Plano (TX) - One of most original products we saw at this years' CES show in Las Vegas was a series of Star Wars gadgets, most notably Nikko’s R2-D2 webcam and almost life-size projector. We've have just received word from the company that both are in production and are available for order.

If you read about these products for the first time, you probably react with the same question as we have before: Why exactly would you buy an R2-D2 projector? A live demonstration or at least the demo on Nikko’s website could provide an answer.

What makes the projector special is not only the fact that it is an almost real-size reproduction of the movie droid with movie production capabilities, it can also move around the mouse and project videos where you want to. On outside walls, inside walls, the ceiling - heck, you can even project it into a tree, but don't complain if he picture was not perfect. Sure, you can carry around your portable projector as well, but it isn’t as fancy as driving around R2-D2 (and if you need to carry R2-D2 once in a while it isn’t terribly heavy: 14 pounds).

R2-D2 also includes a Millennium Falcon remote, which covers the features of the projector and the robot.

Nikko says the projector will support video sizes of up to 260” at a resolution of 1024x768 pixels, a contrast ratio of 1800:1 and a brightness of 1500 lumens. Playback formats include DVD, CD, VCD, MP4, MP3, WMA, JPEG and DivX 3-6. Owners can also connect their iPod through an integrated dock.
 
All these features and the privilege of owning one of these projectors come at a price: Plan on spending $2900 for this R2-D2.

Nikko also offers a smaller desktop version of R2-D2 as a webcam. It also can move around the desk (or house, if you want to) and it can be controlled via Wi-Fi and even from a remote location over the Internet. The camera has a 628x582 pixel resolution and allows users to record video for playback. The webcam comes with a light saber-style IP phone, which can be used for VoIP phone calls. The small R2-D2 sells for $400.

Cool

Apr 23, 2008 17:28     

I'd love to steer it over to my sister's room "Obi-Wan, I need you to turn that s*** down, the volume knob is our only hope!" Also, you guys need an actual person to check your articles, there are numerous small mistakes here. =)
Revrant report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

You have to click on the article's link!!! Coolest thing ever!

Apr 23, 2008 22:51     

I think I'm going to start digging in my backyard and try to find some oil or something, because that is the coolest thing ever!
9Nails report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Typos / Grammar

Apr 24, 2008 01:22     

I'm not one to normally comment one this but can you please proof read your work before submitting it to be read by the public? It's a good article, I just struggle to read one with so many typos and grammatical errors. I think you will find you will have a much better response from readers if people can easily read through your articles. *Not to be taken personally Theo
ChOOkiE report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Both are way cool

Apr 24, 2008 07:26     

I over looked the typos and read about how cool these are. They are definitely on my wish list.
TomLeeM/BigWarpGuy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0