Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 16, 2006. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
In a domed tent on Leipziger Platz, close to the focal points of the Berlin film festival Berlinale, Canon presented three new projectors from its Xeed series.
The top model, the Xeed SX6, is particularly suitable for large-format, professional projections, while the Xeed SX60 is intended for business purposes and home-cinema applications. The Xeed X600 is the entry-level model in the class.
All three projectors use LCOS panels (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) for virtually seamless, grid-free displays. Unlike projectors with LCD panels, the individual pixels of the panel are closer together in LCOS projectors. This results in outstanding image quality with almost no distracting grid lines.
To get the typical problems of LCOS projectors in terms of brightness, contrast, size and price under control, Canon developed the AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System) precision optical system. AISYS optimizes the light guidance precisely matched to the LCOS panels and increases the projector lamp’s light yield for particularly powerful brightness. In all three projectors, AISYS technology makes an extremely high contrast range of 1000:1 possible and delivers rich colors and deep blacks with a compact design and reduced weight.
Xeed SX6 and Xeed SX60 operate with a genuine SXGA+ resolution of 1,400 x 1,050 pixels, while the Xeed X600 delivers XGA resolution. The high brightness enables detailed, brilliant images even in particularly bright environments. The Xeed SX6 and Xeed X600 models provide 3,500 lumens for this. The Xeed SX60 offers 2,500 lumens and additionally the possibility of increasing the contrast range to 2000:1 in home-cinema mode.
Many automatic functions make the devices easier to use. At the press of a button, the new models measure the projection distance and perform automatic focusing. Automatic vertical keystone correction compensates for trapezoidal distortions of up to +/- 20 degrees. Manual adjustment is also possible for the vertical and horizontal axes. Automatic input-signal detection determines which connection socket is occupied and activates the corresponding settings. Automatic wall-color correction compensates for the background color and optimizes the presentation image. Automatic frame lock ensures correct synchronization when playing back moving images from a PC source.
The 1.7x wide-angle zoom lens can be controlled either by remote control, or also by pressing a button directly on the projector. It allows flexible positioning of the projector, since large-format presentations are possible even at a short distance from the projection surface. The lens coating minimizes stray light and ensures outstanding image quality.
Canon has also achieved improvements in operating noise. The Xeed XS60with 27 dB (A) in Silent Mode is particularly silent, but the Xeed SX6 and Xeed X600 are also still quite quiet with a noise level of 31 dB (A) in Silent Mode.
All Canon projectors are HD-compatible up to 1,080i with an analog signal. Thanks to genuine SXGA resolution with digital TV and video signals, the Xeed SX6 and Xeed SX60 are “HD ready” for high-definition presentations at 720p. All three models are equipped with a DVI-I interface for HDCP compatibility for pin-sharp playback of digital image signals and encoded DVDs.
After the presentation is finished, the “Off and Go” function makes dismantling easier. An integrated battery ensures that the projector cools down properly while the user can already stow the cables in the meantime.
In selected playback modes, the new Xeed-series projectors support the entire sRGB color space for optimized interaction with sRGB systems. The top model Xeed SX6 achieves an impressive 86 percent coverage of the Adobe RGB color space.
The RS-NA01 network adapter is optionally available in stores for all Xeed models, allowing the projector to be controlled via a network.
The entry-level Xeed X600 model will be available from specialist retailers from June for around 3000 euros gross, and the Xeed SX60 and top-model Xeed SX6 for 4000 and 6000 euros gross respectively, starting in May.
Further Links:
- Canon Germany
