High-Def Projection for the Masses

By Nick Mokey Published October 21, 2007

High-Def Projection for the Masses

While high-def projection systems have previously been the domain of only the wealthy, advances in projection technology are pulling down prices in the market just as LCD and plasma prices continually fall. Epson’s latest projector fills the niche for reasonably price HD projectors by offering true 720p native resolution and a price well under $1,500.

The PowerLite Home Cinema 720 takes many of the features from Epson’s pricier projectors and brings them down to a more practical price point. For instance, the unit uses a true 3LCD projection system, with a three-chip optical engine and 10-bit color processing – meaning it can accurately display more than a billion colors with a contrast ratio of 10,000:1. It also includes a lens shift function that allows users to shift the projected image without moving the projector, making installation easier. The projector’s bulb is rated for an impressive 1,600 ANSI lumens and should last up to 4,000 hours.

Epson will make the PowerLite Home Cinema 720 available in late October for $1,299. It includes a two years of Epson’s Road Service, which means the company will overnight a replacement projector to you in the event of a breakdown.

Managing Editor

As Digital Trends’ Managing Editor, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team delivering definitive reviews, enlightening…

Audio / Video

Spotify adds subscribers, still hasn’t added high-res audio

Spotify on an iPhone.

Spotify today announced its third-quarter 2023 earnings, and with it came news of an increase in subscribers year over year, as well as for the quarter. But still MIA is any sort of high-resolution audio, despite recent (and persistent) rumors.

"It was a truly stellar quarter," CEO Daniel Ek said on the company's earnings call, shortly after it was announced that the streaming music service reached 574 million monthly active users, up just 4% for the quarter, but 26% year over year. Premium subscribers now total 226 million, up 16% year over year and 3% for the quarter.

Audio / Video

Sennheiser’s new budget-friendly headphones get a very high-end feature

Sennheiser Accentum wireless headphones in black and white colors.

Sennheiser's new Accentum wireless noise-canceling headphones look a lot like its top-of-the-line $380 Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones. And while they have similar features, the Accentum are priced at $180 and can do something the Momentum 4 can't: they accept lossless digital audio via their USB-C port. The black version is up for preorder on September 25 and is expected to ship starting on October 4, while the white version begins shipping in late November. Both models will be available at select retailers and at sennheiser-hearing.com.

The Accentum are the successors to Sennheiser's 2020 HD 450 BT, and the company's approach to this more affordable product line remains the same -- preserve as many features from the Momentum line as possible while keeping the price under $200. Needless to say, you can't do this without some trade-offs. The Accentum don't come with a carry case or any kind of analog input. They use only physical controls, not touch controls, and they don't have wear sensors for auto-pausing your tunes when you remove them.

Audio / Video

Epson’s EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is a new option for fans of UST laser projectors

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650.

Epson has a new 4K ultra short throw (UST) laser projector to add to its arsenal. The EpiqVision Ultra LS650 Smart Streaming Laser Projector boasts a three-chip imaging system with a claimed 3,600 lumens of brightness, for images that can scale as large as 120 diagonal inches. The LS650 will come in white or black, however Epson won't be sharing pricing or availability until late October. Given where the new model sits in Epson's lineup, it should be more affordable than its EpiqVision Ultra LS800 flasghip.

Ultra short throw laser projectors -- and their very similar cousins, the laser TV -- are a great way to project big, vivid images onto just about any flat surface without needing to place a noisy projector in the middle of your living room. The EpiqVision Ultra LS650 should be an ideal way to do just that.