Sony Projectors Redefine Collaboration

PARK RIDGE, N.J., May 23, 2012 – Sony’s newest ultra-short-throw projectors add new levels of flexibility and interactivity to classrooms, meeting rooms, and a range of commercial applications. The three new models are the VPL-SW535C, VPL-SW525C, and VPL-SW525.

Significant new features include interactive writing capabilities (for the VPL-SW535C and VPL-SW525C), enabling simultaneous, dual-touch, interactive annotation on the projection screen with the use of supplied pen devices and drawing software.

The projectors can transform most flat surfaces into interactive screens, and the interactive pens work as a computer mouse or a screen-annotation device. In a classroom environment, they allow users to easily incorporate most third-party curriculum software to launch interactive lessons. In a corporate environment, instant communication space can be established using the virtual whiteboard mode.

“The definition of presentation and teaching has changed in recent years, to the point where there is much more interactivity between the presenter and the audience,” said Robin Richards, senior marketing manager, professional display, at Sony Electronics. “Professionals are now looking for economical presentation solutions that can enhance collaboration, and these new models are designed to deliver a great range of interactive options without the need for expensive interactive white boards.”

The new models all offer WXGA resolution, using Sony’s unique Bright Era® 3LCD panel technology. The VPL-SW535C produces 3,000 lumens of color light output, with the VPL-SW525C and VPL-SW525 each deliver 2,500 lumens.

The VPL-SW535C and VPL-SW525C come with two interactive pens: a “main” pen with full functionality (for teachers and meeting organizers) and a “sub” pen with limited functionality (for students and participants). Each has an ergonomic design to fit comfortably in users’ hands. Replacement pens are also available (models IFU-PN100M, main; and IFU-PN100S, sub).

Using an ultra short throw lens that gives a throw ratio of 0.27-0.29:1, the new models can project a large image from an extremely short distance. An 80-inch image can be achieved from a distance of only 19 inches from the screen. This ability helps the presenter avoid glare from the projector, and also reduces the space needed to reproduce a large image.

In addition to saving space, the projectors are also designed to deliver superb picture quality. Sony’s Bright Era® 3LCD technology and 12-bit 3D digital gamma correction circuit combine to deliver vivid and rich color reproduction with smoother color gradation.

With Sony’s unique lamp-driving technology, expected lamp maintenance time can extend up to 6,000 hours (depending on the lamp mode selected) not only making the lamp last longer but also reducing energy consumption. Auto dimming allows the projectors to automatically detect no change of signal input if they are left powered on and will dim the lamp as low as 30 percent of original brightness to significantly reduce energy consumption.

The new projectors ship with Sony’s original wall mount arm and bracket, allowing users to adjust zoom, pitch, yaw, roll of the projector. The projectors’ clean look and sleek finish also allow them to blend into virtually any environment. In addition, a range of installation support features – such as approx. 1.05x optical zoom; vertical +/- 4%, horizontal +/-2% optical lens shift -- helps to further reduce installation time, for example when fine-tuning image positions by not having to physically move the projector. Vertical lens shift also allows image position to be adjusted higher or lower depending on ceiling height, which allows the projector to fit into even more rooms with challenging installation conditions.

Other useful features include: a high-wattage 10W speaker, variable audio output with audio switcher function, closed captioning, digital zoom, digital shrink, picture muting, Off & Go; diverse interfaces including HDMI, monitor out, discrete PC audio Inputs, S-Video and composite video Inputs, RJ-45, and RS-232C control.

The following is estimated street price and availability for the new models:

VPL-SW535C (3000lm interactive ultra short throw projector) $2,199 – available now

VPL-SW525C (2500lm interactive ultra short throw projector) $1,999 – June

VPL-SW525 (2500lm ultra short throw projector) $1,499 – June