Tag Archives: pico projectors

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

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 the 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

Use Mini Projectors To Enhance Your Portraits

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Portrait Photo of Model using a Projector
© Photo by PhotographywithMissWilson

Hoping on a trend that our writers have been seeing resurface on TikTok is of the use of projectors to enhance and stylize creative portraits. The use of a projector in the photography studio creates a more immersive background that gives a more realistic effect when compared to effects in post-production. The great thing about this effect is the amount of freedom you can have when using the projector. 

Photoshoot with a Model using projected image as a background.
© Photo by Nick Fancher

Playing around with the different backdrops, and adjusting the brightness and focus of the projector can completely enhance the mood of each portrait. A great technique that has been highly discussed in photography forums is using projectors with a high lumen output for great background photography. Using a high lumen projector for background work and adjusting the focus of the image, brings the model into focus while naturally blurring the background.

One of the biggest hurdles that I have seen when using a projector for photography work is the mobility. The clunky projectors that you remember from your days in the meeting room and in school don’t allow for much room to move as they primarily rest on a flat mount or surface. There is a remedy for this issue however.

Instead of dealing with the weight and immobility of the standard projector, photographers pro and amateur alike should look at the market of micro and pico projectors. Not only are pico projectors more affordable but they also give you more bang for your buck. Projectors like AAXA’s P7 and the Anker Nebula Capsule give the photographer the ability to try different angles because of their compact size. The brightness of these pico projectors also really give great backdrops on effects on your subjects as the Anker boasts a solid 200 lumens and the P7 has a whopping 600 lumens.

If you are a photographer that doesn’t have a dedicated studio and wants to try this projector effect on the go, we highly reccommend Apeman’s NM4 or AAXA’s P-2B. The Apeman has a lower lumen output of 50-100 than the P2-B’s 130 lumen output, but does have a longer battery than the P-2B by about half an hour. With both of these projectors being under $200 dollars and the size of a smart phone it makes for the perfect choice for the photographer always on the go or in the field.

Go ahead and give this photography technique a try and comment below your results. A word of warning, be sure to tell your subject not to look directly into the projector. Projectors are getting brighter these days and we want you to avoid any photography disasters! If you are looking for more inspiration on these types of photos check out this behind the scenes video of projector photography!

Ultimate Gaming Experience

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As the old saying goes… “GO BIG OR GO HOME!”  As a gamer, I always look for ways to get more out of my gaming experience.  So I found a way to GO BIG AT HOME, or anywhere else for that matter.  All I needed was a portable, LED projector, the gaming console of my choice and a big wall.  Normally my 55″ Samsung flat screen at home gives me a pretty darn good gaming experience, but I was blown away to see how I can now play games on a 120″ screen on any wall that’s big enough for that size!  Check out how simple it is to set this up —

120″ Gaming Experience Setup

One word of caution, with these smaller, more portable projectors, it’s best to stick with ones that have at least 300 – 500 lumens, and play with the lights off.

Japanese Researchers Invent Bubble Projection Screen

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Tokyo, Japan –  Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a system that uses such bubbles as kind of projection screen based on colloidal liquids. The bubbles are made of a thin film, and allow light to create a reflection on one section before passing through other sections. Researchers found that if the reflection can be controlled, then the bubble can be used as a display.

At the core of the ingenuity at work here is the use of ultrasound to manipulate the way the surface of these bubbles work. The membrane screen is controlled using ultrasonic vibrations, which are played out of speakers and can change the membrane’s transparency and texture depending on the scale of the sound.

A device makes the membranes automatically. With the aid of the projector and ultrasonic speakers, the system alters the appearance of these membranes by controlling their color, transparency and BRDF (Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function).

Researchers  found that they can greatly improve  the quality of the projection by manipulating the ultra sonic waves, creating more realistic, distinctive, and vivid images on screen, the researchers said. “This system contributes to open up a new path for display engineering with sharp imageries, transparency, BRDF and flexibility,” said lead researcher Yoichi Ochiai.

The ingredients of the bubble the Japanese researchers have created include sugar, glycerin, soap, surfactant, water and milk. These result in a resistant colloid bubble that cannot be easily popped as even solid objects can pass through it without popping it. What’s more, by combining more than one screen, it is possible to create a kind of 3D or holographic effect.

The research team says the screen could be useful for visual artists but is not yet ready for commercial integration. We think this would make an excellent pairing with an equally small pico projector. AAXA? Optoma? 3M? Any takers?

Source: Yoichi Ochiai