Judging from Engadget’s latest post regarding 3M Mpro 120 micro projector the writers at engadget are less then impressed with 3M’s new Mpro 120 projector. ENGADGETS POST

While not substantially improving in resolution (640×480) or brightness (12 lumens) Engadget did miss one key new feature of 3M’s new pico projector – the new optical engine. As a departure from the Mpro110’s optical engine the new 3M Mpro120 uses a new sequential LED which features separate colors for red, green, and blue. This means better color quality and contrast as opposed to a single white LED. Perhaps not a huge difference in image quality, but a difference nevertheless.

The advancement of technology for micro projectors has been amazing. From Texas Instruments DLP, to a plethora of LCoS manufacturers such as 3M, Syndiant, Aurora, MEMs designs from players like Microvision all these technologies have been converted into product within the last 3 years.

Now with OLED technology beginning to see commercialization will OLED lead the micro projector charge?

Hypoled seems to think so with its new OLED imager:

http://www.hypoled.org/

But judging from the prices of Sony’s OLED TV’s, perhaps we are still a little bit away from commercialization.

We have reviewed the AAXA P2 Micro Projector!

BASIC SPECS:

Class: Pico Projector

Bulb: LED

Resolution: 800×600

Brightness: 33 Lumens

Contrast: 1000:1

MSRP: $349.00

http://www.aaxatech.com/products/p2_pico_projector.htm

The video doesn’t really do the projector justice – here’s pictures in room with natural daylight coming in and some lights on.

Here’s a test with lights off.  The color quality and the resolution really shines in the dark.

Optoma has announced the release of its PK100 micro projector.  Like its siblings it features 11 lumens of brightness and 480×320 of resolution.  Unlike its siblings it does not have an onboard media player but at $199 it does come in at a very low price point.  However with the PK101 and PK102 at $229 and $249 respectively, and the looks virtually identical, we are getting very confused indeed!  Perhaps this is an attempt to phase out the PK101 in favor of the PK100 and PK102…  Either way it should be an interesting holiday season!