[CES 07] New DLP Projectors from SIM2 at Low and High End
January 12th, 2007 — By Scott Wilkinson1080p DLP Double Whammy
SIM2 D80
SIM2 has entered the 1080p DLP projector game at both ends of the arena. At $9995, the single-chip D80 is among the least-expensive models on the market, and it’s available now. Features include end-to-end 10-bit processing, a stated contrast ratio of 4000:1, 900 ANSI lumens of light output, and a proprietary folded light path that allows a compact housing without compromising performance.
SIM 2 HT500
At the high end of the price spectrum is the HT5000, a 1080p triple-chipper that was first introduced at CEDIA and is just starting to ship now. How high end, you ask? The price tag starts at $49,995, and if you want a lens, that’s another $6595. There are six lenses to choose from, including two fixed and four zoom varieties. Not only that, you can also get an anamorphic lens to fill a 2.35:1 screen; the manual version will set you back another $8995, while the one with a motorized sled to move the lens in and out of position is $11,995.
Other cost factors include single- and dual-lamp configurations and a choice between an internal video processor and the outboard DigiOptic Image Processor, fondly known as the DOIP.
You’d expect a lot of performance at these prices, and you’d get it. The light output is rated at 2500 ANSI lumens, which means that the smallest practical 2.35:1 screen size is about 110 inches–any smaller and you’d get a sunburn. To quiet any objections about not enough connectors, the HT5000 includes six HDMI 1.3 inputs.
