The new Pro9000 projector from Viewsonic began shipping this week. It had been previewed at this year’s InfoComm show, and had been touted as the first Full HD 1920 x 1080 native resolution Laser LED hybrid projector.

The lamp-free 1080p projector offers 1,600 lumens of brightness and a 100,000:1 contrast ratio. Designed for Home Theater applications, the Pro9000 unit utilizes TI DarkChip™ technology. It comes standard with dual HDMI® ports, multiple video inputs (Component, Composite and S-video), RS232 control capabilities and integrated speakers.

With the aim of appealing to “green” consumers, the mercury-free laser and LED light sources provide a lifespan of up to 20,000 hours, reducing total cost of ownership. An instant on/off feature contributes to energy savings, while also reducing the risk of damage from overheating. The lamp-free, filter-free design requires virtually zero maintenance.

Pacific Media Associates, an analyst firm following the projector market, has tracked strong growth in the market for hybrid projectors. PMA has also found that home theater enthusiasts find a projector’s total cost of ownership and “greenness” to be very important factors when considering their next projector purchase.