Optoma Pico Projector gets pictured, specced and priced

We've been hearing about Optoma's Pico Projector for what feels like ages now, but at long last we've some concrete data on the minuscule beamer. Boasting Texas Instruments' DLP technology, the 2- x 4.1- x 0.7-inch device weighs in at just 4.2-ounces and features a native resolution of 480 x 320 pixels, 9 (yes, nine) lumens of brightness and a minimum projection distance of eight inches (with a maximum of 8.5-feet). We're also told that it can be recharged via an AC adapter or USB, but the 20,000-hour bulb is not replaceable. David Pogue was able to spend a little time with the unit, and overall, he was emphatically stoked. He stated that visuals were more than satisfactory when shot up on an airline seat back, and the general crispness of the picture was smashing, too. Contrary to previous reports, we've now learned that this critter will be shipping in a fortnight (or two weeks, for those who take issue with such a term) for $430, which means this can now skyrocket to the top of your holiday wish list.

[eiki @ Nov 4th 2008 5:50PM]

not many posts today, writers in a queue!

[Aguiluz @ Nov 4th 2008 5:51PM]

Non replaceable bulb? WTF?

[Samboini @ Nov 4th 2008 5:53PM]

You are looking at it wrong; it is replaceable, albeit it costs $430.

[Chris @ Nov 4th 2008 5:55PM]

By the time you use 20,000 hours of the bulb you wont really need another as it will be
(20 000 hours = 2.28159105 years) from now and you will have something else.

[PeterF @ Nov 4th 2008 6:06PM]

Thats 2.28 years of CONTINUOUS light. I doubt you will watch this thing for 2.28 years straight.

[lazerpenguin @ Nov 4th 2008 6:08PM]

or if you use it around 5hours a day every single day it would last almost 11 years. and by that time we will have small sassy robots that can shoot holograms of women in distress out of their 3d projectors.

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 4th 2008 6:24PM]

But, we already had that 31 years ago...

[slarity @ Nov 5th 2008 8:50AM]

"or if you use it around 5hours a day every single day it would last almost 11 years. and by that time we will have small sassy robots that can shoot holograms of women in distress out of their 3d projectors. "

You mean women slipping out of a dress?

[wildman_91 @ Nov 11th 2008 9:42AM]

slarity, ever heard of star wars?

[Brian @ Nov 4th 2008 5:51PM]

hmm this can be a fun toy to have in the lunch room.

Hmm the things it could do....
"Hey Rob you ever wanted to know what p0rn looks like on Kelsey's shirt?!"
"Why how would you accomplish such a thing?"
"By using my Pico projector and my ipod thats loaded with p0rn!"
"Oh okay lets watch!"


or for the PG crowd...

"Hey Rob you ever wanted to know what Madagascar looks like on Kelsey's shirt?!"
"Why how would you accomplish such a thing?"
"By using my Pico projector and my ipod thats loaded with said movie!"
"Oh okay lets watch!"

[Samboini @ Nov 4th 2008 5:54PM]

One of them may encroach the law!

[Salsa Shark @ Nov 4th 2008 6:25PM]

He was able to get 8 inches of free space in an airplane seat?

[groggle @ Nov 4th 2008 6:37PM]

A WIMOWEH A WIMOWEH IN THE JUNGLE THE MIGHTY JUNGLE....

Ahhh to be able to entertain my friends with my ipod vids...

[cmuska902 @ Nov 4th 2008 6:52PM]

Would someone be able to explain to me how this projector plans to project video from a headphone jack?

[bartoron @ Nov 4th 2008 7:00PM]

I was wondering the exact same thing. Maybe the projector is really a speaker that "projects" sound.

[Quasimojo @ Nov 4th 2008 7:01PM]

Crap, you beat me to it. It is a good question...video from the headphone jack....ok...

[PICake @ Nov 4th 2008 7:10PM]

that is how ipods output to a tv. the 3.5mm diddy that plugs into the ipod has 3 bands, left audio, right audio, and video.
i wonder if it will work with the newer ipods though. (they require a special tv out cable with an even more special apple chip that authenticates that it is an apple product)

[Mitch R. @ Nov 4th 2008 7:40PM]

The older iPods (like the one in the picture) could output video with the correct cable from the 3.5mm jack. The newer iPods can only output video from the dock connector.

[Jon Nelson @ Nov 4th 2008 7:15PM]

"shipping in a fortnight (or two weeks, for those who take issue with such a term)"

Thank you, Darren, for making my entire week.

[takemetoyourtoaster @ Nov 4th 2008 7:28PM]

If you can hook it up to a laptop, this + el cheapo netbook would make a killer media center on the go

[mike @ Nov 4th 2008 7:33PM]

just don't put it in your front pocket after the presentation

[holycow @ Nov 4th 2008 9:10PM]

It's 499.99 in Canada
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=019683&cid=333.59

[Sindo @ Nov 5th 2008 12:30AM]

This looks awesome!

[bluehaven @ Nov 5th 2008 2:14AM]

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=34141&vpn=PICO&manufacture=Optoma - 464.99 cad

[James @ Nov 5th 2008 5:21AM]

Video of it in action here: http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2008/10/21/optoma-pico-pocket-projector-video-hands-on/

[Ed @ Nov 5th 2008 10:34AM]

Funky little device, whodda thunk it! Read David Pogue's review in the NYTimes. There are all sorts of ways to input video into this little beast, including hooking up digital cameras and traditional video sources. Older video iPods through the top jack, newer with different cables that connect on the bottom.

[Duy @ Nov 7th 2008 4:22PM]

i hope they make it compatible with the PSP.

[Fong @ Dec 31st 2008 5:26AM]

I wonder if it works with a Mac mini? Early days yet but a Mac mini / Pico combo could become a viable laptop alternative - of course would have to take a keyboard into consideration .....

[Jim Dabblin @ Jan 9th 2009 6:58AM]

Wonder what the battery weighs.... Or how long it lasts on one charge...

[Mike @ Jan 9th 2009 2:24PM]

I heard that the included iPod cable only works for iPod videos. Does anyone know if this will work with an iPhone at the highest quality level? Thanks.