Video: Syndiant demonstrates its own prototype pico projector
By Darren Murph 
posted March 18th 2009 1:03PM
posted March 18th 2009 1:03PM
posted March 18th 2009 1:03PM
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Resolution of the projector = how many people will drop the dough to buy them. pico projectors are not good enough for someone like me who buys gadgets he doesn't need to get one of these
Cool points for using the "Mamma Mia" trailer for their demo...
And, who doesn't love them there "Cartoons?"
it's all about the lumen's and that is next to useless in meeting settings even with very low light, what that is for is for people that want a mobile tv that they can watch on a wall with others (you also have to remember that this tech cost 10's of thousands and was the size of a small house just 15 years ago)
I would love to see these in laptops before seeing them in a cellphone. Great for impromptu business presentations.
That's the best idea I've heard so far. A laptop could easily fit a pico projector into the housing, where it would serve as a really interesting second screen solution, rather than dealing with all the cables and stuff like that. Why haven't I seen anyone suggest that before? (Probably because I haven't been paying attention.)
Yes, mobiles with projectors? Not for me.
Don't people giving presentations normally have the laptop on a desk, facing them (to read notes or whatever), with their back to the screen? Putting the projector on the back of the laptop would make giving the presentation difficult, and if it was on the front it'd likely be blocked by the person giving the presentation.
I am sure an enterprising engineer will be able to solve that "problem". As these get smaller and smaller, the focusing head could be put on a swivel like with today's cellphone cameras.
Laptops have always been a focus of Pico Projector installation in the future. It's just that right now, they are still evolving. Laptop makers aren't rushing to spend millions of dollars to install tech into your portable computer that might be outdated tomorrow. Also, nobody is certain people will pay $100 to $200 premium for the feature either.
There are alot of Nay-Sayers whom have never used a Pico projector before, who like to say over and over how useless they are, because of their limited brightness. Most of them seem to post comments here.... I own one, and I think it's quite useful. :p
Forget crappy/useless pico projectors, what we all really, really want to see is hardware that can not only project 3D light shows, but which can also fix your X-wing between intergalactic trips. I think I saw this featured in a historical drama once...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R2-D2
http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/28/nikkos-r2-d2-projector-abducted-by-jawas-on-sale-this-fall/
Close, we just need the x-wing.
Maybe you should try one first, before shooting your mouth off.
I'd personally love to see their brightness increase!
I think for a small scale projection of a relative small image (ie sub 30 inches), the resolutions that some of thse models are already boasting will be sufficient... But it often seems that without a completely dark room, they are difficult to watch, and that starts infringing on their usability.
When I think of a small projector, I think of portable screen alternatives, easy to carry, and somewhat cheap. However, when I think of completely dark rooms, I think of board rooms, theatres and perhaps some places in a house... But these places already have full sized projectors, projectors of Imax quality, or in the case of the home, LCD's, plasmas and so on.
However, if they can get the brightness to the level that they can function in a dimly lit room, then I can see them being a good alternative for travelling business men who want to throw together a quick presentation... I can see them as something you might keep in your briefcase as a backup... And if they get them small enough (while maintaining brightness), then I can see them as alternative options for portable media devices. I don't think that cost will be the limiting factor, if they can get it to the right place in terms of brightness, businessmen and the tech savy ("global economic downturn" or not), will find the funds to purchase them.
As the technology stands, however, they are too low rez for large projections, too dim for most environments, (many are) too large for true portability (built into cell phones, pmps, laptops, umpc etc etc. [yes I know there is the one korean model, but I suspect that, as an early model, it's battery life will be terrible]). And while low in power consumption when compared to a full sized model, they are still not low enough for reasonable portable applications (like early cameraphones with dismal battery lifes).
can we get some skin tones from the rest of the world too? what are they supposed to look like?
As a tech blog, you guys are more or less obligated to keep up on this stuff. I think I speak for a lot of people, however, when I say that we would appreciate you making a big deal when these things get a resolution worth talking about -- you know, something at 800x600 or higher.
This one is 854x600.
Zing!
I think the ideal resolution for a Pico projector is 640 x 480 'standard definition'
Good enough for watching a video off of a Zune and maybe to play some video games, what else would you need a pico projector for?
agreed. Laptop