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Robotics Star Wars Prequels Television Toys Entertainment Technology

R2D2-Shaped DVD and Videogame Projector 147

Posted by timothy from the pinch-me-carrie-fisher-pinch-me dept.
Rikardon writes "Nikko Home Electronics has created a DVD projector that looks and moves like R2D2 — with a remote control shaped like the Millenium Falcon. The specs aren't bad: a claimed projection area of up to 6.6m; built-in DVD and CD players; analog and digital video and audio ports; various memory card orifices, and an internal iPod dock. Favorite feature: tilt the legs to adjust the projection height, up to and including projection on the ceiling. No word on whether it projects holograms."
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R2D2-Shaped DVD and Videogame Projector More

R2D2-Shaped DVD and Videogame Projector

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  • I know that this is the geekiest thing out there... but I was impressed with the actual tech specs of the projector and all of the connection options. Still a little on the pricey side ($2900), but I LOVE all of the remote control options. And how cool is it that it's your own little RC robot as well?!?!

    • Wow (Score:2)

      by pavon ( 30274 )
      One of the projects on my list of things to do (most of which will never happen till I retire) has been to build a R2D2 karaoke machine, complete with lyrics projector, and lightsaber^W microphone ejecting action! And a gin and tonic dispenser, of course.

      I wasn't thinking of using anywhere near as good of components, though. This really is impressive.

  • 6.6m area, eh? (Score:2, Informative)

    by Grokmoo ( 1180039 )

    The specs aren't bad: a claimed projection area of up to 6.6m...
    I'm not sure how one can get a projection area of 6.6 m, which is a unit of length.

    Looking at their (awful, difficult to navigate flash based) website, I discover that they actually mean 6.6m diagonal.

    • Re:6.6m area, eh? (Score:5, Funny)

      by cp.tar ( 871488 ) <cp.tar.bz2@gmail.com> on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:34PM (#23341918) Journal

      What, no hologram projections?

      I think I'll pass.

    • Re:6.6m area, eh? (Score:5, Interesting)

      by esocid ( 946821 ) on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:42PM (#23342022) Journal
      This is meant for hardcore star wars fans, so it's a pretty decent price for the setup that it has but for even less you can get a projector that really beats this one into the ground. Its resolution is only 1024x768 (4:3), so personally I would spring for a projector that has a better aspect ratio and larger display area. But like I said, this is for hard core star wars fans.

    • Re:6.6m area, eh? (Score:5, Insightful)

      by iamdrscience ( 541136 ) on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:53PM (#23342162) Homepage
      Have you not bought a television or monitor in the past three decades? Screen area is almost always described the length of the diagonal. It's a little confusing when comparing screens of different aspect ratios, but it's way more succinct to talk about your "42 inch" screen than your "902 square inch" screen, or even your "40 inch by 22.5 inch" screen.

      • Have you not bought a television or monitor in the past three decades? Screen area is almost always described the length of the diagonal. It's a little confusing when comparing screens of different aspect ratios, but it's way more succinct to talk about your "42 inch" screen than your "902 square inch" screen, or even your "40 inch by 22.5 inch" screen.

        True enough, but you don't generally see such screens advertised as 42 inch area, which is the point I was trying to make.

      • A little confusing when comparing different aspect ratios? I remember learning the "it's measured on the diagonal" thing in high school TV class. It occured to me then and it occurs to me now that someone could come up with some wacky aspect ratio of 42:1 and still advertise that they have a ~42.whatever inch screen. Now that the ratios are all over the place, there needs to be some other standard.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by kesuki ( 321456 )
          the reason why 'film' has crazy all over the place resolutions is because 'analog' film cameras, can use 'less' film by shooting on the same width film but with a narrower top to bottom exposure. that's why film is all over the place, but if digital film cameras ever replace 'analog film' for shooting, then they'll all be nice and standard size, or maybe they'll still let you screw around with the ratio to get tighter compression... oh well...

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by GigG ( 887839 )
        Diagonal measurement has been used for longer than 30 years for TV measurements. I'm 46 and picked out my on TV at age 8 and they were measured that way then.

        • Diagonal measurement has been used for longer than 30 years for TV measurements. I'm 46 and picked out my on TV at age 8 and they were measured that way then.
          Man, I wish my parents would have let me pick out a TV at age 8...

          • Re: (Score:2, Funny)

            by GigG ( 887839 )
            It was an RCA 12" model with a single button remote. This single button pulled back a striker that made a noise that changed the channel. You chose which of the channels was an OFF position.

            The big problem with this design came years later. You see, the TV wasn't real particular which metal clicking sound it took its' orders from and one night when I was sneaking in after curfew I took some change out of my pocket and put it beside the TV.

            I'll bet you can guess what happened next. The TV came on a

    • Re:6.6m area, eh? (Score:4, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:58PM (#23342208)

      It will also do the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Lonedar ( 897073 )
      No, they are simply following the traditions of the Star Wars universe. After all, the Millennium Falcon did make the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs.
    • at that lousy resolution they offer, that's a half centimeter pixel. I think you need to sit far far away to enjoy that diagonal.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Pax681 ( 1002592 )
      i imagine that will be from top left hand corner to botton right hand
    • It's pretty standard to measure displays by the diagonal size. Calling it a projection area is a bit confusing, but what would you have said instead? :p

  • Wow (Score:5, Funny)

    by peipas ( 809350 ) on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:28PM (#23341838)
    I have never seen such a tangible commitment to the single life.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by sm62704 ( 957197 )
      I see you've managed to somehow avoid my slashdot journals.


    • really, I know someone who purchased one of these and is..... was married

      http://www.lostinspacerobot.com/features.html [lostinspacerobot.com]



      • really, I know someone who purchased one of these and is..... was married


        Is still married or just was married. I think there's more to this story than TFA!

  • Also has voice (Score:5, Funny)

    by electricbern ( 1222632 ) on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:28PM (#23341840)
    "pi pi ri pi ri pi pi pi ri" translates to "please insert memory stick into my orifice".

  • Cue Natalie Portman jokes... (Score:3, Funny)

    by cp.tar ( 871488 ) <cp.tar.bz2@gmail.com> on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:28PM (#23341846) Journal

    I think the title says it all.

    Carry on, this is not the post you are looking for.

    • Re: (Score:3, Funny)

      by Chas ( 5144 )
      I swear. If I see a single grit, hot or otherwise, someone dies...

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by cp.tar ( 871488 )

        I swear. If I see a single grit, hot or otherwise, someone dies...

        ... gritting his teeth?

  • I see they are ashamed to tell us how much they want for this. There's no mention of a pricetag - or even any method of purchasing this. Or if its even actually available - right now this all smells like vaporware. I eventually found the C-net review, after allowing the story link to allow obnoxious popups, and they say it will cost "at least" $2500. I'm pretty sure I can build my own working R2D2 for a fraction of that.
    • You can almost always build a niche product cheaper than you can buy it for, but that is beside the point. That little R2 they had running around that guys house was wireless, where is this thing drawing its power from? I'm not sure you can put enough batteries in that thing to run a projector + DVD player for 2+ hours ...

    • Re:Price? (Score:5, Informative)

      by esocid ( 946821 ) on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:33PM (#23341912) Journal
      The reason they don't show a tag is because it isn't a vendor site, so you have to go click on your country to find a vendor..yadda yadda yadda you eventually get to see a price in your country. US$2,900. €2799

      • yadda yadda yadda
        yoda yoda yoda

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by cdrudge ( 68377 )
        The site's crawling for me, so I can't check the prices but either US customers get a heck of price cut or European customers are getting screwed. 2799 comes to about $4310 with current exchange rates.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by gnick ( 1211984 )
          I'll ship you one for the bargain-basement price of US$3750. I take PayPal.
        • We always get screwed, we're used to it by now. Seems to be the same with all the cool stuff.. computers, consoles, TVs, cars, bikes.. bleh.. darn taxes
        • Considering VAT rates of 18%, even then the price should be around US$3500, so even that can't explain away the padding. Shipping shouldn't be all that expensive either, unless they calculate for losses due to the piracy in the South China Sea and the Horn of Africa.

          Just another case of abusing the exchange rate. Imagine how much worse it would be if we didn't have the Euro, and instead they fudged even DM versus Franc versus Lire...
    • Here's a link [starwars.com] with the price (US$2995).

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by bogie ( 31020 )

      I'm pretty sure I can build my own working R2D2 for a fraction of that.
      But most people can't and this thing has a shitload of features crammed into it. I realize it's excessive and unnecessary but that's what makes it fun. I thought it was very cool and it prompted me to get back to my Star Wars Lego game on the Xbox 360.
    • Lets put it this way, one of the UK's biggest radio DJ's (that's literaly biggest as well as most popular!) Chris Moyles, received his today (see around 08:00 http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chrismoyles/runningorder_today.shtml [bbc.co.uk] ) ordering it years ago and talked about it on the air - he was very embarrassed to talk about price. And I doubt you could make your own R2D2 for much less considering how much projectors cost and the rarity of Millennium Falcon remotes.

    • Re:Price? (Score:5, Funny)

      by Eccles ( 932 ) on Thursday May 08, 2008 @04:29PM (#23342604) Journal
      I'm pretty sure I can build my own working R2D2 for a fraction of that.

      Then these are not the droids you're looking for.

      You can go about your business.
    • Aren't there already several devices like this out there? I was at a friend of a friend's house a couple of years ago and he had his own RC R2D2 - didn't have a projector but I think it had MP3 capability.. sure I've seen projector models on gadget sites since then though

    • Re: (Score:3, Funny)

      by sootman ( 158191 )
      I'm pretty sure I can build my own working R2D2 for a fraction of that.

      Yeah, forget these guys! I'm gonna build my own R2D2, with blackjack and hookers. In fact, forget the robot. Ah, screw the whole thing.

  • Plus (Score:2)

    by esocid ( 946821 )
    It's remote controlled (with a Millenium Falcon remote) so you can drive it around and annoy people. Only US$2,900 too.

    • Re:Plus (Score:4, Funny)

      by kd4zqe ( 587495 ) on Thursday May 08, 2008 @04:46PM (#23342808)
      Actually, I was thinking about the possibility of driving one around the office, chirping at people adoringly, and when they lean down... KAPOW! 1500 Lumens to the face! R2 was always a badass. I think I could mod a tazer in the motorized flip-out iPod bay without much trouble.

  • Error Message? (Score:5, Funny)

    by Mr. Sketch ( 111112 ) <[moc.liamg] [ta] [hcteks.retsim]> on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:36PM (#23341954)
    So when something goes wrong, does it say "Help me Obi Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope."?

    • Re: (Score:2, Funny)

      by kiehlster ( 844523 )
      Actually, being R2D2, it would roll around, find an electrical socket, plug itself in and go, "wee waa woo..." then all its panels would pop out and smoke up the room. After that, you'll have to hire a hydro farmer to fix it, or sell it to some jawas.

  • It appears..... (Score:3, Funny)

    by lexsco ( 594799 ) on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:36PM (#23341958)
    .... that this site has already succumbed to the dark side !
  • Besides left wondering how much, I wonder how long the projector's battery life is with all these bells and whistles? But regardless I want one and cant wait to see the first person who hacks there to project holograms
  • ...help me Obi Wan Kenobi you're my only hope.

  • Pshaw! (Score:5, Funny)

    by sm62704 ( 957197 ) on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:46PM (#23342076) Journal
    I had an R2D2 shaped vaccuum cleaner [filterqueen.com] long before they made the Roomba. Well, it wouldn't sweep by itself but it made funny little R2D2 noises when you pulled it along the floor if you didn't oil the castors.

    It wouldn't show movies, either. Ok, I guess that pretty much sucked. Never mnd.

    • Re: (Score:3, Funny)

      by dzfoo ( 772245 )
      But if it pretty much sucked, then I guess it fulfilled its purpose. I'd say that's a good vaccuum cleaner.

              -dZ.

    • I had an R2D2 shaped vaccuum cleaner [filterqueen.com] long before they made the Roomba. Well, it wouldn't sweep by itself but it made funny little R2D2 noises when you pulled it along the floor if you didn't oil the castors.

      It wouldn't show movies, either. Ok, I guess that pretty much sucked. Never mnd.
      I'd say it looks more like a Dalek than an R2D2....

  • Just the start (Score:5, Interesting)

    by mlwmohawk ( 801821 ) on Thursday May 08, 2008 @03:56PM (#23342182)
    This is a HUGE step, by the way

    R2D2 is actually a perfect beginner home robot. About 15 years ago I was saying that a home robot would be the entertainment center with a projector and media player. It would be a phone, message center, wireless networking, vacuum, etc. etc.

    In a few more years, I can really see apartments or dorm rooms with no stereo, no "computer," no TV, etc. You have one device, positioned so its charging booth is a good location for the projected screen. When it is not in use, it will roam the home vacuuming and taking the occasional picture for security.

    When you are home, it will playback phone messages, music, project the TV, play a DVD search the web, etc. Maybe it will download a recipe for your bread machine.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by plbland ( 922595 )
      Different flavoured bread?

    • Re: (Score:3, Funny)

      by nfk ( 570056 )
      I was liking your projection of the future, but you lacked ambition in the end. Why couldn't the robot be your bread machine too?
      • I was liking your projection of the future, but you lacked ambition in the end. Why couldn't the robot be your bread machine too?

        LOL, there really is an answer to that one!!

        Currently and in the near foreseeable future, robot interaction in the environment is limited to avoidance and non-specific movement. The idea that R2D2 could go to the flour bin and get 3 cups of flour, 1 tbs sugar, 1.5 tsp kosher salt, 2 tbs olive oil, 1 1/8 cups tepid water, and 1 1/2 tsp yeast and put them in a bread machine that is

    • Re:Just the start (Score:5, Interesting)

      by Chris Mattern ( 191822 ) on Thursday May 08, 2008 @04:46PM (#23342812)

      R2D2 is actually a perfect beginner home robot.


      I have to disagree. My R2D2 ran away as soon as I took out his restraining bolt!

      Luke Skywalker

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by ross.w ( 87751 )
      Yes, but will it be able to calculate hyperspace jumps and autonomously repair battle damage? That's what an astromech droid is for isn't it?

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by syousef ( 465911 )
      In a few more years, I can really see apartments or dorm rooms with no stereo, no "computer," no TV, etc. You have one device, positioned so its charging booth is a good location for the projected screen. When it is not in use, it will roam the home vacuuming and taking the occasional picture for security.

      Terrible idea. Not just trolling, I can see lots of problems:

      1. Robot breaks, your household goes to shit because it did everything.
      2. One device is still one device. What happens if you want your robot to
      • You have some good points, but if you're wanting it to vacuum while you watch a movie you must have a really big house or a really quiet vacuum cleaner.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by syousef ( 465911 )
          You have some good points, but if you're wanting it to vacuum while you watch a movie you must have a really big house or a really quiet vacuum cleaner.

          Medium sized house, but 2 stories.
  • No Wireless sound input/output... this is bad... this little r2d2 will finish all wired up... not my view of the future yet :(
  • I've filed many patents in the past, and I can't believe Apple legal would allow language like:

    Toys, games and playthings, namely
  • I couldn't get to the site, but found these instead.

    IGN [ign.com] and Gizmodo [gizmodo.com].
     
    Looks cool, but I'd pass. Don't get me wrong, I love Star Trek^H^H^H^HWars (joking) as much as the next geek. Just not enough to decorate my home with it.
  • I'd settle for one of these:

    http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/rc/9447/

    One tenth the price, and it'll bring you beer!

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by pavon ( 30274 )
      I've played with one of those - sadly it will only bring you beer if your pre-program the path to the bar and back, and have a bar-tender to put the beer in it's holder, and send it off on it's way. It also goes eats through batteries like crazy.

      But it does an awesome little dance to the cantina song if you ask it to! And it can play tag.
  • Looks like someone was listening to Radio 1 this morning :) The Chris Moyles Show effecting /. I never ever thought it!
  • When do we get a wireless protocol droid to go with it?
  • So if you make him project Star Wars: Episode I will he sound an alarm, spin around and spit out the DVD?
  • heise reported this almost 14 months ago
    http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/87080 [heise.de]
    (german)

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