With prototype models shown earlier this year at ISE 2013 and at Prolight + Sound shows, engineers in Panasonic R&D operations have since been finely crafting an impressive solution that vertically redirects light cast from projectors at a distance of just 370mm from the projector to produce a bright, perfectly symmetrical sided image directly above it. This is achieved by a cleverly designed mirror system and brings about new and exciting possibilities, unachievable with front projectors especially for applications in digital signage, retail, rental and staging.
Until now, businesses that have exploited the advantages of projection and display technology have only been able to imagine large and bright, display screens in a very close proximity to the projector. The arrival of such technology would have implications not only for creating a big visual impact and an almost illusionary experience for viewers, but game-changing advantages of making projection possible in spaces that would have previously been dimensionally constrained and through the cost saving implication of a big reduced space requirement. The introduction of ET-DLE030 lens by Panasonic dramatically delimits what was before unachievable through a throw ratio of 0.38:1 - resulting in space saving by 60% . In terms of new projection applications, it means avoidance of having to throw light across, for example, a busy retail environment where objects or people can block projected images and where space is at a premium. This applies to further verticals such as staging, museum, or transport where it may not be possible to suspend a projector mounting bracket or where there is insufficient space, either in front or behind the projector to throw the image to the required size.
Panasonic's new EL030 model can be used in both vertical and horizontal edge blending to make screens even larger, with the 1 chip DLP technology ideal for indoor spaces such as museum, theatres or stage backgrounds. Hartmut Kulessa, Panasonic, European projector marketing manager comments, "Panasonic has already demonstrated some huge success stories in conventional projection mapping at some truly incredible events, take the Roger Waters The Wall at Wembley Stadium for example, now with the arrival of the DLE030 lens, rental companies will be able to deliver similar effects for indoor events and using less space than before. They will have the benefit of massively reduced throw distance requirements with a reduction in costs associated with less rigging and a more compact overall setup."
(Jim Evans)
