In addition, these projectors offer extensive connectivity options including two HDMI inputs, two computer inputs and a monitor out, two USB inputs, and an RJ-45 Ethernet jack. A/V connections include component, S-Video, three audio inputs and audio out. Double the brightness can be achieved using Versa-Stack which enables 2 projectors to be stacked via an RS-232 connection. The CP-WX8240 and the CP-X8150 are network capable and offer PC-Free presentations.

Finally, the CP-WX8240 and the CP-X8150 feature a DICOM (Digital Imaging & Communications in Medicine) simulation mode designed for viewing grayscale medical images. These projectors also have a template function, which will display white or black lines to make writing on a blackboard or whiteboard easier.

Recent Pacific Media Associates projector market research surveys show that users prefer feature packed projectors, so these Hitachi units should do well.

• Mobile data traffic grew 133% in 2011.
• Connection speed on mobile data networks in 2011 grew by 66% over 2010, averaging 1.4 megabits per second.
• Smart phones, which represent 12% of global handsets in use, consumed an average of 150 megabytes per month in 2011, nearly triple that of 2010.
• In 2011, for the first time, mobile video traffic accounted for more than half of all mobile data traffic (52%).

Taken together, these statistics indicate that the average smart phone user took advantage of a robust content delivery network in 2011 and it delivered high quality video they could display for small to medium sized audiences via pico projector.

Cisco paints an even brighter future.

• Mobile network connection speeds are expected to grow nine fold by 2016, exceeding 2.9 megabits per second in 2016.
• The average smartphone is forecast to consume 2.6 GB of traffic per month in 2016, a 17-fold increase.
• 70% of the world’s mobile data traffic is expected to be video by 2016.

To illustrate the devices that contribute to the historical and forecast increases in mobile network traffic, the Visual Networking Index (VNI) ranks categories of mobile devices and compares them to standard handsets. While smart phones generate 35 times the mobile data usage of standard handsets, mobile phone projectors use 300 times the mobile data, more than twice that of a tablet (121X) and second only to laptops (498X) Mobile users with pico projectors clearly value ease with which they can pull down a video, be it YouTube or sales presentation, and share it with friends or clients.

PMA’s projector market research and end-user/industry surveys routinely reveal that sharing video is the number one reason consumers purchase pico projectors. Cisco’s VNI offers a compelling argument that this trend will continue.

Cisco Visual Networking Index

All three models offer 360-degree projection and geometric warping so images can be displayed on curved, bent or arched surfaces. These units can be used in front or rear projection mode…and on the floor or ceiling. They also offer multiple lens options, power zoom and focus, and have horizontal lens shift. In addition, they employ a new roll-up filter feature, and the filter can be set to roll automatically every 500, 700 or 1000 hours.  Stand-by mode and an auto power-off setting help keep the cost of ownership down.

The XL7100U and WL7200U have begun shipping and the UL7400U will be available in March.

Pacific Media’s projector market research has shown high-end units continuing to out-perform the overall projector market, so these units should be well received.

QD Laser has announced a new frequency-doubled 532 nm compact green laser diode. The device is housed in a module of approximately 0.5 cm³ total volume. The current prototype produces over 100 mW (Continuous Wave) of green light, with a line width of less than 0.01 nm, and and is capable of high-speed modulation above 100 Mhz. Power dissipation at 100 mW output is about 900 mW, equating to a wall-plug efficiency of more than 10 percent. QD Laser revealed that they are currently sampling a 5 mW version of this module and will begin sample shipments of a 50 mW version in 2012Q2. Mass production of the product is planned for 2012Q4.

As witnessed by PMA’s extensive projector market research, several companies have recently introduced synthetic green laser modules to take advantage of the ongoing delay in shipments of direct diode green lasers.

QD Laser

There are also three short throw models in the line – the BrightLink 425Wi, 430i and 435Wi. These projectors come with an included wall mount and two interactive pens. All new BrightLink projectors come standard with iProjection – Epson’s iPhone app capability, speaker and microphone input, network monitor and control features and advanced connectivity, including HDMI.

There are two WXGA and one XGA model in the short throw and ultra-short throw line ups, with lumens ranging from 2500 to 3100 and pricing between $1,299 and $1,699. All will be shipping in Spring 2012.

Recent projector market research done by Pacific Media Associates indicate that interactivity and short-throw capabilities are must have features for teachers today.

You can learn more at www.epson.com/brightlink

All three projectors boast a 2,000 hour lamp life, have a 12,000 hour maintenance free Eco Filter and a low power consumption of 2500w. Panasonic boasts that these projectors are the smallest and lightest in their category, making them ideal for large-venue and rental & staging installations. No pricing is available yet and they are expected to start shipping in June.

Pacific Media’s projector market research shows that the high-end projector segment (5000+ lumen projectors) continues to out-perform the overall projector market, so it’s likely that these units will be successful.

You can learn more by visiting http://panasonic.net//projector/

The projector also comes with a rechargeable interactive pen, a pen holder, USB and VGA cables and an easy-to-install wall mount. The LightRaise 40wi interactive projector offers educators an affordable option for making classrooms interactive. The projector can produce screen sizes up to 100″ in a widescreen format, making it a flexible solution designed to fit into nearly any classroom or collaborative space.

Projector market information compiled by Pacific Media Associates continues to show that interactive projectors are a strong competitor to traditional interactive white boards due to their mobility and lower cost. This seems to be a smart move by SMART!

You can learn more at http://www.smarttech.com

Personal electronics maker Keen High Technologies, headquartered in Shenzhen, China, demonstrated two new projectors at the Consumer Electronics Show, held in Las Vegas from January 10-13, 2012. Keen High’s “Mini Projector” produces 100 lumens at XGA (1,024×768) resolution from an LCOS imager and features HDMI, VGA and Composite Video inputs. The battery powered “Pico Projector” uses a DLP imager to produce 30 lumens at WVGA (854×480) resolution via HDMI or Composite Video inputs. Both models have built-in Personal Media Players, with SD card slots and USB ports, to display popular video and image files.

PMA supplies the industry’s most complete and accurate projector market research, including an up-to-date directory of new models, like these from Keen High.

Keen High Technologies

PMA’s projector market research has followed 3M’s introductions of pico projectors since the MPro110, but this is the first non-LCOS New Era projector 3M has introduced.

3M Pico Projectors

Pacific Media’s quarterly analysis of the projector market has shown that the high-end product segment has consistently outperformed the overall projector market for the past several years with solid double-digit growth. The new Barco product is positioned to do well with rental & staging and large-venue customers.

Visit http://www.barco.com/en/product/2503 to learn more