Vivitek Expands Its LED-based Projector Line – Press Release


January 14th, 2013 admin

Comments by Projector Reviews staff:

We recently reported that Pico projectors are the fastest growing segment of the projector market (according to Pacific Media). Vivitek has been at the forefront of this growing trend since the beginning.  At CES, they introduced the Qumi Q7 with 3D-ready capabilities and 800 lumens, appealing to a wider consumer base than ever before.

P R E S S   R E L E A S E

Vivitek Introduces Qumi Q7 LED Projector

Bright, LED based pico projector with 3D-ready capabilities

LAS VEGAS, January 8, 2013 –Vivitek Corporation, a leading manufacturer of innovative visual presentation products, introduces the latest in its line of Qumi LED-based pico projectors. The Q7, the company?s new Qumi product, increases Vivitek’s family of projection devices for a wide range of applications and expands its LED-based projectors.

Weighing in at 3.1 pounds, the Qumi Q7 delivers up to 800 lumens of brightness with an LED light source that gives it up to 30,000 hours of operation time. And, not only is it 3D-ready via Texas Instruments’ DLP® Link™, but the Q7 integrates 2D-to-3D content conversion technology for standard and Blu-Ray 3D playback. The Qumi Q7 features the unique touch sensitive button controls and sleek design that is familiar with the Qumi family of projectors. It is ready to be used with a variety of devices, including, but not limited to, digital cameras, laptops, smart phone and Read the rest of this entry »

Latest New Era Projector Industry Forecast from Pacific Media Associates (PMA) Anticipates Exponential Growth-Press Release


January 11th, 2013 admin

Comments by Projector Reviews staff:

Read the latest from PMA about the fastest growing niche of the projector market, the “Picos”.

Press Release

Latest New Era Projector Industry Forecast from Pacific Media Associates (PMA) Anticipates Exponential Growth

Pico and Personal Projector Sales Expected To Grow Six-Fold by 2016

Menlo Park, California, USA – January 3, 2013.  Pacific Media Associates (PMA), the global market information experts on the projector category, has released their latest industry forecasts for the worldwide New Era projector market, which includes pico and personal projectors. PMA expects 2012 worldwide shipments of nearly 1.8 million units, and anticipates this figure to grow to more than 12.3 million units by the year 2016.

One of the strongest segments of anticipated growth are Pico Embedded models, which are projectors built into other mobile devices such as cell phones, cameras and camcorders. PMA has forecast a 66% growth rate for this segment, to nearly 1.5 million units shipped worldwide in 2013 and again expects that figure to double in 2014. By the year 2016, worldwide unit shipments in this category are forecast to reach 6.4 million units.

Another bright spot in the New Era forecast is the New Era Integrated projector category, which includes battery-powered Pico Companion projectors, as well as Personal, and Gaming/Toy projectors. PMA has forecast a very strong 68% growth rate for this segment, to over 1.4 million units shipped worldwide in 2013, and expects unit volume to again more than double in 2014. Exponential growth is anticipated to continue through 2016, where worldwide volumes will reach more than 5.9 million units. Read the rest of this entry »

AAXA Announces New P300 Pico Projector – Press Release


October 17th, 2012 admin

AAXA P300 projector

Comments by Projector Reviews staff:

We were very impressed with the last AAXA pico projector we reviewed, the P4X.  This new P300 model boasts the most brightness from a pico yet…300 lumens!  Sounds quite impressive!  Read on for more information from AAXA.

Press Release

The New AAXA P300 features 300Lm Brightness, 720P Resolution, and a 75 minute battery

Tustin, CA October 10th, 2012

AAXA Technologies, a leader in Pico and Micro projectors, announces the release of the P300 Pico Projector, the world’s brightest battery-powered pico projector. The new P300 features a revolutionary new pico optical engine capable of delivering 300 peak lumens at a high-definition (HD) resolution of 1280×800. Powered by Texas Instruments’ DLP Technology the AAXA P300 employs Vibrant Color LED technology to deliver dazzling Read the rest of this entry »

Optoma Debuts New PT105 Playtime Projector – Press Release


November 8th, 2011 admin

Optoma PT105 projector

Comments by Projector Reviews staff:

Also, just in time for Christmas, Optoma debuts the PT105 projector.  It is designed to deliver a big image (up to 140″) at a low cost ($229) and only weighs 1.9 lbs.  We envision it being perfect for the kids’ games and videos in a playroom or basement setting or anywhere the family gathers where lighting can be controlled.  Enjoy!

Press Release

OPTOMA DEBUTS NEW PLAYTIME PROJECTOR

Big Image, Low Cost Theme Drives Efforts To Expand Market Reach

Fremont, Calif. | November 7, 2011 | Continuing its industry-leading efforts of creatinginnovative products to reach broader, untapped audiences, Optoma®, the best-selling brand ofDLP projectors in the Americas, introduces the PT105, an all-new 75-lumen, plug-n-playprojector designed to give consumers an easy-to-use, low-cost, portable projector.  The PT105,the second projector in the company’s PlayTime line, offers simple operation with the powerto deliver images up to 140” in size and is compatible with most video gaming consoles,Blu-ray/ DVD players, set top boxes, computers, or any devices supporting HDMI, VGA or compositevideo output. The PT105 is available now and has an end-user price of $229.

“The response to our PlayTime line has been very strong,” said Jon Grodem, Optoma’s senior director of product and Read the rest of this entry »

Viewsonic Introduces 2 New Models, PLED-W200 and Pro 8200 – Press Release


January 18th, 2011 admin

Viewsonic PLED-W200 projector

Viewsonic Pro8200 projector

Comments by Projector Reviews staff:

ViewSonic introduced several new entertainment solutions at CES.  Of note in the projector arena is a pico projector, the PLED-W200.  It offers WXGA resolution and 200 lumens with LED light technology and an expected price of $499.  The Pro8200 HD home theater projector is the replacement for the Pro8100, which we reviewed here, http://www.projectorreviews.com/viewsonic/pro8100/index.php.  It offers full 1080p resolution and 2000 lumens and an estimated price of $999.  The Pro8200 is in house for review and check out or blog about it here: http://www.projectorreviews.com/blog/2011/01/05/viewsonic-pro8200-a-first-look-projector-review/

P R E S S   R E L E A S E

ViewSonic Introduces Projection Innovations at CES

ViewSonic Launches Entertainment Solutions, Including a 3D HD Converter Box, Powerful Pico and a Sub $1,000 Full HD Home Theater ProjectorLAS VEGAS, NV–(Marketwire – January 6, 2011) – ViewSonic Corp. (South Hall 30873), a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, is expanding its projection offerings today with several new entertainment solutions ranging from a 3D HD video converter box to one of the world’s most powerful pocket-sized projectors.

“ViewSonic offers unsurpassed front of screen experience,” said Jeff Volpe, vice president and general manager for ViewSonic Americas. “Today’s new projection solutions, fueled by last year’s success in the home theater space with the launch of our ViewSonic Pro8100 projector, are the latest evolution in home entertainment. From our powerful picos to our 3D HD video processor box and foldable, rechargeable 3D glasses, our projection products and accessories address consumers’ entertainment and media needs at home and on the go.”

ViewSonic VP3D1 3D Video Box for HD
A cost-effective home entertainment solution, ViewSonic’s VP3D1 3D video processor box enables the viewing of Blu-ray™ and other Full HD 1080p 2D and 3D content on any 3D Ready DLP® projector with an HDMI connection(1). From HD movies to games, consumers can enjoy Full HD content on their current compatible projector. The HDMI 1.4A output and dual HDMI input connectors ensure connectivity with Blu-ray 3D™ players, PlayStation® 3D games and others. With the VP3D1, a 1080p video signal is automatically converted for a seamless 3D projection experience. The VP3D1 will be available in early February for an ESP of $299.

ViewSonic PGD-250 DLP Link 3D Glasses
Perfect for home theater viewing, ViewSonic’s PGD-250 Active Stereographic 3D shutter glasses bring reality one step closer. Compatible with any DLP 3D Ready projector solution, these glasses bring 3D content to life in a lightweight, foldable frame design that is comfortable to wear — created with consumers’ comfort in mind. For added user convenience, the PGD-250 glasses also feature a rechargeable battery — simply plug the included USB cable into a compatible device. ViewSonic’s PGD-250 3D glasses will be available in mid-February for an ESP of $99.

ViewSonic PLED-W200 Pico Projector
The PLED-W200 pocket-sized projector is ideal for slipping in a laptop bag or purse for taking presentations and entertainment on the go. At 200 lumens, with a 2000:1 contrast ratio and display resolution of 1200×800 WXGA, the PLED-W200 packs the world’s highest lumen and resolution counts into a CD player-sized device. Weighing less than a Read the rest of this entry »

Vivitek Introduces New Pico Projector, Qumi – Press Release


January 18th, 2011 admin

Vivitek Qumi Pico Projector

Comments by Projector Reviews staff:

Vivitek has now joined the Pico projector club in a big way with its introduction of the Qumi LED projector.  What makes it special is that it seems to be the first 3D ready (uses the same DLP Link technology as most larger DLP 3D projectors) Pico/pocket projector!  Weighing in at 1.6 lbs., its LED-based light source offers up to 300 lumens (less of course, with 3D content), and 30,000+ hours doing what you bought it for; be that game playing, presenting and/or data/video sharing from all your portable devices.  And the estimated price of $499 makes it pretty affordable too, especially considering the competition so far!

P R E S S   R E L E A S E

Vivitek Enters Pico Projector Category with LED-Based Pocket Projector

Vivitek Introduces Bright, Lightweight, LED-Based Projector with 3D Ready Capabilities LAS VEGAS–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Vivitek Corporation, a leading manufacturer of innovative visual presentation products, enters the Pico projector category with the Qumi, the company’s new line of LED-based pocket projectors. To maximize the company’s strength in LED-based projectors, the new Qumi (pronounced Q-me) projectors enhance Vivitek’s family of projection devices for a wide range of applications.

Weighing in at only 1.6 pounds, the Qumi is the first pocket projector to be 3D-ready via Texas Instruments’ DLP® Link™ technology. The Qumi’s touch sensitive button controls and sleek design is ready to be used with a variety of devices, including, but not limited to digital cameras, laptops, smart phones and tablets. Vivitek’s Qumi projector is versatile and portable enough for both work and play, making it ideal for sharing digital content. Read the rest of this entry »

AAXA Announces L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector – Press Release


January 10th, 2011 admin

Aaxa L1 v2

Comments by Projector Reviews staff:

The L1 v2 is an updated version of AAXA’s L1.  Offering advances in its laser light technology, this new version promises a better, sharper picture than its predecessor with less visible pixels.  Laser pico projectors have been a mixed bag so far, with some advantages and some disadvantages.  We’re hopeful that this is a next generation of laser engine, with less sparkle.  If this projector is basically the same, but with a new light engine, we’ll take a look and see how much it improves on last year’s.

Press Release

November 24, 2010:  AAXA Technologies is pleased to announce the release of the AAXA L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector, an updated version of the L1, the world’s first laser powered pocket projector. The updated design improves the performance of L1 v2 by increasing the thermal efficiency of the PCOS laser light engine. The unique three-color laser light source enables the L1 v2 to produce images with amazing color saturation that are always in focus. Designed for mobile professionals and entertainment, the AAXA L1 v2 pocket projector combines a revolutionary laser light source, proprietary despeckling technology, and an LCoS imager to achieve a 20 lumen output at 800×600 resolution without the pixilation problems found in some laser projectors.

The flexibility offered by the L1 v2 laser light source opens up a new world of possibilities in projection applications. The focus-free operation allows for rapid changes in projection size, simultaneous far and near surface projection, angled projection, and projection on curved and other non-flat surfaces. Its ultra-efficient optical engine enables the L1 v2 to produce rich images even in less-than-dark environments – and color-rich images up to 50″ in dark environments. Combined with onboard 1.5 hour battery, the L1 v2 operates as a true hand-held laser projector without the need for any cables or external power source. Read the rest of this entry »

Luminus Announces New Aiptek Pocket Cinema V50 Pico Projector – Press Release


January 10th, 2011 admin

Aiptek Pocket Cinema V50

Comments by Projector Reviews staff:

The new Aiptek PocketCinema V50 offers a change to 16:9, WVGA (848×480) from 4:3, VGA in last year’s model.  More importantly it offers up to 50 lumens of light output on AC, and 20 on battery.  The battery is supposed to last 2 hours, we presume, at the 20 lumen level.  The Aiptek V50 has a selling price of under $350. We wonder if there’s an external battery pack that can maintain the 50 lumens brightness.

Luminus Devices’ Big-Chip LEDs Power New Aiptek PocketCinema V50 Projector

LAS VEGAS (January 07, 2011) – Luminus Devices, Inc., developer and manufacturer of high light output, “big-chip” LEDs, today announced that it is powering Aiptek’s new PocketCinema V50 Projector, one of the world’s smallest projectors enabling instant projection anywhere for business presentations, photo sharing with family and friends and gaming.

The PocketCinema V50 Projector combines DLP Optical Technology with Luminus’ SBT-16 LED pico-projection chipset for sharp and rich image quality. The SBT-16 chipset is designed specifically for hand-held projectors that use micro-displays ranging from “0.2 to 0.45″ with individual red, green and blue LEDs.

The V50′s 848 x 480 (WVGA) resolution enables image projection up to 85 inches from iPods, digital cameras, camcorders, mobile phones, PCs or notebooks and gaming consoles. The built-in reader is compatible with an extensive list of business and multimedia file formats, including 720p high-definition video, allowing immediate projection of presentations or movies without having to convert files. In addition, the V50 offers a battery life of up to 2 hours. Read the rest of this entry »

Optoma Introduces New Neo-i – Press Release


January 4th, 2011 admin

Optoma Neo-i

Comments by Projector Reviews staff:

Well, we knew it was coming! What we have here from Optoma is the first integrated projector and iPod sound dock!  Now you can project from your iPod, iPhone and iPad and other smart devices.  In other words, will you pay a bit more to also have a projector to share your content with others?  With a $449 price, it’s hardly the most expensive “boom box” around for these devices.  Many nice ones without video sell from between $200 and $500.  And it’s extremely well equipped with inputs and HD resolution.  Click here for more information: http://www.projectorreviews.com/optoma/neo-i/specifications-id2606.php

Press Release

OPTOMA UNVEILS INDUSTRY’S FIRST IPOD SOUND DOCK WITH BUILT-IN PICO PROJECTOR

Neo-i Gives Plug ‘n’ Play Audio Video Compatibility to Portable Media Players & Other Source Components

FREMONT, Calif. | Nov.1, 2010 | Optoma, the world’s best-selling brand of DLP projectors and leader in Pico projection technology, announces the Neo-i, the first all-in-one iPod® sound dock with built-in Pico projector that gives digital media device users plug ‘n’ play compatibility to enjoy their audio and video content projector in one transportable, tabletop device.  Complete with built-in a 16-watt stereo speaker system and additional inputs to accommodate just about any source component, the Neo-i combines the best of both portable digital technologies providing users with a simple, unique audio/video solution.  The Neo-i goes on sale in mid-December with an end user price of $449

“The Neo-i offers a unique solution to a marketplace that is increasingly dependent on portable devices for both audio and video content,” said Jon Grodem, Optoma’s senior director of sales & marketing.  “This gives them a simple, all-in-one solution for sharing that content.” Read the rest of this entry »

MicroVision Launches SHOWWX+ Projector – Press Release


December 8th, 2010 admin

Comments by Projector Reviews staff:

The SHOWWX+ from MicroVision offers longer battery life (up to 2 hours), a brighter picture (15 lumens), and a shorter throw than its competitors.

MicroVision SHOWWX+

MicroVision Unveils Second-Generation Laser Pico Projector, SHOWWX+

Mobile Device Users Break Free from the Screen with 50 Percent Brighter Display and Simple Connection to Apple Devices

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MicroVision, Inc. (NASDAQ:MVIS), the leader in innovative ultra-miniature laser display technology, today unveiled SHOWWX+®, the second-generation of its award-winning laser pico projector. With a 50 percent brighter display within the same slim size, SHOWWX+ enables mobile device users to break free from the small screen and project large, clear 16:9 widescreen content wherever they are, on any surface.

“We’re on a mission to eliminate the squinting and huddling that occurs when mobile device users share content,” said Alexander Tokman, president and CEO of MicroVision. “SHOWWX+ is designed to simply and quickly connect to today’s hottest new portable devices so users can display and share large vibrant images and video with ease.”

Taking the Mobile Experience Beyond the Small Screen

SHOWWX+ is the first laser pico projector to offer a big-screen, movie-length experience that easily slips into a shirt pocket. Boasting two hours of battery life, 15 laser lumens, a contrast ratio up to five times higher than competing Read the rest of this entry »