PJTX100

720p High Definition 16:9 LCD Front Projector

Key Features

1280 x 720 Resolution HD 3-Panel Light Engine Exclusive Super-Focus Quattro ED Glass Lens with 1.6 Zoom Horizontal and Vertical Lens Shift Motorized Iris for High Contrast 1200:1 Contrast Ratio (Iris On) ANSI Lumen Light Output Motion-Adaptive Progressive Scan 3:2 Film Processing 3 Black Level Settings

Inputs/Outputs

DVI-HDTV Input: 2.. 1 D-Sub 15 RGB Input:.. 1 Wideband Component Video:. 1 S-Video Input:.. 1 Composite Video Input:. 1 RS-232C Control Interface:. 1

Dimensions

Height..5 9/16" Width...13 7/16" Depth..11 1/16" Weight.. 9 lbs.

Warranty

Specifications
1 Year Parts and Labor Warranty, 90-Day Lamp Warranty.
Contrast ratio is determined by ANSI measurement system. DVI-HDTV inputs are compatible with HDCP and EIA-861 Digital Video signals.
Resolution:.. 1280 x 720 Consumer Replaceable Lamp:..150 Watt UHP

Convenience Features

Illuminated Remote Control 5 Picture Preset Modes 4 Customizable Picture Memory Modes Lens Shift and 2x Zoom for Flexible Installation Whisper Quiet 25db Operation with Front Exhaust VGA-UXGA Input Compatible Projection Sizes: Up to a 300 Screen Size 60" 16:9:. 5' 7" - 8' 10" Throw Distance (1.7m - 2.7m) 80" 16:9:. 7' - 11' 10" Throw Distance (2.2m - 3.6m) 100" 16:9:. 9' 2" - 14' 9" Throw Distance (2.8m - 4.5m)
Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division 900 Hitachi Way, San Diego, California 91914 - www.hitachi.us/tv or 1-800-HITACHI

1004wv39 Hitachi PJ-TX100

17/8/04

12:47 PM

Page 71

FACT FILE

q 3 x polysilicon LCD

panels 800 x 600 pixels
q Long zoom range q Vertical and horizontal

optical lens shift

q Can be used on

a shallow shelf

q Mechanically quiet

Hitachi PJ-TX100

lthough not quite the starter model in the range, the PJ-TX100 is relatively inexpensive at 1,000 or even slightly less. Hitachis press release describes it as a high-end model, which is an interesting use of a much abused term. Given that this is an inexpensive projector, equipment levels are quite impressive. Horizontal and vertical lens shift are included, which means that digital keystone adjustment should usually not be needed. A front-firing exhaust from the cooling fan allows the projector to be placed on a shelf with its back to a wall, and a lens with additional aspherical elements delivers an unusually wide 1:1.6 zoom range. A picture about 3m across can be thrown from roughly 2.8 4.6m, so smaller rooms are perfectly useable, and thanks to the lens shift option, the PJ-TX100 allows unusual freedom of positioning. It doesnt need to be head-on to the screen. An LCD projector, the PJ-TX100 uses three polysilicon panels with a resolution of 800 x 600 to deliver a picture with 1200 ANSI lumens brightness and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 both impressive numbers at this end of the price scale. A motorised lens iris allows fine control over brightness and contrast, though on test there was not much to be gained by moving it from the fully open position. A user programmable memory and six preset modes (normal, cinema, dynamic etc) allow single-button set-up to suit different room conditions. The Hitachi is easy to control from a small set of buttons on the top (or the

LCD projector 1,000

without character, which has the predictable effect of drawing attention to itself more than if it was a pure white noise. But it is at a low level and is certainly quieter than the majority of projectors equipped with colour wheels. This puts the cap on a very likeable and very affordable new model. The features set is designed to help with set-up in smaller rooms where the ideal projection position is not available, and it is bright enough and has enough contrast to work even where ideal blackout conditions are not available. Finally, the optical system, and digital video processing are distinctly above average for a projector at this price level Alvin Gold
FEATURES LCD projector, 3 x polysilicon panels, 800 x 600 pixels; contrast ratio 1,000:1; brightness 1,200 ANSI Lumens; vertical keystone correction, vertical & horizontal lens shift, manual focus & zoom; Lamp 150W UHB; estimated lifetime 2,000-3,000hrs, replacement cost around 150; 21-25mm f1.75 f2.42 lens, 1:1.6 zoom range; 480i/p, 575i/p, 720p, 1080i; dimensions: 340(w) x 285(d) x 110(h)mm; weight 4.4kg SOCKETS DVI-D/HDCP; component; S-Video; composite; RS-232; computer D-Sub interface CONTACT www.hitachidigitalmedia.com

bottom if it is to be ceiling mounted) but it also comes with the obligatory remote control. Little bigger than palm size, with no makers name or ID but with a rather weak backlight and poor control labelling could do better is the bottom line here.

PERFORMANCE

The attractive pricing is a side-effect of the fact that the PJ-TX100 is an LCD projector rather than a DLP. However, although in some respects an inferior technology, Hitachi has done a particularly good job on the internal clockwork. The LCDs give good fine grain pictures with adequate detail and good suppression of motion artefacts. With strong bright pictures the order of the day, and deinterlacing and scaling that are well behaved and transparent, picture quality just looks more natural compared with other budget projectors. Colour reproduction is also particularly good straight from the box, with the kind of natural range and gamma more often associated with DLP. The PJ-TX100 offers very naturalistic skin tones, which work well with film based sources, though its picture really comes alive with TV generated material. Video noise levels are pleasingly low and there are few signs of colour problems other than a hint of a pastelly yellow cast in some very brightly lit scenes with the projector set to one of its punchier picture modes (eg Dynamic). Contrast levels are also very respectable. Not in DLP class, but a significant improvement on most budget LCDs. Acoustic noise levels are also low. The PJ-TX100s noise signature is not entirely

WHATS GOOD

Well set up; easy to use; punchy pictures; suitable for smaller rooms

WHATS BAD

Nondescript remote; picture loses subtlety and accuracy if very dynamic picture settings are used
PICTURE FEATURES EASE OF USE VALUE ALSO CONSIDER.

77777 77777

INFOCUS SCREENPLAY 4805 The definitive budget DLP Not yet reviewed VIEWSONIC PJ650 In contrast to the Infocus designs, rather crude colour, but extremely bright Reviewed: Jun 04

OVERALL VERDICT

Great value projector with particularly strong colour accuracy and transparent video processing
Nondescript and poorly labelled
October 2004 s WHAT VIDEO AND WIDESCREEN TV 71