Panasonic Projector & Display has introduced the ET-C1U090, an L-shaped ultra-short-throw lens designed to help projection teams make the most of challenging spaces. It joins the ET-C1 Series for Panasonic’s PT-REQ and PT-REZ 1-Chip DLP projectors.
With a 0.308:1 throw ratio, the ET-C1U090 creates a large image from close range – up to 200 inches from just 1.3m with the option of up to 1,000 inches. Its L-shaped design allows the projection direction to be changed through 90° or 180° lens rotation, giving designers options for floor projection, ceiling installations and other spaces where a conventional position is difficult.
To help installers position images without moving the projector, motorised peripheral focus makes it easier to bring the edges of a large image into sharp focus. The lens also gives installers room to fine-tune the image, with ±50% vertical and ±23% horizontal shift. The ultra-short-throw of the lens means a projector can be installed within a depth of just 885mm, including the required exhaust clearance, making it suitable for installations where space and distance is at a premium. For ceiling mounted applications, the optical axis is positioned on the projector’s centreline, allowing the image to start directly at the ceiling line. This eliminates the need for a gap between the ceiling and the image, and avoids costly ceiling modifications.
To simplify immersive and 360° applications, the 90° or 180° rotation allows installers to position projectors close together while directing exhaust airflow away from adjacent projector intakes. This simplifies deployment in spaces where multiple projectors are used in close proximity. Peripheral brightness uniformity reportedly exceeds 90%, minimising hotspots and uneven illumination across the image.
The ET-C1U090 uses all-glass lens elements, including large, high-precision aspherical elements. An optimised anti-reflection coating helps maintain even colour across the image, while a strengthened lens mount reduces the effect of external vibration and still allows lens shift.