Euroscreen launches Deep Space 3D at ISE 2012-- a new projection surface featuring a special grey coating making it ideal for both 3D and 2D projection.

It has a polarised high gain projection surface (improving passive 3D projection) and a high gain (1.4) and high contrast fabric for 2D projection. The rear side is black, making it ideal for use in front of light sources (such as ambient or spot lights).

Euroscreen supplies the Deep Space material on both electrical (with black borders and black top drop) and frame screens.

Also on display at ISE is Tiziano-- a range of tensioned and non-tensioned electrical screens featuring an exclusive design housing in different colours.

Go Euroscreen

Wowee One announces the Wowee Vue-- a pico projector designed for use with iDevices, as well as mobile Androids.

It connects to iPhones, iPads and iPods via 30-pin connector (cable included), while an HDMI port caters for Android smartphones and tablets and composite adapter allows use with other TV-out devices.

Resolution is WVGA (848x480), with 15 lumens brightness and 16:9 aspect ratio. Wowee One says no focus adjustment is needed, as "image is always in focus, even on curved surfaces." No details are yet available in audio capabilities.

An internal battery provides up to 4 hours of power, and the projector also operates using a wall charger.

Go Wowee One Vue

Pacific Media Associates (PMA) releases its annual projector manufacturer survey-- predicting the global pico projector market will reach 58M units by 2015, up from 3M in 2011.

The pico category covers battery-powered models, as well as companion (accessory) and embedded mobile device modules.

The analyst predicts pico projectors will not only grow in sales, but also in brightness-- while only 36% of pico projectors sold in 2011 offer 30 lumens (or more) of brightness, PMA predicts 62% of sales will offer 30+ lumens, thanks to improving batteries and luminous efficiency. Around 16% of picos will even offer 150+ lumens in 2015.

Meanwhile manufacturers predict optical engines will also improve, with 18% of optical engines producing 30+ lumens by 2015 (up from 6% in 2011).

PMA says customers will also get "a lot more" for their money, as future models will also handle higher resolutions and features such as media playback and document viewers.

Go Pacific Media Associates Annual Pico Projector Manufacturer Survey

Pacific Media Associates (PMA) reports how although projector growth down in 2011, "strong pockets of demand are expected to brighten the outlook for 2012," and forecasts 31% Y-o-Y growth for the WW projector industry in 2012.

The analyst expects 2012 global projector shipments to total 12.4M units, as divided in New Era (sub-500 lumens), Mainstream (500-4999 lumens) and High End (5000+ lumens) categories.

New Era (pico, personal, gaming) projectors see solid growth in 2011. PMA says embedded models (in phones, cameras and camcorders) show 600% Y-o-Y growth in 2011, and should grow by 115% Y-o-Y in 2012 before continuing "triple-digit growth" over the next 2 years.

Meanwhile economic uncertainty continues hampering WW Mainstream projector growth-- PMA forecasts the category will only grow by 8% Y-o-Y in 2012, with interactive and short-throw projectors outperforming the overall market.

PMA also expects the High-End category to outperform, with 18% Y-o-Y shipment growth in 2012. Driving growth is an upwards migration in brightness and resolution, together with growing large-venue projector demand in developing markets.

Home theatre projectors should be "another bright spot" in the 2012 market, thanks to 3D projectors and major sporting events (mainly the Olympics and the Euro football cup).

Go PMA Projector Industry 2012 Forecast

Runco announces a solution allowing for more flexible projector installations-- the "Ultra" series, adding longer throw distances to a number of popular projector models.

Projectors include the the 3Dimension D-73d Ultra, LightStyle LS-HB Ultra, QuantumColor Q-750d Ultra and QuantumColor Q-1500d Ultra, with throw ratios ranging from 2.40 to 4.00 (depending on projector and lens). In comparison, standard models have throws of 1.85-2.40.

The company says Ultra versions provide higher sharpness and lower colour distortion at longer distances from the screen, making it easier to conceal and integrate the projector into a home's decor. The new series should also be ideal for multi-use rooms (or "flex-theatres") and even outdoors, all while Runco assures video quality remains of top quality.

Go Runco Adds New Ultra Options to Projection Lines

FAVI says the E3 LED-Pico projector is geared for gaming, home theatre and business travel use, with WVGA native resolution (854x480) displaying images of up to 110" in size and a 1.59 throw ratio.

It features DLP technology, with 50 lumens of brightness via LED lamp and 1000:1 contrast ratio. Audio comes through either integrated speaker or headphone jack. It plays media on SD/SDHC/MMC cards (up to 32GB) and also has 128MB of internal memory.

The internal battery provides up to 2 hours of playtime (on "eco" mode), extendable by plugging the device into any active USB port.

Ideal as a stocking filler just in time for the holiday season, the package comes complete with remote control, carry case and tripod.

Go FAVI E3 DLP Pocket Projector