These days, DVD players are cheaper than some of the new Hollywood DVD releases. Case in point: the GREEN HOUSE GH-DV100S, on sale around now, has all the basic features - the usual DVD and CD formats, remote control, composite and S-video connectors, and even coaxial digital audio connector - for a mere JPY3980. (Don't look at me, though, if the unit barely makes it to the one-year warranty mark.) http://www.green-house.co.jp/products/av/dvd/gh_dv100s/
Name: Nikko Home Electronics Star Wars R2-D2 DVD Projector Category: projector / robot Price: JPY388,500 Release date in Japan: April, 2008 (next shipment in July)
This is on of the craziest gadgets you'll find, and caused a stir when announced in 2007. Though it's not new, it's worth mentioning again for anyone who's missed it so far. Japan sales began only last month; an online order now will get you a unit in July.
What is it? It's a rolling, reclining, chirping 1/2-scale replica of Star Wars' R2-D2 'droid, and it's come to Earth to entertain. The key feature of the robot (shared with the movie character) is a projector: not for Princess Leia holograms, but for beaming images to your home theater screen. Play movies or music from the internal DVD/CD player. Beam photo slideshows to a wall via USB and memory slots. Project your video console games larger than life via input connectors. There's even a nifty pop-out dock to accept video, images, or audio from an iPod.
You don't just unceremoniously plunk this projector down into place for movie time; this is R2-D2, after all. You'll pick up the infrared remote control and steer R2 around the living room to your heart's content. He goes forward and backward, turns left and right; his head turns, and he can recline backward to a 60° angle (good for movies on the ceiling, if that's what you like). A 7.2V nickel hydride battery keeps him rolling while he beeps 11 different R2 noises and flashes messages on a display panel.
The remote control really takes things over the top. Tastefully designed as a detailed replica of the Millenium Falcon spaceship, its cockpit and engine lights glow while the voices of Han Solo and Chewbacca converse over the whine of hyperspace engines.
It's all terribly expensive for either a projector or a toy robot, but the list of features (both useful and goofy) and the level of detail have gizmo lovers and Star Wars fans salivating. One caveat: some specific product details appear to vary by web page or user report, and the Nikko America product page shows even more differences; it's possible that the manufacturer continues to make changes with each production run. If you're going to lay down the cash, you might want to contact NHE and confirm any unclear details.
Some specs from the current Japanese NHE web page:
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