SIM2 already shocked and awed in December when it introduced the $36,495 C3X LUMIS HOST 1080p projector in America, but now the elite in Europe can look forward to procuring one without paying those import prices. Announced this week in Amsterdam at the Integrated Systems Europe expo, the 3-chip DLP-based beamer is now shipping across the pond for those who can afford it. Speaking of which, SIM2 doesn't actually state the European MSRP, but let's just put it this way: you'll be choosing between a new Benz, or this.

[Via AboutProjectors]

After several years high dynamic range LCD technology is finally ready for market, now that SIM2 and Dolby are showing off this Solar Series 47-inch screen at the 2009 Integrated Systems Europe show. Just like last year's prototype, it's both brighter (4,000 cd/m2) and has a greater contrast ratio than any flat panel currently available. The 2,206 LEDs can provide up to an infinite contrast ratio and supposedly match real world visuals thanks to 16 bit color processing. The only bad news is that even with a name change to Dolby Vision, that ugly wide bezel from the BrightSide days still remains. We'll have to wait until closer to the Q2 shipping date to find out the price, but with SIM2's high end reputation it won't be cheap.

Update: SIM2 pinged us to say that only the professional version will be available in Q2. The "consumer unit" won't be formally launched in the US until CEDIA this September.

While powerline as a whole still has quite a ways to go before it's considered mainstream, DS2 is apparently hoping to bring it a touch closed by embedding it in places we'd least expect. At CES last week, the company was spotted showing off an embedded PLC module which gave powerline capabilities to whatever item it was integrated into. Now, let's see DS2 convince router companies and the like to follow suit.

SIM2 already linked up with Entertainment Experience back at CEDIA, and now the cute couple is hooking up once more in order to deliver a complete display + content solution. The aptly named Entertainment Experience System consists of the Grand Cinema C3X 1080 or HT5000E 3-chip DLP projector along with an Entertainment Experience Media Center that manages Blu-ray and DVD, PlayStation and Xbox Games, HDTV, HD video, PC and HDGiants digital movies. Finally, the bundle includes digital flicks from HDGiants, though it's unclear how many will be included and at what cost. Judging by how pricey the whole Niveus + HDGiants hookup was, though, we're thinking these won't come at a bargain.

SIM2 never fails to stun, and it's proving yet again that it couldn't care less about the global economic situation (or that it just aims at a class of people that are simply unaffected) with the Grand Cinema HT5000E. Said device was actually outed yesterday courtesy of an HDGiants pair-up, but today we're being gifted with the official details. The three-chip DLP beamer includes a trio of 0.95-inch DarkChip4 DMDs, a 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution, six lens options, Ethernet jack for remote control and world-class color uniformity / edge-to-edge focus capabilities. Yeah, it'll cost you more than most vehicles and even some diminutive homes at $57,995, but at least the white glove delivery service is included. A true bargain, let us tell you. Full release is after the break.

We can't say that we've ever been utterly stoked for Dolby Volume, but we suppose it's a nice extra in TV sets and set-top-boxes so long as the cost of inclusion is negligible to the consumer. That said, Dolby's making darn sure the crowd at CES knows that it's infiltrating sets in the US and Europe as we speak, and it'll be showcasing a number of Toshiba REGZA LCDs in particular. In related news, Dolby Vision -- part of its High Dynamic Range series -- will be showcased in a SIM2 prototype LCD here in Vegas. Better still, Dolby is currently working with SIM2 in order to develop an HDR-enabled LCD display, and while we highly doubt this is the set that's coming in Q1, we are told that the technology will be available in some form or fashion this quarter. Patience, friends -- it's the only choice.

It's opera season once more, and this time we've got Italy's own SIM2 getting involved. The company famous for engineering remarkably sexy (and incredibly expensive) projectors has just announced that its DLP-based PRO5DL flagship Digital Cinema projector will be used to show audiences in LA and NYC live broadcasts of the La Scala Opera season. The transmissions will be beamed from the La Scala Operahouse in Milan to the Beverly Hills Laemmle Theater and Miller Theater at Columbia University in New York, and the images will be displayed on 28-foot wide screens. We're not sure how costly a ticket is, but it's sure to be substantially lower than a round trip ticket to Italy.

Around this time last year, SIM2 was busy busting wallets with its $32k C3X. This year, we've got a revamped version coming in at an even higher price point: the network-friendly C3X LUMIS HOST. The 1080p beamer packs a 3-chip DLP (DarkChip4) engine, a 35,000:1 contrast ratio, 3,000 ANSI lumens, DynamicBlack technology and IR / Ethernet / RS-232 control ports. The standout feature, however, is SIM2's own proprietary three-line optical-digital High-Definition Optical Signal Transfer (H.O.S.T.) system, which allows two of these beasts to be connected over distances of up to 750-feet. Sadly, this unit will only find homes with those with copious quantities of disposable income, as it starts at $36,495 and goes higher when throwing in a T3 extra-long throw lens.

[Via CyberTheater]

Now here's a real head-scratcher -- imagine that instead of having Netflix ship you a new movie on disc every few days, you had some other company sending you a new hard drive once or twice a week. If we're understanding SIM2's latest news correctly, that's exactly what'll happen when signing up with Entertainment Experience, LLC. The Digital Entertainment Solution includes SIM2's ultra-pricey C3X 1080p projector, but that's not even the best part; purchasers will apparently also receive an undisclosed amount of additional hardware in the form of a "Digital Entertainment Center" that accepts HDDs with motion pictures stored in a reference-grade DCI format accepted by Hollywood. It even sounds like an AV signal processor comes bundled in to make even your current media components (Xbox 360, PS3, Blu-ray player, etc.) look better. Both firms have noted that content should be available "soon," and while we'll be doing our best to track down more information at CEDIA, feel free to read up on the cryptic release after the break for now.

SIM2's DOMINO line -- okay, SIM2's entire line -- isn't known for being the cheapest bunch. The new DOMINO D60, however, is actually affordable by said company's standards, checking in at just 4,995 US dollars. This 1080p beamer is based on Texas Instruments' DarkChip3 0.95-inch DMD chipset and includes a single-chip DLP projection system, BrilliantColor, three different preset modes (Cinema, Dynamic, and Standard) and three user-customizable memories. It's shipping now for those with fat wallets.

SIM2 updates its line of high end projectors with its Grand Cinema HT3000 HOST system combining the latest 1080p DLP chipset from TI with a three-line optical-digital High-Definition Optical Signal transfer system (H.O.S.T.) in one gunmetal-finished box. The projector itself measures 17-inches square and 24 lbs, while the separate HOST system is designed for installers to connect video sources to its six HDMI inputs, three component inputs and multiple SD jacks up to 750 feet away from the projector with no loss of signal. Depending on lens choice, the price starts at $21, 595, but we're sure you have that kind of money just laying around.

[Via About Projectors]

Well, would you take a look at that. Right on cue, Dolby and SIM2 are collaboratively showcasing a 46-inch 1080p display built around the former firm's high dynamic range technology. The HDR-enabled LCD HDTV boasts 1,836 LED-based backlight units (designed / developed by SIM2), a full 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, brightness level greater than 4,000 cd/m2, an "infinite" contrast ratio, 16-bits of luminance and a Xilinx Virtex field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) chipset. Additionally, the prototype employs a design created by Giorgio Revoldini, and while we can't imagine hearing of a release date anytime soon, the two firms aren't wasting any time putting the new set on a world tour to presumably wow onlookers. Hey SED, you taking notes here?

Sim2's back with another wallet-busting HD projector aimed at the crazy home cinema crowd. This time it's the new PRO5000, which will officially debut at the ISE conference in Amsterdam on January 31st. The 3-chip DLP rig boats 1080p resolution, EASYCINEMA color calibration, and adjustable, interchangeable projection lenses that enable the unit to work in a variety of theater sizes. Sim2 isn't being exactly forthcoming with pricing details, but knowing the company, you'd best be driving something that ends in Royce to join the party.

[Via About Projectors]

Just when you thought high dynamic range was slipping into the background once more, we've received new information that the technology is not only alive and well behind certain closed doors, but that it will be making its debut relatively soon. Reportedly, SIM2 has teamed up with Dolby to create a prototype display incorporating Dolby's HDR technologies. More specifically, the unit will be an HDR-enabled LCD using Dolby's LED local dimming technology, which should provide "dramatically enhanced contrast." Regrettably, we're not told anything beyond that -- resolution, design, inputs, etc. all remain a mystery -- but you can go on and mark Q1 2008 down as the period in which we should see the first elusive prototype. 'Course, the key word there is "should."