The truth is these 'video flashlights' are pocket size, and in time they'll be bundled in everything from PCs to cell phones. Technically speaking, pico implies a trillionth (10-¹²) of something and while these puppies are tiny compared to the traditional light canon, they're a far cry from a trillionth. The name, pico, was intended to imply a very small projector, but pico was pushing it. The pictures you see in this article are some of the early contenders. This article focuses on a new generation of personal projectors that, for better or worse, have been called pico projectors by the industry. With over a 1,000 different projector models to choose from, it helps to know what you want. Today theyĪre of theater quality, rich with features, very affordable, and designed to serve a wide range of applications. These projectors are typically a little larger than others, however.The evolution of digital projectors began about 20 years ago with products that were big, expensive and of limited performance. Projectors like 3M’s MP180 let you browse the Internet and easily transfer files from your computer or smartphone. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled pico projectors are the ultimate presentation tools for any business traveler. If extra storage is a necessity and you don’t like the ADPP-305, choose a pico projector that comes with an SD card slot so you can upgrade your memory as needed. For large or multiple presentations, check out Adapt’s ADPP-305, which comes with a standard 4GB storage. Most pico projectors come with at least 1gigabyte of standard storage. If you don’t want to purchase an additional upgraded battery or lug around power cables, look for pico projectors like Optoma’s PK301 and 3M’s MP180, which have battery lives of one and two hours, respectively. Some pico projectors, like the AAXA P2, only come standard with a 30-minute battery life, which can leave you standing in the dark halfway through your presentation. Some of the highest-resolution pico projectors are ShowWX at 848 by 480 and Samsung’s i8520 Beam phone and Optoma’s PK301 at 854 by 480.Īside from resolution and brightness, battery life is probably the most important spec you should look in to. The lowest-resolution pico projectors on the market are WowWee’s Cinemin Swivel, LG’s eXpo smartphone, and Samsung’s Show at 480 by 320. Pico projectors come in a variety of resolutions, but typically fall within the 640 by 480 or 800 by 600 range. Microvision’s ShowWX provides the highest contrast ratio at 5000:1. Pico projectors typically provide a contrast ratio of 1000:1. Higher lumens also mean you can project a larger image and still retain quality.Ĭontrast ratio will also determine image quality. The brighter the image, the easier it is to see. Most laser projectors are only as bright as 10 to 15 lumens. The downside of laser projectors is that the images aren’t as bright as with LED projectors. Microvision’s ShowWX was the first laser pico projector available in the United States, but other manufacturers, such as Adapt and AAXA, have since introduced their own versions. Laser projectors create sharper and clearer images that always remain in focus, no matter how far away you stand from the projection surface. Recently, however, laser pico projectors have made their way onto the market. Most pico projects use LEDs, which provide a long lamp-life and use minimal battery power. Light Source, Brightness, and Contrast Ratio If you don’t want to speak over a humming fan, pay attention to the noise specs when choosing a pico projector. Most pico projectors are silent, but some require fans to support a large lumen output. Built-in speakers make the projectors more portable, but you sacrifice size, battery life, and performance. Audio is usually supported by the ability to plug in speakers, but some of the newer-generation pico projectors have integrated small speakers into the device.
If you want to project presentations with sound, you have some options. Some may find larger models cumbersome, but most won’t mind the extra inch or two.
As more capabilities are added, however, the projector’s size and weight increases. Most pico projectors are about the size of a cell phone, making them ultraportable. Here’s what you need to know before you buy. Pico projectors range in price from roughly $150 to $800, and they come in a variety of sizes, performance qualities, and other specs. You can find them as stand-alone projectors or integrated into cell phones and tablet computers. Pico projectors allow you to project presentations, video, electronic documents, and photos on any surface, making them ideal for business travelers who need a convenient way to give presentations on the go. It’s been a few years since pico projectors first hit the market, but many people still don’t know much about these tiny, pocket-size projectors.
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