ViewSonic Introduces Three Classroom Projectors ViewSonic says that, due to customer requests, they designed three lightweight projectors for use with large screens. The PJD6220, PJD6230 and PJD6240 are DLP projectors offering varying levels of brightness. These 62 Series projectors are specified at 1024×768 resolution and 2000:1 contrast ratio. Brightness specs are 2,300 (PJD6220), 2,700 (PJD6230) and 3,200 (PJD6240) lumens. They also come with 2.5-watt built-in speakers, closed captioning and RGB, composite,S-Video inputs and a RJ-45 jack. These are shipping now with estimated street prices starting at $899. For more information, go to http://www.viewsonic.com/products/projectors/ Wow, there are a lot of projector choices out there! Here are three more… which seem to have the bases covered if native 4:3 is what you want/need. I’m glad to see closed captioning also supported. — GHB Back to Top Intercast Networks’ Kazam Free Video Service Enters Beta Testing at Universities After alpha testing their free Kazam university video service at Purdue and Columbia, Intercast Networks announced the service is entering the beta phase and will be installed in additional universities in the U.S. The company says that after the spring semester alpha trial, Kazam has a redesigned UI based on student's feedback and they have partnered with many new content providers to create a channel lineup that specifically caters to the student audience. The beta service will be available via the Internet2 Network for Internet2 university members, which Intercast says connects over 50,000 U.S. research and education institutions today. Schools at which Kazam will be available this fall include Columbia, Northwestern, Penn State, University of Alabama, UCLA, University of Delaware and others. Kazam is set up independently, so content providers can test the impact of new video delivery technologies in a walled garden and early adopter environment, which does not interfere with their traditional business models. The system provides content from major brands such as Sports Illustrated and online originals and programming from independent production companies including live concerts from Baeble Music, web series from My Damn Channel, HD shows from On Networks, various shows from Revision3, and even human rights documentaries from WITNESS. On the revenue side, Kazam provides targeted and dynamic ad serving from storage, which is integrated with DoubleClick DART Enterprise for campaign management, ad trafficking, ad tracking and reporting. Several ad agencies such as Moxie Interactive of the Publicis Groupe, MPG and others agreed to evaluate Kazam's targeted and dynamic advertising from storage capabilities and are publishing video campaigns from some of their major brands. For more information, go to http://www.kazam.com/ First, I must say, here is yet another Education market product I had no idea existed… until reading it here in rAVe Ed [Education]! Glad I’m a subscriber… Oh, yeah, I’m also a contributor! So… do as I will and hit the Kazam website to learn more; this sounds like a potential source for “edu-tainment” content (that which has potential to both entertain and educate). — GHB Back to Top InFocus back in ProAV! Will the 4th Try be a Charm? InFocus is now shipping those three new DLP projectors that let you decide between 4:3 or widescreen formats. The IN1100 series are mobile projectors with DisplayLink technology to connect over USB instead of VGA. It weighs just 2.75 lbs. This series is specified at 2100 or 2200 lumens and 1800:1 contrast ratio and XGA or WXGA resolution. The IN3100 series are portable projectors designed for tabletop or install use. They also include DisplayLink and a new LiteTouch touch keypad. They are specified at 3000 or 3500 lumens with 2000:1 contrast ratio and XGA or WXGA resolution. The IN5100 series are installation projectors with the SplitScreen feature, (available on the IN5104). InFocus says this series, is especially suited for videoconferencing, distance learning, collaboration and other uses that require display of two sources side by side. There are also four assignable audio inputs and four optional lenses. These come in 4000 or 5000 lumens, XGA or WXGA resolution and 1000:1 contrast ratio. Prices start at $1,099 and they are shipping now. For more information, go to http://www.infocus.com/Company/PressReleases/2008/091608_in110_in3100_in5100_nowshipping.aspx The DisplayLink, SplitScreen and XGA/WXGA resolution choice are options that catch my eye … and in context of other listed specs (and price) are cause for interest in giving (another) look at InFocus projection. — GHB Back to Top New Network Projectors From NEC NEC added four new network projectors to its line. All four projectors include built-in closed captioning, built-in wired networking, 7-watt audio, automatic vertical keystone correction, auto power on upon signal detect, built-in security and RS232. Brightness on these models are the NP400 at 2500 lumens, NP500 at 3000 lumens, NP600 at 3500 lumens and the NP500W at 3000 lumens. The projectors are XGA native resolution, except the wide-format (WXGA) NP500W. The projectors will be available for October with MSRPs of $899, $1099, $1499 and $999 respectively. For more information, go to http://www.necdisplay.com/NewsAndMediaCenter/PressRelease/?pressrelease=e3ee15fb-fff7-42a8-9c4f-ae44b75f481d Again, “yeah!” for closed caption support! And, “yeah!” for another native wide-format projector! And how about one more “yeah!” for a company that has been in the data/video projection business for a long time! — GHB Back to Top Lighting Options Distinguish New Dukane Digital Visual Presenter Dukane announced a new Visual Presenter, the DVP505A, that features a high-resolution color camera on a movable, extendable arm. Documents or objects can be delivered to data projectors, displayed on flat panel monitors or captured through a computer. The DVP has XGA computer output, auto focus, 12X Zoom, 64 picture memory, optical and digital zoom, dual lamps and back light, wireless remote, S-Video and Composite Video outputs and DC12V power outlets. This is designed with specially-constructed lights on side arms. Transparencies can be illuminated using the stage lamp or from above with side fluorescent lamps. The presenter allows for projection of objects, evidence, papers, X-Rays, demonstrations in the classroom, courtroom, at the podium or for video conferencing. For more information, go to http://www.dukcorp.com/AudioVisual/products/Item_VisualizersCameras.asp?Model=DVP505A Dukane; A name I first became familiar with, in Jr. High AV club, on the side of the then current “staple” of AV technology: filmstrip projectors! And now here, many years later at the rAVe Ed AV club, on what I consider should be a “staple” of current classroom technology: high res. document cameras! — GHB Back to Top |