Quite honestly, the HC7500A turns us on a bit more than this D5500, but Vivitek is clearly aiming at two separate markets here. This one is hoping to wiggle into large concert halls, churches, etc. -- you know, places that can't always blot out the light to make the picture perfect. Boasting 5,500 ANSI lumens, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio, XGA native resolution and Texas Instruments' BrilliantColor technology, the single-chip DLP projector promises a decent image even in a partially lit room. You'll also find a six-segment color wheel, a dual-lamp design, RS-232 / USB ports, Ethernet socket for remote control and the usual complement of inputs (VGA, DVI, etc.). The heavy duty device can be snapped up as we speak for $5,999, and you can catch the release in full after the break.

VIVITEK SHOWING FIRST UNIT IN NEW INSTALLATION PROJECTOR LINE AT CES

5500 ANSI Lumen Brilliance for Professional Presenting in Booth #26047

LAS VEGAS, January 8, 2009 – Vivitek Corporation, a leader in the environmentally responsible manufacture of today's most innovative visual display and presentation products, today announced that it will have its first projector designed for long-term installation applications such as auditoriums, lecture and worship halls, and other larger-venue sites in its booth #26047 at this week's 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The new D5500 from Vivitek is a feature-rich, single-chip DLP projector with XGA (1024x768) resolution built for clear and vivid presentations and ease of operation.

"Brightness, clarity, and functionality are the feature requests we get most often from our installation projector customers," said Vivitek's president, David Chiu. "With the new D5500 we have addressed all of these expectations while continuing to maintain the price point at a level consistent with our value promise of the world's best technologies at the industry's best prices."

With a contrast ratio of 2500:1 and equipped with Texas Instruments BrilliantColor technology, the D5500 is a workhorse for the installation marketplace producing clear image details and vivid natural color enhanced by the unit's 6-segment color wheel. On-board, dual lamps not only enable brilliant presentations but in Dual-Lamp Switching Mode, ensures continued performance should a lamp fail as the projector automatically switches to solo lamp operation preventing any interruption during a presentation. The lamp life of the projector has also been extended to 4,000 hours using Vivitek's Eco-Mode. Built with the ecology and economies of operation in mind, the D5500 is designed filter and dust free, enabling cool operation and eliminating the need for tricky maintenance maneuvers on ceiling-installed units to replace or clean filters. Also, for ease and esthetics in ceiling mounted use for fixed installations, the D5500's connections and control panel are all on a single side of the projector. Installation is also aided by vertical and horizontal lens correction capabilities for screen adjustments and focusing.

In addition to RJ45 connectivity which allows full remote LAN operation, connectivity features on the D5500 include PC inputs (DVI-D and VGA), BNC, component, composite, and S-video. The new projector is also equipped with a USB service port and an RS232 connection.

True to Vivitek's energy and environmental considerations, the D5500 is built to comply with stringent RoHS standards and equipped with superior power saving features and low-power operation mode. A full function, easy-to-use remote control is included with the unit. Four optional short and long throw lenses designed for quick release and installation in ceiling installed units is also available as options.