New Pocket Projector vs Low Priced LCD Projector

[leithp]

Curious as to how clear text the little pocket projectors project. I'm thinking of it to project chords/lyrics/tabs from a laptop up on a screen for small jam sessions. Wouldn't want it to have to be TOO dark in the room, but basically need to be able to project maybe a 3' x 2' image on a wall or some surface.

[ProjectorPeople]

@leithp What a great idea! (We may steal that one from you for a video, unless you and your band want to send us one to share!)

This spring, Vivitek and LG are coming out with brighter, more robust pico projectors. These will undoubtedly provide the clarity and brightness you need to share tabs, lyrics etc.

YouTube won't let me share links in comments. However, if you head to our blog and scroll down a bit, you can see video we shot of Vivitek's new Qumi pico projector at CES 2011.

[jeevanirajiv]

But the key is how long does the 3m bulb last! i heard the picos can go on for a long time

[ProjectorPeople]

@jeevanirajiv Yes, they can. The 3M's lamp lasts 20,000 hours. Pretty impressive.

[montereydragon]

Appreciate the effort and that you did use a valid means of comparing their output. However, your choice of videos should be "Happy Feet", "Toy Story", or most any Pixar produced animation. Today's Hollywood factory produced films suck for lighting. As well, you may wish to utilize a "Power Point" presentation, for those interested in use such devices for commercial/business applications.

[ProjectorPeople]

@montereydragon Great suggestions, friend! We will keep these in mind.

[Bobcaticus]

Hey there,

I was wondering if you would review the Sival 720P projector. Model MP720B1

On youtube someone has reviewed it but I was wondering if you've had access to such a unit, as it's something I'd be interested in.

I need a cheap (£200-£350, or around $550, according to exchange rates) for playing games in a dark room that won't need it's lamp changed for a good time. I'm using it frequently. Your vids are very informative! Keep it up!

[BroknSircut]

pk201 has 20 lumens- would that be a big difference in brightness between that and the epson one?

[ProjectorPeople]

@BroknSircut

Hey there! Which Epson did you want to compare?

[BroknSircut]

@ProjectorPeople The one you turn on at 1:49

[ProjectorPeople]

@BroknSircut

Hey there! We don't have the Epson S6 anymore. But the newer model, the Epson S7 costs about $540 and packs an impressive 2300 lumens. That's 100 times the brightness of the PK201, which costs $300.

It all depends on your needs. Both are great projectors. But at 5 pounds, you can't slip the Epson in your pocket.

[BroknSircut]

@ProjectorPeople i need a cheap one for my room. What would you recomend. my room isn't very bright so brightness might not be an issue

[ProjectorPeople]

@BroknSircut

Tell me more. Are you trying to watch movies, or is this for data projection? How big an image do you want to project? Define "cheap."

There are a lot of great options out there. We'll help you find something!

[DumberCheese]

Is 1280x720 HD

And what are lumans

If you can may you do a unboxing of the optoma pico projector PK-202

[ProjectorPeople]

@DumberCheese Hey there! Yes, 1280 X 720 is HD. As for lumens, the PK 102 is 11 lumens, the PK 202 is 20. I'll try to set up a shootout between the two!

[BroknSircut]

@ProjectorPeople please show the pk201 . there are few videos of that

[ProjectorPeople]

@BroknSircut

We're working on it, I promise!

[wols0003]

um... I think when you tuned the lights off your video camera was setting itself to compensate light for the Epson. One could also set light compensation for the Picos and then the Epson would look completely whitewashed, while the picos would look deep and rich. C'mon who are you trying to fool? I'm not saying that picos are better than the Epson, in fact I'm sure the Epson is much superior to the Picos, but your presentation is completely bogus.

[ProjectorPeople]

Hi Wols. I think this video (or camera) may have overcompensated for the Pico. These are very new products. We used a 1st-gen Pico - they should improve in the future. For now I stand behind this video and its representation of the products. If you are anywhere in the vicinity of Tampa, Fl, you could stop by and see them in action, or pop in to Best Buy for a demo. There are some MUCH brighter LED-based projectors from Casio just released. Those will probably give that Epson a run for its money!

[No3225]

@ProjectorPeople

i am looking for a cheap projector

i want a led one because it last for 20 000h

i want to use it for shooters games on pc

what do you recomend?

i dont know about projectors

i know on lcd and crt monitors you have refresh rate

and on lcd you have respons time

what is the situation with projectors?

are they better for health(eyes)

[ProjectorPeople]

@No3225

For PC gaming, we recommend a projector with 1280x800 resolution. This will process 1280x800, 1280x768, 720p or XGA signals without any scaling and keep video delay to a minimum.

The Casio XJ-A230 is a 1280x800 LED hybrid projector that should satisfy your needs. You may find cheaper non-LED 1280X800 projectors, but by the time you replace a lamp or two youll end up spending more than you would on a LED projector.

[No3225]

@ProjectorPeople

ok thanks but that is to much for me

i will wait for some cheaper led projector

and i dont mind sting a game on 800x600 and using a projector with that resolution

[ProjectorPeople]

@No3225 For PC gaming, you'll get the best results if your projectors native resolution matches that of your computer. This will reduce video delay because the projector does not have to rescale the signal.

[wildmatty18]

I'm not sure what you mean by 4:3 and black bar, I think I just want a portable one such as this Epson S6, or something just like it, are there any you reccomend that at the sameas this epson

[ProjectorPeople]

the black bars/4:3 reference is the native aspect ratio of the projector. HDTV is in 16:9 or widescreen aspect ratio. 4:3 is the aspect of TVs we've grown up with, and the black bars are the areas without an image that you see when you view widescreen content on a 4:3 display. Hope that helps! But if you're just looking for a low cost projector, check out our list of projectors under $600 on the Projector People site. Click "projectors", and "projectors under $600" that'll give you some options

[cichlidkeeper89]

have you ever been watching tv and had black bars on the top and bottom of your screen?

its because you are watching a widesreen movie on a standard screen tv.

so, if your ok with the black bars in the picture, then all you need is a 4:3 aspect ratio.

if you would rather have a widescreen picture then you need a 16:9 ratio.

4:3= square picture

16:9=rectangle like a movie theater.

[cornflaker]

@cichlidkeeper89 aspect ratio doesn't really matter with projectors as you shouldn't see the black bars lol

[cichlidkeeper89]

@cornflaker hmm. tru.lol i never thought about that.lol

[cichlidkeeper89]

i looked up the S6, weres what you get with the epson S6...

it is a mutimedia projector, NOT a home theater projector. it is 4:3 so it will have a square screen. aslo, it CANNOT be cealing mounted so you will have to put it on a table. you also CANNOT plug a blu-ray player into it as it is not a HI-DEF projector. that being said, the native resolution is only 800x600 so the picture will be grainy and some words will be hard to read. it will be an ok projector, but i would look elsewhere.

[wildmatty18]

Hi, im looking for a projector, my main purpose would be watching movies(videos), projecting live T.V., I dont want an expensive high end one, These small ones in your video arent the quality im looking for. I was thinking something more around the Epson S6...but i want to keep price range from 300-600. What projector do you think will be best for what ill be using it for. THANKS!!

[ProjectorPeople]

Hi wildmatty, are you thinking that you want a native widescreen projector? Or are you OK with 'black bars' on a 4:3 projector watching widescreen content?

[shotta2545]

What about the digital galaxy brand projectors that sell's on ebay for $250 and are supposed to be HD with 1080i, and is the brand any good?

[ProjectorPeople]

I'm not familiar with the Digital Galaxy brand, but what I found in a search for the brand was pretty varried. The main difference between pocket projectors and the low-priced LCD is the lamp - or brightness. I suspect the difference is simlar for the $250 unit. I've seen similar priced projectors at Target (etc.) and I believe they use a "light bulb" - like what you would have on a desk lamp. So the projector is quite dim. But, in fairness, they would probably work fine in a dark room.

[ProjectorPeople]

I just replied with some more details, but included a link so it didn't publish. Ugh. Anyway, there is a thread about digital galaxy projectors on AVS Forum if you have more questions. They are usually very helpful.

You can also send me the part number if you want a more specific comparison. Its hard to give a full assessment without seeing connectivity, native resolution, contrast, etc. for the specific projector you are considering.

Hope that is helpful!

[Tybokevryky]

What happens with the LED'S When they burn out after the 20,000 Hours of usage?

[ProjectorPeople]

Hello Tybo,

That is a good question. I have yet to see one do that, so I don't know. I suspect they just stop emitting light. I can look into it for you. Are you wondering if the light source can be replaced after they reach end of life? Or were you looking for some other information?

[jonlee29]

Dude thats almost two and a half years of continuous non stop use,, in theory that would calculate that the LED's at 8 hours every a day every day should last at least 7 to 9 year's give or take a little.

[CAMMANDERCGF]

just wait 4 years and you'll see

[Tybokevryky]

I already got another projector ith better guiality and better life span...

[bigboi8720]

one question: can i have it as a full on television or not? goes for both.

[ProjectorPeople]

Hello bigboi, I wouldn't recommend either of the projectors here as a full on television. Main reasons would be, the Pico projector isn't really bright enough, unless you don't mind watching in the dark. And the portable business projector is designed more for presentations than video. Lamp life, connectivity, and audio are also potential issues.