Canon Introduces LV-7345 Ultraportable LCD Multimedia Projector; Turbo Bright Boosts Brightness and Adapts to Any Presentation Environment Better Than Ordinary Multimedia Projectors

Business Wire, June 21, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

LAKE SUCCESS, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 2001

Bright ideas can be presented in virtually any conference room or classroom with the new ultraportable LCD (liquid crystal display) multimedia projector from Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ). The Canon LV-7345 plug-and-play projector emphasizes maximum flexibility through optical technology that increases brightness up to 2100 ANSI lumens, making it one of the brightest projectors in the ultraportable class.

Two brightness modes allow business executives and teachers to deliver presentations virtually anywhere without concern for room lighting. In the standard mode, called True Color, the Canon LV-7345 projects 1800 ANSI lumens with an emphasis on highly accurate color reproduction. This mode is used for presenting in rooms where lighting easily can be controlled. With the exclusive Turbo Bright mode, brightness is increased to 2100 ANSI lumens, making the projected image easier for audiences to view in bright room lighting. This mode overcomes viewing challenges, such as washed out and difficult to read projected images, when room lights must remain on or when daylight streams through windows. Flipping a switch on the Canon LV-7345 selects the correct brightness setting to accommodate room lighting conditions.

"Canon is constantly seeking to overcome the real world challenges our customers face, which resulted in our Turbo Bright feature that is included on the new LV-7345," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager, Photographic Products Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "This technology lets our customers display the best images in any room lighting situation they encounter, providing a better viewing experience for the audience."

The LV-7345 is capable of projecting an image size up to 300 inches with 90 percent uniformity from the corner to the center of the image. Even small text and image detail can be displayed legibly and clearly by the precision-engineered genuine Canon lens. A 1.3X motorized optical zoom plus a 16X digital zoom are included for a closer look at any projected image.

The Canon LV-7345 offers a variety of inputs to support a fully integrated multimedia presentation. Supporting Windows and Apple platforms, the projector becomes the ultimate presentation tool by permitting easy and quick plug-and-play operation of laptops and desktop PCs. The projector delivers native XGA resolution for crisp, realistic image reproduction. Through high quality compression, it also can display SXGA as well as SVGA and VGA.

It features RGB analog input (VGA), RGB digital input (DVI) and a USB terminal. It also accepts component, s-video and composite video inputs for compatibility with DVD, digital cameras, digital camcorders and VCRs. It displays in the 16:9 wide screen aspect ratio and accepts video signals including NTSC, PAL, SECAM and HDTV.

A Digital Keystone feature smoothly compensates for trapezoidal distortion, producing a square picture for images projected at an angle of up to /-20 degrees. A variable speed fan reduces operating noise to permit quieter operation than conventional projectors. Additional options for reversing the displayed image permit the Canon LV-7345 to be ceiling mounted or used for rear projection.

Owners who use the industry standard Type I Compact Flash card to store presentations and digital photos easily can place the card into Canon's new optional Media Card Imager to display contents through the projector without using a personal computer. The Media Card Imager neatly fits onto the DVI (Digital Visual Interface) terminal on the rear of the projector, and it maintains the integrity of the original digital recording by avoiding an analog to digital conversion. Users control the pace of the displayed images, or they can activate the continuous playback feature to create a slide show.

Weighing 7.7 pounds and measuring smaller than a legal size sheet of paper, the unit incorporates a new stylish design for the Canon line that places the lens slightly left of center. Easy-to-operate controls, which make it easy to set up and customize picture quality, are located on the top of the unit.

The Canon LV-7345 will be available in August at authorized Canon dealers for a suggested retail price of $4,699.00. Pricing and availability on Canon's Media Card Imager will be announced soon.

The Canon LV-7345 LCD Multimedia Projector Kit contains:

- LV-7345 projector

- Power cable

- VGA computer cable

- Wireless remote control unit (including AA alkaline batteries)

- Mouse control cable for PS/2

- Lens cap

- Warranty card

- User manual

Optional Canon PR-200S Presentation Assistant

The Canon LV-7345 is compatible with the new Canon PR-200S Presentation Assistant, which enhances presentations and meetings by scanning a stack of virtually any paper type and instantly projecting each sheet in full color with crisp, clear visual quality. The Canon PR-200S Presentation Assistant portable color scanner scans paper documents, overhead transparencies, clippings, photographs and handwritten notes. Available at authorized Canon dealers for a suggested retail price of $899, it connects to the Canon LV-7345 with a supplied VGA cable and does not require a computer.