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AWOL Vision is lighting up CES 2026 with two new projectors in its Aetherion series which feature an exciting proprietary technology called PixelLock.
It's a pixel-alignment technology that aims to maintain 4K image quality on massive screens despite their larger size. The new technology is at the heart of AWOL's newest projectors, the Aetherion Max and Aetherion Pro. Aside from their brightness, they're quite similar, offering next-level gaming features, a 0.2:1 throw ratio, several HDR formats and a max 200-inch screen size.
AWOL's newest Aetherion lineup
At the top of AWOL's new range of projectors is the Aetherion Max, offering superior brightness at a whopping 3,300 ISO lumens and a 6,000:1 contrast ratio. The slightly less expensive Aetherion Pro is essentially identical to the Max, but provides less brightness at 2,600 ISO lumens.
They're both built on AWOL Vision's DLP engine, which combines a variety of systems including triple lasers, special processors and the aforementioned PixelLock technology. The DLP engine is what nets the Aetherion series a remarkable 6,000:1 native contrast ratio. It also includes a 7-level IRIS system and EBL Shadow Refinement.
UST models are often some of the best projectors money can buy, but one thing often sets them back: dust. It easily builds up on the lens, requiring consistent cleaning with a special microfiber cloth (typically included with the device). However, AWOL's Aetherion series features a motorized lens cover that keeps the dust at bay, similar to the XGIMI Aura 2.
Gamers can rejoice, as well: The AWOL Valeiron projectors are equipped with VRR, ALLM, 1ms input latency at 240Hz and are the first models to support Dolby Vision Gaming. They're also equipped with Wi-Fi 7 support for enhanced speeds and improved stability when watching some of the best streaming services.
PixelLock keeps big-screen 4K content stunning
PixelLock technology could be a game-changer for UST projection. When watching 4K content on larger screens, the picture is susceptible to distortion, since you're essentially stretching the pixels to their max. PixelLock aims to mitigate this issue.
The proprietary technology (which AWOL says "isn't just software") aims to maintain 4K picture quality at higher screen sizes. In its press release, AWOL calls PixelLock "an integrated optical + mechanical + digital alignment system that compensates for lens element tolerances, temperature-induced expansion, micro-warping of UST angles, reflective path inconsistencies, and DLP sequencing artifacts."
That's a lot of jargon, but it basically means that 4K images will retain more natural clarity even in higher screen sizes — like the 200 inches offered in the AWOL Aetherion series. The entire system is made up of several parts, including one of the thinnest terminal imaging lenses, a sapphire-series optical lens and an industry-first Diamond-Like Carbon-coated lens system.
We'll have to see just how well AWOL's PixelLock technology performs once we get it in for testing, but the potential benefits are particularly intriguing. If you're interested, you'll have to wait until March once the Aetherion Max and Aetherion Pro go on sale for $4,499 and $3,499, respectively.
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