LATEST ADDITIONS

SIM2's C3X line of 3-chip DLP projectors has a long and venerable history, capped by the latest model, the C3X Lumis. A custom implementation of Texas Instruments' Dynamic Black feature leads to a claimed contrast ratio up to 35,000:1, and a new dimmable 280W lamp can output up to 3000 lumens. The demo was very impressive, with excellent dark detail in a clip from <I>The Dark Knight</I>. The C3X Lumis is available now for $36,000.

Yet another entry in the LED-illuminated, single-chip DLP projector sweepstakes is the Mico 50 from SIM2. Said to deliver 800 lumens, the PhlatLight LEDs have an expected lifespan of over 30,000 hours. It's name means "sparkle" in Italian, but I saw no sparkles in the demo on a Da-Lite Affinity screen, which is a good thing. Not so good was the demo material&#151;a clip from a concert video featuring singer Seal. The colored stage lighting was not conducive to evaluating color accuracy, though Seal's dark skin looked about right when he was in white light. The Mico 50 should be available in November for $25,000.