Pico Projectors Review

Jul 6, 2010 by Shivendu Madhava

Your tiny mobile screen need not be so tiny any more…

Undoubtedly, the biggest attraction at the Mobile World Congress 2009 was Samsung’s I7410. When the demonstrator at the company’s booth held the phone up in front of a wall, it magically cast the screen’s content on it! Yes, the I7410 is the first projector phone by a major mobile manufacturer, and uses a new technology that is becoming increasingly popular: the pico projector.

In a nutshell, pico projectors are really tiny gadgets no bigger than a standard iPod, which can take the screen of various portable devices and project it on any blank surface. Imagine, you could watch an entire movie from your cell phone at a size bigger than your TV!

So far, the two most popular pico projectors that are already out in the American market are 3M’s MPro 110 and Optoma’s Pico Pocket Projector PK101.

Both devices claim to deliver clear images of up to 50 inches in size, as long as it is viewed from a sufficient distance. The default resolution that both these gizmos support is 480×320 pixels.

The projectors are also equipped with built-in speakers, but the disappointing aspect is the low battery life. Neither device claims more than an hour’s worth of continuous usage, making them a bit cumbersome at the moment. Still, if you are fine with recharging the pico projector as and when the need arises, it is an incredibly cool gadget to have.

Connected to a mobile phone via a proprietary cord, this technology is just up and coming. While we have not tested either device, the majority of online reviews recommend the Optoma over the 3M. Again, if you cannot bear the wait till these hit Indian markets, a friend from the US is your ticket to the big-screen life.

Still, most are adamant that these are the first proof-of-concept devices and better, more robust pico projectors are around the corner.

And Samsung seems to be leading the pack, with its upcoming MBP-200 pico projector that is fitted with a 2-inch screen of its own and supports myriad video and office suite formats. The device has already hit Korean markets at a price of 4,00,000 Won (Rs. 16,000 approx), so it should be only a matter of time before we get our grubby hands on it.

Product: 3M’s MPro 110

Price: $350 (Rs. 17,250 approx)

Product: Optoma’s Pico Pocket Projector PK101

Price: $400 (Rs. 19,700 approx)