Optoma today announced the latest addition to its ultra-short throw product range – the ZH300UW. Based on laser-phosphor technology, the ZH300UW is designed for business, education and specialist AV applications.
Featuring a solid-state laser-phosphor light engine instead of a traditional projector lamp, the ZH300UW produces a brightness of 3,000 lumens and a contrast ratio of 10,000:1. Apart from delivering great colours, the laser engine eliminates the cost of replacement projector lamps, and has a life expectancy of up to 20,000 hours.
And due to the solid-state light engine, the projector is able to operate in some unusual positions, including portrait and downward projection. The first of these options produces the possibility of tall, narrow images - particularly suitable for digital signage in retail environments – while the latter enables projection onto a floor, valuable for museums and visitor centres.
Unusually, the projector’s native resolution is 1920 x 720 pixels, with an ultra-wide 16:6 aspect ratio, able to exactly accommodate two 4:3 images in a side-by-side format. For video conferencing installations, both sides of the conversation could be displayed by a single projector.
The projector’s versatility is further extended by the ultra-short throw lens which has a 0.25:1 projection ratio, meaning that a large 120” image can be delivered from a throw distance of just 72cm. The ZH300UW can be wall mounted, and the short throw means that the presenter will not be dazzled by the projector, nor will a shadow be cast on the projected image.
The projector includes TouchBeam technology for a fully interactive experience. TouchBeam uses a built-in camera coupled with a laser module to detect the touch of several people. Charts and diagrams can be annotated using just a finger, with no need for an electronic whiteboard or pen.
“Optoma continues to innovate in the DLP projector market and the ZH300UW is no exception”, said Justin Halls, Head of Visual System Solutions and Technical Services. “The combination of an ultra-wide aspect ratio, short throw lens, laser-phosphor light engine and TouchBeam technology makes the product highly adaptable to different environments. Visitor centres, retail premises, video conferencing facilities and classrooms are all examples of environments which would be transformed by the installation of this unique projector.”
Connectivity-wise, the ZH300UW excels: it has two HDMI inputs, one of which supports MHL for the seamless connection of mobile devices and smartphones. Two VGA inputs, composite video and audio inputs are provided, and the projector can also accept an input from a dynamic microphone. The on-board 10-watt audio is powerful enough for medium-sized meeting rooms and classrooms, and avoids the disruption and expense of installing an external audio system, where modest sound requirements would suffice. For businesses and schools that have multiple projectors, the ZH300UW is fully compatible with Crestron, AMX and Extron systems, enabling comprehensive control of almost all of the projector’s functions via the network.
ProScene products and support services have been created by Optoma for demanding professional AV applications that require exceptional levels of performance and reliability. The products are available through a network of certified partners, selected as the most experienced and competent AV installers and integrators across the EMEA region.
The ZH300UW is available now, and can be ordered through Optoma’s extensive network of authorised ProScene partners.
Key Features – ZH300UW
- Lamp-less laser-phosphor light source with up to 20,000 hour lifetime
- High resolution - ultra-wide 1920 x 720 resolution with 16:6 aspect ratio
- Ultra-short throw lens with 0.25:1 throw ratio
- 3000 lumens and 10000:1 contrast
- Portrait and downward projection
- Compact, lightweight and quiet
Detailed specification sheets can be downloaded from www.optoma.co.uk
