New Extreme Short-Throw Projectors from Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America Boast Mirror-Free Design

IRVINE, Calif., May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America brings a revolutionary projector design to market with its new EST (extreme short-throw) line of ultra-short throw projectors. Unlike most projectors on the market today, Mitsubishi's WD380U-EST and XD380U-EST use high-quality, extreme short-throw lenses instead of mirrors. This sleek design makes installation easy and flexible while keeping the interior of the projector cleaner, resulting in less image degradation and less general wear and tear over the life of the unit.

The first two projectors in the new line-up are power-packed with features, including USBA + B inputs, support for computer-free presentations, LAN display, a built-in 10-watt speaker, audio standby, closed captioning and 3D-ready capabilities. These high-brightness models blast 2800 and 2500 lumens respectively, and their durability and filter-free design offer a low cost of ownership.

The wide format WD380U-EST and XGA resolution XD380U-EST are ultra quiet at 28 dB and offer a lamp life estimated to last up to 6000* hours (in low mode). The projectors boast a 3000:1 high contrast ratio and use Texas Instruments' DLP® technology for sharp, vivid images.

"It's technological prowess that we use to create imaging wonder, not smoke and mirrors," said Wayne Kozuki, product manager, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Presentation Products Division. "We're one of the first brands to offer such a revolutionary lens-based design in our ultra short throw projectors, and with Mitsubishi's quality, you can rely on our product performance. They are truly state-of-the-art."

Mitsubishi's WD380U-EST and XD380U-EST projectors are built with a specially crafted lens that provides excellent short-throw focus performance, and can project a 70-inch (diagonal) WXGA image from less than 23-inches away. These new models create a great image and help prevent distracting shadows on a screen or white board, whether mounted on a wall or ceiling—or even when used as a desktop model. Teachers and presenters can move in front of the image without creating distracting shadows on the screen.

Unlike most other ultra short-throw projectors, Mitsubishi models are truly portable at approximately nine pounds, which makes them easy to carry or place on an AV cart. They are simple to use: teachers can convert their class presentations into .PTG files or into .JPEG images, save them on a USB flash drive, plug the drive in and present directly from the projector. No computer is necessary. Wi-Fi support is also available for quick connection and operation (optional dongle sold separately).

A high-power 10-watt speaker with variable audio output is built in so even when the projector is in stand-by mode, the speaker can still be used, eliminating the cost and necessity of external amplifiers and speakers.

The WD380U-EST and XD380U-ST offer HDMI™ support as well as easy set-up options for multiple video inputs. They each have an RS232 connector as well as a built-in RJ45 input that offers plug-and-play connectivity with third-party remote management products such as those made by Crestron and AMX, as well as Mitsubishi's ProjectorView Global+.

Each projector comes with Mitsubishi's three-year limited warranty on parts and labor, and a one-year limited warranty on the lamp. Like all Mitsubishi data projectors, these new projectors are covered by the Express Replacement Assistance (ERA) Program, a comprehensive nationwide service that offers next business-day replacement** for down units that are under warranty.

"Mitsubishi is committed to product reliability and providing the best tools for a high-quality education in America. These impressive projectors also offer more for the strapped budgets of many school districts," said James Chan, vice president, marketing, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America. "They can be cart-mounted for sharing across multiple classrooms, and our unique mirror-free design is our statement of quality and commitment to technical excellence. We're excited to bring them to market."

About Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America Presentation Products Division

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Presentation Products Division, known for award-winning, high-quality, high-definition presentation and display products, markets an extensive line of professional presentation, front-projection home entertainment, and rear-projection video wall cube display systems and digital signage monitors that are designed with DLP® or LCD technology. Products are sold through authorized distributors, resellers, retailers and system integrators throughout the United States and Mexico. For more information, call 888-307-0312 or visit http://www.mitsubishi-presentations.com. You may also connect with Mitsubishi on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/MitsubishiDisplays) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/MitsuDisplays)

*For an explanation of how this estimate was calculated, visit http://www.mitsubishi-presentations.com/resources/calculator_TCO.html. This estimate does not extend or otherwise modify the warranty for the lamp.

**Where applicable.

HDMI is a trademark of HDMI Licensing, LLC; SXRD is a trademark of Sony Corporation; DLP is a registered trademark of Texas Instruments. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America Presentation Products Division