Panasonic launches PT-VMZ71 LCD laser projector with 7000 lumens

The announcement of the new laser LCD projector PT-VMZ71, which is primarily aimed at the business or digital signage area, comes from the Japanese electronics group Panasonic. The new Panasonic projector has WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200 pixels), promises a (dynamic) contrast ratio of 3,000,000:1, and can project image sizes from 30 to 300 inches.

The service life of the light source is estimated at 20,000 hours (normal) or 24,000 hours (eco). The maximum light output should be a whopping 7000 lumens. A lens shift is just as much part of the equipment as a keystone correction – in both cases both horizontally and vertically.

There is also an integrated 10-watt speaker and a 1.6x zoom. Interfaces include HDMI (with CEC), RJ-45, RS232C, USB-A, VGA, and audio connections. If you want WLAN, you can optionally retrofit Panasonic’s USB module AJ-WM50.

Weighing only 7.2 kg (including the lens), the PT-VMZ71 is said to be the world’s lightest and most compact Panasonic LCD projectors in its class and has an operating volume of 29 dB (Quiet) and 39 dB (Normal/Eco).

Price and availability

Panasonic PT-VMZ71 laser LCD projector costs $3,869 and it can be purchased via the Bhphotovideo.com online store. By the way, interested parties will be able to purchase the Panasonic projector in black or white.

Panasonic PT-VMZ71 specifications

• Lens: 1.6x manual zoom (throw ratio: 1.09–1.77:1), manual focus lens, F 1.60–2.12, f 15.30–24.64 mm
• Resolution: WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixels)
• Keystone correction range: Vertical: ±25 °, Horizontal: ±35 °
• Screen Size: 0.76–7.62 m (30–300 in)
• Aspect ratio: 16:10
• Contrast Ratio: 3,000,000:1
• Light source: Laser diode
• LCD panel: 16.3 mm size, 2,304,000 pixels
• Lens shift: Vertical (from center of screen) +44 %, 0 % (manual) / Horizontal (from center of screen) +20 %, -20 % (manual)
• Center-to-corner zone ratio: 85 %
• Time until light output declines to 50 %: 20,000 hours (NORMAL/QUIET)/24,000 hours (ECO)
• Light Output: 7,000 lm
• Built-in speaker: 10 W monaural
• Power supply: AC 100 V–240 V, 50/60 Hz
• Operation noise: 38 dB (NORMAL/ECO), 28 dB (QUIET)
• Digital Zoom Extender: Throw ratio 1.09–2.21:15
• Connectivity: Computer 1 IN (D-sub 15-pin (female) x 1 (RGB/YPBPR/YCBCR)), Variable audio out (M3 stereo mini-jack x 1),
• Serial In (D-sub 9-pin (female) x 1 for computer control (RS-232C compliant)), Digital Link/LAN (RJ-45 x 1 for network and DIGITAL LINK connection, 100Base-TX, HDCP), LAN (RJ-45 x 1 for network control, 10Base-T, 100Base-TX, compatible with PJLink™ [Class 2]), Audio 1/2 IN (M3 stereo mini-jack x 2), Computer 2 In (D-sub 15-pin (female) x 1), USB connector (Type A) x 1 for Memory Viewer function, optional AJ-WM50 Series Wireless Module, power supply (DC 5 V, maximum 2 A*7 ), HDMI 19-pin x 2 (Compatible with HDCP
• Dimensions: 399 x 115 x 348 mm
• Weight: 7.0 kg / 15.43 lbs (with lens)

Recently, Optoma has introduced a new UHD55 4K UHD projector home theater that projects a bright image of up to 3,600 lumens and is up to 300 inches in size, offers voice control and a game mode with up to 240 Hz, and is priced at $1,799.