PLUS Vision Expands Five Pound Projector Series With Enhanced Performance, Longer Lamp Life

BEAVERTON, ORE. - February 20, 2003 - PLUS Vision Corporation of America, the leader in projector miniaturization technology, announces two new projectors in its five-pound product family, the U2-1200, a 2000 lumen XGA projector and the U2-817, a 1500 lumen, SVGA projector.

Both projectors are built on Texas Instruments' next generation Digital Light Processing쳌 chip technology, which has led to performance features such as a higher contrast ratio. The new units each have a lamp life of 3000 hours, an option to extend lamp life even further to 4000 hours, quieter performance, and a 1500:1 contrast ratio.

At 1500 lumens the new U2-817 is PLUS Vision's brightest SVGA projector. The U2-817 includes built-in second monitor output (loop-through), a requisite feature for multi-media educators. The feature allows teachers/trainers to project their curriculum to their classes while simultaneously being able to view the course content on their desktop monitors.

"Our clients have told us they want continuous performance boosts at a great value, not 'over-the-top' technology," said S. Mark Hand, vice president, sales and marketing. "These latest PLUS projectors have absolutely delivered on these requests. For instance, the 3000 hour lamp life is a great performance enhancement and reduces the total cost of ownership."

The upgraded 1500:1 contrast ratio will project life-like colors and images, with blacker blacks, whiter whites, and crisp clarity. The new U2 series PLUS projectors run at a whisper quiet 33 dB while in economy mode (Eco-mode), and extend lamp life by 30 percent. Presentation brightness in Eco-mode is reduced only 20 percent. This solution-based feature enables the presenter to balance economy and performance.

"We're delighted to welcome these new products from PLUS to the market," said Lars Yoder, Business Manager, DLP쳌 Business Products at Texas Instruments' DLP쳌 Products division. "The combination of PLUS's expertise and the new generation of DLP technology enables the development of products that offer outstanding image quality, reliability and flexibility - products that will certainly help both PLUS and DLP technology continue to increase market share."

The U2-817 and the U2-1200 feature everything the mobile presenter needs including digital zoom, digital keystone correction, and a presentation timer. The timer can be set for presentation times of 10 to 60 minutes in 10 minute increments. It displays remaining time on the screen.

The new U2 projectors support the latest in video standards including 480p, 780p and 1080i High Definition imaging. They also allow for DVI (pure digital signaling), RGB (data), component and composite inputs; enabling any multi-media presentation or video viewing.

Both projectors come standard with all necessary data, video and audio cables, a full-function credit card style remote control and soft carrying case; fulfilling all the needs a presenter requires for effective presentations.

The U2-817 will be introduced with a street price of $1,995 and the U2-1200 at $3,395.

Product Lines from PLUS:
PLUS Vision Corp. has the largest offering of 2-pound projectors, including the world's first V-807, V-1080 and V-1100. PLUS also offers five 3-pound and six 5-pound projectors with up to 2000 lumens of brightness. More information on its complete line is available at www.plus-america.com.

Based on the same technology, the PLUS Vision Home Theater Group's award-winning PLUS Piano video projectors have established a new benchmark for value in home theater projection. The affordable PLUS Avanti (HE-3200) includes HDTV compatibility, a zoom lens, and progressive signal support. More information about this projector and the HE-3100 is available at www.plushometheater.com.

About PLUS Vision of America
With its U.S. corporate headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., PLUS Vision Corporation manufactures and markets extremely sophisticated, ultraportable and affordable digital commercial and home theater projectors. PLUS Vision's presentation technology is designed to meet the needs of mobile professionals in business, education, government and home. PLUS Vision also offers full-featured electronic copyboards and real-time interactive whiteboards. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of PLUS Group of Japan. The PLUS Group has a 50-year-old history and consolidated revenue of $1.7 billion from its presentation, office and communications products.

PLUS Vision projectors feature Digital Light Processing쳌 technology. DLP is a trademark of Texas Instruments.