Toshiba TDP-FF1A portable LED projector

Looks like Toshiba's serious about the 20-ounce pocket projector we peeped a couple of months ago. The specs are now out on what is officially known as the TDP-FF1A, and it looks like this one could be, er, handy. To keep power consumption down, the projector uses an LED, and Toshiba rates it at 18 watts — not exactly something that will light up a room, but a bulb that could make this adequate for presentations in small offices. Battery life is rated at about 2 hours on a charge; not surprisingly, the battery weighs about as much as the projector itself, so be prepared to double your weight calcs if you're planning on doing on-the-go presentations. The projector — expected to retail for about $800 — also has the ability to display JPEGs directly from a USB thumb drive, making it possible to give PC-free presentations (if you're willing to give up all of your fancy PowerPoint transitions, that is).

[Via Akihabara News]

[DannyHSDad @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

As I have translated some of the PR details at my blog,

http://dannytech.blogspot.com/2005/12/one-pound-led-projector-battery.html

the projector is about 1 pound (565 grams) while battery is half that (250 grams). Both the battery and projector screen are included in the $850 retail price.

[Jamie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

18 watts, but how many lumens? (LEDs are much more effecient.)

[Ben brenker @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

So basically, for the same money, I could have a projector with 1500 lumens or more, 400:1 contrast, and money left over, all for the inconvenience of having to carry a charging cable? It's not as if new projectors are tanks, they aren't that heavy... and instead of having to replace a $400 bulb every 2-3 years, I'll have to replace a $400 battery? Somehow it just doesn't seem like a bargain or an advancement...

[wolfprime @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

The big news is the LED. I'm surprised there is no mention of bulb life. 100,000 hours probably vs your standard 2 to 4,000.

[slyecho @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

PowerPoint sucks. I have seen one too many a professor relying solely on PowerPoint to make their lectures look "professional", reading aloud the same boring facts that they have typed in their bulleted and animated lists.

To stay on topic, I would have to say it is a pretty impressive thing to make a projector that small, but I really don't see what could be gained from using this product. Wouldn't it be better (and brighter, cheaper) to just do your presentation on a laptop screen. After all, you do need a computer to connect this thing to.

[KevinFreitas @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

So very cool -- if the the brightness is there, so am I. I can't stand the heat and noise normal projectors can put out. Should be a fun technology to watch!

[Racky @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

The lifetime of an LED is inversely proportional to the heat generated, and the brightness of the LED will degrade proportionally over time.

I wouldn't expect better brightness or lifetime from this generation, but being solid-state this projector will at least survive being thrown in the back of some reps car!

[Seth @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Sweet! I like the totally 80's old-school styling. This would look comfortable sitting next to the Apple Lisa or Atari 1400.

[Josh R @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Found some more specs at pczone.ch:
SVGA 800x600, 300 Lux, 1500:1 Contrast Ratio

http://pczone.ch/product_info.php?products_id=332643&PHPSESSID=ab07b6289a34422c8426c44629ba6b9d

[AI @ Dec 21st 2005 12:41PM]

The Toshiba LED powered micro projector is out in France and it is to be released in UK around Christmas (or early New Year).

Find below the hyperlinks for detail perusal:

http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/toshiba_tdp-ff1a_worlds_smallest_and_lightest_dlp_projector.php

The images on this link are detailed however I believe the description in the article quoting 400 ANSI lumens is a mistake. Verify it with product release info from toshiba France website.

http://www.toshiba.fr/donnees/egp/images/FF1.pdf



The projected image by Toshiba FF1 is shown in the penultimate image on the first link (above). The attached battery is also visible.



The important question is ANSI Lumen and LUX values. Samsung states 23 ANSI Lumens while Mitsubishi and Toshiba indicates 250 and 400 LUX respectively.



Using the formula described on the following hyperlink:

http://www.dvmg.com.au/iti-f1.html



My calculations for producing a projected image of 70cm(W) by 50cm(H), approximately 83cm(33inches) diagonal view:



Toshiba�s LED projector is rated 400 LUX (stated) and my calculated ANSI Lumens value is approximately 165. I could have miscalculated, so verify with the formula! Please note that resolution 800 X 600 is 4:3 ratio or (1.34) therefore I choose screen size 70cmX50cm, ratio (1.4)

[AI @ Dec 21st 2005 12:55PM]

In my previous comment posted above, non of the hyperlinks will work because at the end of each weblink the letters are added. Delete in the address bar of your browser. For some reason they are added automatically by the system.

[AI @ Dec 21st 2005 1:10PM]

Simply copy and paste the url addresses in your browser. All three web addresses are correct. Its just because < b > tag is added automatically at the end of each line and disabling the link. I don't know why. I must reiterate that all weblinks are worth reading!