Panasonic Connect Announces New
1-Chip DLP^™ Projectors, Evolved Again with
15,000 lm¹ on AC 100–240 V to Unlock
New Ideas for Novel Experiences

June 9, 2023

Osaka, Japan — Panasonic Connect today announced the REQ15 1-Chip DLP™ 4K Projector and REZ15 1-Chip DLP™ Projector models, with the products to be unveiled at Infocomm 2023 (June 14–16) in Orlando, Florida.

Development Background

As media-based entertainment grows more sophisticated, the need for a compact and efficient 1-Chip DLP™ projector capable of meeting guest expectations for engaging, sharable experiences has emerged. In response, Panasonic Connect released the REQ12/REZ12 Series and accelerated the development of REQ15/REZ15 counterpart models that deliver 15,000 lm¹ of brightness on AC 100–240 V power. Integrators working in regions with AC 100–120 V power can avoid costly electrical construction work at the site and bring immersive visuals to new locations where installation space is limited. Applications for immersive experiences are therefore expanded with fewer resources required for deployment. Shaped by feedback from industry partners and our own production expertise, REQ15/REZ15 opens new possibilities in the realm of location-based entertainment.

Spectacular Visuals on a Grand Scale

REQ15 equips Quad Pixel Drive, our 2-axis pixel-shifting technology, to reproduce authentic 4K images that are deep, smooth, and detailed. It enables the blur-free projection of 2K/240 Hz³ content over multiple edge-blended screens with a latency of 6 ms⁴ or less. The technology can also sync with ET-SWR10 Real-time Tracking Projection-Mapping System to fuse digital content and analog motion within XR attractions or stage performances. Rich Color Enhancer, a technology that expands the red-channel output, delivers more vibrant and accurate red tones. Evolved Dynamic Contrast breathes new life into every frame. Its new scene-analysis circuitry better recognizes light and dark areas of the image for captivating visual impact. Seamless blends are vital in immersive 360° spaces, especially when projecting on curved screens. The black-level settings offer point-based border adjustment for arbitrary screen shapes, allowing for precise calibration. And with the ability to unlink⁵ black-level adjustment from geometric adjustment, black-level settings can be applied to the entire blend, including the image overlaps outside the image display area, for a completely seamless multi-screen image.

Effortless Workflow and Expanded Capabilities

The light and compact REQ15/REZ15 eases the burden on integrators with persuasive transport and installation efficiencies. An optimized optical engine enables projection at 15,000 lm¹ on AC 100–120 V power from the consumer grid, avoiding the need for high-voltage electrical construction and reducing resources for deployment. An Intel^® SDM-ready slot accepts various optional proprietary or third-party function boards⁶. Users can adapt, scale, and expand connectivity with an appropriate board to suit the application’s interface or AVoIP standard. New high-contrast lenses feature powered center and periphery focus⁷ for easy adjustment via remote control. On-site workflow is streamlined with an NFC function⁸ that allows projectors to be prepped or initialized via smartphone⁹ without AC power. Preactivated upgrade kits for Geo Pro¹⁰ expand functionality and automate edge-blending via camera¹¹.

Supreme Reliability with Maintenance-Free Operation

Both products feature an optical engine and laser light source module that comply with the IP5X Dust Protected (IEC 60529) standard¹², eliminating the need for an air filter and enabling 20,000 hours¹³ of maintenance-free operation. A refined liquid-cooling system enables continuous operation in dusty environments. Multi-Laser Drive Engine has unique failover circuitry that limits brightness loss in the unlikely event of a single diode failure, while a Backup Input¹⁴ function switches to a backup signal without screen-blanking if the primary is interrupted. These features prevent interruptions that impact the guest experience and help secure the attraction’s long-term sustainability.

REQ15/REZ15 will be available from CY2024 Q2. For more information on these and other Panasonic professional solutions, please visit us at Stand #901 at Infocomm 2023 (Orlando, Florida, June 14–16) or our global projector website at https://docs.connect.panasonic.com/projector.

About Panasonic Connect

Panasonic Connect Co., Ltd. was established on April 1, 2022, as part of the Panasonic Group’s switch to an operating company system. With roughly 29,500 employees worldwide and annual sales of JPY 1,125.7 billion, the company plays a central role in the growth of the Panasonic Group’s B2B solutions business and provides new value to its customers by combining advanced hardware, intelligent software solutions, and wealth of knowledge in industrial engineering accumulated in its over 100-year history. The company’s purpose is to “Change Work, Advance Society, Connect to Tomorrow.” By driving innovation in the supply chain, public services, infrastructure, and entertainment sectors, Panasonic Connect aims to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society and to ensure well-being for all.

1 Measurement, measuring conditions, and method of notation all comply with ISO/IEC 21118: 2020 international standards. Value is the average of all products when shipped.

2 Maximum physical resolution with Quad Pixel Drive [ON].

3 PT-REQ15 only. Supports input signals up to 1080p. The display frame rate corresponds to the input signal frame rate.

4 Value is approximate and may vary depending on the input signal, peripheral devices, and other conditions.

5 Black-level area setting must be performed before black-level adjustment. The ability to unlink black-level adjustment from geometric adjustment is supported only on flat screens when adjacent images are aligned vertically or horizontally.

6 Optional proprietary and third-party Intel^® SDM-ready function boards sold separately. Panasonic cannot guarantee the operation of third-party devices.

7 Lens release date varies depending on the model. Powered periphery focus adjustment is not supported on the ET-C1S600 and ET-C1T700 lenses.

8 Projectors sold in some countries or regions require an ET-NUK10 Upgrade Kit available from PASS to activate the NFC function.

9 Smart Projector Control app is required. Available free from the App Store or the Google Play store.

10 Visit PASS to register your projector and download free Geometry Manager Pro software for Windows^® (upgrade kits included).

11 Compatible cameras comprise Nikon D5200/D5300/D5500/D5600/D7500.

12 The dust-proof performance of this unit is not guaranteed to be free from damage or failure under all conditions (environment with conductive dust, etc.). Please use an enclosure in environments with smoke containing oil, salt, and moisture.

13 Around this time, the light output will have decreased by approximately 50 %. IEC62087: 2008 Broadcast Contents, NORMAL Mode, Dynamic Contrast [3], temperature 30 °C (86 °F), elevation
700 m (2,297 ft) with 0.15 mg/m³ of airborne particulate matter. Panasonic recommends a checkup at the point of purchase after about 20,000 hours. Light-source lifetime may be reduced depending on environmental conditions. Replacement of parts other than the light source may be required in a shorter period. Estimated maintenance time varies depending on the environment.

14 Terminal assignment is fixed. Signals to primary and backup must be identical.