Tag Archives: pico projector

Living Room Setup with 4K Projectors

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For a lot of people, finding the perfect spot for TV can be tough considering the many factors like the lighting and limited space. With the increase in popularity for 4K home entertainment projectors, many people are switching to 4K projectors instead of traditional 4K televisions. The benefits of a 4K projector setup is that you can go from 50 inch to 150 inch screen without taking up any space in your living area. It is also cheaper to buy a flat 100-150 inch screen than it is to buy 100 inch televisions. 

Projectors are increasing in all aspects including throw ratio, allowing users to display 100 inch screen size with the projectors only 3-4 inches away from the screen. It used to be much more expensive to get a projector with a high lumens brightness, but now it is much more affordable. The number of lumens needed for a room is determined by the amount of ambient light in the room. If there is a high amount of ambient light then the projector will need higher lumens to properly light the screen. With modern 4K projectors ranging from 2000-5000 lumens, there are many options out there that will work best with your home setup. 

When setting up your projector for your home setup, there are many options to mount or place your projector. Most will mount the projector, place it on a table, or mobile projector stand. Mounting the projector is the most common because of the fixed location and the option to hide cables into the ceiling. Mobile home theater entertainment is also becoming popular with new mini portable 4K projectors like AAXA 4K1 Projector, allowing the user to not be limited to just the living room with the size and portability of the projector. 

The built in sound quality of internal speakers in the 4K projectors are good, but not movie theater experience good. To add to the home theater experience, most people will include external speakers to the setup. There are many types of external speakers that you can use, like sound bars, bookshelves speakers, or Bluetooth speakers. Sound bars are popular aesthetically because of the form factor, allowing users to install under or near the screen without taking up much space. One good cheap sound bar is the Bose TV Speakerswith options to connect using HDMI or optical audio. For wireless Bluetooth connection, the Sonos Oneis a mid-priced smart speaker with the option to control audio from your phone, without the hassle of running long cables from your speakers to the projector.

The History Of The Projector

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Reflective technology was well established during China’s Han Dynasty more than 2000 years ago. Intricate brass “light penetration mirrors,” also known as Chinese Magic Mirrors in the west, were created by skilled metalworkers. The complex designs and motifs on one hand contrasted with the smooth metal surface on the back, which was riddled with tiny flaws. The decorative design on the opposite side appears out of nowhere as light bounces off the slightly concave mirror side.

Shadow Play theater presentations were invented in Asia at the same period in the first millennium BCE. On a backlit cloth set, performers told stories by projecting shadows. Ethereal cloth and leather puppets appeared on set.

Over the course of many decades, the projector has changed in size and technology. Today we see the projector as a daily tool used in office settings, classrooms, and homes! Here’s a quick history lesson on how the projectors became what they are today!

The Creation of The Magic Lantern

Back in 1659, there was an inventor named Christiaan Huygens. Renowned for creating the wave light theory and the true shape of the rings of Saturn, Christiaan created the device known as the Magic Lantern. Similar to a projector, the Magic Lantern used a concave mirror to shine light from a lamp through a glass slide with an image to project onto a wall. The Magic Lantern was used for educational and entertainment purposes.

DUX Episcope made of Bakelite Origin Germany circa. 1940 - Catawiki

Following in the 1750s, the Swiss physicist Leonhard Euler developed the first projector, Opaque Projector, better known as the episcope. This device worked similar to the Magic Lantern in terms of technology, however instead of a concave mirror with direct light being shined from a lamp, prisms and mirrors were used to project an object inside the projector to reveal an image on a screen.

The Golden Age of Projectors

During the mid-1900s, computers were finally being developed and technology had advanced immensely. The first-ever slide projector was made using the same concept as the Magic Lamp. Using transparent photographic slides, light from an incandescent light would pass through each slight and focused through a lens to project a large image onto a screen. Typically used for family pictures and slide shows, the slide projector was made for the people at home and presentations.

Following the Slide Projector was the Overhead projector. This projector uses light and transparencies to shine through a reverse mirror overhead of the projector to emit an image on a screen. An easier example of this would be shadow puppets! The Overhead projector was seen throughout the 1950s all the way up until the early 2000s, as they were typically used at schools for educational purposes.

The Digital Age of Projectors

Fast forward now to the present time, there are now multiple variants of projectors! Some of these variants consist of DLP Projectors, LCD Projectors, LCoS Projectors, 4K Projectors, Pico Projectors, and Smart Projectors. It was fairly easy to decide on what type of projector you wanted to buy back then. With these different variants, you can focus on the aspects and features you are specifically looking for!

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below on what we should talk about next!

DLP vs. LCD Projectors: Picking Out The Right Projector for YOU!

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Projectors are a daily tool used in many different ways. Some use projectors for demonstration purposes and some use projectors to create designs! Are you struggling with deciding on what type of projector you want and don’t know the difference between DLP and LCD? Well, today’s your lucky day, we’re going to explain the differences between a DLP projector and an LCD projector. They both have big differences between one another and have different functions, but this should help you figure out what projector will be the best for you!

What is DLP?

DLP stands for Digital Light Processing. Most DLP projectors are standalone and are usually used in a business environment. An example of this would be a classroom projector or a projector being used for the cinema! DLP projectors are comprised of chipsets and rely on micromirrors to project the image. The DLP chip is the key component in a DLP Projector to be able to project the image files a person uses and a spinning wheel that projects red, green, and blue light to create the images that are to be projected.

What is LCD?

LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. This type of technology is typically seen on most modern televisions, monitors, tablets, and smartphones. LCD projectors channel light through a metal lamp then through a prism that divides the light into 3 different panel colors; red, blue, and green. A polarized light moves through each of the panels to project the desired image.

The Advantages?

The advantages of having a DLP projector are its; portability, grayscaling, wide color range, and not requiring as much maintenance. Whereas the advantages of having an LCD projector are its; versatile projection, high light capacity, 3LCD chips that offer less energy consumption with a higher brightness than usual LCD projectors.

AAXA Technologies P6X 1100-Lumen WXGA Portable DLP Projector

Which is The Best for YOU

There are a lot of factors that can come into play when deciding which projector to go for. Some of the biggest factors can be; budget, how the projector is going to be used, brightness, color contrast, portability, and special features. DLP and LCD Projectors can vary in price depending on the certain specifications you are looking for. In terms of brightness, LCD projectors triumph because of the option of having 3LCD chips in some. For true colors and portability, DLP would be the better option for you. A straightforward answer would be if you plan on purchasing a projector for office settings where the projector will always be traveling a DLP projector would be the best fit for you. An LCD projector would be best for anyone using it for still images or having it in a fixed spot.

Here’s a list of some of the best DLP projectors to buy:

AAXA P6X DLP Projector
Optoma HD146X
ViewSonic PA503S

Here’s a list of some of the best LCD projectors to buy:

YABER Y60
VANKYO LEISURE 3 Mini
DBPOWER L21 LCD Video Projector

Tells your thoughts and what you decided to go for in the comments below!

AAXA P6X Portable Projector Vs. Dr. J HI-04 Mini Projector Comparison

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Having trouble deciding what type of mini projector you want? Well look no further, we went and did a review and comparison on some of the most frequently bought mini projectors on the market, the AAXA P6X Portable Projector with 4-Hour Battery and 1000 LED Lumen on Battery (Eco Mode), and the Dr. J HI-04 Mini Projector 1080P Full HD Resolution. We based this comparison on a few factors that matter the most when looking to purchase a home movie projector; portability, resolution, and brightness.

*Scroll down for shop links of the two mini projectors.

Portability

Starting things off with portability;  the P6X Mini Projector boasts a weight of only 1.81 lb and with the dimensions, 6.25″ x 6.2″ x 1.85″. Whereas the Dr.J HI-04  mini projector weighs in at 3.00 lb with the dimensions 7.80″ x 6.02″ x 2.7″. Based on these specs the P6X mini projector seems to have the advantage in terms of portability, this matters mainly for anyone that tends to travel or has to meet certain criteria in terms of placement looking for a portable projector. 

Resolution

Right up next we have the resolution; the P6X portable projector native resolution starts at 1280×800 and a max resolution of 1920×1080.  The Dr.J Mini projector HI-04’s native resolution starts at 1280×720 and a max resolution of 1920×1080. In terms of native resolution, the P6X Portable Projector has the upper hand, having a better-projecting resolution at the start. However, in terms of max resolution, the two mini projectors are neck and neck! I can definitely see both of these projectors being used as outdoor projectors for family home theaters.

Brightness

Next, we have brightness; the P6X mini portable projector has a lumen rating of 1000 Lumens, whereas the Dr. J projector HI-04 does not have any information on the number of lumens it has. Based on what I see the P6X portable projector is a lot brighter in comparison to the Dr.J HI-04 mini projector, overall both have great brightness with neither being too dim.

Results

Overall it’s hard to say which mini projector triumphs over the other, both mini projectors have their pros and their cons. I wouldn’t say that one would is better than the other,  both range at different price points and are aimed towards two different audiences. Be sure to look for the mini projector that is the best fit for you and has the functions you really need.  Let us know what you think!

Link: AAXA P6X Pico Projector $359.99

Link: DR. J HI-04 Mini Projector $94.99

This Fake Window trend is going viral on TikTok-Here’s how to do it with a projector!

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I’m sure if you’re an avid TikTok user, you already know about the many trends that arise from the app. One of the latest trends that are going viral on the app is the “Fake Window” Challenge. How it works is very simple and anyone can do it, so long as you have the right tools (hint: projector?)

What is the “Fake Window” Challenge?

The “Fake Window” challenge is exactly as the name states, a fake window. This is done by using a projector in your room to project a video of a fake window. This gives off the appearance that the view from your bedroom could literally be anything! During times like this when it’s normal to stay home, being able to have a change of scenery in the comfort of your bedroom is great.

There are two things you will need for this challenge to work:

  1. A fake window video/gif(can be found on the internet)
  2. A projector (doesn’t need to be something fancy)

Finding the best “Fake Window”

Do a quick google search and you’ll be able to find a lot of different fake window images. Most people usually use videos to give off that super-realistic feeling where they can not only see but hear as well! These videos can easily be found on YouTube, here’s a link to one:

The Best Projector for YOU

There isn’t necessarily a perfect projector for this challenge to work. Obviously, some projectors are overall better than those that aren’t nearly as good, but people shouldn’t be limited to expensive choices. An example of a good projector at an average price would be the AAXA BP1 Bluetooth Speaker Projector ($155 USD).

Buy: AAXA BP1 Bluetooth Speaker Projector

AAXA is well known for its PICO (portable and mini) projectors, making their projectors a perfect example of this type of challenge. We wouldn’t want to have a super big projector bringing in heat when doing this challenge (especially since summer is just around the corner), we want to be able to show you something that affordable and convenient! The BP1 Bluetooth Speaker Projector as the name states is a mini projector and a speaker at the same time. This portable projector will get you the best of both worlds in terms of picture quality and ambient sounds to soothe you while you lay near your fake window.

Buy: AAXA P300 Neo 420 Lumen Pico Projector

Another contender that would be great for this challenge is another projector from AAXA, the P300 Neo 420 Lumen Pico Projector($294 USD). With its sleek design, lightweight, and native 720p resolution, you best believe you’ll have an amazing experience with this mini projector, not just with the “Fake Window” challenge but with many different uses as well! This mini projector is great for the challenge especially if you’re looking to have it running without being plugged in. Wait, did I forget to mention that it has a rechargeable battery? Well, that’s a bonus in itself, you won’t be limited to a fixed location and you can place it anywhere you want since its keystone function will allow you to adjust the vertical angle from where you place the projector.

So what are you waiting for? Go get a projector and download the best “fake window” image or video you can find, and let us know your results!

Top 5 High-end Home Theater Projectors

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If you are looking to buy the best high-end 4K projectors for your home theater setup, then these top 5 high-end home theater projectors are the way to go. Between $3,000 and $4,999, you’ll find the true native 4K projectors offering the sharpest images as well as the least expensive home theater projectors with a laser light engine instead of a lamp. The projector screen will provide the best out-of-the-box color accuracy and brightness, perfect for a dark home theater. You will surely find one projector that fits you, whether the projector ultra short-throw beamer or a more compact HD model.

  1. Optoma CinemaX P2 Projector – $3299

The Optoma CinemaX P2 is a 4K Ultra Short Throw (UST) Projector up to 120” image with True 4K UHD resolution and HDR10 compatibility that ensures the Optoma CinemaX P2 renders vivid 4K UHD content. Enjoy smooth action-packed movements with PureMotion technology which processes videos filmed in 24fps and inserts transitional frames to compensate for motion blur and reduce motion judder, resulting in pure fluid motion, just perfect for your home theater. The Optoma also features Dolby Digital 2.0 soundbar with two full range speakers, two woofers, ported chambers, and 40-watts of power. The Smart+ technology enables Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as iOS and Android app support, allowing you to control your home theater from anywhere in your home. 

  1. Sony VPL-VW295ES Projector– $4,999

If you are looking for a big screen high-end 4k projector,  the VW295ES 4K HDR Home Theater Projector sizes up to 200″ , which bring lifelike 4K HDR resolution to any room. Enjoy crisp, sharp pictures with 1,500 lumens of brightness with 4K Motionflow and Advanced Reality Creation technologies . The VPL-VW295ES has a native 4K SXRD panel,  HDCP 2.2 compatibility on both 18 Gbps HDMI inputs, and HDR capability. For gamers looking to play games on the big screen, the Input lag reduction ensures a faster refresh rate. 

  1. LG CineBeam AU810PB Projector–$3,999

The Lg CineBeam is a high-end projector with incomparable precision and detail up to 300-inch screen. The 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio Black level helps express the deep black, and accurately represents colors, thanks to a wide color gamut 97% of DCI-P3. This high-end 4k projector is best designed for bright and dark environments with the use of Brightness Optimizer (Iris Mode & Adaptive contrast).

  1. Samsung Premiere LSP7T Projector– $3,498

The Samsung 120” Laser Projector is a Ultra Short Throw and Compact Minimal Design High-end projector that brings the big theater screen experience home with cutting edge laser technology and 4K resolution. The Samsung Premiere LSP7T delivers cinema-like pictures and contrast with 2200 lumens, 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast, and delivers dramatic home cinema viewing that’s just like being in a theater. This high-end projector features powerful Audio 2.2 Channel System and Built-in Alexa, the Google Assistant, and Bixby voice assistants let you control your projector with your voice from anywhere in your home. 

  1. Epson Home Cinema 5050UBe Projector– $3099

The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB 4K PRO-UHD is the cheapest high-end 4k projector on this list but still delivers an amazing 4K home theater experience for the DIY enthusiast. With a display of 2,600 lumens for both color and white brightness – the Home Cinema 5050UBe produces incredible brightness, color accuracy, and image detail using True 3-Chip Projector Design, Pixel-Shift Processor, Precision HDR Adjustment, and Extreme Color Gamut. All features that make the Epson Home Cinema perfect for enthusiasts with a budget.

Vankyo V630 LED Projector VS. AAXA P6X Mini Projector

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There is a myth that portable projectors which operate on batteries often have lower brightness or lumen rating than traditional projectors which lack built-in battery. Is it necessarily true? Today we’re going to review and compare the Vankyo V630 Projector 1080P HD LCD and compare it to the brand new AAXA P6X Mini Projector for Outdoor Movie and Backyard Movie Theater.

Size & Portability

Now I think what jumps out immediately is the size comparison, the AAXA projector is much smaller than the vankyo projector and much lighter. With the P6X only being at 1.81lbs and the V630 being at 5.95lbs. The Vanko Mini Projector 1080P HD will need a continuous power source, will not be hand-held, and not portable. The AAXA portable projector will have a 4-hour battery in eco mode, it comes with a tripod, and it is a 100% hand-held pico projector. Our verdict: The AAXA P6X Portable  Projector wins in size and portability.

Link: World’s Brightest Battery-powered Pico Projector

Resolution Comparison

The Vankyo V630 Projector claims 1080p which is Full HD Resolution 1920 x 1080p. Note that the throw ratio and the lumen rating are missing in their official manual. The AAXA P6X goes green with an electrical manual. It is very detailed with 42 zoomable pages. The AAXA P6X claims a native resolution of WXGA which is 1280 x 800 Pixels. The Vankyo V630 Projector has some focus problems and the Images on the edge are out of focus, it has unreadable small texts on the left of the projection. We hope this issue only happens to the unit we ordered.

AAXA P6X   Vankyo V630

The AAXA P6X Mini projector has sharp images in perfect focus while the Vankyo Projector V630 has focus issues

Link: Comparison Video AAXA P6X vs Vankyo V630

Lumen (brightness) & Color Quality

AAXA P6X has 1000 LED Lumens on battery and 1100 LED Lumens plugged in thus

giving brighter image quality. This projector is perfect for those looking for the great clarity of an image. The Lumen rating of the V630 is unavailable in the manual so we are unable to say how bright their projector can actually be. Based on our initial observation, the Vankyo projector does not seem to have a greater Lumen rating compared to the P6X.

The AAXA P6X boasts vibrant colors and crisp details, whereas the Vankyo 630 has washout images and colors in a low-light room. It seems that the Vankyo projector falls short in terms of color quality most likely due to the lower-end Lumen rating it has.

Final Words

The Vankyo V630 costs $249.99 and the AAXA P6X costs $359.99, would you pay $110 more for portability and better image quality? Overall the AAXA P6X seems to be the best bang for your buck projector in terms of overall convenience. With the Vankyo V630 still being a good option, it’s safe to say that paying extra would definitely be better in the long run. 

Link: Review Vankyo 1080p Movie Theater Projector Versus AAXA Mini Projector

Projectors Bring Mickey Mouse To Life!

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The entertainment company known as Disney opened a new ride called “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway”. Disney’s newest ride was brought to life with the help of Panasonic’s award-winning 4k laser projectors! This Disney and Panasonic collaboration is currently featured at Walt Disney World but will soon make its way to Anaheim’s Disneyland in 2022. Senior Vice President of Imaging at Panasonic says ” Not only do our 4K laser projectors precisely and accurately reconstruct the specific color range of the actual Mickey Mouse cartoons, but they also enable visitors to become immersed in a world where the physical environment and visual environment are seamlessly blended together. This required flexible, reliable and customizable projection technology to meet the complexity of the attraction configuration.”

This isn’t the first time Disney and Panasonic have joined forces utilizing projectors. Panasonic showcased 80 4k DLP- based laser projectors in Disney’s “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” Ride. These standard projectors, not to be confused with the pico and micro projectors in the consumer market, utilize their bright picture resolution to bring the Star Destroyer and other visual effects and battles to life!

Mini Projector For Your Glasses!

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Tethered and standalone SmartGlasses with ColorChip Miniature RGB Projector (PRNewsfoto/ColorChip Ltd.)

ColorChip, a photonic integrated technology company, has recently released a new compact smart lens system for AR/VR smart glasses that utilize Pico Projectors. The new lens platform is in preparation for the expected growth in the AR/VR market, particularly if Apple releases their version of SmartGlasses at the end of the year.


This RGB Mini Projector gives the smart glasses lens a highly efficient display with low power consumption. The way the ColorChip embeds the RGB beam combiner ( an arrangement of splitters and mirrors to disperse and combine light) into the glass, eliminates the need for expensive housing for the projector is no longer necessary. The projection unit thus fits nicely on the arm of the glasses.

ColorChip Miniature RGB Projector (PRNewsfoto/ColorChip Ltd.)

A mini projector based system this advanced is remarkable. This Smart Lens platform made by ColorChip is pivotal in the advancement of projector technology. The ability to make a small unit that has low power consumption and is able to have an efficient display will hopefully influence big companies in the micro and micro projectors market to make smaller more compact projectors.

14 Year Old Uses Pico Projectors To Solve Auto Industry’s BlindSpots!

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The definition of a blind spot is the area of a vehicle that cannot be observed by the operator. If you have driven any vehicle that is remotely sporty you will encounter a vehicle riddled with blind spots. A 14 year old named Alaina Gassler has designed a technology to remedy the blindspot issue that drivers encounter. Gassler uses micro projectors that cast images of what’s really behind the car onto the surface of the interior pillars!

The use of these pico projectors isn’t just for behind the car, but also for the front, as this projector technology also can project live footage of pedestrians crossing! Gassler’s projector base blindspot technology project was made for her entry in the Society for Science and the Public’s Broadcom science and engineering competition. Not only did this project win first place, but also gave Gassler the $25,000 grand prize!

The projector is just part of Gassler’s initial prototype. The next version of her blind spot invention will use liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors, similar to those used in Televisions. Gassler says this will allow the brightness to change according to the weather and time of day. With her $25,000 winnings, Gassler says that she finally has the capital to make the next version a reality!

© Photo by Alaina Gassler