Sanyo's PLC-XF71 projector packs 10,000 lumens for extreme brightness

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/sanyos-plc-xf71-projector-packs-10-000-lumens-of-extreme-bright/

While not high definition like the company's most recent projectors, Sanyo's PLC-XF71 manages to compensate with 10,000 lumens for some serious brightness. By comparison, the recently-unveiled PDG-DHT100JL sports 6,500 lumens and its sub-$2000 PLV-1080HD just 1,200. Beyond that, it's got a 1024 x 768 picture and a 3000:1 contrast ratio. If you don't mind trading resolution for intense luminance, look for it to show up this month for a papered Abe Lincoln under $17,000.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

Sanyo's PLC-XF71 projector packs 10,000 lumens for extreme brightness originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX150 reviewed, perfect for higher-end casual photographers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/panasonics-lumix-dmc-fx150-reviewed-perfect-for-higher-end-cas/

If you've been waiting for SLR quality pics out of a camera you can slip into your pocket (and we're not talking cargo pants here), Panasonic's 14 megapixel Lumix DMC-FX150 is sadly not your product. However, if you've been looking for something that can take shots approaching the quality of something like a Canon G10 but do so in a more slender form factor, keep reading. PhotographyBLOG's review of this higher-end of the point 'n shoot range finds it to be quite good, capturing great images in bright light with very few chromatic aberrations. However, darker shots (bane of the pocket cam market) are still somewhat problematic, as the built-in optical IS fails to keep images sharp and noise appears at ISO 800 and above. Despite those annoyances the $399 camera (yours for about $100 less if you don't mind bargain hunting) scored overall high marks, becoming one of the best quality shooters you can buy and have a hope of fitting in your skinny jeans.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX150 reviewed, perfect for higher-end casual photographers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumored Mac Mini refresh said to be Ion-based

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/rumored-mac-mini-refresh-confirmed-to-be-ion-based/

People trading in salacious gossip have been counting on an update of the Mac mini for ages now, with most of the rumors centering on it making its appearance at Macworld. Well, the festivities came and went without a peep about the mini -- but that hasn't stopped the rumors from swirling. The latest we're hearing is that the refresh will be built upon NVIDIA's new Ion platform, which houses a 9400M GPU -- the same graphics processor as the new unibody Macbooks -- and could mean an even minier mini than the one we already know. Tom's Hardware, the source of this newest rumor, also speculates on a March release date, though they're not guessing on the price just yet.

Filed under: Desktops

Rumored Mac Mini refresh said to be Ion-based originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scientists use single electron pump to take subatomic particles for a spin

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/scientists-use-single-electron-pump-to-take-subatomic-particles/

German and Latvian researchers at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) have successfully demonstrated how a single electron pump can be used to give the elementary particles a predefined "spin." Aptly titled spintronics, the technology aims to manipulate a quantum-level property of electrons similar to the north-south axes in magnets. The results would be faster chips that require less energy than current electronics, which deal in electron movement. Of course, all of this is still a ways off from consumer use, so don't expect to be overclocking your electron pumps anytime soon. Science-minded readers would be advised to hit up the read link to peruse the research paper.

[Via Nanowerk and Spintronics-Info]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Scientists use single electron pump to take subatomic particles for a spin originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philips Ultra-Widescreen 21:9 Cinema LCD Moves the Letterbox Bars To the Side [HDTVs]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/HeN2P9PSAmk/philips-ultra+widescreen-219-cinema-lcd-moves-the-letterbox-bars-to-the-side

This is kind of ridiculous. Philips's new 56-inch LCD, bound for Europe, is boasting a 21:9 aspect ratio—displaying a full anamorphic 2.40:1 frame without letterboxing. But what about watching TV?

Or even watching the large number of films that aren't filmed in 2.40:1? If all you watch is big-budget blockbusters (2.40:1 is the aspect ratio of Panavision 70mm film), then this will be great for your rich-guy home theater.

But if you're thinking about watching HDTV (native aspect ratio of 16:9) or any of the many, many thousands of films shot in less-than-21:9, you'll have to throw some letterboxes on the side. You won't even get to enjoy those IMAX scenes from Dark Knight in their glorious full-frame beauty. But if you never take Iron Man out of your BD deck, this is the TV for you. Philips is looking at a Spring '09 release, with more details coming next month. [Philips via GadgetVenue]

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