BenQ Joybee GP2 (Special Gadgets)

BenQ Joybee GP2

Tiny projectors are all the rage right now – gone are the days where projectors required a large surface area and ample distance from the wall or projector screen to function. To add to the list of such projectors, BenQ has a new model called the Joybee GP2. A successor to the GP1, it features the same black and white housing, but features enhancements such as an intuitive UI, 720p HD-video capability, short-throw projection, an integrated iPhone/iPod dock, a 3-hour battery pack and a multitude of connectivity options.

The projector has a brightness of 200 ANSI lumen and can project a 44″ image a mere 1 meter away from the surface. With the iOS dock, users can control the projector via their iOS device for easy sharing of the content on their iPhone/iPod touch. The projector has 2-W speakers  built-in though audio outputs let you connect it to something more powerful. It features a USB port, SD card viewer, mini HDMI input, and it even has 2GB of onboard storage for you to store your files.
The BenQ Joybee GP2 is available now with an MSRP of $549 and will be shown off at CES 2012.
Via UBERGIZMO

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PowerLite Home Cinema/Review

PowerLite Home Cinema

 Price: $1,999-$2,999/Official Site: Epson.com
 Specs: 1080p; 16:9; 75,000:1; 16.5 lbs; 2 HDMI ports
 Company: Epson America Inc.

One of the best ways to get an ultra high-definition experience on a large screen is with top-end projectors. If you follow this , then it's no secret that Epson is one of the leading companies producing premium projectors, and its new PowerLite duo offers units that cover the genre’s entire spectrum. Whether you’re looking for the absolute best home-theater experience in the 6500 UB, or want a great balance of price and quality with the 6100, the PowerLite series is a fantastic option that can easily go toe-to-toe with any of the market competition.

PowerLite Home Cinema-2

While the technology behind the PowerLite Home Cinema series may seem complex, the actual setup and use of the projector could not be any more simple and easy. Right out of the box, the PowerLite is ready to produce sparkling images, but for those tech heads who want to really get in and tweak the picture, it is possible to ramp up the performance to something that approaches visual nirvana. Both items run over a 3 LCD system that outputs images at a full HD resolution of 1080p, and unlike display screens such as a plasma-based TV, these projectors hold up surprisingly well in strongly lit rooms. One of the additional benefits of this style of TV is the black levels, and as you upgrade from the 6100 to the 6500 UB model, you can take advantage of some of the most absolute darks found on any home theater available. For a movie buff that wants to bring the true film experience home, the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema is a great solution.

There is a lot of good to say about the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema series, but if there were one knock, it would go to the 6500 UB, which by all accounts is a tremendous gadget, besides the ill-fated 120Hz mode. This frame rate feature is all the rage right now, so it is understandable that Epson felt the need to include it on at least its top model, but in reality the FineFrame capability is a mess here. Thankfully, you can turn it off without taking away anything from the otherwise class-A home-theater experience. The setup is easy, the colors are vibrant and clear, and if you step up to the 6500 UB, you will project a picture that will absolutely blow your mind. The stunning contrast ratio and visual clarity are on a whole other level, and it really is a wonder after using these PowerLite products that home projectors do not have more of a foothold in the LCD/plasma-controlled flat-panel market.

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ViewSonic PJD6531w 3-D Short-Throw Projector

Price: $700 (approx.)
Official Site: ViewSonic.com
Specs: 27"-300" screen; WXGA 1280x800 resolution; Throw distance of 3.9'-32.8'; Analog RGB, digital, composite, S-Video, component video; 3.5mm audio jack; supports NTSC and PAL up to 1080p

The ViewSonic PJD6531w 3-D-ready DLP projector might be the ticket with its short-throw lens and compatible ViewSonic PGD-150 active shutter 3-D glasses (sold separately). Why stare at a screen with dorky glasses on while you can stare at a wall?
With WXGA resolution at a native 1280 x 800, image quality is crisp and defined. With a throw distance of 3.9 feet to 32.8 feet, the ViewSonic can be configured for a multitude of applications. It has a basic circular menu interface located on top and an adjustable kickstand for height variability. But most importantly, this bad boy is 3-D-ready.
After spending some time immersed in active matrix shutter speed technology, we can tell you that modern 3-D methods look pretty darn good. The downside is, yes, you have to wear the glasses in order for the 3-D to come to life. Also, you’ll have to buy into the emerging 3-D lifestyle, starting with the ViewSonic glasses and moving on to 3-D-compatible DVDs and video games. But could you imagine MotoGP on a 300-inch screen in 3-D? In the future, yes, but if you want to be one of the first “early adopters,” the ViewSonic PJD6531w is definitely worth a shot.
Besides, the DLP machine will play nicely with a variety of your existing entertainment cabinet. It has analog RGB, digital, composite, S-Video, component video, 3.5-millimeter audio jack, and supports NTSC and PAL up to 1080p.
What really stole the show was the projector’s 3,200 lumen projection and bright color. Keep in mind that this is not a highly portable solution, for the ViewSonic PJD6531w measures 11 inches in width and tips the scale at just under 6 pounds.
ViewSonic seems reasonably confident with its new 3-D warrior, offering a 3-year limited parts and labor warranty and a claim that the lamps are good for between 4,000 and 6,000 hours of usage.
For those who want to give it a go, the ViewSonic PJD6531w can be found online for around $700. That’s not much to have a financial litter of kittens over, and it’s a cheap way to give the neighborhood a decent viewing of Rocky IV on the side of the local church -- when Rocky IV comes out in 3-D, of course.

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Special Gadgets/Epson Megaplex Projector

One of the big problems with portable projectors is content — while the projector itself might be easy to carry around, your satellite service? Not so much. The Epson Megaplex Projector ($800) solves this problem by building an iPad, iPhone, and iPod dock directly into its dual 10-watt speaker laden back, while a 3LCD projection system blasts out a 720p image at up to 2800 lumens. Of course, it also offers HDMI and component/composite video inputs for those times when you need something more than the movies/presentations/games that your pocketable buddy can offer.

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