Epson Unveils New Projectors, iProjection App at FETC

• By Mike Hohenbrink
• 01/23/12

Epson unveiled a new high-performance PowerLite 93+ projector, an expanded PowerLite Pro Z-series projector line with five new models, and a new iOS app for projector control today at the Florida Education Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando.

New to the Epson product line is the PowerLite 93+ with features geared to K-12 classrooms, an offering designed to replace the current PowerLite 93 projector.

The new projector offers 2,600 lumens of white and color light output with XGA resolution compared to 2,400 lumens for the PowerLite 93. The projector also features a built-in speaker and improved connectivity features such as HDMI and LAN connectivity.

Features of the Powerlite 93+ include:

• A 16-watt internal speaker;
• Instructional aids including templates and customizable images;
• Energy saving technology including a programmable timer to power down;
• 1.2x optical zoom;
• ±30 degree horizontal and automatic vertical keystone correction;
• A quick corner correction tool allowing for image corners to be independently adjusted;
• USB Plug 'n' Play capability;
• Up to 6,000 hours of lamp life;
• Wall switch control to activate and deactivate;
• A/V mute slide to quickly pause presentations; and
• Energy-efficient 3LCD Technology.

The PowerLite 93+ will be available in March for less than $700. A price break is available for schools through Epson's Brighter Futures program.

Pro Z-series Expansion
Epson's Pro Z-series expansion includes five new models offering between 7,000 and 10,000 lumens.

The new models are designed to offer improved image quality and new tools for installation and connectivity. Additional features of the new Pro Z-series models include:

• 360° projection;
• Edge blending for using more than one projector at once;
• Split screen display;
• Internal memory for up to 10 different installation/projection scenarios;
• Network monitoring and maintenance scheduling via email;
• Six built-in test patterns for image adjustment;
• Energy-efficient 3LCD, 3-chip technology;
• 5,000:1 contrast ratio;
• Internal liquid cooling system;
• Dual-lamp design;
• LAN connectivity;
• Built-in closed captioning decoder; and
• Six optional lenses, including rear-projection.

Two of the models, the Epson PowerLite Pro Z8450WUINL and Z8455WUNL, are scheduled to be available in February. Two more models, the PowerLite Pro Z8250NL and Z8255NL, are scheduled for release in April. The final model to roll out, the PowerLite Pro Z8350WNL, is scheduled for a May release.

Two premiere technical support services, Epson PrivateLine with expedited support and the Road Service projector replacement program with one-business day replacement, will be available for the new models.

iProjection App
Users of Apple mobile devices such as the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch will be able to connect to and present on any networked Epson projector via the new iProjection app.

iProjection is compatible with devices running iOS 4.2 or later are compatible with, as well as Dropbox and some cloud-based email applications.
The app, the first of its kind from Epson, is designed to allow greater mobility for users such as teachers who want to be able to move around the classroom or to move from classroom to classroom with a school's facilities without having to transport an entire projector.

With cloud access, even files that are not physically on the device can be projected, and the app is compatible with many different programs.

Supported programs and file types include: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Apple Keynote, Adobe PDF, JPEG, and PNG.

The iProjection app is available for free.

More information about Epson is available at global.epson.com. Epson products are also currently on display at FETC 2012 in booth 2317.