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Panasonic's logo. Click here to visit the Panasonic website! Panasonic: HDTV projector w/ SD card slot
By Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 11:36 EST)

Panasonic Projector Systems, a division of Japanese consumer electronics company Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., is showing a new LCD projector system at this year's PMA show.

We wouldn't normally cover a projector announcement as they're rather outside the remit of this site, but the Panasonic PT-P1SDU is interesting as an example of the company's strategy of providing added value by interlinking the functionality of products across a range of categories. A built-in secure digital card slot compatible with the company's lineup of Lumix digital cameras lets you view your photos and QuickTime MotionJPEG movies on the device.

The Panasonic PT-P1SDU is said to be the world's lightest and smallest LCD projector at 2.9lb and around 9" x 2.5" x 7.5". It provides brightness of 1,500 ANSI lumens, 400:1 contrast ratio, 800 x 600 pixel native resolution, and HDTV compatibility. Digital camera images can be viewed as slideshows, and five different transition effects can be selected (or randomly chosen from). The device recognizes DPOF orders and can show only DPOF-marked images (using the function as a "Favorites" feature of sorts), and also offers the ability to recognize and auto-rotate images tagged as being shot in portrait format.

The Panasonic PT-P1SDU will ship in April, priced at $1,199.

Original Source Press Release:

Panasonic 2.9-Pound Pt-P1SDU, World's Smallest And Lightest LCD Projector For Home And Business Use

* Built-in SD Slot Allows the Entire Family to Enjoy the Large-Screen Viewing of Digital Images and Makes PC-Free Business Presentations a Snap *

ORLANDO, FL (February 26, 2006) - The Panasonic Projector Systems Company introduced at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) convention the ultra-portable, ultra-versatile PT-P1SDU, a projector that's perfect for the in-home viewing of digital photos and movies and just as adept for displaying business presentations on the road and in the office.

The PT-P1SDU is the world's lightest and smallest LCD projector, weighing a mere 2.9 pounds with the ultra-slim dimensions of 9-3/16" W x 2-17/32" H x 7-3/8" D (smaller than a sheet of letter-sized paper). The unit delivers 1,500 ANSI lumens of brightness and an array of time-saving display features.

The PT-P1SDU is the modern, multi-purpose version of the mechanical slide projector that was once highly popular with families for re-living vacations, events and treasured memories. The PT-P1SD has a built-in SD card slot for the big-screen display of digital still images* (or moving video shot with a digital camera*). When the user slips an SD card into the projector's card slot, the PT-P1SDU automatically turns on and is ready to display images. All the photos in a folder can be viewed automatically as a slide show, and several different transitions between slides are available, including Wipe, Fade Split, Blind, Checker, Slide In, Random and Off. Viewers can run a slide show of favorite images in the projector's Direct Print Order Format (DPOF), and automatic photo rotation is also standard. In addition to digital still images, the PT-P1SDU has the inputs to easily connect a TV, VCR, DVD player, laptop PC or gaming system.

Business Presentations made Easy and PC-free Getting down to business, the PT-P1SDU facilitates the delivery of PowerPoint presentations with and without a laptop for exceptional executive mobility. Panasonic's Image Creator software converts the Microsoft PowerPoint file to a JPEG file, so laptops can be left at home or the office. The projector also features a presentation mode that starts a slide show automatically when an SD cart is inserted into the card slot.

The space-saving projector slips easily into a briefcase or travel bag, making it highly portable even when carrying it along with a laptop PC. Thanks to its high-performance optical system and high-efficiency 130 UHM lamp, the PT-P1SDU produces high contrast (400:1 ratio) images at a sharp 800 x 600 native SVGA resolution (while providing advanced resizing technology to support UXGA).

The PT-P1SD boasts Panasonic's exclusive Daylight View technology, achieving a substantial improvement in image performance. The projector's ambient light sensor detects changes in a room's light intensity and significantly enhances perceptible colors. Because Daylight View achieves a superb level of color perception, users will experience less of a difference between PC display images and projected images. It also provides white balance adjustment settings for both fluorescent and incandescent lamps to match the room lighting.

Setup is a Snap with Speed Start Features For ultra-easy setup, the PT-P1SDU has a multitude of intuitive plug-and-play functions including One-Touch Auto Setup with real-time Digital Keystone Correction. Its Speed Start function means that an image appears only five seconds after pressing the power button. When a presentation is completed, a Direct Power Off function allows the presenter to immediately unplug the projector while the cooling fan keeps operating until the lamp is cooled. To prevent theft, the unit is outfitted with security features including an SD card key and user control lock.

Impressive List of Standard Features The PT-P1SDU is HDTV compatibility and can automatically resize 1080i and 720p images for 16:9 wide-aspect display; 480p, 480i and 576i component video signals and S-Video can also be displayed in either 4:3 or 16:9. The unit provides wide compatibility ranging from NTSC, NTSC 4.43, PAL, PAL-M, PAL-N, PAL-60 and SECAM. Among the projector's other valuable features are: projection on screens ranging in size from 38" to 300"; Auto Search; built-in speaker; multi-language on-screen menu with graphical icons; discrete S-video and video inputs for connecting two DVD/video sources at the same time; front/rear, ceiling/desk installation; and a card-type remote control. The PT-P1SD will be available in April at a suggested list price of $1,199. Options include the ET-PKP1 ceiling mount bracket for permanent installation, and the ET-LAP1 replacement lamp unit. For more information on Panasonic's complete line of projectors, visit www.panasonic.com/projectors or phone 1-800-528-8601.

About Panasonic Projector Systems Panasonic Projector Systems Company is a prominent supplier of projectors and presentation systems in the United States. It is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE:MC) of Japan, and the hub of its U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. For more information on Panasonic Projector Systems products, visit the company's Web site at www.panasonic.com/projectors.

* Compatible with all Panasonic LUMIX cameras. The PT-P1SD can display only moving pictures recorded as QuickTime Motion JPEG files with a Panasonic LUXIM digital camera.

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