Sony expands professional projectors and launches robotic camera at Integrate 2015
Melbourne, 18 August 2015: This year’s Integrate 2015 show sees Sony adding three new models to its line of professional projectors, with each designed to deliver high image quality, high brightness and enhanced flexibility in a range of commercial applications including corporate and education. The new compact projectors include the VPL-EW348, VPL-EW345 and VPL-EX345 models.
Each model has a brightness of 4,200 lumens and uses a new BrightEra ®panel (WXGA 0.75”, XGA 0.63” size), to reproduce natural and vivid colour in rooms with bright lighting.
The new 3LCD projectors continue Sony’s approach of offering customers installation flexibility, with rear side lamp access for easier maintenance. The projectors weigh approximately 4kg and their compact design makes them a convenient choice for portable applications.
The VPL-EW348 model has a built-in HDBaseTTM interface for easier connectivity and reduced installation costs. HDBaseT capabilities allow installers and integrators to reduce the number of cable runs by transmitting video, audio, control and IP over a single Cat5e/6 cable for up to 100 metres. Using fewer cables means fewer signal extenders and receiver boxes, resulting in a decreased number of potential failure points.
Each model also has two HDMI ports for expanded connectivity with emerging digital devices in the professional AV market space.
The new models are designed to extend lamp life and reduce total cost of operations, delivering optimum energy efficiency, with low power consumption. Lamp life can be extended to up to approximately 10,000 hours, depending on the lamp mode selected. Other energy efficient functions include Sony’s auto lamp dimming function, where the projector intelligently detects if it is left powered on with a static signal being input. When a static signal is detected, the lamp can be dimmed to a specified percent of original brightness after certain time intervals set by the user.
Using the network presentation and remote control functions, a tablet or smartphone can control the projectors. Each model has a 16W speaker and is designed for silent operation, with a low of 29dB and high of 35dB. An input label function helps users clearly organise connected equipment.
Sony is also increasing its industry-leading share of the mid-brightness class projector market with a combination of new laser and lamp models that meet diverse installation and budgetary requirements for business, education and large venue applications.
The new projectors include two 3LCD laser models (VPL-FHZ65 and VPL-FHZ60) to expand Sony’s growing range of Z-PhosphorTM laser light source projectors. They join the world’s first 3LCD laser projector, the 4,000 lumens VPL-FHZ55, widely used in smaller rooms, and the 7,000 lumens VPL-FHZ700L, designed for larger venue commercial spaces in education, corporate, government and museum applications.
For applications where a projector usage is better suited to lamp-based projection, Sony’s new VPL-FH65 and VPL-FH60 offer cost-effective options that still deliver high quality performance.
The new WUXGA (1920 x 1200) laser models deliver brightness of 6,000 lumens (VPL-FHZ65) and 5,000 lumens (VPL-FHZ60), furthermore the lamp models deliver 6,000 lumens (VPL-FH65) and 5,000 lumens (VPL-FH60) and use BrightEra® panel technology to reproduce natural and vivid colour.
The new models are designed to deliver enhanced picture quality with new features such as “Reality Creation” and “Contrast Enhancer”, which are used by Sony’s home theatre projectors for high-end consumer entertainment projection. The Reality Creation engine analyses and processes every input signal to refine detail, clarity and sharpness for a naturally up-scaled image. The Contrast Enhancer feature expands the perceived dynamic range of the signal in real-time. Both features contribute to enhancing visual experience wherever the projectors are installed.
For customers with further requirements on accurate colour reproduction, the new projectors offer Colour Space adjustment and Colour Correction features. With the Colour Space adjustment feature, customers can adjust the individual coordinates of Red, Green and Blue primaries in addition to choosing from three different colour space presets. The Colour Correction feature enables customers to fine tune Hue, Brightness and Saturation of six different colour ranges.
“Thanks to Sony’s 3rd Generation Z-Phosphor Laser Light Engine which provides a remarkable improvement in picture quality, the new projectors will deliver an incredible visual experience to customers,” said Kun Zhang, Product Manager, Display Solutions Division, Sony Australia and New Zealand. “Projection requirements can vary greatly based on the room size, lighting, source material, installation point, planned usage time and budget. Whatever the requirements are, customers can benefit from either the laser or lamp-based projectors, with both offering superior picture quality.”
Sony’s new laser models pack all the benefits of laser technology into a new chassis design. Due to the laser light source, the projector does not require time to warm up or cool down and there is no lamp to limit its tilt angle for installation. The new chassis also helps the projectors to achieve the quietest operation at just 28dB in Standard mode. The new laser models’ “quick turn on/off” requires only approximately 7 seconds for the brightness to ramp up after turning on.
With up to 20,000 hours*, virtually zero maintenance requirements and a range of energy-saving features, the laser light source reduces total lifetime ownership costs compared to conventional lamp-based projectors. (*depends on usage environment)
All four new models have the HDBaseTTM interface built-in.
The projectors have a new integrated terminal cover design which can be installed without any visible cable runs from any angle. The models also have a wide powered lens shift, which allows the projector to be installed in challenging environments.
While the new models will be shipped with a standard lens, there are a wide range of optional lenses, utilising a simple bayonet lens mount to suit different installation requirements.
The SRG-120DU is the latest addition to Sony’s SRG high definition remote-operated camera line-up. Taking its place alongside Sony’s popular SRG-300SE, SRG-120DH and SRG-300H PTZ camera models, the SRG-120DU is the first in the PTZ line to feature a USB 3.0 interface and is UVC video compatible.
The SRG-120DU brings professional visual communications to the PC environment by being able to easily connect with Unified Communications and Collaboration (UCC) and multimedia streaming devices. It’s extremely wide field of view (71°) and a 12x optical/12x digital zoom auto focus lens makes it perfect for small to mid-sized rooms. The all-in-one compact and lightweight design of the SRG-120DU, available in a silver housing, makes it easy to install in a variety of locations.
“The new SRG-120DU camera combines quality HD video and professional functions with the simplicity of operating a consumer product,” said Garry Rhodin, General Manager, Professional Solutions Division, Sony Australia & New Zealand. “Plugging the camera directly to a PC through its USB 3.0 input converts any boardroom, classroom, courtroom or medical space into a connected environment.”
“Vidyo delivers HD video conferencing over commodity hardware on any network at a price comparable to voice conferencing,” said Mark Noble, VP, Strategic Marketing, Vidyo. “A professional grade camera that delivers a best-in-class visual communications experience and fully leverages Vidyo’s industry-leading video conferencing technology is essential for our customers. In addition, easy to use technology is imperative to Vidyo, which is why we’re evaluating Sony’s SRG-120DU PTZ camera to complement Vidyo’s software-based room systems.”
“The SRG-120DU is a glimpse into the future of high-quality, affordable video capture using standard PC hardware,” said Eric Burns, CEO of Panopto. “With its support for USB 3.0, businesses and universities can now record and live stream broadcast-quality video in up to 60 frames per second without the need for specialised capture appliances.”
Professional imaging with webcam simplicity
While enjoying the ease of operation of a consumer webcam, the SRG-120DU is ideal for customers that need a professional image. The SRG-120DU combines high speed data transfer of uncompressed video signals resulting in high quality, full HD image. Its latest imaging advances instantly adapt to even the most challenging lighting conditions. The camera incorporates Sony’s high-sensitivity 1/2.8-type Exmor™ CMOS sensor and the latest View-DR™ technology. View-DR provides extremely wide dynamic range with Sony’s full-capture Wide-D to compensate for backlight or changing lighting conditions. In addition, its XDNR technology reduces noise and provides clear images in low light environments. The camera also features fast and silent pan, tilt and zoom capabilities. The drive motor noise is less than 35dB – making it perfectly suited for use in noise-restricted environments such as hospitals, classrooms and meeting rooms.
Designed for professional and casual camera operators
Pan/Tilt/Zoom controls are operated by VISCA protocols through either the RS-232C (serial) connector or RJ-45 (IP) connection allowing for either local or remote operation. It is compatible with Sony’s RM-IP10 IP Remote Controller to enable comfortable P/T/Z operation with an optical three-axis joystick. With 16 programmable options, operators can click from one camera shot to another without having to reframe the scene. This makes for smooth transitions rather than jarring shifts. While designed to allow non-professionals to produce expert results, the SRG-series PC control software gives complete flexibility for video professionals and provides full access to camera functions such as exposure, white balance and gain.
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