EMediaLive.com: Sharp Introduces Notevision XR-1S Portable DLP Projector

Sharp introduces a sleek, lightweight, personal DLP projector that can easily fit into a carry-on bag with a laptop. The Notevision projector, model XR-1S, combines high brightness and high quality Carl Zeiss optics, making it ideal for both data and video projection. About the size of a pair of paperback novels, the XR-1S measures 9.7 (W) x 2.5 (H) x 4.8 (D) inches and weighs just over three pounds. Set-up is a snap with a faster start-up than traditional projectors, on-screen interactive help for easy set-up and operation assistance, color-coded connectors, and backlit operation keys. To control the presentation's pace and appearance from anywhere in a presentation room, the projector includes a credit card-sized remote with mouse, resize, and freeze functions.

For precise image reproduction from a laptop, the XR-1S has a native SVGA resolution and is compatible with up to SXGA+. It can project a brilliant image in any room or run any application with a vibrant 1500:1 contrast ratio for realistic black tones. Users can vary the projector's brightness, choosing between the "standard" operating mode (1100 ANSI lumens) or low-power "economy" mode (970 ANSI lumens). The low-power mode provides a low total cost of ownership since the projector can run for up to 4,000 hours, or about four hours a work day for four years. The XR-1S low power mode also provides reduced fan noise and power consumption, making the projector both quiet and economical to operate.

The Notevision projector creates a crystal clear picture for an occasional home theater set-up or to show the big game in high definition at home. The XR-1S supports all image formats up to a 1080i HDTV resolution. Sports fans, movie buffs, and video game aficionados can choose between standard (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) images to match the content source. It has a high-quality scaler that transforms TV signals into non-interlaced representation for a better picture.

The new Notevision XR-1S will be available in May 2004 through authorized dealers, retailers and resellers at a for a suggested list price of $1,895 and an estimated street price of $1,299.