Panasonic Australia has announced that it will release a new laser projector, the PT-RQ13K Extra 4K Series. The most compact and lightweight projector of its kind in the world, the PT-RQ13K employs Quad Pixel Drive technology to deliver extremely detailed, film-like Extra 4K image quality.

The 10,000-lumen Extra 4K/240 Hz PT-RQ13K will be previewed at the upcoming Integrate Expo in Melbourne from August 25-27. It will be available in Australia in November with pricing announced closer to the release date.

Product marketing manager panels and projectors Panasonic Chris Maw said: “This is our smallest laser projector yet, and delivers stunning images and long lasting laser performance for applications such as exhibitions. We are currently previewing it to a range of customers in sectors such as universities and museums, as well as to systems integrators.”

To deliver Extra 4K image quality, the optical axis of the projector is shifted both horizontally and vertically in sync with a high 240 Hz frame rate to create four different pixels from a single pixel, effectively quadrupling the pixel density of the image. A next-generation Detail Clarity Processor analyses the required pixel information for extra pixels and optimises for fluid, detailed, high-contrast images.

Panasonic will also release the PT-RZ12K and PT-RS11K 3-Chip DLP laser projectors, which boast 120 Hz frame-replacement technologies and 12,000 lumens of brightness at WUXGA and SXGA+ respectively. The PT-RZ12K and PT-RS11K will be available in Australia in September with pricing to be announced.

Chris Maw added: “The new range is a really appealing solution for the rental and staging market. They offer amazing installation versatility in their class, with a cabinet volume that is just half the size of some other solutions – so for the customer, the only limit is their imagination.”

The three new projectors also eclipse the competition with a contrast ratio of 20,000:1 that, together with high-resolution performance, makes them ideal for simulation, monitoring and specialist education roles thanks to the high levels of detail. They are also outstanding performers in large exhibition venues, virtual reality theatres and in corporate applications. All models deliver Rec. 709 colour compliancy for HDTV projection.

The fail-safe dual-drive laser optical engine ensures a bright, long lasting 20,000 hours of laser performance. A new liquid-cooling system has also reduced operating noise and maximises laser light source performance.

“Across the range, industry-best picture quality combines with low total cost of ownership to deliver an excellent cost-to-performance ratio,” said Chris Maw.

With universal 360-degree vertical and horizontal cabinet rotation, wide-range powered lens shift and compatibility with optional Panasonic lenses for 3-Chip DLP projectors (including the ultra-short-throw ET-D75LE90), the RQ13K/RZ12K/RS11K Series offer outstanding installation flexibility.

The RQ13K and RZ12K/RS11K projectors carry four and two 3G-SDI inputs respectively and a DIGITAL LINK HDBaseT derived connection that carries 1080/60p video and control commands for distances of up to 150 metres in Long Reach Mode. HDMI and DVI terminals are offered as standard on the RZ12K/RS11K, and are optional on the RQ13K.

The projectors feature Geometrical Adjustment for projection onto curved or spherical surfaces. An optional Geometry Manager Pro upgrade kit with advanced masking capabilities and an Auto Screen Adjustment upgrade kit are also available.