Viewsonic unveils a first at ISE 2012-- an unnamed laser hybrid LED projector the company says is the first of its kind to offer 1080p HD images.

Using a combination of LEDs and lasers as a light source, Viewsonic says the projector generates a colour spectrum exceeding that of regular mercury light projectors (even in brighter ambient conditions) with a lamp life of up to 20000 hours.

The light engine offers up to 1200 lumens of brightness, together with pure colour correction and filter.

Instant on/off eliminates the need for a cool down period, while connectivity options include both analog and digital ports. Viewsonic should start shipping the projector from July 2012.

Go Viewsonic at ISE 2012

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