light at WUXGA (1920x1200) resolution and what Sony claims is "bright and vivid color reproduction."

The projector light source promises up to 20000 hours of continuous operation, as well as energy-saving features such as auto light dimming, auto brightness adjustment, constant brightness and instant on/off capability.

Meanwhile the horizontal and vertical lens shift is complete with built-in edge blending and geometric correction.

The VPL-FHZ55 should be available from August 2013.

Go Sony VPL-FHZ55

The global projector market came in at 1.76 million units in Q1 2013, according to Futuresource Consulting. That is a year-on-year decline of 7.5%.

The largest declines came in the standard definition mainstream products (1000 - 3999 Lumens) as demand contracts in key western territories. Growth markets like Russia and India that had driven volumes in CY Q1 2012 experienced a difficult quarter as funding for education and public sector projects were suspended.

SMK-Link Electronics Corporation, one of the largest makers of OEM remote controls in the world, brings us “the world’s first Universal Projector Remote Control”.

“Drawing on SMK Electronics’ vast experience designing and manufacturing original equipment remote controls, SMK-Link has created the world’s first Universal Projector Remote Control,” states John Blair, GM Branded Products for SMK-Link. “A one-stop replacement solution for lost or damaged projector remotes, the Universal Projector Remote Control allows IT/AV managers to standardize on a single product as a replacement remote for all of their various projector makes and models.

Screen Innovations (SI) adds 2 reference-quality materials to the Zero Edge projection screen portfolio-- 1.3 gain Pure White and 0.8 gain Pure Gray, both featuring the SI's proprietary Micro Texture.

Capable of reproducing resolutions ranging from 1080p to 8K and beyond, the screens require no additional assembly once unpacked. Mounting options including on-wall or flown from ceilings via slender cables, and the frame carries (optional) built-in LED lighting in 6 custom preferences and 256000 colours including 6500 kelvin white.

“Resolving the most common complaints associated with white and gray projection screens, Pure reproduces projected images brilliantly without any measurable color shift or visible texture,” SI claims. “It redefines the middle market by providing the coolest, most impressive and cost effective solution for video purists, enthusiasts and everyday viewers alike.”

Zero Edge screens are available in large-format sizes of up to 120-inch in 16:9 and up to 150-inch in 2:35:1, with further materials including Black Diamond 2.7 gain, Black Diamond 1.4 gain or Black Diamond 0.8 gain.

Go Reference Quality Pure Zero Edge Projection Screens

Remember IllumiRoom, the "peripheral projected illusion" system Microsoft presented at the Samsung CES 2013 keynote? The company now beams further details with a new demo video and a CHI 2013 paper.

Microsoft Research describes IllumiRoom as "a proof-of-concept system that augments the area surrounding a television with projected visualizations to enhance traditional gaming experiences." As seen at CES 2013 and the latest video linked below (both supposedly involving no post-production or compositing) the system combines a Kinect and a wide field-of-view projector to project different illusions on a living room wall according to video content.

The Kinect captures room geometry and colours before the projector calibrates visuals according to in-room furniture and lighting via "radiometric compensation." The system creates a variety of different illusions, such as content extension, edge highlighting and specific element highlighting, as well as room colour saturation, radial wobble (makes the room "shake") and grid/snow/starfield visuals.

Yuhuan Global of Taiwan sells pocket projectors under their xxodd brand. Their Nano Go 8 is a compact ultra-lightweight DLP projector for any HDMI or 5-pin MHL device. There’s no built-in media player: you must use a phone or tablet or notebook to play.

Apple devices require a different adapter but otherwise most smartphones, tablets, PCs, and cameras with an HDMI port or MHL connectivity work fine.

Nano Go 8 weighs in at 220 gm but bangs out a 2.54 meter viewing area with its 85 lumens. The video input is 1920x1080p using a HDMI-HDMI cable or MHL-HDMI cable.

Nano Go 8 supports HD 1920x1080 video input and what you see as projection is 854x480 resolution 16:9 widescreen.

The 3800 mAH battery has a Power Bank function. It has two built-in speakers and a 3.5mm audio output jack. There is a USB port but this is intended only for charging your smartphone or tablet.

Go XXODD Nano Go 8