Optoma Launches New Projector Lines
Optoma’s 1080p and 720p projectors for home theater and business have new features at lower prices to help retailers and installers gain sales.
November 2007 By Jeff O’HeirThe 10 new platforms include the EP1691 and EP7155 3.2 pound ultra-portables; the EP721, EP727 and EP728 multimedia data series; the 6.3-pound EP761 with 3200 lumens and 2000:1 ratio; and the new 720p HD65 and HD71 high-definition home theater projectors.
“One of the big trends we see is that people are becoming a lot more sophisticated and they understand how versatile the products are,” said Jon Grodem, Optoma’s senior product manager. “Across the industry, as price points go down, features improves and consumer acceptance increases.”
For its new line of data projectors, which are aimed at the business market but also designed for crossover use, Optoma incorporated many of the technologies, features and functions it had been using in its home projectors, Grodem said.
The EP721, EP727 and EP728 multimedia data projectors, for example, feature a variety of connectivity options, a Texas Instruments DLP chipset, a built-in speaker and up to 3,000 hours of lamp life, according to the company. The EP721 ($599 ESP) and 727 ($699 ESP) weigh in at four pounds, include an IR remote with laser pointer, 2200 lumens with 2000:1 contrast ratio. The 728 ($999 ESP) includes all the above features but has 2700 lumens with 2000:1 contrast ratio.
The EP761 ($1,299 ESP) is another data projector, but one with even richer crossover features, Grodem said. It weights 6.1 pounds and has a sleek form factor that is designed for easier bulb replacement. The unit also has built-in audio and higher brightness levels, clocking in at 3200 lumens with 2000:1 contrast ratio. Connectivity options include DVI w/HDCP, 2 VGA-In, Composite, S-Video, RS-232, USB and VGA-Out.
On the ultra-portable front, Optoma has rolled out the EP1691 and EP7155 (both $999 ESP), which weigh 3.2 pounds and have 2500 lumens and 2500:1 contrast ratio. With a native 16:9 aspect ratio, the 1691 delivers widescreen pixel matching for 16:9 notebooks. That allows the user to project content on large screens without having to re-adjust the notebook settings.
On the home front, Optoma has introduced the 720p high-definition HD65 and the HD71. Starting at $999, the HD65 has 1600 lumens with a 4000:1 contrast ration (in ImageA mode), a variety of connectivity options and a DLP chipset. It weighs four pounds. The HD71 ($1,299 ESP) shares many of those features, but also has 2400 lumens with a 4000:1 contrast ratio and a built-in two-watt speaker.
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Once again Optoma pushes the envelope for home theater affordability. For less than $10,000 consumers can get a terrific home entertainment option including high-class audio and professional installation. Find a local installer and you're off to the races...or movies!
To find a local installer,consumers might want to check out http://www.allhometheaters.com for a comprehensive listing of 5,600 installers and system integrators nationwide.