Tag Archives: LED projector

New Mini Projectors in 2022 – You Might Have Seen The 3rd Pick Before!!!

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In 2022, we see a trend in Ultra Short Throw and 4K laser projectors. Where do the mini projectors, micro projectors, or pico projectors stand in the market nowadays, then? In today’s blog, we look at the new mini projectors that are small in size and yet have loads of power factors in 2022. If you are looking for a small, portable projector for your bedroom, small studio, apartment, van, classroom, or meeting room, these tiny yet mighty projectors are for you!

AAXA P8 Smart Mini Projector – ( $249 on Amazon)

AAXA Technologies have been well-known for the projectors in the “portable mini projectors” class in the past decade. The AAXA P8 Smart Mini Projector comes up in the first place because it is the smallest, lightest, and most versatile mini projector. Weighing only 0.6lbs, the AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector is truly a mini projector that fits in your pocket (1.40″ x 3.90″ x 3.40″ (HxWxD)).

The AAXA new P8 projector can support up to 1080p signal and its native resolution is 960×540.

Though the P8’s native resolution is not very impressive, it is equipped with Android 10.0 onboard, WiFi, Bluetooth, and built-in streaming apps such as Netflix and Twitch. Wireless screen mirror smart devices are also available on the P8 mini projector, so the only cable you need in order to watch YouTube or Netflix is the projector’s power cable.

What we like about the AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector (besides its super tiny compact size) is its wide variety of inputs, including HDMI, USB, 3.5mm Headphone Jack (Audio Out), and Memory Card (Micro SD)). The AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector projects a decent 430-LED-Lumens brightness image, which is more than acceptable for casual movie time and gaming, especially when the price is very attractive at only $249. The projector comes with a mini tripod and a tiny remote control, making the whole package a real bargain.

Pros: very compact and portable, smart features (WiFi, Bluetooth, Android 10.0), inexpensive

Cons: not native Full HD resolution

Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector – ($699 on Amazon)

We have reviewed the Wemax Dice Movie Projector on our YouTube channel before, and we really like its smart connections and user interface. However, the Wemax Dice Movie Projector is perhaps too big and heavy to be considered a real mini projector. Instead, the Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector has a better fit in the “mini projector” class. The Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector has 300 ANSI Lumen brightness and it is capable of projecting a 100-inch screen using an ALDPlaser light source. The connectivity that the Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector offers are USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio, making it a standard projector.

Similar to the AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector, the Wemax Go is also equipped with WiFi for Airplay & Miracast. However, while the AAXA P8 has WiFi for browsing the internet, the Wemax Go’s WiFi is only usable for wireless screen mirroring from your smartphone or other smart devices. The Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector does not have a built-in power supply. In other words, it does not have a built-in battery, and it needs connecting to a power source. This power source can be a 15V/2A power bank. With auto vertical keystone, the Wemax Go provides a degree of ease of use. Wemax advertises the Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector as a “1080P support projector” – and its native resolution remains unknown. We could not find any information about the Wemax projector’s true native resolution on their Amazon listing.

At the price point of $699, the Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector lacks numerous typical features that projectors in the above $500 price range often offer such as a built-in battery, horizontal and vertical keystone, auto focus, zoom, and native 1080P full HD resolution.

Pros: Small size (0.71 lbs), nice & sleek design, decent brightness, Wifi for Airplay and Miracast

Cons: Wifi is only available for screen mirroring, no tripod, no remote control, expensive, unknown native resolution.

Samsung Freestyle Projector – ($899 on Amazon)

Making its debut at CES 2022, the Samsung Freestyle Projector is probably the projector that has the most controversial reviews and feedback in 2022. Some people love the Samsung Freestyle Projector for its exotic design – most people would not be able to tell if it was a projector or a speaker, or a studio light at the first sight. While most lifestyle influencers on YouTube love the Samsung Freestyle for its beautiful white color and its unique “Point & Play” design, the Samsung Freestyle Projector receives various critical reviews from the true projector-enthusiasts out there.

What you get for paying $899.99 on the Samsung Freestyle Projector are native 1080P Full HD resolution, Samsung Smart TV with voice assistants, 360 sound from a powerful Dolby speaker, auto keystone, smart calibration, and a 100-inch screen from any angle. Similar to the AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector, the Samsung Freestyle Projector has Bluetooth for audio out and WiFi for both smartphone screen mirroring and web browsing.

The Samsung Freestyle is relatively small (4″ x 6.8″ x 3.7″ with the stand and 3.7” x 5.3” x 3.7” without the stand, 2.9 lbs shipping weight), and you can call it a mini projector. However, we would not classify it as a portable projector due to its lack of a built-in battery. However, an external battery is available to purchase on Samsung Official Website.

The Samsung projector’s Achilles’ heel is definitely its brightness. Samsung has been inconsistent with their brightness rating – it was measured multiple times with a different brightness rating every time. Sometimes they stated that the Samsung freestyle projector had 400 ANSI Lumen. Another time, the projector brightness was measured with just “lumen”, or “ANSI LED lumen”, or “LED lumen”. Today when we checked their official listing at Samsung.com, the Samsung Freestyle Projector brightness is measured at 550 Lumen Nits by Samsung.

We like that Samsung provides a native 1080p projector, but is the Samsung Freestyle worth $899.99 when it is not fully portable and its brightness is very humble?

Pros: Wifi, Bluetooth, Samsung Smart TV, Auto Keystone, Auto Focus, Native 1080P FHD, Color Calibration, Remote control with voice assistance, good speaker

Cons: expensive, very low brightness, no built-in battery

Acer AOPEN QH11 Projector – ($179.99 on Acer Official Website)

If it’s your first projector and you do not want to spend over $200, Acer has a new projector that is maybe worth your initial investment. The Acer AOPEN QH11 is a Single LCD Projector with a native resolution of 720p HD. At only $179.99, the Acer AOPEN QH11 offers 2 USB ports, 1 HDMI Port for video in, Audio Line Out, and Headphone Jack. On top of that, the Acer Aopen QH11 Projector has both vertical and horizontal keystone correction – which the $699 Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector is not capable of. The Acer AOPEN QH11 Projector’s standard brightness is 200 Lumens, roughly the same level of brightness with the Samsung Freestyle Projector. We appreciate Acer for being honest about the native resolution of the AOPEN QH11 Projector.

At $179,99, the ACER AOPEN QH11 Projector is significantly cheaper than both the Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector and the Samsung Freestyle Projector. The $249 AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector is slightly pricier than the Acer QH11, but it is 5x smaller, has Wifi and Bluetooth, and Android 10.0.

Pros: relatively small, horizontal and vertical keystone for easy setup, lens cap included, inexpensive

Cons: no battery, not full HD 1080p, no wifi, no bluetooth

4 Projectors To Look Out For This Black Friday!

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Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2021: how to find the best deals - The Verge

With Thanksgiving next week, this brings in some crazy deals for Black Friday! Here are 4 projectors with insane deals this Black Friday!

BenQ TK800M

$999.00 was $1,499.00

The BenQ TK800M is a fantastic projector that sports 4K PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY, DLP Technology, HIGH CONTRAST RATIO, Packed with 3000 Lumens of brightness, and an all-glass 4k-optimized lens Array. For $500 off, this is the perfect gift for someone looking for a high-end full-sized projector!

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12

Front Zoom. Epson - EpiqVision™ Mini EF12 Smart Streaming Laser Projector with HDR and Android TV - Black and Copper.
$799.99 was $999.99

The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 is a smart projector with Stunning Picture Quality up to 150, Sound by Yamaha, Built-In Android TV, Elegant Compact Design, Epson MicroLaser™ Array Projection Technology, Advanced Scene Adaption Color Correction, 3-Chip Projector Design, Auto Picture Skew & Focus Correction, and Chromecast Built-In. This is easily one of the best smart projectors out on the market to this date! For $200 off, this is for sure a steal!

ONOAYO 5G WiFi Projector 9500L 

$254.98 was $559.99

The Onoayo 9500L is a well-known projector on amazon and it’s on sale for $254.98! This projector has 5.0 Bidirectional Bluetooth & 5G WiFi Projector, Native 1080P & 12000:1 Contrast Ratio, 4-Point Keystone Correction & ZOOM Function & Backpack Included. A great addition for an on-road projector for wireless usage!

LG PF50KA

Front Zoom. LG - PF50KA 1080p Wireless Smart DLP Portable Projector - White.
$529.99 was $649.99

The LG PF50KA is a classic take on standard projectors, but this time making them smart! Only weighing 2.2 lbs, Wireless capability, DLP image technology, 600 Lumens of brightness, 100,00:1 contrast ratio, 1080p native resolution, dual HDMI inputs, and 2.5 hours battery life. This is the perfect projector for outdoor home theaters when paired with a projector screen!

5 Things To Look Out For When Buying A Refurbished Projector

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outdoor projector amazon

Buying a projector is no simple task, as you would want to get the right projector for your specific needs. What’s even harder is purchasing a refurbished model instead of a new one. Most people assume that refurbished is a fancier way of saying “Used”, however, this is not really the case! Most refurbished items are practically brand new items! Today, we’re going to go over 5 things to look out for when buying a refurbished projector.

1. Pricing

YouÍll Never Guess Why the Dollar Sign in an S | Southern Living

Starting off with pricing, this is a key component when purchasing a refurbished projector. The reason being is that sellers/companies tend to lower the price on refurbished projectors that may have some issues. Doing research a not settling down for the cheapest option can save you a lot of time and money!

2. Packaging & Accessories

Review: AAXA's ST200 LED Pico Projector beams bright, color-accurate HD video from an Apple TV-sized box - 9to5Mac

Next up we have the packaging or the box the refurbished projector is in. You will want to reach out to whoever you are thinking about purchasing your refurbished projector from. This way you will get a better understanding of what you will be given before the purchase is made. Asking simple questions like, “Does it come in original packaging” or “Are all the original accessories included”, are sure-fire ways to determine if what you are thinking about purchasing is worth it or not.

3. Age

Review: AAXA P4 Pico Projector | TechCrunch

You will want to determine the age of the refurbished model you are looking into purchasing and when it was originally manufactured. You don’t want to purchase a refurbished projector that has a 1-Year Warranty Replacement, only to find out that the projector is not manufactured anymore!

4. Cosmetics

Epson 5040 front lens scratch or scuff - removal? | AVS Forum

Cosmetic defects are something to expect when purchasing a refurbished model. In most cases, there are little to no cosmetic defects when purchasing refurbished products. However, some companies tend to grade their products depending on the severity of cosmetic defects there are. Reaching out to the seller will give you a better understanding of what grades they have in stock!

5. Quality

How to Clean the Screen of LCD Projectors?

Lastly is quality, testing the product and comparing it to a newer version should do you justice. This helps to determine if the refurbished model is really considered refurbished or used. When looking into refurbished projectors, you will want to check the quality of the color, buttons, ports, and lastly brightness.

If you haven’t already, go check out our previous post: The Benefits of Purchasing Refurbished Projectors

Halloween Digital Decorations 2021

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With Halloween 2021 fastly approaching, people are slowly setting up their Halloween decorations. One popular way to decorate your house is to use digital projections for decorating. A Youtuber, Toil & Trouble’s DIY, does amazing videos on Halloween decorations using brand new digital decorations consisting of silly and spooky videos as well as classic Halloween characters. 

In his recent Halloween decoration video, he used AtmosFX video of the three pumpkins along with an AAXA BP1 Projector. This is a cheap setup under $200 anyone looking for an alternative way to decorate for Halloween.

AtmosFX Jack-O’-Lantern Jamboree 3 Demo & Review (New for Halloween 2021)

Here are a few steps to setup your own Singing Pumpkin Halloween Decorations.

  1. Buy the pumpkins. For annual setup, buying fake pumpkin is optimal for reusability.
  2. Buy and Download the AtmosFX Jack-O’-Lantern Jamboree 3 video.
  3. Load the video file into an USB or SD card and connect it to your projector. An AAXA BP1 Projector was used for this video.
  4. Project your Jack-O’-Lantern Jamboree 3 video directly at your pumpkins.
  5. Add background lightings and other props to add to the Halloween Theme.

Four of the Most Affordable 4K Projectors!

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My NEW 4K Home Theater Setup! (2019) - YouTube
Image from: Here

Most homes nowadays have 4K TVs that can fulfill their basic entertainment needs. However, most people do not own a 4K Projector, mainly due to the cost of them being really expensive! Let’s dive into four of the most affordable 4K projectors we found that you can use to upgrade your entertainment system further!

Epson Home Cinema 3200

Buy now: Here

BenQ TK800M

Starting with the Epson Home Cinema 3200 4K Pro. This projector uses 4K UHD technology to enhance; resolution, color, and image processing. With an impressive 2,900 Lumens, this projector will definitely light up a room! The Epson Precision Lens has a multi-element precise glass construction for exceptional picture quality, edge-to-edge focus uniformity, and precision vertical and horizontal axis lens shift adjustment. At a price point of $1,400, this is perfect for your premium home theater on a budget!

Buy now: Here

ViewSonic PX701-4K

Next, we have the BenQ TK800M, sporting high contrast ratio to enhance the sharpness of image quality and black levels. Coming in with 3,000 Lumens, you will definitely have 4K quality. With BenQ’s Glass 4K-optimized Lens Array, the clarity and light penetration is unmatched. At a price point of $999, the buy is worth it!

Buy now: Here

AAXA 4K1

Here we have the ViewSonic PX701-4K. Being able to project onto a screen up to 300 inches, this projector will be great for those with a dedicated wall for projectors! With an input lag of 4.2ms and a 240Hz refresh rate, you can turn this home theater into a big-screen gaming room! Having 3,200 ANSI Lumens, you will not ever worry about the brightness of the projection. At a price point of $899, why wouldn’t you buy it!

Buy now: Here

Lastly, we have the AAXA 4K1 LED Home Theater Projector. Boasting a native $K UHD Resolution, you will definitely know the difference between 1080p HD and 3840p 4K. Using LED and DLP technology, you’ll get the best of both worlds when it comes to image clarity, sharpness, and colors. With the 2W speakers installed, you’ll be immersed in your viewing experience. At a price point of only $799.99, this has got to be the most affordable 4K projector you can find!

Let us know in the comments what you think! Till next time!

5 Portable Projectors For A Viral Fake Window Challenge Video

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People love the Fake Window Challenge! Why? The trend set by @nam__p on Tiktok opened brand new windows – literally and metaphorically – a window where you have total control over the weather, the content on your wall, and a window to creativity. To hop on the Fake Window Challenge, you need good lighting, some effort in setting up, and most importantly, a good projector. For extra fun and flexibility, portable projectors will be a good choice as you can project your fake window anywhere you want without the cable hassle. Here is the list of 5 battery-operated projectors that will create a beautiful fake window for you!

1.       Portable Projector, Anker Nebula Solar Portable 1080p ($499.99)

Where to buy: Anker Nebula Solar Portable 1080p

The newest portable projector from Anker Nebula is equipped with a 3-hour battery and it has native 1080p Full HD resolution. The brightness is set to 400 ANSI lumens, which should be decent for your fake window in a dark room. With Android TV 9.0, you can easily access YouTube and load your favorite Fake Window Challenge content. If you have some budget for a projector, the Anker Nebula Solar Portable Projector is the one for you.  

2.       AAXA Technologies P300 Neo LED Video Projector ($279)

Where to buy: AAXA Technologies P300 Neo LED Video Projector

AAXA Tech has been one of the best brands when it comes to portable projectors and mini projectors. In comparison with the Anker Nebula Solar Portable, the AAXA P300 NEO is significantly smaller: the AAXA P300 NEO weighs 0.84lbs while the Anker Nebular Solar Portable weighs 2.8lbs. It is slightly bigger than your iPhone 12 Pro Max – about twice as thick. However, with a smaller size, the P300 NEO also comes with a lower resolution. The AAXA P300 Mini Projector has a native resolution of 720p. For a Fake Window Challenge video which should not include too many details, 720p resolution is more than enough. This mini projector by AAXA has a 150-minute rechargeable battery and 420 Lumens brightness.

3.       ViewSonic M1+ Portable Smart Wi-Fi Projector ($299)

Where to buy: ViewSonic M1+ Portable Smart Wi-Fi Projector

Advertised as an ultra-portable LED projector, the ViewSonic M1+ Projector has a 2.5-hour battery life and 300 LED Lumens brightness. The design of the ViewSonic M1+ Portable Projector is over the top with elegant details and nice silver color. This projector might be much bulkier and heavier than the AAXA P300 NEO as it weighs 1.65 lbs but it has Aptoide UI for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. Keep in mind that this mini projector has VGA resolution (640x480p), which is much lower than both the Anker Nebula Solar Portable and the AAXA P300 NEO LED Projector. If you want to invest in a nice, futuristic look, the ViewSonic M1+ Portable Smart Wi-fi Projector is for you.

4.       Anker Nebula Capsule ($299.99)

Where to buy: Anker Nebula Capsule

At the same price as the ViewSonic M1+ Portable Smart Wi-Fi Projector, the Anker Nebula Capsule is an alternative. This projector has a 360-degree speaker which should spice up any summer parties that you are planning on. This level of sound quality will upgrade your Fake Window experience with immersive music. The Anker Nebula Capsule is portable enough for a Fake Window Challenge video as it weighs just 1.04 lbs and it can achieve up to 4-hour playtime in battery mode. At a $299.99 price point, the Anker Nebula Capsule is quite expensive when it has only 100 ANSI lumen and 854×480 native resolution. This is indeed a multimedia device with good sound quality.

5.       JMGO Explorer Portable Projector ($409.99)

Where to buy: JMGO Explorer Portable Projector

Just like the ViewSonic M1+ Projector, the JMGO Explorer Portable Projector has a minimal and futuristic design. The JMGO Explorer Portable Projector has 380 ANSI lumens of brightness for a very bright fake window for your viral video. At 1280×720 native resolution, the JMGO Explorer Portable Projector can deliver a clear image. With over $400, you are also paying for wireless features such as Android OS for Netflix, Smart YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and so on.

The Teachers Secret Weapon: Pico Projectors

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© Photo by Mwendengao

The micro projector market is revolutionizing the way the students are being taught in 3rd world countries. Micro projectors have become more portable, and projectors like AAXA’s P7 have enough battery power for 90 minutes. These tools have become vital in areas without the resources to support a full-fledged classroom.

Cardiac Teaching in Haiti Hospital

Teaching in a 3rd world country like Kenya with its minimal access to internet access and first-world luxuries makes teaching a game of quick thinking. Physicists Undergraduate Artur Donaldson had this to say about teaching Kenya ” The peak of the hill was one of the few places I encountered during my time in Kenya where there is no mobile phone reception. This means that the school and its suite of computers are isolated from the Internet — because, like most of Kenya, there is no wired broadband service in the area. ”

Luckily for those teaching in these areas, pico projectors on the market currently have USB and SD ports. These ports allow teachers the ability to preload their content for teaching and dismisses any worry about potential issues with WIFI or Cellular reception.

Panasonic Projectors Light Up Disney World

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© Photo by Disney

Disney’s newest ride “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway”, has been brought to life with the help of Panasonic’s award-winning 4k laser projectors! This collaboration between Disney and Panasonic 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 only time Disney and Panasonic have teamed up and used Laser projectors. Panasonic integrated 80 4k DLP- based laser projectors in Disney’s “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” Ride. The 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!

Micro Projectors See Auto Industry’s BlindSpots!

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© Photo by Alaina Gassler

A vehicle’s 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 these pesky blind spots. 14-year-old Alaina Gassler has designed a technology to remedy the blindspot issue that drivers encounter. Gassler uses pico projectors to cast images of what’s really behind the vehicle on 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 projects live footage of pedestrians crossing! Gassler’s projector base blindspot technology project was her entry for the Society for Science and the Public’s Broadcom science and engineering competition. Not only did this project win first place, but it also got Gassler the $25,000 grand prize!

The micro projector is just part of Gassler’s initial prototype. The next iteration of her blind spot invention will use liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors, similar to those used in your TV. 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 money to make the next version a reality!


Ultra-Compact RGB Pico Projector For Smart Glasses

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ColorChip Miniature RGB Projector (PRNewsfoto/ColorChip Ltd.)

A photonic integrated technology company known as ColorChip recently released an innovative, compact, lens system for AR/VR smart glasses that utilizes Pico Projector technology. This new lens platform is in anticipation for the potential upswing in the AR/VR market, particularly if Apple releases their version of SmartGlasses at the end of the year.

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

This RGB Pico-Projector gives the smart glasses lens a highly efficient display with low power consumption. Because of the way ColorChip embedded the RGB beam combiner ( an arrangement of splitters and mirrors to disperse and combine light) in the glass, the need for expensive and complex housing for the projector is no longer necessary. You can see how the projection unit fits snuggle on the arm of the glasses.

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