NEC Display Solutions of America announced four new 3LCD installation projectors that deliver aimed at displaying 4K content. Ranging from 6,500 lumens to 9,000 lumens, the new PA Series includes the NP-PA653U, NP-PA803U, NP-PA853W and NP-PA903X projectors with WUXGA, WUXGA, WXGA and XGA resolutions, respectively.

NEC says that a key differentiator in these latest compact models is NEC’s Scaler Chip, an advancement in picture-processing. The integrated picture processor simultaneously manages a 4K/60p input and shares signal output with multiple daisy-chained connected projectors. It also translates into unsurpassed image noise reduction, de-interlacing, scaling and full 10-bit color processing, giving education, museum, corporate, retail and other industry users a better overall viewing experience. Additional developments in the projectors’ color space conversion include Rec2020 to Rec709 specification support, HDR10 media profile and 3D support, creating richer images.

Those improvements include increased lamp life of 5,000 hours, filter run time of 10,000 hours, and reduced standby power consumption of 0.3 watts. These enhancements mean less down-time and maintenance for users, decreased costs, and better energy efficiency.

Other features of the PA Series projectors include:

• Upgraded picture-sharpness processing with NEC’s fourth generation Sweetvision engine
• Greater brightness levels for the NP-PA653U (6,500 lumens), NP-PA803U (8,000 lumens), NP-PA853W (8,500 lumens) and NP-PA903X (9,000 lumens) projectors than predecessor models
• Up to 10,000:1 contrast ratios, offering extreme image detail
• Support for the latest copyright protection standards, which enable UHD Blu-Ray and 4K content via the HDMI interface, benefiting public and professional venues — the projectors manage copyright compliance directly
• Variety of inputs and outputs, including Dual HDMI, DisplayPort and HDBaseT with HDBaseT loop out
• Highly flexible geometry controls for image manipulation on curved and irregular surfaces
• Multi-screen and picture-in-picture coupled with stacking and blending support, which allow content sharing from multiple computers to large audiences
• HDBaseT input, which supports Cat6 network cabling up to 100 meters, offering reduced installation costs
• Lenses covering larger zoom ranges, tilt free and portrait mode, which provide greater installation flexibility
• Basic control of competitors’ products, reducing the need for reprogramming of a control system (Contact NEC for complete list.)

The NP-PA653U, NP-PA803U, NP-PA853W, and NP-PA903X projectors will be available in January 2017 at a list price of $5,399, $6,199, $4,649, and $4,499, respectively. Here are all the detailed specs.