Can You Make Your Own Projector For $10?

Don’t have the budget for a multimedia projector? Well, hey, here’s something that could give the most cash-strapped technophiles the big-screen projector experience. It’s the DIY $10 smartphone projector, made by you.

10 Dollar Projector
10 Dollar Projector

That’s right. You can make your own projector that displays video from your smartphone for right around 10 buckaroos. Sound impossible? Business Insider recently released a video showing a step-by-step tutorial for making the projector. It only takes a few items you can find at any general merchandise store, including:

A magnifying glass

Your smartphone

A shoebox

X-Acto Knife, tape and marker

Play-Doh

Essentially, the shoebox serves as the housing, the magnify glass as the lens, and your smartphone as the data input and bulb. A basic overview: You attach the magnifying glass to the front of the shoebox and the smartphone midway through the box. Thus, the screen of your smartphone is projected through the magnifying glass. The only catch: You have to make the screen display upside down, as the magnifying glass flips the image.
As for image quality? Well, for 10 bucks, don’t expect Ultra HD imaging, but from the Business Insider video, the image appears to be passable. At least your eyes won’t strain watching that small-screen. If anything, it would make for a great project to try with your kids on a Saturday afternoon. What do you think? Will you give it a shot?
 

Projector Review: Epson Home Cinema 3500

Released late last year, the Epson Home Cinema 3500 projector is quickly becoming a favorite mid-range set-up for home entertainment enthusiasts. The reason: The latest in Epson’s best-selling line features a range of innovative features, as well as an extremely bright bulb that provides impressive image quality and smooth color saturation.
Is it the brightest projector Epson has to offer? No, but it’s close, and in terms of performance, the projector exceeds expectations in rooms with ambient light. That’s one reason you can think of this as more of a home entertainment projector – it’s not limited for use in darkened home theaters – but it also isn’t as powerful as Epson’s Ultra Black series, which is a true home theater set-up. Either way, though, the Home Cinema 3500 is a respectable projector, and it offers a substantial upgrade over an HD LCD TV. Plus, the features, including dual 10-watt speakers and a nearly best-in-class zoom range, make this a great buy.

Epson HC3500 Projector
Epson HC3500 Projector

Epson HC3500: Image Quality

First, we’ll start with the HC3500’s impressive brightness. The projector is rated at 2,500 lumens, and that’s fairly substantial, especially for most home entertainment set-ups. That means you can expect a high-quality image even in brighter rooms. And even with larger screens, image crispness and color saturation remain impressive. Plus, the projector’s black levels are improved over the HC3500’s predecessors. Additional image specs include:

  • 70,000:1 Contrast Ratio
  • 3LCD, Epson Super-Resolution
  • 3D Ready
  • 2,500 ASNI Lumens

Epson HC3500: Lamp Specs

The lamp is another improvement for the HC3500, with extended lamp life and three modes. It’s a 250-watt bulb that has a 3,500-hour lamp life in the standard mode. In the Eco setting, lamp life is extended to 5,000 hours. Plus, another addition is a new medium setting, which sits firmly between the two and adds another degree of flexibility and reduces fan noise.

Epson HC3500: Additional Specs

One great feature is the HC3500’s built-in dual 10-watt speakers. This is the perfect feature for those wanting to plug-and-play, and for built-in speakers, they perform reasonably well, providing crisp audio. This is another reason why the HC3500 is perfect for home entertainment, like watching sports or TV shows. It’s ready to go.

Epson HC3500 Projector - Rear Inputs
Epson HC3500 Projector – Rear Inputs

Plus, there are a ton of ports, including two HDMI ports, Type A and B USB inputs, as well as audio and PC ports, among others. Additionally, the projector includes 3D RF glasses, it has a boosted processor speed which is ideal for gamers, and picture-in-picture is a standard feature.
Finally, the HC3500 also enables tons of flexibility in set-up. First, the projector features a 1.6X zoom ratio – making it easier to fit the picture to the screen – and there are vertical and horizontal lens shift capabilities. This is ideal for faster set-up and fitting the projector in a variety of rooms.

Is the Epson HC3500 Right For You?

In terms of performance, the Epson HC3500 is a contender in the sub-$2,000 price range. Why? For starters, the image quality is spectacular compared to similarly priced projectors, and it’s much improved from previous HC series set-ups. That means you can expect crisp, detailed images in a variety of room lightings, thanks to its bright lamp, as well as great image features including 3D capabilities.
Another reason: The HC3500 hugs the line between a true home theater projector and an entertainment projector. It’s extremely capable for all entertainment purposes – from watching the Super Bowl to playing games (especially with the improved processor speed.) And as a theater projector, it performs, for the most part, commendably. Are there better theater projectors? Yes, but chances are, they’re more expensive. Bottom line, this is a solid piece of hardware.
 
 

6 Futuristic Uses for Projectors

Projector technology continues to advance every year. From laser projectors to 4K options, today’s latest and greatest tech seemed unreal just a few years ago. But designers and engineers are incorporating projectors into more non-traditional uses, and in the future, it’s likely projectors are going to be used for a lot more than business presentations and home entertainment.

Ikea Kitchen Projector
Ikea Kitchen Projector

Just in the last year, projectors have been incorporated into a range of mind-blowing applications, including augmented reality, real-time communications, and in the kitchen. Here’s a look at a few of these futuristic sounding applications, but don’t expect to see them available to consumers in the near future. A few are still light years away.

Real-Time Cookbooks

At Milan Design Week, furniture maker IKEA unveiled the cookbook of the future: a projector-enabled, augmented-reality recipe book. Essentially, using a camera and projector, IKEA envisioned a product that would provide recipes based on the ingredients on your chopping blog. The recipe is then displayed on the counter via a projector. So, for instance, if you had a tomato, some bread and cheese, a recipe for melted cheese sandwiches and tomato soup would be projected. Sounds far out, right? Well, don’t expect the real-time recipes anytime soon – IKEA’s design was for a kitchen in 2025.

Projected Jewelry

Here’s an interesting idea: Light jewelry. That’s right. What if you could wear a projected necklace made of light? That’s the idea behind NECLUMI. The designer’s “necklace” is actually an image coming from a tiny pico projector that’s attached to the wearer’s clothing. The projector then displays a piece of jewelry that’s sent from a smartphone app. This really leaves the door open for a variety of light-enabled displays, bringing traditional jewelry into the 21st-Century.

NECLUMI
NECLUMI

An Immersive Video Game Experience

Virtual reality is progressing quickly, and one of the latest developments centers around a projector-enabled set-up. French start-up Catopsys and an R&D firm recently unveiled the Immersis projector. The projector displays a panoramic, virtual reality image throughout a room. On screen, you see the game that you’re playing, but the projector adds the additional parts of the image that aren’t visible. Thus, gamers are completely immersed in a virtual reality world. The firm successfully raised funds for the project via Kickstarter, so keep your eyes peeled for reports on its developments.

Catopsys
Catopsys

Digital Game Boards

This one isn’t exactly futuristic, as it’s still possible now. But the use of a projector to display a Dungeons and Dragons board is pretty clever. One reddit user recently showed how he used a projector to display a digital version of a D&D board onto a tabletop, making for a completely unique gaming experience. Who knows maybe we’ll start seeing this more and more.

Car Dashboard Projections

A San Francisco-based company is currently working on a projector-enabled dashboard mount for every vehicle. Essentially, the designers are using a projector to display an image on a small reflective screen. The projector is synched with the driver’s smartphone and the car’s computer, and then information is displayed on the reflective screen. So, if you receive a text message, a notification would pop-up on the screen. Currently, this project is in development stages.

Car Dashboard Projector
Car Dashboard Projector

Moving Wall Pictures

Google was recently awarded a patent for a product that has the potential to change the way we paint the walls in our homes. Here’s the idea: You would cover your wall with a photo-reactive paint. Then, a projector would beam light onto the wall, and the paint would be “activated” and create a moving image, similar to a screen saver. Hey, in the future, you might no longer need wall hangings. Of course, this is just in the patent stage, so it’s yet to be seen if this will ever come to fruition.

ZTE Rolls Out “Smart” Pico Projector

You can pull up web content from Hulu, Netflix, YouTube and other popular video sites on your smartphone or tablet. But those tiny images are woefully harsh on the eyes. Wouldn’t it be nice if a projector offered the ability to watch web content like your tablet or smartphone?
You’re talking about the SPro2 from ZTE. The company recently released the SPro2, which they’ve dubbed a “smart” projector. The portable, palm-top device connects to WiFi and is capable of projecting an HD image, making it easier than ever to access and project content from the web. The projector made its first appearance at the CES conference earlier this year, but it is now available exclusively at an AT&T store near you.

ZTE SPro2 Smart Projector
ZTE SPro2 Smart Projector

The Next Generation in Pico Projectors

We’ve written about pico projectors from LG and Lenovo in the past, but the SPro 2 offers something a little different. Although it’s similar in size, weighing about a pound and measuring about 5 inches by 5 inches, the SPro 2 has an easy-to-use LCD touchscreen interface similar to a smartphone, enabling users to quickly pull up videos on the screen. The device also has an LTE radio and it’s WiFi ready, so your favorite streaming video services are just a click away.
Plus, just like other pico devices, the SPro2 also has USB, HDMI and audio ports, as well as an SD card slot. That means you have a full set of capabilities in an extremely portable package. It’s really the next generation of the pico projector and highlights where the industry is headed: Smaller devices with more features that are increasingly web-connected.

SPro2 Specs: Image Quality, Battery Life, Brightness

Of course, as a pico projector, you can’t expect the image quality to match a home theater projector. But for such a small device, the SPro2 delivers a fairly resolute image. The SPro2 features a brightness rating, when it’s plugged in, of 200 lumens. That’s better than most mini projectors. For instance, Lenovo’s recently introduced Pocket Projector is equipped with just a 50-lumen LED bulb. When the SPro2 isn’t plugged in, it’s only capable of projecting a 100-lumen image or less.

ZTE SPro2 Smart Projector - Front
ZTE SPro2 Smart Projector – Front

At 200 lumens, the SPro2 performs reasonably well for a mini projector, albeit it’s probably not bright enough for rooms with ambient light. Yet, in dark rooms, the SPro2 performs great. As for image specs: The SPro2 has a native resolution of 720p, and it’s capable of projecting an image as large as 120 inches.
Additional features include a built-in speaker, auto focus and auto keystone correction functions and Bluetooth connectivity. Battery life is reasonable for a pico projector too. When streaming videos, the SPro2 can last about 2 hours on a single charge.

Is the SPro2 Worth It?

The SPro2 will be available through AT&T, and if you purchase a contract, you can get the device for $399. It’s similar to a tablet contract. With the AT&T service you can connect without a WiFi connection. Without the contract, the SPro2 will be $499. In other words, the Spro2 isn’t exactly affordable, and the price may be its biggest drawback.
It’s not powerful enough to replace your home theater projector, and yet, there are budget cinema projectors available at a similar price. Plus, there are pico projectors available that are more affordable.
The SPro2 is a handy and useful device, and the touchscreen display makes it one of the better pico projectors available. So, if you’re on the go quite a bit, and you’d like a device at your fingertips that’s capable of projecting a 100-inch image, the SPro2 might be right for you. What’s even more exciting: The release of this projector signals where the technology is heading – projectors that are easier to use and more Web-connected than ever.

Acer P5207B Review: Specifications, Pros and Cons

How does the Acer P5207b perform as a multimedia projector? On one hand, the two-year-old Acer provides satisfactory image quality in its native XGA resolution. Plus, the image is extremely bright, which makes this model perfect for large venues. The projector provides an estimated 4,000 ANSI lumens of brightness – powerful enough for spaces with modest levels of ambient light.
But the projector does have its shortcomings. For one, compared to similarly priced models from various manufacturers, the Acer P5207 is missing some features that have become fairly common in recent years, including WiFi connectivity. That might be problematic, especially for web-based business and classroom multimedia presentations.  Yet, overall, for the price, the Acer P5207b is a solid piece of hardware that delivers a crisp image and a number of functionalities. In other words, it competes well with similarly priced multimedia projectors. Here’s a look at some of the specs:

Acer P5207B Projector
Acer P5207B Projector


Pro: Image Quality and Performance

Rated at 4,000 ANSI lumens, the biggest advantage of the DLP 3D P5207b is its brightness. Other projectors in the price range generally hover around the 3,000-lumen mark. Plus, additional image specs, including its 10,000:1 contrast ratio and native XGA resolution, which deliver a data image that’s clear, even when projected on large screens. In terms of color performance, the Acer also delivers. Featuring Acer’s ColorBoost II+ technology, the colors are vibrant, and compare nicely to other DLP-based projectors.


Pro: Powerful Built-In Audio

The Acer P5207b is equipped with two built-in speakers, which gives the projector an advantage. Other similarly priced projectors have either or one or two, and some require external audio. They are dual 5-watt speakers, which is substantial enough for large venues, although for the largest rooms, the speakers may require amplification.

Pro: Optical and Digital Zoom

Another advantage: The Acer also has some advanced technologies that enable setup flexibility. For one, the Acer’s lens has a 1.6x optical zoom. This makes it easier to resize images to fit a screen. Plus, the projector has a superior 2x digital zoom, which enables users to zoom in on particular images.

ACER P5207B Projector - Rear Inputs
ACER P5207B Projector – Rear Inputs

Con: Average Lamp Life

On one hand, the Acer’s bulb is fairly bright, but it also has just an average lamp life. The bulb (Replacement Part No.: MC.JG211.001) is a 280-watt OSRAM bulb. There are three settings, the normal mode, eco mode and an advanced eco mode. Lamp life for the Acer ranges from 3,000 hours (about average) up to 7,000 in its advanced eco mode. In its eco mode, though, the Acer has a 4,000-hour lamp life, which is average compared to other projectors.

Con: Average Video Performance

For presentations with short video clips, the Acer is capable yet underwhelming. Video performance is average, at best, and leaves something to be desired. Plus, in its native resolution XGA, videos aren’t crisp and clear, and although it does support higher resolutions, often video image is lost.
 

The Verdict: Should You Buy the Acer P5207b?

Starting at roughly at about $738 US, the Acer P5207B is slightly higher in price than other two-year-old projectors with similar specs. But the projector leaves something to be desired. Although it produces fairly crisp and clear images, the limited number of ports, average video performance and limited lamp life are all factors that diminish its value. Simply put, you could find better projectors for the price, however, the Acer’s brightness might be the redeeming quality that makes you go out and buy one as it definitely fills the room.

Panasonic, Christie Unveil Latest Projector Technology at 2015 NAB Show

The National Association of Broadcasters’ annual show is always an industry must-attend, as the event is a showcase of the latest and greatest technology related to the A/V industry. This year, the Las Vegas show had plenty of surprises. Next-generation toys like Canon’s line-up of new 4K cameras and 8K televisions from a variety of manufacturers made appearances, as did the latest projectors.
Both Panasonic and Christie unveiled their latest entries into the market, and it was a battle of DLP vs 3LCD.  Panasonic showed off their latest 3-chip DLP projector, the PT-RZ12KU, which they’re billing as the world’s lightest 3-chip DLP. It’s an impressive piece of hardware, with several advanced features. On the other hand, Christie announced and showcased a new D-Series line of projectors, which feature a newly introduced optional Ultra Short Throw lens.
 

NAB Show Logo
NAB Show Logo

Panasonics New 3-chip DLP-based projectors

At the show, Panasonic unveiled two new DLP projectors, including the aforementioned PT-RZ12KU and the PT-RS11KU, an SXGA+ resolution set-up. First up, the PT-RZ12KU is bound to be a favorite in sports production, event spaces and digital signage, and it drew the most headlines from Panasonic’s NAB Show rollouts.
The projector PT-RZ12KU features an ultra-bright 12,000-lumen lamp with WUXGA resolution (1920×1200). Plus, not only does the set-up weight just about 95 pounds, but it also has an improved 120 Hz refresh rate, which is ideal for high frame-rate content. Additional eye-popping specs include the projector’s 20,000:1 contrast ratio, which delivers impressive detail, and vertical, horizontal and tilting lens adjustment capabilities.
The other projector, the PT-RS11KU features a similar list of features. It’s equipped with a 12,000-lumen light source, yet, the biggest difference is in resolution. The PT-RS11KU is a SXGA+ resolution projector, which is a 1400×1050 resolution. You don’t have to wait long for these set-ups to hit the market either; both are set to come online in just a few months in the summer.

Panasonic's 4K Predecessor the PT-RQ13K
Panasonic’s 4K Predecessor the PT-RQ13K

 

New Christie Projectors, Ultra Short Throw Lens

Christie had quite a few new projectors to unveil at the NAB Show, including five new replacements for existing set-ups. The Christie has dubbed the new line the D-Series, and the set-ups feature a range of three native resolutions, including XGA, WXGA and WUXGA.
Christie’s new set-ups utilize different technology, compared to the Panasonic. Here are some D-Series specs: The projectors, which are 3LCD single-lamp projectors, feature brightness ratings ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 lumens, and they feature a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. The D-Series will hit the market in fall 2015.
Another exciting rollout was a new Ultra Short Throw lens. Featuring a 0.38:1 throw ratio, the Christie UST lenses will be available for both D-Series and Q-Series projectors. Of course, the biggest advantage of the UST lenses will be set-up flexibility. The shorter throw ratio enable the projectors to be set-up closer to the projection surface, which is ideal for presentations, museum set-ups and rental staging applications, as it diminishes the likelihood of shadow casting.
 

BenQ MW721 Projector Review: Pros and Cons

In search of a presentation projector? The BenQ MW721 might just be your choice, as the manufacturer bills the MW721 as “just the projector you need to perfect your presentation.” That statement is mostly true. This BenQ model performs reasonably well in many categories, producing a bright, high-quality image and useable audio, while remaining portable.
 
The biggest disadvantage, though, is that the BenQ is missing some key features, including a USB thumb drive port and WiFi connectivity, which are often necessities for presenters. So what are the pros and cons of the BenQ MW721 and how does it stack up against the competition?

BenQ MW721 Projector
BenQ MW721 Projector

Key Features:

  • Bright bulb: 3,500 lumens
  • Long lamp life: Up to 6,500 hours
  • Loud audio: 10W built-in speaker
  • LAN control
  • Modes designed for teachers

 

Image Quality, Brightness

 
If there’s one reason to purchase the MW721, it’s the projector’s image quality. Let’s start with the specs: The DLP-based MW721 features WXGA resolution and a bright lamp. The projector receives a brightness rating of 3,500 lumens and a 13,000:1 contrast ratio.
 
In effect, that bulb (Part No.: 5J.J6P05.001) produces an image that’s crisp and bright enough to compensate for ambient light. That’s why this projector is perfect for business presentations, lectures and classrooms. It produces an image that’s clear in mid-sized conference spaces that receive substantial ambient light. Plus, with the projector, text slides are easy-to-read, although small sizes of white-on-black text can become blurred. The projector provides even, saturated colors in data images.
 
Overall, data image quality from the MW721 is comparable to other projectors in the price range, and in some respects, including brightness, the MW721 performs as well or better than more expensive projectors. If you’re after a projector that produces crisp images, the MW721 will provide that.
 

BenQ MW721 Rear View
BenQ MW721 Rear View

 

The BenQ MW721’s Video and Audio Features

Of course, the MW721 isn’t built as a video projector, but yet, for presentations that feature shorter video clips, the MW721 provides this functionality. That means that videos display reasonably well, with light rainbowing effects in some scenes, which is common for DLP-based projectors. For the untrained eye, though, this effect would be minimal, so conference audiences aren’t likely to notice.
In terms of audio, the MW721 features a built-in 10-watt speaker. That adds to the system’s portability, as a presenter can plug-and-play presentations that feature audio. As far as performance, the MW721’s speaker performs well, and it’s loud enough to provide clear audio for medium-sized event spaces. For larger venues, the audio may become garbled, especially for audience members sitting far from the speaker.
Plus, the projector is 3D ready, which may or may not be a feature that the business crowd is interested in. 3D clips can be displayed via HDMI and NVIDIA 3DTV Play, but require active-shutter glasses. Therefore, for larger audiences, it may be difficult to outfit everyone with glasses. This feature makes more sense for small business or classroom audiences.
 

Useful Connectivity Features

 
In addition to being 3D Ready, there are plenty of other useful and interesting features. First, there are a number of connectivity options for the MW721. There are 2 VGA ports, an HDMI port, as well as a mini-USB and Ethernet port. Plus, there are other connectivity options for audio, video and data entry.
The biggest downfall, as mentioned, is the lack of a USB thumb drive port. With this port, a presenter is able to access slides from a USB drive – that’s ideal for some classroom or business environments, and it eliminates some of the time required for set-up. Unfortunately, the feature isn’t even offered as an option.
 

The Verdict: Is the BenQ MW721 worth the investment?

If you can go without a USB drive and WiFi connectivity, the BenQ MW721 is a highly capable and portable presentation projector, and for the price, this model carries a lot of great features that are useful for business presentations, lectures and in classroom environments.
Yet, it falls firmly in the middle of the pack: More budget options like the BenQ MW663 features a similar set of functionalities at a lower price, while LCD-based projectors, although more expensive, often display higher quality images and video. That’s not to say the BenQ MW721 is a bad investment – it performs well in mid-sized and small conference spaces. At the same time, less expensive options exist and are comparable, and you may be able to save some dollars investing in other systems.
 
 
 
 

How to prolong the life of your projector bulb

Want to get the full 2,000-3,000 hours out of your projector bulb? Of course you do and we’re here to help you do that. If you operate your projector using our basic guidelines, you’ll have the best chance.
 

Give Your New Bulb A Thorough Test Run

When you get a new projector lamp make sure to let it run for at least ten hours during the first week or so. If the lamp is defective, you should be able to tell by then. Even though we offer an industry leading 180 day guarantee, it is best to get an exchange or refund going so we can process it.

Changing Your Projector's Air Filter
Changing Your Projector’s Air Filter

 

Keep Your Air Filters and Cooling Vents Clean

If your projector has an air filter, make sure to clean them regularly. The dust filter should be cleaned every 3-4 months. Clogged filters or vents do not allow proper ventilation. This can cause the projector lamp to overheat or even fail. Do not smoke around your projector, it gums up the fans and causes more dust buildup.

Projector Mounted Without Adequate Ventilation
Projector Mounted Without Adequate Ventilation

 

Always Remember Proper Ventilation

Do not obstruct the intake or exhaust vents on your projector. If your vents do not have room for adequate ventilation you risk the chance of overheating your projector. Make sure your mounting fixture or enclosure allows proper ventilation, or just keep us on speed dial.
 

Choose A Proper Venue

If your basement is prone to moisture or your loft is always hot you might want to reconsider your setup. You should always avoid environments with extreme humidity, temperature, and dust. So out in the garage in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Doral, Florida or Pacifica, California is probably not the best place to mount your projector.
 

Let It Cool

When you turn off the projector there is a cool down process that keeps the fans on the bulb to let it cool down. Do not unplug your projector until this has finished. Hot lamps are very fragile, never move a projector until the lamp has completely cooled. Shock and vibration may damage sensitive lamp filaments.
 

Minimize I/O

Each time the projector is turned on, the rush of power causes stress on the lamp filaments. Each time it is turned off, the cooling process begins. I know I don’t have to tell you that a state of the art digital projector is not a toy, but this is more a reminder not to leave it out where children might be able to toggle the switches. In any case, we offer bulk discounts for schools, so there’s that.

Wearing Gloves when Handling Projector Lamps
Wearing Gloves when Handling Projector Lamps

 

Do not handle the lamp without gloves

It is important to know that projector lamps are similar to halogen lamps, but not identical. Halogen lamps strictly cannot be touched because the oil from your hands will create hotspots on the halogen lamp and cause it to fail. Projector lamp globes can be touched, but we recommend that you handle them as little as possible or not at all.

Use Economy Mode
Use Economy Mode

 

Use Economy Mode Whenever Possible

Most modern projectors have a normal and economy mode. Economy mode will usually make the projector lamp emit a slightly lower brightness level and can therefore extend the lamp life. Unsure if the projector has an economy mode? Please refer to the projector manual or contact the projector manufacturer.

LG Updates MiniBeam Line with The LG Pro PF1500 and the LG PW800

The excitement in pico projectors is hard to dismiss. In fact, according to a recent report, the pico projector market is expected to grow by about 40 percent between 2016 and 2020. The reason: The technology continues to develop at a very rapid pace. Mini projectors are getting smaller, brighter and packed with more and more features.
Enter LG’s latest pico projectors – the updated MiniBeam line-up. Recently, LG unveiled two new models in the line, and there’s a lot to be excited about in the MiniBeam Pro PF1500 and the TV PW800. Not only are these projectors extremely portable, they also represent the rapid pace of development in mini projectors. Both pack in an array of features. For instance, the TV PW800 is the first pico projector to include a TV tuner, and the Pro PF1500 is a Full HD mini, weighing just 3 pounds.

LG MiniBeam PF1500
LG MiniBeam PF1500

 

Introducing the PF1500 and the PW800

 
Both the PF1500 and the PW800 are small-box projectors. The PF1500 is the larger of the two, and although it’s not quite small enough to fit in your pocket, it’s perfect for taking in your bag with you wherever you go. The PW800 is smaller, the true mini projector, weighing a little more than a pound.
The PF1500 competes fiercely with other mini and portable home entertainment projectors. For instance, the projector has a 1920×1080 Full HD native resolution. It’s rated at 1400 ASNI lumens and has a contrast ratio of 150,000:1. This is a big projector in a small package, and it has the potential to provide great results for home movies and video viewing.
Plus, the Pro PF1500 is geared more for those wanting a bit more features. It includes wireless connectivity, Bluetooth audio and optical zoom. On the other hand, the TV PW800 isn’t a Full HD solution, but it does have a lot of amazing features. That’s why the PW800 is great for the business road-warriors and home entertainment buffs.
The TV tuner feature, first and foremost, is what sets this apart from other pico projectors. Yet, the PW800 also boasts some impressive stats for a pico. First, it’s equipped with an 800-lumen lamp. That’s a little too dim for well-lit rooms, but compared to other pico projectors, it’s very bright. Additionally, the PW800’s native resolution is 1280×800 and it has a 100,000:1 contrast ratio. Plus, it has all the right features for home entertainment, including HDMI support, USB input, smartphone connections, and wireless connectivity.

LG MiniBeam PW800
LG MiniBeam PW800

What’s the Cost?

 
The LG PW800 and the LG Pro PF1500, compared to other mini projectors, are a bit on the high-end. For instance, the PW800 starts at $599, which is considerably higher than other pico projectors. And the Pro PF1500’s starting price $999, puts it in line with larger, portable projectors like the BenQ 1085ST and the Optoma GT1080.
That makes sense, considering both pack in the features. And if you just plan on replacing your TV, the PF1500 might be one of the best, most portable options. Additionally, the PW800 is small, but mighty, and with the TV tuner, it’s great for portable television viewing.
More generally, though, these projectors are just another example of what the future holds for mini projectors. They’re becoming brighter and more powerful, and if the trend continues, the minis are becoming more and more competitive with non-portable home theater projectors.
MyProjectorLamps.com is home to the best prices and widest selection of quality projector lamp bulbs. If you’re looking for a low-cost, genuine projector bulb, browse our selection today.

Lenovo Unveils Latest Pocket Projector

Have you ever wanted to project a smartphone video to your friends? Now, the next time you see a viral video that you just can’t help but share, you can do that in a matter of seconds, turning small-screen videos into large-scale projected images.
Recently, Lenovo unveiled the Pocket Projector at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The mini-projector has the ability to fit on any Android phone, and project an image as large as 110 inches. That means whenever a video catches your eye, you can project it on the nearest wall in the blink of an eye. How’s that for projector portability?

Lenovo Pocket Projector Engaged
Lenovo Pocket Projector Engaged

Of course, it’s a mini pico projector. That means it’s not going to replace your home theater set-up, or project Full HD stunning images. But it does offer a handy, portable solution that will suit the needs of a variety of users – from business travelers who want a quick set-up for on-the-go presentations to kids who want to project the latest YouTube video for their friends.
So just how powerful is the Lenovo Pocket Projector?
Here are the specs: Lenovo says the system provides both 4:3 and 16:10 aspect ratio support, and it has a 50-lumen LED bulb with a 1,000:1 contrast ratio. That’s fairly impressive considering its jacket-pocket size. Plus, the Pocket Projector has dual built-in speakers, at a half watt each, making it a true turn-key projection system. You can plug and play in seconds, with video and audio.
Lenovo Pocket Projector Speaker
Lenovo Pocket Projector Speaker

The system is also battery powered, with a battery life of over two hours. So if wanted to project a feature-length movie, you could, and finally, the projector’s native resolution is 854×480. So it’s clearly not designed to compete with Full HD projectors, but yet, it’s still capable of providing a reasonably resolute image on-the-go.
Just think, a few years ago, this sort of device wasn’t a possibility.
Other useful features include a tilting lens feature, so the image can be moved up or down to fit the screen. Plus, there’s a MicroUSB connection for your phone, as well as wireless connectivity. So there are plenty of options to connect your device. Or if your phone isn’t nearby, you can use a 32GB SD card. The projector supports JPEG, MP4, MP3 and AVI files on SD cards.
Lenovo Pocket Projector Red
Lenovo Pocket Projector Red

Lenovo Continues to Experiment in the Portable Projector Segment
So how much will the Pocket Projector set you back? When Lenovo announced its latest device, they said it would be available in May for about $250. That makes it highly competitive, price-wise, with other pico projectors. At $250, Lenovo’s would be in the same range as models by Acer, while AAXA’s pico projectors are about half the price.
Not to mention, the release of the Pocket Projector is another bold step forward for Lenovo. Recently, the manufacturer released the Yoga Tablet 2, a tablet computer with projection capabilities. The manufacturer continues to produce innovative A/V toys, and the Yoga 2 and Pocket Projector are prime examples.
MyProjectorLamps.com is your source for low-cost, high-quality projector lamp bulbs. We have the largest selection of projector bulbs on the web, and our prices are unbeatable.