Viper: Planar’s first 3-chip DLP HD projector. Meant for 110-inch or larger screens, equiped with 10,000:1 contrast ratio @ 2,000 lumens, powered by a 10-bit independent dual image and motion adaptive processor, all rolled into a great looking bezel. The Viper has all the standard, high-end jacks – HDMI 1.3a and RS-232 interface – that come on high-end, custom install projectors. But wait, this $15,495 projector a 1280 x 720 native resolution picture. That’s right, 720p.
I’ll be the first to tell you that resolution is by no means the most important aspect of a picture. This projector better throw one hell of a 720p image to earn it’s keep though as 3-chip 1080p projector technology isn’t anything new. Granted, the Viper comes from the same family as Runco and Vidikron so the pedigree is good ‘nough. We’ll get a closer look at CEDIA, so we’ll hold off our judgement ’till then.
Two more pics, along with the full press release, after the jump.
lanar Announces Its First 3-Chip HD Projector for the Custom Home Theater Market
Viper uniquely combines Planar’s engineering expertise with 3-chip DLP® image accuracy to offers stellar big-screen HD performance to demanding video aficionados.
Beaverton, OR – August 21, 2008 – Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display systems, today introduced the brand’s first 3-chip DLP® projector built exclusively for the custom home theater market –Viper.
Planar’s Viper was specifically designed and engineered to bring unprecedented imagery and installation versatility to the larger screen sizes (greater than 110 inches) where 3-chip high-definition DLP projection remains the ideal video solution. “The combination of Planar’s display prowess and superior 3-chip DLP technology afforded us the opportunity to produce a custom home theater projector that is unrivaled in this market segment,” said Brian Carskadon, Director of Product Management, Planar Systems Inc. “Viper’s exceptional image performance, most notably in contrast and black levels, combined with its exclusive design and integration features, reaffirms Planar’s commitment to offer the most impressive video displays where the image experience really matters.”
Planar’s Viper is the first 3-chip projector system to feature superior technology enabling some of the best contrast ratios and color performance achieved through an exclusive partnership between Planar Systems and DLP, Texas Instruments (TI). DLP enables the native 1280 x 720 Viper to achieve an astounding 10,000:1 contrast ratio at 2,000 lumens brightness to deliver the deepest black levels and unrivaled high-definition video performance. “DLP’s latest advancements have been incorporated into Viper to set a new industry benchmark in black level reproduction for front projection,” said Nancy Fares, business manager for DLP 3Chip products and DLP Cinema®. “Viper delivers video performance that is simply without compromise.”
Planar’s Viper offers a stellar home theater projection solution that is beyond impressive in style and imagery. Viper features Planar’s unique curved industrial design elements and high-gloss piano black finish, combining elegance with the ultimate viewing experience. Built to match the excellence of the esteemed theaters it will grace, Viper delivers rich, accurate colors, as well as proprietary advanced video processing with 10-bit independent dual image and motion adaptive processing. Viper’s true 1080i interlacing provides increased detail enhancement, while its artifact-free, pristine reproduction of all native film and native video formats (1080p, 1080p-24, 1080i, 720p, 576p and 480p) will win over even the most discerning video aficionado.
“Planar truly has hit a home run with Viper,” said Joel Silver, president and founder of the Imaging Science Foundation. “Its superb image quality is a revelation at this price point, as is its dazzling feature set. Planar’s attention to detail here is phenomenal. Viper’s full complement of installer-friendly options and tools will enable Planar dealers to create world-class home theaters that fully exploit this projector’s significant technical capabilities.”
A true specialty integration projector from ground up, Planar Viper’s unique system design offers a multitude of custom installation-friendly features for jaw-dropping performance even in the most demanding home theater applications. Viper delivers the ultimate installation flexibility with five lens options, power zoom and focus, and horizontal and vertical lens shift. Planar’s innovative intelligent lens shift technology prohibits lens shift outside the image area to eliminate shadowing or clipping the image, which is a revolutionary software function for home theater projectors. Also included are an RS-232 automation interface with discrete on/off, input selection and aspect ratio control, as well as two HDMI 1.3 with Deep Color inputs.
The Planar Viper is available for immediate shipping.
Planar specialty home theater products are available exclusively through authorized Planar Specialty Home Theater Dealers. For more information, please visit www.PlanarHomeTheater.com.