Leica shows its first HD-capable DLP projector

German photo camera manufacturer Leica has recently introduced its Pradovit D-1200 DLP projector at the Photokina show, the first product of its kind for the manufacturer. The 16:10 aspect ratio projector sports a 1920x1200 native resolution along with a 2,000 lumens brightness and a 2,500:1 contrast ratio. The D-1200's magnesium body houses a 0.98-inch DarkChip sensor sourced from Texas Instruments and a six-segment RGB color wheel. Setting up the D-1200 is made easier thanks to a vertical lens shift feature, and minimum projection distance is rated at nearly 3.3 feet.

A 220W Philips lamp is used, with its life rated at 3,000 hours in regular operating mode or 4,000 hours in a special Eco mode that cuts down to 1,400 lumens of brightness. Connections are targeted both at computers and regular video sources; they include one HDMI 1.3 input, an HDCP-enabled DVI-D jack, one each of RCA input, S-video and composite ports, and two analog RGB/component combo jacks. An Ethernet port exists for connecting the projector to networks.

The projector will cost the equivalent of about $12,700 when it launches in Japan on May 2nd.