Oct 16

FPS hopelessly leaps into pocket projector game with Pearl M3

Posted in: pico projector, PicoProjector, projector, Today's Chili

The world needs another VGA pico projector about like it needs another ton of plastic goop swirling in the Pacific, but thanks to FPS, that’s exactly what we’re getting. (The former, just so we’re clear.) The LCoS-based beamer puts out an image between 5- and 66-inches and packs a native resolution of 640 x 360; there’s a composite input, stereo output, USB socket and a microSD expansion slot. You’ll also find a one-watt internal speaker and a 2,500mAh battery for projecting on the go, while most every file format you can think of is supported. If, for whatever reason, you’ve found yourself overcome with want (and you can’t hold off for Microvision’s laser-based SHOW WX), it’s available to purchase right now for $219.

[Via PicoProjector-Info]

Filed under:

FPS hopelessly leaps into pocket projector game with Pearl M3 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Oct 12

Green laser for microprojectors developed, microraves soon to follow

Posted in: Displays, laser, pico projector, PicoProjector, projector, Today's Chili
Japanese company QD Laser has apparently developed a green laser which could up the ante in the HD pico projector market. The laser — which is just 5.6mm in diameter and outputs a 532 nanometer, pure green light — was shown off as a working prototype at CEATEC. QD says their green laser (the hardest type to make) will be well-suited to gadgets like cellphones and laptops because of its low power consumption and wide operating temperature. Mass production is seemingly planned for next year, with the hopes that each little laser will run $10, cheaper than the one currently available, which is manufactured by Corning. You know what we always say: rave on.

Filed under:

Green laser for microprojectors developed, microraves soon to follow originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags: ,
Oct 06

3M’s MPro 120 pocket projector fights the good fight at CEATEC (video)

Posted in: ceatec, Features, now shipping, NowShipping, on sale, OnSale, pico projector, PicoProjector, projector, ship, shipping, ships, Today's Chili, video

3M’s MPro 120 didn’t really add a whole lot of spice to the currently drab pocket projector lineup, boasting a simple VGA resolution, 4:3 aspect ratio and image quality suitable for presentations alone. Granted, the 12 lumens and 4 hours of battery life both trump figures on the decidedly impressive SHOW WX (which has 10 lumens and 2 hours of life), but in the wide world of beamers, it’s the picture quality that matters most. We took a peek at the latest MPro here in Japan, and while the results were less than impressive underneath the lights, the sub-$330 street price in the US is definitely admirable. If you’ll recall, the laser / PicoP-based SHOW WX is slated to retail right around $500, while this bugger can be found right now in trusted e-tailers for over a Benjamin less. ‘Course, 3M might want to inform its booth attendant of this little matter, as the (erroneous) $600 price quote we got from a certain someone definitely shocked us momentarily. Video’s after the break.

Gallery: 3M’s MPro 120 pocket projector fights the good fight at CEATEC

Continue reading 3M’s MPro 120 pocket projector fights the good fight at CEATEC (video)

Filed under: ,

3M’s MPro 120 pocket projector fights the good fight at CEATEC (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags: ,
Oct 06

Microvision’s laser-based SHOW WX pico projector shines at CEATEC

Posted in: ceatec, Features, hands-on, laser, pico projector, PicoProjector, projector, Today's Chili, video

Microvision just struck a deal to start shipping its PicoP-based SHOW WX pico projector in Asia, and while the size may not blow any minds, the image quality just might. With a native 848 x 480 resolution (WVGA), this one pumps out more pixels than pretty much any other pico projector on the market today, and with enough darkness, it can actually spit out an image that’s around 100-inches in size. We stopped by the company’s booth here at CEATEC in order to have a look at what makes the world’s first laser-based pico PJ so special, and we can honestly say the picture was pretty stunning (considering the device we’re talking about). We got a lecture on just how amazing the innards actually are (hear for yourself after the break), but it’s the estimated $500 price tag and 2010 US ship date that really had us intrigued.

The company also confessed that it’s toiling away in an effort to miniaturize its PicoP engine even further, and while it wouldn’t come right out and say it, we got the feeling that it was jonesing to get that very device into all sorts of other gizmos in the near future. In the meanwhile, you can expect the SHOW WX to ship with support for pretty much any input via a composite adapter, while an iPod / iPhone connector is apt to be bundled in as well. There’s also a 3.5 millimeter audio passthrough, 10 lumens of brightness, a 60Hz refresh rate (trust us, the lines you see in the video aren’t seen by the naked eye) and a built-in battery good for two hours on a charge. Oh, and this thing doesn’t even have to refocus as you move it closer and farther from the wall — pretty swank!

Gallery: Microvision’s laser-based SHOW WX pico projector shines at CEATEC

Continue reading Microvision’s laser-based SHOW WX pico projector shines at CEATEC

Filed under: ,

Microvision’s laser-based SHOW WX pico projector shines at CEATEC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Oct 05

HYPOLED develops mega-tiny VGA projector display, has a tiny coin in the photo to prove it

Posted in: LED, pico projector, PicoProjector, projector, research, Today's Chili
HYPOLED, an 18-month-old project tasked with creating OLED microdisplays for upcoming pico projectors, has just released a report of its recent progress. Among the advances is a Fraunhofer IPMS-designed all digital VGA, full color OLED microdisplay backplane with matching pico projector optics. The display measures just 0.18-mm thick and is already in prototype manufacturing. The super miniscule display is connected to a MediaBox enabling it to operate via WiFi. Fraunhofer is now expected to begin developing a prototype of the full projector, meaning that with any luck, our picos should be getting a teensy, tiny bit cooler in the near future.

Filed under:

HYPOLED develops mega-tiny VGA projector display, has a tiny coin in the photo to prove it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments
Oct 03

Optoma’s $199 PK-100 pico projector goes for the bargain crowd

Posted in: pico projector, PicoProjector, projector, Today's Chili

You know what’s better than a PK-101? A PK-102. You know what’s not better than a PK-101? A PK-100. Unless, of course, you’re focused solely on price. Quietly announced to hit the lower-end market, the PK-100 is described as a simplified version of its more sophisticated siblings, boasting the same DLP-based engine as well as 11 ANSI lumens of brightness and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio. Unfortunately, you’ll only find a single composite video input and a 480 x 320 native resolution, but hey, for an estimated retail price of $199, what else did you really expect?

[Via PicoProjector-Info]

Filed under:

Optoma’s $199 PK-100 pico projector goes for the bargain crowd originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Sep 16

Microvision’s SHOW WX pico projector ‘out soon’

Posted in: pico projector, PicoProjector, projector, prototype, Today's Chili
Well, look at that — Microvision’s SHOW WX, the diminutive PicoP-based projector we first laid eyes on at Macworld some nine-plus odd months ago, is finally going to get a release. The device’s laser display system (which works by combining light from red, blue, and green lasers) boasts 10 ANSI lumens, a 5000:1 contrast ratio, WVGA (848 x 480) resolution, and never needs focusing. Out “in a matter of weeks” for an unspecific price point, though according to About Projectors past reports have listed this “somewhere around $500” retail.

[Via About Projectors]

Show full PR text
Microvision Announces Commercial Launch of SHOW WX Laser Pico Projector

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sep. 15, 2009– Microvision, Inc. (Nasdaq:MVIS), a global leader in innovative ultra-miniature projection display and image capture products for mobility applications announced the commercial introduction of the world’s first laser-based pico projector, called SHOW WX[TM], based on its proprietary PicoP(R) display engine technology.

The Company plans to distribute its accessory pico projector product through three sales channels: OEM branded products, Microvision branded products sold through international distributors and Microvision direct sales through its on-line store. Microvision has signed several marketing and distribution agreements with international distributors in Asia and Europe to launch Microvision branded and private labeled versions of the laser pico projector. Microvision expects to begin product shipments in the next several weeks.

The Microvision pico projector uses the revolutionary laser-based PicoP display engine that delivers large, colorful, bright, and vivid images that are always in focus, regardless of projection distance. The accessory product is a simple plug-n-play pico projector for people on-the-go who want to spontaneously view and share mobile TV, movies, photos, presentations and more. Users can take the pocket-sized projector anywhere, plug it into their portable media players, mobile phones, notebooks and other portable mobile media devices with TV-Out or VGA functionality and share a big screen experience with friends, family or business associates. Depending on the ambient light, the projected images range in size from 12″ to 150″

About Microvision, Inc.

Microvision provides the PicoP display technology platform designed to enable next-generation display and imaging products for pico projectors, vehicle displays, and wearable displays that interface with mobile devices. The company’s projection display engine uses highly efficient laser light sources which can create vivid images with high contrast and brightness. For more information, visit the company’s website (www.microvision.com) and corporate blog

Filed under:

Microvision’s SHOW WX pico projector ‘out soon’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments
Sep 14

AAXA P2 pico projector ships out, sparks little Halo parties everywhere

Posted in: pico projector, PicoProjector, projector, Today's Chili

Optoma’s PK102 not swank enough for you? Fret not, as AAXA Technologies is also shipping its second-generation pico projector. The stupendously simplistic P2 packs an LCoS chip, 33 lumens of output, an 800 x 600 native resolution and the ability to throw up your favorite Xbox / Atari / C64 title at up to 80-inches. There’s also a VGA output and a few on-device buttons, and if that’s exactly what you’ve been looking for, you can call one your own for $339.

Filed under:

AAXA P2 pico projector ships out, sparks little Halo parties everywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Sep 11

Optoma’s PK102 pico projector slims down, boosts connectivity

Posted in: on sale, OnSale, pico projector, PicoProjector, projector, Today's Chili

One thing’s for sure: the obsession with pico projectors has certainly calmed since these things first hit the scene right around a year ago. Optoma’s PK101 was somewhat of an industry poster child, so it makes sense to see the company outing a successor in hopes of catching the interest of those who held off on adopting early. Still, the predictably titled PK102 does little to improve upon the past, boasting the same native resolution (480 x 320), a 2,000:1 contrast ratio (up from 1,000:1) and the traditional DLP engine. On the plus side, it has managed to trim down ever-so-slightly, step up to 4GB of internal memory and add a few new connectivity options including a composite video input and a universal port capable of receiving VGA and component video signals. Best of all, the PK102 is available now for just $229, which pales in comparison to the $430 or so it took to snag the PK101 on launch day.

[Via PicoProjector-Info]

Filed under:

Optoma’s PK102 pico projector slims down, boosts connectivity originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments
Sep 08

Guangzhou Darling DP2000 is a nutty pc-in-a-projector that we kinda love (video)

Posted in: pico projector, PicoProjector, projector, Today's Chili, video

What do you add to a pocket projector that already has a massive 640 x 480 resolution and the power of 9 suns lumens? Why, a WinCE-powered computer, of course. Now, when everyone else is fumbling around with their bulky laptops, you can bust out your Darling, use the top-mounted touchpad to navigate, and be the fastest projector gunslinger in the office. There’s even a stand, a pair of mini-USB ports for hooking up a keyboard and mouse, and an SD expansion slot to augment the already super-generous 1GB of Flash storage. So how much does a PC with a huge display and SSD cost these days? $180. Don’t tell us that ain’t progress. Check it out after the break.

[Via Pico Projector Info]

Continue reading Guangzhou Darling DP2000 is a nutty pc-in-a-projector that we kinda love (video)

Filed under:

Guangzhou Darling DP2000 is a nutty pc-in-a-projector that we kinda love (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags: