ViewSonic Adds Tools for Enterprise Presentations

Aimed at bolstering business presentations, ViewSonic Corp. last week took the wraps off three projectors and a 42-inch plasma display. For business travelers making off-site presentations, ViewSonic introduced the PJ255D, a portable projector weighing in at 2.1 pounds.

“This is really for the road warrior,” said ViewSonic product manager Jeff Muto. “Its something light to carry around; you can stuff it in whatever bag youre carrying. Its not the brightest projector, but its bright enough for most lighting conditions.”

Based on Texas Instruments micromirror DLP (digital light processing) technology, the $1,999 PJ255D displays images with 1,100 lumens of brightness, a 2000:1 contrast ratio, and 1,024-by-768-pixel XGA resolution.

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Improvements over the previous model include reduced fan noise and the addition of a manual focus and zoom lens.

For use in the office, ViewSonic unveiled two LCD projectors: the PJ520 and the PJ1165. The PJ520, an SVGA projector priced at $1499, is light enough at 5.9 pounds to transport between conference rooms.

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This projector is targeted for users who dont require the highest resolutions for their presentations, according to Muto. The PJ520 has 2,000 lumens of brightness, 800-by-600-pixel native resolution, and a 350:1 contrast ratio. Zoom and focus are controlled manually.

This model also includes dual RGB inputs that allow users to connect two PCs or add video for multimedia presentations as well as an RGB output.

The highest-end model of the three, the $4,299 PJ1165, weighs around 17 pounds and is designed to be installed in a conference room.

It is the brightest of the three models, displaying images at 3,500 lumens, with a contrast ratio of 800:1, and 1024-by-768-pixel resolution. This model offers power zoom and focus.

All three projectors are available now.

For those business professionals who opt to make their presentations with a plasma display, ViewSonic also unveiled a 42-inch plasma display. The HDTV-ready VPW4255 is priced at $5,499.

The display has 1024-by-1024-pixel native resolution, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 1,100 nits of brightness, and 160-degree viewing angles.

The VPW4255 supports data sources and video signals including HDTV, Enhanced Definition Television and standard television.

Gene Ornstead, senior product manager at ViewSonic, said businesses are increasingly turning to these types of displays for their presentations.

“Many people dont want a projector sitting on the table or people walking in front of them,” said Ornstead. “Price point has been an obstacle, but now prices are coming down.”

The VPW4255 will be available through ViewSonic retailers and resellers in July.

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