JVC launches a line of 4K home theatre projectors at CEDIA 2013, all promising "substantial" improvements in image quality, upgraded e-shift technology and user-selectable Intelligent Lens Aperture.

The company claims the projectors feature the highest native and dynamic contrast in the industry, thanks to an new D-ILA device and wire grid polariser. The user-selectable Intelligent Lens Apreture dials in blacks even further, while 4K e-shift3 technology features a 4K signal input (60P) allowing the display of both 4K and 2K sources as 3480x2160 images.

Further enhancing image quality is a Clear Black feature providing local area contrast enhancement, as well as the 3rd version of Clear Motion Drive (CMD 3) using a new LSI and algorithm for "significant" improvement in motion artifacts on diagonal lines on both 2D and 3D content.

Screen Innovations (SI) adds a new aspect ratio to the Black Diamond Motorised projection screen line-- CEDIA Expo 2013 visitors can check screens  with either 16:9 or 2.35:1 aspect ratio in sizes of up to 138-inches.

Available with either flush or external mounts, Black Diamond Motorised is a single-motor design with 4 custom helixes and a spool of aircraft cable claiming to silently lower a thin wing containing the rolled screen from a recessed ceiling-mount cassette.

When the cable-hung wing stops it lowers a small tube to an adjustable, pre-determined image height, leaving only the image space in sight.

Nick Rogers, CEO of PMA Research says, “China is now the largest projector market in the world, overtaking USA in the last year — with annual sales of 1.8 million units vs. annual sales of 1.6 million units in the United States.”

“In 2013Q2 GDP rose by ‘only’ 7.5% due to control of investment by the Chinese government. In addition, the education procurement process began in Q2 as well, and large volume shipments are expected in 2013Q3 and beyond. Finally, the digital cinema market is exploding in China, and the home theater and pico and personal markets are expected to show gains in the next year as well.”

PMA Research has been expanding its coverage of the projector market in China, and recently hired Jennie Yi to open PMA’s Beijing office. The new report on China will be included as an ad hoc offering to clients who subscribe to PMA’s Worldwide Industry Service family of reports (and is also available as a stand-alone report).

Go PMA Research

Sony shows off a pair of projector additions at IFA 2013-- the VPL-VW500ES 4K home cinema projector and an update on the VPL-HW50ES, the VPL-HW55ES 3D projector.

The VPL-VW500ES is the 2nd 4K-capable projector from the company, following the 2012 VPL-VW1000ES. It features DCI-based 4K (4096x2160) resolutions with the latest HDMI standard (version 2.0), and carries what Sony calls "Reality Creation" technology to upscale regular HD content.

It is rated at 1700 Ansi lumens brightness with a 200000:1 contrast ratio.

According to Sony the projector is capable of projecting large distances without need to alter its position in the room, thanks to a 20.6 zoom lens with a wide shift range.

The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2030 is a 2D and 3D 1920x1080 3LCD projector with MHL-enabled HDMI ports-- meaning connects with mobile and streaming devices (such as the Roku Streaming Stick) via Mobile High Link.

MHL outputs video with resolutions of up to 4K and 7.1 surround audio.

The projector features 6 pre-set colour modes, outputs up to 2000 ANSI lumens and carries an integrated 1.2x zoom. Inputs include x2 HDMI/MHL ports, component video and USB.

The Elite Screens Evanesce B is a DIY in-ceiling projections one can install from within the above-ceiling airspace or below thanks to removable base panels.

It conveniently disappears from view when not in use, and is integrated with Greenguard-certified MaxWhite FG (fibreglass-backed) 1.1 gain matte white material with wide diffusion uniformity.

A fast-acting tubular motor moves the screen, and control options include IR, RF, 12V trigger and ethernet.

It is available in 100, 110 and 120-inch sizes with an 8-inch top masking border.

Go Elite Screens Evanesce B Series