Compaq Unveils World's Smallest Projector For the Road Warrior; Slim, 4.2-pound
Compaq MP1600 Projector is Easy-to-Stow and Easy-to-Tow
Business Editors & High Tech Writers
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 1999--Building on its
tradition of providing innovative tools for mobile professionals,
Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today unveiled the Compaq
MP1600, the world's smallest projector. Compaq's first entry into the
growing portable projector market weighs in at a mere 4.2(1) pounds,
creating a new product category within the projector segment--the
microportable projector.
"Beginning with the first Compaq 'luggable,' Compaq has
maintained a track record of creating innovative PC-compatible devices
that meet the needs of mobile professionals. The MP1600 is a natural
extension of our product lines offering the total solution for the
mobile small and medium business user or enterprise customer," said
Ben Williams, Director, Displays and Peripherals Product Marketing,
North America, Compaq Computer Corporation. "The Compaq MP1600 is the
first microportable projector to fill the need for a device that is
light and small, yet full-featured enough to deliver a powerful
presentation."
"The projector market space is one of the fastest growing
segments in the technology industry," said William Bohannon, chief
scientist at Manx Reach, an industry research firm in California. "The
Compaq MP1600 will dramatically accelerate this market growth by
creating a new market segment - the microportable projector market.
And, with 55 percent more portability(2) than its nearest competitor,
it is truly a road warrior's dream."
Lightweight and Easy to Set-up Design
Designed for corporate travelers, such as marketing and sales
executives, training specialists, professional presenters and
consultants, the Compaq MP1600 is ideal for the professional who
frequently conducts interactive meetings, small group presentations,
electronic slide shows or software demonstrations. With easy-to-tow
and easy-to-stow capabilities, the MP1600 is ready to present "out of
the bag" at any time, for any type of meeting. The MP1600 can present
in the most space-constrained areas and has a projection range from
three feet up to 30 feet.
A full 3 pounds lighter than most competitors and the lightest
product on the market, the Compaq MP1600 weighs only 4.2 pounds, has
the lowest volume at 175 cubic inches and is eight inches tall, nine
inches long and three inches wide at its widest point. Constructed of
sturdy magnesium alloy material, which is 20 times stronger than
plastic, the MP1600 is as durable as it is transportable.
While most projectors in the market feature a horizontal form
factor, the MP1600 stands vertical and has a unique tower form factor
- bringing the lens above the centerline of the presentation and
reducing the keystoning(3) effect seen in many presentations when the
projector has to be raised up off the table.
The MP1600 is uniquely designed with a stability "foot" to allow
height adjustment while eliminating the risk of the unit tipping on
its side. The safety foot swivels out from the front of the unit and
tucks away neatly under the unit when finished. With the touch of a
button, the spring-loaded elevation/stability foot locks into place,
avoiding the hassle of turning knobs or stacking books underneath the
projector.
Full Feature Set
The Compaq MP1600 features Digital Light Processing(TM) (DLP)(TM)
technology from Texas Instruments, providing higher resolution and a
brighter, sharper and higher contrast level than competitive Liquid
Crystal Display (LCD) products. In addition to the DLP technology, the
MP1600 includes a full-array of features designed to produce an
easy-to-use device, including:
-- Easy to Adjust Buttons
Five buttons on the side of the MP1600 allow for easy adjustment
during presentations--an on/off button with standby feature,
three buttons that adjust the MP1600's menu features and an
autosync button. With a touch of the menu buttons, a user can
digitally manipulate the screen color, contrast and keystoning
or zoom into specific items on an image - ideal for
architectural drawings or other intricate presentations. Because
projectors are often shared devices, Compaq has designed a
management feature that allows users to easily determine how much
bulb life is left in the MP1600 projector. The projector will
also notify the user with a warning signal when bulb life is low.
Average lamp life is 1,500 hours of usage(4). In addition, the
autosync button automatically chooses the best image settings for
a user, and the stand-by button feature can be utilized for
audience interaction, question and answer sessions or downtime,
saving valuable bulb time.
-- Plug and Present
The Compaq MP1600 "plug and present" projector makes presenting
worry-free and eliminates embarrassing technical difficulties,
which often intimidate a novice user. A state-of-the-art
processor offers wide-ranging compatibility with nearly every
Windows- and Macintosh-based PC. The chipset automatically
adjusts necessary settings to fill the screen and ensure high
image quality.
Top Quality Presentations
Today's customers require a lightweight, attractive projector to
make a positive impression in a meeting, but the presentation
primarily relies on the quality of the picture. A small but powerful
projection tool, the Compaq microportable projector provides
unprecedented picture quality based on brightness, uniformity,
resolution, a seamless picture and contrast.
-- Brightness
With 600 ANSI lumens, the Compaq MP1600 projector offers the
industry's greatest number of lumens per pound(5). It is as
powerful as tabletop projectors twice its size. With 600 lumens,
the Compaq MP1600 allows users to present information in most
types of lighting.
-- Uniformity
Many projected images often seem brighter in the center and dull
and darker around the edges and corners. To enhance the overall
picture quality, the Compaq MP1600 projects a uniform picture
across the entire screen image. While other projectors have an
average of less than 50 percent uniformity, the MP1600 viewing
image from corner to corner is greater than 90 percent uniformity.
-- Resolution
With an XGA resolution capability (1024 x 768), the Compaq MP1600
employs a high-resolution setting to display more information per
picture and provide maximum brightness. AutoSync technology
automatically scales the presentation to fill the screen whether
the information is displayed using VGA (640 x 480), SVGA (800 x
600), SXGA(6) (1280 x 1024) or Macintosh (832 x 624) standards.
-- Seamless Picture
By utilizing DLP technology, versus the traditional LCD, a
smaller distance is created between image producing elements,
eliminating the "screen door" effect found on most front
projectors and delivering sharp and clear graphic displays.
-- Contrast
A high contrast ratio of 400:1 is twice the contrast of most
LCD projectors on the market, making any presentation on the
Compaq MP1600 easy to read and packed with sharp colorful
images.
Compaq MP1600 Options
In today's interactive world, presentations often include video
and require access to a Video Cassette Recorder (VCR), a Digital
Versatile Device (DVD) or camcorder. With the addition of an optional
small video adapter on the back of the projector, the Compaq MP1600 is
immediately transformed into a powerful video interface, allowing
presenters to easily toggle between computer and video without ever
having to interrupt the presentation to set up a separate video
presentation. Small enough to fit in your hand, the module easily
snaps on and off the back of the Compaq MP1600. It also includes an
indicator light and is compatible with both composite video and
S-video.
Every Compaq microportable projector comes standard with a
carrying case custom designed for the MP1600 projector. The
wide-spined case is designed to fall open when unzipped so that the
user need not remove the projector to present, saving critical time
while setting up or packing up. In addition, the carrying case has a
compartment for holding connection cables, the video module, extra
lamps, the owners' manual and other accessories.
The Compaq MP1600 comes with a Kensington(TM) security lock
provision designed to safely secure the Compaq portable projector to a
desk or tabletop for times when a user can not be with the device.
Services and Support
The Compaq MP1600 is protected under the generous CompaqCare
support umbrella. The service and support package includes:
-- A two-year, worldwide limited parts and labor warranty(7).
-- Two-year Advanced Unit Replacement service, which includes a next
business day exchange of a defective unit and two-way shipping
and handling (North America and Europe)(8).
-- Toll-free, round-the-clock support provided by the technical
support hotline.
Availability
With prices beginning at $4,499(9), the Compaq MP1600 will be
available within 30 days in North America to Authorized Compaq Channel
Partners and directly through Compaq DirectPlus at
www.directplus.compaq.com or at 1-800-888-5858. DirectPlus allows
small businesses to purchase competitively priced Compaq PCs and
popular software applications direct from Compaq.
Company Background
Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune 100 company, is the second
largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier
of computer systems. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software,
solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise
solutions, fault-tolerant business critical solutions, enterprise and
network storage products, commercial desktop and portable products and
consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally
friendly programs and business practices.
Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries
through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Compaq
support and information about Compaq and its products are available at
http:www.compaq.com or by calling 1-800-OK-Compaq. Product information
and reseller locations are available by calling 1-800-345-1518.
Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Digital
Light Processing and DLP are trademarks of Texas Instruments. Product
names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks
of their respective companies.
--------
1 Weight may vary slightly due to variations in manufacturing
process.
2 According to the Manx Index on Portability.
3 Keystoning is the effect when an image is distorted, causing a
trapezoid picture.
4 The standard Compaq warranty is for 90 days or 1,000 hours.
5 Lumens are the measure of brightness similar to candlepower.
6 Also known as UXGA.
7 Certain restrictions apply. See reseller or call 1-800-OK-COMPAQ
8 Replacement service in U.S. is 24 hours; Replacement service in
Europe is 48 hours
9 Estimated street price. All reseller prices may vary.
--30--LS/na*
CONTACT: Compaq Computer Corporation
Gary Frazier, 281/927-8647
gary.frazier@compaq.com
or
Shandwick International
Erin Farrell, 713/572-4801
efarrell@shandwick.com
KEYWORD: TEXAS
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED PRODUCT
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