Canon U.S.A. Introduces Two New Microportable LCD Multimedia Projectors; LV-5110 and LV-7105 Offer Enhanced Brightness; LV-7105 Also has Superior Resolution Features.

Business/Technology Editors

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2001

Canon Offerings Strengthened With New Features, Lower Prices

Two new easy-to-carry and low cost microportable LCD (liquid crystal display) projectors that offer enhanced brightness and resolution features for businesses, classrooms, the small office/home office and everyday home use have been introduced by Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ).

The Canon LV-5110 and Canon LV-7105 are small and light, yet full-featured and durable for the "presenter on the go." The plug-and-play multimedia projectors emphasize the latest optical technology, providing image projection capability to a screen size of up to 200 inches.

The Canon LV-5110 takes microportability to a whole new level, providing greater brightness from such a small unit. Weighing just less than six pounds and measuring 7 1/2 x 3 x 12 inches (excluding legs), it projects 850 ANSI lumens, one of the highest in the SVGA microportable class.

While native resolution is SVGA (800 x 600), the Canon LV-5110 also supports SXGA, XGA and VGA and the Apple platform for compatibility with virtually any laptop or desktop computer. It also includes Component, S-video and Composite video inputs for compatibility with DVD players, digital cameras, camcorders and VCRs. It also supports regular and wide screen aspect ratios and multiple video signal standards from around the world, including NTSC, PAL, SECAM and others.

Digital Keystone smoothly compensates for trapezoidal distortion, producing a square picture for images projected at an angle of up to +/-15 degrees. A variable speed fan reduces operating noise to 39dB to permit quieter performance than conventional projectors. Additional options are provided through a ceiling function and a rear function that reverse the projected image accordingly for either ceiling mounting or for use with a rear projection screen.

The Canon LV-5110 will be available in May 2001 for a suggested retail price of $2,599. Earlier this year, the Canon LV-5100 was introduced with 700 ANSI lumens and similar features. The suggested retail price for this model recently was reduced to $2199.

The Canon LV-7105 projects 800 ANSI lumens. It weighs just over six pounds and measures 7 1/2 x 3 x 12 inches (excluding legs). It offers XGA native resolution (1024 X 768), which is approximately 22 percent superior resolution than SVGA. It also is capable of SXGA, SVGA and VGA resolutions, is Apple platform compatible and includes Component, S-video and Composite video inputs. It will be available in April 2001 for a suggested retail price of $3,899.

"Microportable LCD projectors with Canon's optical technology are growing in popularity as the key presentation tool at small and large conferences and events, and for home viewing," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager, Photographic Products Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "These new projectors solidify our microportable offerings, providing companies and consumers with lighter and less expensive projectors that have increased brightness and resolution."

Description of Product Features

Design: Consistent with Canon's entire LV series of projectors, body panels are slightly curved and have a semi-transparent glacial blue color. Operation keys are arranged for easy access and can be located in dim light.

Resolutions:

LV-7105 - SXGA, XGA (native), SVGA and VGA.

LV-5110 - SXGA, XGA, SVGA (native) and VGA.

Lumens: 800 ANSI (LV-7105) and 850 ANSI (LV-5110) permits large screen presentations in bright meeting rooms. A short arc 132W UHP lamp provides high brightness with color balance.

Projection: Screen size up to 200 inches, and manual zoom and manual focus. A digital zoom can be used to enlarge any portion of the presentation screen. Subsequent screen can be cued without pausing or projecting an unnecessary screen operation.

Video Inputs: Supports Component video input (or color-difference video) (Y, Pb/Cb, Pr/Cr), which maximizes picture quality by reducing artifacts and color errors. S-video and Composite inputs also are included.

Picture Screen Adjustments: The projector has a picture screen resize function that enables users to display one of three image sizes - regular for a 4x3 aspect ratio; wide for a wide screen 16x9 aspect ratio, or keystone to smoothly compensate for trapezoidal distortion in the projected image. This is caused by a positional offset between screen and projector. Keystone compensates for an angle of up to +/- 15 degrees, providing a square image without any need to adjust the height of the unit.

Gamma Compensation: Directly control brightness of intermediate gradations to prevent moving portions of the projected image to solid white or solid black.

Plug-and-Play: Images are projected immediately after connecting to PC or AV equipment -- no adjustments are required. Provides multiscan, auto detection of the video signal, automatic optimization of tracking and image position, and a graphical user interface for easy adjustment of the projected image.

Power/Lamp Management: Lamp life is extended by the power management function, which reduces power consumption when the projector is not in use. This function turns off the projection lamp when the projector detects signal interruption, or when a button is not pressed for over five minutes. The projection lamp automatically turns on again when the projector detects the signal, or when any operation button is pressed.

Blue Screen: Displays a solid blue screen opposed to video noise when no signal is present.

Wireless Controls: Contains presentation timer and mouse control functions.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc., provides professional and consumer imaging solutions that give people the Know How to access the latest technology. The company's comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital and analog copiers (color and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems, and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

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