Epson Announces New BrightLink Series with World's First Touch-Enabled 3LCD Interactive Projector

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- FETC, Booth #631 -- Epson, the number-one selling projector brand worldwide¹, today introduced its new line of ultra-short throw interactive projectors – the BrightLink^® 575Wi, 585Wi and 595Wi. Designed for K-12 and higher education markets, the series delivers advanced connectivity options, PC-free interactivity capabilities, interactivity over the network, Moderator software for ultimate collaboration, and up to 3,300 lumens of color brightness and 3,300 lumens of white light brightness². The line also takes interactive capabilities one step further with the BrightLink 595Wi, the world's first touch-enabled 3LCD interactive projector.

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"Epson understands the need for a fresh approach to classroom collaboration, and with the introduction of the BrightLink 595Wi – the very first finger-touch interactive 3LCD projector – students are able to experience a kinesthetic and intuitive approach to learning," said Tom Piche, product manager, K-12 interactive projectors, Epson America, Inc. "As the classroom landscape continues to evolve, teachers require tools to engage students in the learning process. With functionality to support BYOD initiatives, including Moderator software to control collaboration, the BrightLink series is ideal for creating an immersive learning environment."

The new BrightLink series delivers WXGA resolution for widescreen performance, as well as brightness and functionality options to accommodate nearly any classroom:

More about the BrightLink 595Wi
The BrightLink 595Wi is the first touch-enabled interactive 3LCD projector, equipped with an external module that mounts directly to a wall or existing whiteboard enabling finger touch control and annotations. The 595Wi supports gestures³, up to six fingers for annotations, as well as dual-pen support with redesigned interactive pens offering a smaller, more compact feel and programmable mouse button for toggling between most frequently used actions, overall enhancing the learning experience and allowing students and teachers to collaborate at a higher level.

More about the BrightLink Series
Epson 3LCD projectors deliver three times brighter colors than leading competitive projectors⁴. By using Epson EasyMP^® with Moderator software and Epson iProjection™ app, the new ultra-short throw series is also easy to network and integrate into classrooms adopting BYOD (bring your own device) initiatives. The three models offer PC-free annotation with a range of devices including document cameras, DVD and Blue-ray players as well as tablets and mobile devices, or no source at all. The series also delivers interactivity over the network and two HDMI ports including one with MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) support for connecting multiple digital devices, including mobile phones, tablets and other portable devices, for enriched high definition viewing capabilities.

The new BrightLink series also gives teachers more control within multi-device classrooms with built-in Moderator functionality, allowing up to 50 computers, tablets and other handheld devices to be connected via the network. Teachers can wirelessly control which personal devices are displayed, with up to four participant screens shown simultaneously, ideal for comparing students' work and increasing classroom participation.

Furthering Epson's commitment to interactive engagement, this family of BrightLink models is also compatible with educational curriculum applications including Promethean ActivInspire and SMART Notebook™ 11, allowing educators to foster greater interactivity among students of all ages and disciplines.

The three BrightLink models share additional easy-to-use and versatile features for the classroom, including:

• Wireless interactivity: Use EasyMP software with a networked BrightLink projector to share and interact with content from your laptop as you move freely about the classroom
  
• Large Interactive Area: Up to 100" diagonal – at a fraction of the cost of traditional interactive whiteboard systems
  
• Easy Interactive Tools (EIT) 3.0: Includes a refreshed user interface for increased ease-of-use, hardware control center and editable file format to save lessons and more
  
• Epson iProjection: Leveraging the Epson iProjection app, teachers can present to BrightLink from most iOS Apple devices running iOS 4.2 or later, including the iPad^®, iPhone^® and iPod touch^®, and most Android devices running Android 2.3 or later
  
• Redesigned Wall Mount: Offers longer arm for mounting to thicker boards and cover extension for hiding cables when installed
  
• Speaker and Microphone Input: Dedicated input allows teachers to use a microphone to amplify voice using the internal 16W speaker, saving the teacher's voice and ensuring all students can hear; volume can be adjusted using projector or remote control buttons
  
• Monitor and Control: Epson EasyMP network software for network monitoring, maintenance scheduling, and email alerts to be sent via LAN; schedule function allows projector to run functions without the need to be connected to a network
  
• 3LCD Technology: Features the latest, 3LCD, 3-chip technology to deliver amazing, true-to-life color and detail for powerful presentations; 3LCD technology provides an energy efficient light engine which uses available lamp light to create stunning images; in contrast to 1-chip DLP technology, 3LCD requires, on average, 25 percent less electricity per lumen of brightness⁵
  
• Dual Interactive Pens: Includes two interactive pens for writing, navigating and controlling interactive functions.
  
• Long Life Lamps: The lamp life can last up to 10,000 hours⁶ in economy mode, helping to maximize presentation time; replacement lamps cost $79, providing a lower overall total cost of ownership

Epson also offers the Brighter Futures^® program, a unique sales and support initiative available specifically for schools. Designed to help educators select and implement the best products for their classrooms while making the most of their budgets, Brighter Futures offers special pricing, extended Epson limited warranty coverage for three years, dedicated education account managers, and toll-free technical support for all Epson projectors.

Color Brightness Specification and Projector Performance
The new color brightness specification (measuring red, green and blue) published by the Society of Information Display (SID) allows consumers to compare projector color performance without conducting a side-by-side shootout. With today's high definition content, teachers and students can display content with higher quality in brighter environments. For a truly impressive image, projectors need to offer both high color brightness and high white brightness. High color brightness is important for larger screen sizes and provides flexibility for a variety of screen materials. Without sufficient color brightness, images may be muddy, soft and lose detail, even in a dark room. For more information, visit www.colorlightoutput.com.

Availability and Support
The new Epson BrightLink projectors will be available in mid-April 2014 through select pro audio/visual dealers, K-12 and higher education users. Epson's projectors come with a two-year limited warranty (three years for Brighter Futures customers) that includes two elite technical support services – Epson PrivateLine^® phone support with direct access to an expedited support telephone line and a two-year Road Service projector replacement program that includes projector exchange in one business day with paid shipping. For additional information, visit www.epson.com/projectors.

About Epson
Epson is a global innovation leader whose product lineup ranges from inkjet printers and printing systems, 3LCD projectors and industrial robots to sensors and other microdevices. Dedicated to exceeding the vision of its customers worldwide, Epson delivers customer value based on compact, energy-saving, and high-precision technologies in markets spanning enterprise and the home to commerce and industry.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 73,000 employees in 94 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and the communities in which it operates. Epson America, Inc. based in Long Beach, Calif. is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: www.Epson.com.

You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EpsonAmerica), Twitter (http://twitter.com/EpsonAmerica) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/EpsonTV).

* Estimated street price
¹ Based upon Q3 2013 worldwide front projection market share estimates from PMA Research.
² White and color light output will vary depending on mode selected.  White light output measured using ISO 21118 standard.
³ With Windows 7/8 or Mac OS X only
⁴ Compared to leading 1-chip DLP business and education projectors based on NPD data, July 2011 through June 2012. Color brightness (color light output) measured in accordance with IDMS 15.4. Color brightness will vary depending on usage conditions. 
⁵ Data source: ProjectorCentral.com Jan. 2011. Average of 1,038 shipping models for which the manufacturers provided lumens and total power data, all resolutions and brightness levels. Energy efficiency was measured as wattage per lumen. It was measured for both 3LCD and 1-chip projectors in each of five brightness segments. 3LCD projectors averaged less required electricity per lumen in each of the five segments.
⁶ Lamp life for the BrightLink 575Wi is up to 10,000 hours (eco mode) and 5,000 hours (normal); lamp life for the BrightLink 585Wi and 595Wi is up to 6,000 hours (eco mode) and 4,000 hours (normal). Lamp life will vary depending upon mode selected, environmental conditions and usage. Lamp Brightness decreases over time.

Note: EPSON and EasyMP are registered trademarks, Epson Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark, and Epson iProjection is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. BrightLink, Brighter Futures and PrivateLine are registered trademarks of Epson America, Inc. All other product brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks.

SOURCE Epson America