World Premiere: TCO Certification for NEC Projectors

STOCKHOLM , Oct. 1 /CNW/ - NEC Display Solutions is the world's first manufacturer to receive a TCO certificate for projectors. The Swedish company TCO Development sets international criteria for the certification of monitors' environmental compatibility and ergonomics. Now it has drawn up a similar catalogue of criteria for projectors and developed a new measurement called "TCO Image Size". This measurement facilitates the choice of the right projector for the customer. The NEC NP215 and NP410 are the first projectors worldwide to be awarded the new label of quality and environment.

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Choosing a projector is not an easy task. The solution is TCO Image Size - the largest projected area tested in normal use situations that meet all the visual ergonomic criteria TCO Development consider important for validating a high quality picture. Moreover, in order to receive a TCO certification, a projector needs to satisfy strict criteria regarding acoustics, energy consumption and the materials used for the product and its packaging. Furthermore, it has to feature an Eco mode in which the device can be operated with lower energy consumption and less noise. When the video or computer interface is disconnected, the projector has to enter standby mode automatically.

The NEC NP215 and NP410 satisfy the TCO requirements in an exemplary manner. The low power consumption of only 210W (NP215), respectively 195W (NP410) in Eco Mode makes these projectors particularly economical and eco-friendly. Eco mode also facilitates an extended lamp life. An Auto Power Off function enables the projector to automatically turn off if no signal is received by any input device for a specified amount of time. In standby mode, the devices only consume 0.7 W. This means that they already comply with the forthcoming EuP 2005/32/EC* directive, which comes into effect in January 2010 . After use, the projectors can be switched off immediately.

Additionally the projectors offer a Carbon Savings Meter. The tool calculates and totals the CO2 savings that are achieved when the device is being operated in Eco mode. As well as environmental and ergonomic aspects, a TCO certificate also means that a manufacturer is discharging its social responsibility across the entire added value chain - from manufacturing to disposal. "NEC's Green Vision philosophy, just like TCO's criteria documents, takes account of the entire product life cycle," explains Ulf Greiner, Product Line Manager for Business Projectors at NEC. "TCO certification for our projectors is both an affirmation and a further incentive to continue our efforts to achieve optimum environmental compatibility while at the same time delivering outstanding performance and cost effectiveness."

"For almost 20 years TCO certification has been a driving force for manufacturers worldwide to build monitors with higher energy efficiency and image quality. Lately we have realized the necessity to include projectors in our certification program," says Soren Enholm, Managing Director TCO Development. "Projectors are becoming increasingly popular. Therefore it is important to build them as environmentally friendly as possible and to assist consumers in identifying a product with optimal image quality."

*EuP 2005/32/EC: This eco-design directive, which comes into effect next year, states that projectors must consume less than 1 watt in standby mode or have a switch that enables them to be disconnected from the power supply completely.

About TCO Certified and TCO Development

TCO Certified is a third party certification for high performance ICT products that are also designed for minimal environmental impact. Since 1992 the TCO certification program has had a significant influence on improved image quality and ergonomics for displays, as well as the reduction of electromagnetic emissions from ICT products. Energy efficiency and reduced usage of hazardous substances are also key aspects of the TCO Certification. Products covered by the TCO certification program are notebooks and desktops PCs, displays, phone headsets and since 2009 projectors. With TCO Certified it is easy to choose IT equipment that is designed for the benefit of both the user and the environment. TCO Development, the company behind TCO Certified, is headquartered in Stockholm , Sweden , with regional presence in Asia and North America .

Further information can be found online at: http://www.tcodevelopment.com

NEC Display Solutions Europe GmbH

NEC Display Solutions Europe GmbH has its European headquarters in Munich , Germany and is responsible for all business activities in EMEA, divided into the four sales regions Northern Europe , Western and Southern Europe , Central Europe , Eastern and South-East Europe with Middle East/Africa. NEC Display Solutions benefits from the technological know-how and technologies of the NEC Corporation and, with its own Research and Development, is one of the world's leading manufacturers offering the widest product range of display solutions in the market. The display product portfolio ranges from entry-level to professional and speciality desktop LCDs, via large-size Public Displays for Digital and Retail Signage. The Projector range offers products for all needs, from portable devices via business projectors to products for permanent operation (such as PoS applications) and digital cinema projectors. Managing Director of the European head office is Bernd Eberhardt.

Further information can be found online at: http://www.nec-display-solutions.com

NEC Corporation is one of the world's leading providers of internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its diverse and global base of customers. NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networking, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through the NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 150,000 people worldwide.

Further information can be found on the internet at the NEC website: http://www.nec.com

For further information: Annika Overodder, Product Manager Communication Technology, Projectors, TCO Development, Linnegatan 14, SE-114 94, Stockholm, Sweden, Tel direct: [phone], Mobile: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Ulf Greiner, Product Line Manager for Business Projectors at NEC, NEC Display Solutions Europe GmbH, Landshuter Allee 12-14, 80637, Munich, Germany, Tel: [phone]