SIM2 C3X LINK Product Sheet

Technical specifications

LIGHT ENGINE

DLP™ Type: 3 Chip DMDs HD2+ DC3
Resolution: 1280x720 pixels
Lens: High Quality, high resolution improved optics
for higher contrast and better black level with both
motorized zoom and focus adj.
Lamp power consumption & life time:

C3X and C3X LINK: 250W
C3X LITE: 150W

INSTALLATION

Throw ratio: 2,0-3,0:1 (standard lens - type T2)
or 1,5-2,0:1 (type T1 – on request)
Lens shift: half up picture =+50%
Digital keystone adjustment
Picture size (inches diagonal): 50-300
Aspect ratio: 4:3, 16:9 Anamorphic,
LetterBox, panoramic,
pixel to pixel + 3 custom-user adjustments

ELECTRONICS

Horizontal & vertical scan freq.: 15-80kHz/48-100Hz
SDTV: PAL (B,G,H,I,M,N,60); SECAM; NTSC 3,58;
NTSC 4,43 automatically selected
HDTV: ATSC (480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p);
576p + 1080i 50Hz
PC graphic standard: VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA,
UXGA @ 65Hz
On Board Video Processing
Contrast ratio (Full ON/ Full OFF):

C3X and C3X LINK: 6500:1- typical
C3X LITE: 5500:1- typical

INPUTS/OUTPUTS

1 x S-Video (mini DIN 4 pins)
1 x Composite Video (RCA)
1 x RGBS-YCrCb (4 RCA)

1 x RGBHV (D-Sub 15 pin)
1 x HDMI™-HDCP compliant
1 x OUT Digital Audio (Toslink)
1 x USB connector
1 x RS232 (D-Sub 9 pin)
2 x 12 V 100 mA (via jack)
1 x Input External IR sensor

INPUTS/OUTPUTS
on DigiOptic™ Image Processor

2 x S-Video (mini DIN 4 pins)
2 x Composite Video (RCA)
3 x RGBHV/YCrCb (5 RCA)
1 x RGBHV/YCrCb (5 BNC)
2 x RGBHV (D-Sub 15 pin)
1 x HDMI™-HDCP compliant
1 x OUT Digital Audio (Toslink)
1 x DVI (DVI-D)
1 x RS232 (D-Sub 9 pin)
2 x 12 V 100 mA (via jack)
1 x Input External IR sensor

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Software control: upgradable via RS232
serial interface and USB
Weight: 24,3 lbs (11 Kg.)
Dimensions (WxHxD): 17,13”x7,48”x16,93”
(435x190x430 mm)

SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES

Installation and User Manual;
AC power cords 6.6 ft. (2m);
Backlit remote control and batteries;
HDMI™ cable – 6.6 ft. (2m)
LINK model only:

DigiOptic™ Image Processor;
Fiber optics cable – 65.6 ft. (20m)

SIM2 GRAND CINEMA SERIES

HTL DISPLAYS HT PROJECTORS RTX REAR PROJECTORS

SIM2 USA INC.:

10108 USA Today Way - 33025 Miramar FL - USA

Ph. [phone] - Telefax [phone] - [e-mail]

Headquarters

33170 Pordenone, Italy - Ph. +39.0434.383256 -

SIM2 Multimedia S.p.A.

: Viale Lino Zanussi 11

[e-mail]

Due to constant product development, specifications and design might be subject to change without notice. C3X USA - September 2005

GRAND CINEMA™C3X

Simply the world’s smallest,
top performing 3-chip projector
for home theater applications.

A home theater creates an exclusive domain
within your living space, where you’re immersed
in a total entertainment experience.
This is best achieved by using a 3-chip DLP™
technology-based projector, that offers the best
result in front projection applications.
SIM2’s Grand Cinema™ C3X series - featuring
three models, namely C3X, C3X LINK and C3X
LITE - has been created to fulfill the needs and
dreams of discerning customers seeking to enjoy
a truly high end “ultimate real cinema experience”.
All of this from the smallest, lightest and most
elegant 3-chip projector ever made.
This was achieved after a lengthy, thorough
study of projector design and significant
investment in R&D.
The Grand Cinema™ C3X is not just another
3-chip projector line! SIM2’s engine and electronic
solutions make the difference! SIM2’s R&D
inventive has made it possible to reduce the
size and increase performance of this 3-chip
design, creating such a sophisticated and
innovative product line.

COMPACT 3-CHIP DLP™-BASED LIGHT ENGINE
BY SIM2: The core and most critical component

in a Home Cinema Front Projection unit has always
been its light engine. Image accuracy of a projector
is governed by the quality of this piece of precision
optical engineering. A delicate balance is required
between light engine, DLP™ chipset and control
electronics, in order to optimize the performance
of each. Building on its heritage of high-end light
engine design, SIM2 developed a new innovative
system to re-size the illumination optical path while
maintaining BOTH its length (necessary for correct
picture aberration control) AND its compactness
(required for installation and interior-design constraints).
This folded light path, patented and named ALPHA
Path™, is the result of SIM2’s advanced R&D optical
and thermal analysis. Perfect management of the
internal light path, without any kind of scattering or
thermal dispersion, is achieved by utilizing a special
coating on the inner surface, together with the prisms’
TIR (Total Internal Reflection) control and optimized
Relay Optics. SIM2 customized optical components:
lenses and prisms. This combination defines the
amazing contrast ratio achieved by the C3X line.

EXTRAORDINARY VIBRANT COLORS AND TRUE
BLACKS: The Grand Cinema™ C3X blends

outstanding sharpness and image stability with terrific
black depth and contrast. The DarkChip™3, coupled
with SIM2’s light engine, offers an excellent contrast
(6500:1 typical for the C3X and C3X LINK models and
5500:1 typical for the C3X LITE) and image richness:

SIM2’S ALPHA PATH™
LIGHT ENGINE

SIM2’S ALPHA PATH™
LIGHT ENGINE

it paints an ink deep blacks, colors are stunning, each
shade drenched in eye-catching opulence.
Sometimes meeting customers' needs is as simple
as knowing the right tool to use; Progressive scan
support from any incoming signal is provided by the
latest deinterlacer and video enhancer.

DMD CHIP (RED)

DMD CHIP (GREEN)

DMD CHIP (BLUE)

HIGH QUALITY, SPURIOUS
PARTICLES-FREE GLASS LENS

LAMP

LAMP

A basic feature of SIM2’s system
is its neat compact structure,
which is obtained by overlapping
the optical light-path to the
projection lens (hence the name
of ALPHA-type structure).

2>3

RAYTRACING

The picture illustrates raytracing used to identify stray light sources

inside the optical path and prism assembly. Accurate simulations
modeling ON and OFF DMD states and coating on prisms surfaces
have been performed to evaluate DMD diffraction and risk of ghost

images, as well as to optimize contrast. Color splitting
and recombining has been fully modeled to guarantee highest
efficiency and purity of colors.

THREE-CHIP SYSTEM:
HOW IT WORKS AND ADVANTAGES

DLP™ technology-enabled projectors for very high image quality or high
brightness applications such as cinema and large venue displays rely

on a 3-DMD-chip configuration to produce stunning images, whether
moving or still. In a 3-chip system, the white light generated by the lamp
passes through a prism that divides it into red, green and blue.

Each DMD chip is dedicated to one of these three colors; the colored
light that the micromirrors reflect is then combined and passed through
the projection lens to form an image.

GRAND CINEMA™C3X

SELECTION OF 2 HIGH QUALITY LENSES:

For ease of installation, the projector sports
the supreme flexibility of two, new superior
particle-free, high quality glass lens options, named
T1 (optional lens with long throw ratio: 1,5-2:1)
and T2 (standard lens with long throw ratio: 2-3:1),
making it possible to project an immaculate image
on a big screen. Additional zoom lenses are being
implemented to fit all installation conditions.

4>5

SOLAR BRIGHTNESS: The Grand Cinema™ C3X

is an exceptionally flexible projector, designed to optimize
lamp efficiency and lifetime.
The C3X and C3X LINK models feature a 250W lamp
and are bright enough (up to 2500 ANSI Lumens ­typical) to overcome above average levels of ambient
light .
And, for those who do not require the higher brightness
of the C3X and C3X LINK models, SIM2 has developed
the C3X LITE projector that is equipped with a lower
powered lamp (150W) and a simplified version of the
ALPHA PATH™ light engine.
The Grand Cinema™ C3X has also been designed
to minimize maintenance operations: a detachable lamp
case eases replacement of the lamp.

SIM2’S LIVE COLOR MANAGEMENT AND GAMMA
CORRECTION: The Grand Cinema™ C3X is equipped

with smart software options for adjusting picture quality
and has plenty of memory locations to store different
preferences. SIM2’s Live Color Management offers
complete control over color temperature via 36 pre­defined adjustments corresponding to specific points on
the CIE chart that defines color hue and saturation. The
horizontal lines set the low (right side, red component,

6.500°K) and high temperature values (left side, blue
component, 10.000°K). The points along the lower
horizontal line represent colors that belong to the black
body curve. Along the vertical lines the color temperature
is constant but differs from the black body curve; for
instance if you select a point from the higher part of the
diagram you will increase the green component, while the
lower part will increase the purple component. In addition
to having 8

(*)

preset memories (1 for each input) that can
be adjusted, saved, and recalled with the press of a button,
the Grand Cinema™ C3X also provides 24

(*)

additional
memory positions worthy of the most discerning home
theater enthusiast. The Grand Cinema™ C3X also
includes features such as Gamma Correction which
determines the system’s response to the grey scale;
the higher the gamma the faster the brightness
decreases with signal intensity. SIM2’s C3X projector
has 9 gamma curves available to optimize image based
on variations in the source material, ambient lighting,
and individual preferences: 1 STANDARD for movies, 5
ENHANCED to fully exploit the advantages of DLP™
technology, 2 GRAPHICS for PC and graphic sources,
and 1 USER with 16 parametric gamma curves
(ranging from 1.5 to 3 with a 0.1 increment).

(*) The C3X LINK model will feature additional memories.

CIE CHART

BLACK BODY CURVE

SIM2’S THERMAL MANAGEMENT - THE BASIC
CONCEPT: Accurate thermal and fluid-dynamics

analysis has been carried out by SIM2 R&D to design
the Grand Cinema™ C3X, avoiding light spill and
overheating of the light path. The cooling fan's intake
and exhaust are on the unit’s side; a special “auto”
function allows the Grand Cinema™ C3X to adapt
and optimize the speed of the fans depending on the
external room temperature. Fan activity is minimized,
hence reducing annoying noise level.

THERMAL AND FLUID-DYNAMICS ANALYSIS

THE C3X CHIPSET: The Grand Cinema™ C3X

3-chip projector series adopts the new generation
HD2+ DarkChip™3, commonly referred to as
the DC3 chip. The DC3 chip embraces a series
of refinements aimed at enhancing performance,
including a light absorbent coating
to boost contrast and color uniformity.
The surface of the chip is flatter and more
reflective than its predecessors, while
smaller mirror hinges and closer mirror
spacing help to reduce the pixel
structure and increase brightness.
DLP™ technology comes closer
than any other display solution
to reproducing the exact mirror image
of its source material without the
pixellation or “screen door” effect
apparent in other technologies.
Also, while most other technologies
lose a certain amount of light in transit,
the microscopic mirrors in a DLP™
projection system deliver more
light from lamp to screen.

GRAND CINEMA™C3X

FUTURE-PROOF INPUTS: The Grand Cinema™

C3X back panel reveals everything you need.
Video inputs are exemplary with HDMI™-HDCP
compliant connection on top of the list!
And, as with all products in the Grand Cinema™
line, consumers can keep the C3X as up-to-date
as possible. In fact, the RS232 and the new USB
ports allow enthusiasts to easily download the latest
control software, and customers may integrate their
Unique Remote systems with the projector thanks
to the C3X IR sensor jack.
But this is not all! The Grand Cinema C3X series
will also sport a LINK model, equipped with SIM2’s
DigiOptic™ Image Processor, the remote unit
featuring a wide choice of inputs and linked to the
projector through a thin digital fiber optic cable
(0,14" diameter - 3,5mm). SIM2’s DigiOptic™ Image
Processor can be installed with all other AV
equipment and up to 12 individual products can
be connected at any one time.
This concept simplifies installation problems, issues
with interference or losses from long cable runs,
electrical interference from telecommunications,
power cables and lighting dimmers etc..

STANDARD RESOLUTION

HD RESOLUTION

THINK SLIMMER: Big, bulky, 3-chip projectors

are in their waning days thanks to SIM2's new Grand
Cinema™ C3X projector. The C3X is extremely
compact, measuring only 17,13”x7,48”x16,93”
or 435x190x430mm (WxHxD) and weighting a mere
24,3 lbs or 11 Kg (-70% and -50% respectively
compared to other 3-chips).
Indeed, a full blown, top quality 3-chip
projector in a case half the size
you’d normally expect such
performance levels
to come from.

6>7

UNLOCKING THE POWER OF HD:

HD Ready - What does it mean? It means that a
projector is truly compatible with forthcoming high
definition television broadcast; Or, in other words, that it
is capable of delivering a minimum native resolution of
720 lines in wide aspect ratio, accept high definition
input via component analogue or HDMI™-HDCP digital
inputs, and accept both 1280x720 pixels 50/60Hz
progressive (720p) and 1920x1080 50/60 Hz
interlaced/progressive (1080i & 1080p) inputs.
It's basically all about lines and pixels: NTSC is the
lowest resolution TV systems with 525 lines (480 of
which make the full frame), PAL with 625 lines and
finally the HD system with up to 1080 lines. With
SIM2’s, HD ready C3X projector you will see a much
better picture with a fantastic level of detail, sharpness
and vitality.

AMAZINGLY ATTRACTIVE:

For many the cabinet design of a product is
almost as important as its performance, particularly
when it will be placed in the middle of a living room.
The Grand Cinema™ C3X is elegance at its best;
a projector that deserves to be place on view.
Featuring a new, more aggressive design, its smooth
curves are in trend with previous Grand Cinema™
models and are easy on the eye.
No need to conceal it; the C3X can be happily left
out in the room where it is guaranteed to attract
envious praise.