Panasonic is preparing its new LCD projectors for commercial release sometime later this year. The PT-D9610U HD Cinema projector promises to deliver projection images with “cinema quality”.

The projector sports up to 12, 000 ANSI lumens and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. Powered by an 1800 watt Xenon lamp with a double reflector optical system, the device utilizes three 1.1-inch Digital Micromirror Device panels. It displays images at a native 1280 x 1024 resolution, utilizing 10-bit digital signal processing.

Also set for release is Panasonic’s newest 16×9 high definition plasma display set. The TH-50PHD3U features a 1366 x 768 resolution displayed with a default brightness of 300 cd/m2 and a contrast of 3000:1. Save up your loose change for this one though. Retail for the unit is $14,995.00

Both display setups are set to hit the consumer market later in 2001.