Projectors

Sony Unveils New Collaboration Tool, 2 New Laser Projectors

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 02/01/17

Sony has added two new projectors to its LaserLite line and unveiled a new collaboration tool designed to facilitate active learning.

The new collaboration tool, Vision Exchange, is designed to accommodate a range of learning and meeting spaces. Students can share content from their devices wirelessly and teachers can add remote users via video to collaborate with the classroom. Users can also add annotations in real time.

Vision Exchange is scheduled for availability in June, according to information released by Sony.

The new lamp-free laser projectors, the VPL-PHZ10 and VPL-PWZ10, feature resolutions of 1,920 x 1,200 and 1,280 x 800, respectively, and a constant brightness of 4,500 lumens.

"The new models are designed to deliver enhanced picture quality with features such as 'reality creation,' a technology already in use by Sony's home theater projection systems for high-end consumer entertainment," according to a news release. "The reality creation engine analyzes and processes every input signal to refine detail, clarity and sharpness for naturally up-scaled images. This provides higher-resolution perspective, even in the lower-resolution WXGA series. The contrast enhancer feature expands the perceived dynamic range of the signal by refining light and dark areas of the image in real-time."

Other features include:

• A 3LCD engine that reduces power consumption as well as heat dissipation and fan noise;
• A wide lens shift range for installation in challenging environments; and
• Built-in HDBaseTTM interfaces, which uses a single cable for video, audio, control and IP signal.

"Projector users need options, since every room is different with varying installation and environmental challenges," said Yoshi Koike, marketing manager for business projectors at Sony Electronics. "With these two new models, users now have the option of converting to laser throughout a facility, where in the past, a mix of laser and lamp models made more sense due to budget constraints."

The VPL-PHZ10 is slated for availability in June for an estimated cost of $3,000. The VPL-PWZ10 is scheduled to follow in August for an estimated price of $2,200.