Epson Unveils Milestone 3.8 and 3.9-Pound LCD Projectors

LONG BEACH, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 23, 2004 Epson:

-- Engineering Breakthroughs Include Sub-Four-Pound Designs with XGA Resolution and 2,500 ANSI Lumens, High-Speed Wireless 802.11g Connectivity, Ability to View MPEG-2 Videos and High-Resolution Digital Photo Slide Shows from USB "Thumb Drives"

Representing more than just the lightest Epson portable 3-LCD projectors to date, Epson's newest projector introductions also mark a dramatic change in the way digital presentations and images can be delivered. Epson is proud to introduce two pico-portable, XGA (1,024 x 768) projectors with the 3.8-pound EPSON PowerLite(R) 740c and the especially unique 3.9-pound PowerLite 745c.

Both models are the industry's first 2500-ANSI lumens projectors with XGA resolution to break below the four-pound weight barrier. Their sleek new designs (7.6"D x 10.9"W x 2.7"H) are not only slim and compact enough to carry in most briefcases or shoulder bags, but also include vast connectivity options and quick and easy setup/shutdown capabilities tailored around the needs of on-the-go professionals.

High-Speed 802.11g WiFi Connectivity, LEAP-Enabled Security and PC-Free Presenting

The PowerLite 745c takes advantage of the industry's only 802.11g internal WiFi technology for projectors, enabling users to upload or run presentations wirelessly at frame rates up to two to five times faster than 802.11b. Whether transferring data via 802.11 "b" or "g," Epson's unique and proprietary algorithm allows for faster wireless streaming of video content. The PowerLite 745c comes with an 802.11b/g card, and is the industry's only projector to offer wireless compatibility with Apple's Keynote software. This projector is also the only one of its kind to offer both LEAP-authentication and WEP/WPA for secure, encrypted wireless transmissions. Epson's proprietary firmware also gives presenters the ability to run PowerPoint presentations and MPEG-2 videos without a PC using the projector's built-in PCMCIA and USB slots.

The Ultimate Slide Show Device for Advanced Amateurs, Professional Photographers and More

Several of the advanced features in the PowerLite 745c are engineered to appeal to more than just PowerPoint users. The combination of the projector's 3LCD image quality, light weight, compact size and PC-free operation is also designed to give photographers and other high-end digital artists a valuable presentation tool. The PowerLite 745c's built-in software enables digital images such as high-resolution jpeg photos to be projected in slideshows, via PC-less storage devices such as USB memory, external hard drives or directly from digital cameras. Furthermore, slideshows can be controlled by the projector either manually or with automatic/timed advancement, and color temperatures and individual settings for red, green and blue can be adjusted to the user's personal preferences.

Easy Setup

The PowerLite 745c and 740c offer several easy-to-use setup features that help presenters get up and running quickly while alleviating stresses commonly associated during setup time. Powering on the projector requires only seven seconds of warming up before a picture appears on the screen, and approximately 20 seconds to shutdown and cool off. A 1.2x optical zoom lens allows the display size to be adjusted using a remote control, and can be set to project large images from relatively short throw distances. Setup is further simplified with the inclusion of color-coded cables and a verification tone that sounds whenever the "Power On/Off" button has been selected.

"When you consider how many amazing features and benefits we've engineered into these small, lightweight projectors, it's easy to see why we view them as tremendous breakthroughs for not only Epson customers, but for the entire presentation industry," said Aaron Marinari, product manager, Epson America. "We're confident that once people begin to see just how easy and convenient it is to carry around, or travel with products like these, it could have a dramatically positive impact on the way they conduct business and communicate to their key audiences."

Availability and Warranty

The EPSON PowerLite 745c and 740c will be available for $2,899 and $2,699 (respective estimated street prices) through authorized pro audio/visual, national distribution, catalog and direct PC dealers in September 2004.

Epson's PowerLite projectors come with a two-year limited warranty that includes three elite technical support services -- two-year Epson PrivateLine(TM), two-year Road Service Program and two-year International Warranty. Through the PrivateLine, projector owners can directly access an expedited support telephone line (typically in about one minute) by using a phone card that is included with the product.

About Epson

Epson offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets. The company is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) printers and transactions terminals for the retail market. Founded in 1975, Epson America Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, a global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency. Epson America Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif.

Note: Epson is a registered trademark and is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. PowerLite and PrivateLine are registered trademarks of Epson America Inc.