DWIN DuoVision System

DWIN has released the next generation of its dual display product - DuoVision. First let me tell you about DWIN. Most of you have not heard of this company but let me assure you by the end of this page you will. Dwin Electronics is a small US company that is hard to beat in home theater video market. Their product line includes TransVision DLP projectors, PlasmaImage plasma displays, and very high quality video processor - TranScanner. These guys are high-end and just looking at the images beaming out from their DLP projector makes you high. The company's entry to the market years ago was with the HD500 CRT projector followed by HD700 - pieces that went into history of home theater and, despite being old, still changing hands on eBay and such. These beasts were silent. Engineers at DWIN managed to have NO FANs in 'em. Their TrueSilent trade mark was not just marketing - it reflected reality. I got to know Dwin a couple of years ago when I saw their TransVision 3 DLP projector and am monitoring them ever since.

Let me go back to where I came from - DuoVision. It consists of a video processor and can drive 2 displays simultaneously. Say you have a dedicated room in the basement for a projector and want to have a plasma TV in your living room for everyday viewing or you want to watch a football game but your wife hates it. She can watch her “television for women” in the kitchen plasma while you enjoy it on your personal display. DuoVision will let you do that for the fraction of the price you would pay for double gear. The system is shipped with a remote control extender that allows you to control that satellite box from the bedroom. Neat, isn’t it? It is not advertised but I know that DuoVision processor can drive any combination of displays - 2 plasmas, plasma and projector, and 2 projectors. The system automatically detects the attached devices and sets appropriate resolutions. However, plasma or DLP projectors must be DWIN. You cannot use other displays with DuoVision and I can understand that from not just marketing but engineering implementation points. Imagine how much control signals go back and forth the display and processor.

One thing about DWIN DLP and plasma products, DuoVision included, that is worth mentioning besides their really really exceptional video processing, is the famous two-box solution. All of the gear, such as DVD player, satellite box, etc are located right next to Dwin processor. One wire runs from the processor to display. Dig it. You don't have to run 10 long wires to the display. In fact DWIN is the first company to introduce such two-box solution. DuoVision and actually any video processor from DWIN feature 10 inputs - 2 of composite, S-Video, component, RGB and DVI. Output is DVI and can be used with a proprietary cable that has a 3/4 inch round connector which makes the job of running it through the conduit much pleasant job compared to bulkiness of DVI connector. In my opinion, DWIN engineers think about every little detail when designing a product.
The latest generation of DuoVision systems features recently released TransVision 4 DLP projector which can be purchased as astandalone product. TransVision 4 is an outstanding projector classified as midrange by the company because it features a DarkChip 2 instead of DarkChip3. I highly doubt that because I when I saw the prototype of it during CES 2005 my jaw dropped. It can be easily compared with higher-end DC3 projectors and still do better. Just wait for reviews and you will see what I am talking about. This projector is simple to describe - very bright, black is a BLACK, and white is a WHITE. On screen menus are very intuitive and setting up and controlling the device is a snap. It is very impressive feature mainly because of the sophisticated nature of products. Dwin did a great job making it easy on us.

The second display for DuoVision can be selected from PlasmaImage 42", 50", or 61" displays which are of the same high quality as the TransVision DLP projectors and again are available as standalone.

Now the pricing: DuoVision starts at $14500 for TransVision4 and PlasmaImage HD42 and goes up with diagonal size of plasma. TransVision 4 as a standalone is priced at $6500 and is a great price at this quality level. Don’t forget that these are MSRPs and the actual prices are less.

Source: DWIN and eCoustics