08.21.2008 — Planar Systems has introduced its first 3-chip DLP projector -- the Viper – featuring an "aggressive price point" of $15,495 MSRP.

How good is it? Industry guru Joel Silver of Imaging Science Foundation says, "Its superb image quality is a revelation at this price point."

Built specifically for screen sizes larger than 110 inches, the native 1280 x 720 Viper delivers a 10,000:1 contrast ratio at 2,000 lumens of brightness.

Planar says that these specs are possible through an "exclusive partnership" with Texas Instruments, developer of DLP technology

"DLP’s latest advancements have been incorporated into Viper to set a new industry benchmark in black level reproduction for front projection,” says Nancy Fares, business manager for DLP 3Chip products and DLP Cinema.

The Viper employs Planar's proprietary advanced video processing with 10-bit independent dual image and motion adaptive processing.

It also offers true 1080i interlacing and artifact-free reproduction of all native film and native video formats (1080p, 1080p-24, 1080i, 720p, 576p and 480p).

The Viper also features:

• Two HDMI 1.3 inputs with Deep Color
• RS-232 automation interface with discrete on/off
• Input selection and aspect ratio control
• Curved design and high-gloss piano black finish
• Five lens options
• Power zoom and focus
• Intelligent horizontal and vertical lens shift (prohibits lens shift outside the image area to eliminate shadowing or clipping the image -- a "revolutionary software function" for home theater projectors, according to Planar

Planar says the Viper 3-chip DLP projector is now shipping.

Planar will demonstrate Viper in booth 510 at CEDIA Expo 2008


Get more information on Planar and Runco at CEDIA 2008

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