Panasonic's New Compact, Low-Cost 3-Chip DLP Projectors Feature Outstanding Image Quality, Network Connectivity; World's Smallest, Lightest DLP Projectors for Large-Venue Applications.

Business & High-Tech Editors

SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 2002

Panasonic has introduced two new high-performance 3-chip DLP projectors suitable for a wide variety of large-venue applications, and which are significantly smaller and lighter than competing products.

The PT-D7600U SXGA and PT-D7500U XGA projectors represent a new generation of compact, high-performance Panasonic 3-chip DLP units that are easier to transport, set-up and maintain. These super-quiet projectors are equipped with a high-contrast, three-chip DLP(TM) subsystem, and newly-developed fluid-cooled optical and noise-suppression control systems. High-speed digital signal processing provides interlace-to-progressive signal conversion, digital noise reduction circuits and Digital Cinema Reality(TM), which greatly improves viewing quality from 24 frames-per-second film-based sources.

The projectors produce astounding still and motion images, making them ideal choices for demanding rental and staging, digital cinema and mission-critical data environments such as 24-hour-a-day command and control centers.

"Panasonic has seamlessly integrated breathtaking image quality, compactness and low cost-of-operation into these new 3-chip DLP projectors that allow them to be used for applications where users have previously had to settle for a lower presentation quality," said Joseph Conti, Product Line Business Manager, Panasonic Broadcast.

The PT-D7600U and PT-D7500U are super-bright models (6000 and 5000 ANSI lumens respectively) that display vibrant colors and crisp images in 1280x1024 SXGA and 1024 X 768 XGA resolution respectively. They offer a remarkable, theater-quality contrast ratio of up to 1000:1 and are stackable for double brightness (up to 12,000 ANSI lumens).

The projectors offer built-in multi-screen color matching and edge blending for displaying uniform, natural-looking, full-motion images over the entire span without any discernible lines between overlapping projected images. An outstanding benefit of edge blending is that it increases the image's horizontal resolution while maintaining the maximum vertical resolution. Up to 100 projectors (10 x 10) can be edge-blended at one time.

Offering a sleek, dust-proof design, PT-D7600U/D7500U offer Panasonic's BriteOptic(TM) dual-lamp system that delivers the power of two high-intensity light sources through a high-precision prism, which provides peace of mind by virtually eliminating down-time due to a burned out lamp. By adding the optional 10Base-T or 100Base-TX network module, the PT-D7600U and PT-D7500U are network-ready, enabling AV administrators to centrally monitor these projectors via LAN-based remote control over a Web browser, thereby driving down support costs and minimizing any down-time.

Set-up of a PT-D7600U or PT-D7500U is a snap with one-touch auto-setup and wireless remote with wireless mouse function. For exceptional connection flexibility, these projectors feature two computer (RGB) inputs, one of which doubles as a monitor loop-through output, as well as three video inputs (component, composite and S-Video). The units are HDTV-ready, and can automatically synchronize to display 1080/24p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i video in the 16:9 wide aspect ratio.

Both projectors weigh 43.6 pounds and their dimensions are 17-3/8" W x 7-15/16" H x 17-11/16" D.

The PT-D7600U and PT-D7500U are available at the suggested list prices of $30,000 and $23,000 respectively.

For more information on Panasonic DLP and LCD projectors, plasma displays and presentation systems, phone [phone] or find us on the web at www.panasonic.com/projectors.