Tag Archives: Projectors

How to Choose Your First Short Throw Projector

In today’s blog, we will talk about short throw projector. Choosing a projector can be a difficult decision when you are a first timer because you have to learn about projectors’ features such as brightness (lumen), contrast ratio, resolution, throw ratio, and so on. When shopping for a projector, one of the most important decisions that you have to make is picking between short throw or long throw. So, what is a throw ratio? The throw ratio is the relation between the throw distance and the width if the projected image. In short, the smaller the throw ratio, the larger the image that a projector will project at a shorter distance. A short throw projector has a throw ratio between 0.4 – 1, and the ultra-short throw has a throw ratio between 0.1 – 0.4.

Pros and cons of short throw projector.

Pros: When you are in a small space area, a short throw projector will come in handy as it will save you more space than a long throw projector. Its ability to project much larger image will be great to replace your regular TV.

Cons: There are some disadvantages of a short throw projector. Cost is one of them, a short throw projector tends to be more expensive. And brightness is also an issue because projectors can’t go as bright as a TV.

Here are some of the best short throw projectors that we hand-picked for you to consider:

  • Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS300

The Epson LS300 short throw projector is the most expensive short throw projector in this list, MSRP at $1,999.99. It delivers picture up to 120” at 1080P (accepts 4K format). With an incredible 3,600 lumens, the LS300 short throw projector produces vivid picture even with some ambient light in the room. The Audiophile 2.1 sound system by Yamaha is nothing like others, it provides a unique experience. All in all, you can’t go wrong with the Epson LS300 projector, it’s an ideal short throw projector that could be a replacement for your TV.

Pros: High lumen brightness, loud speaker, high contrast ratio

Cons: Expensive for 1080P native resolution

Amazon Link for the Epson EpiqVision LS300 short throw projector

  • AAXA P400­­

The AAXA P400 is a budget short throw projector. It’s the most portable and affordable mini short throw projector in the list with the price tag of $269 MSRP and the dimension of 4.5″ x 4″ x 2.3″, and weighs at 19.8 ounces. It can easily fit in your palm. Even though the P400 short throw projector is small, it’s a powerful unit which can project a vivid 100″ screen with 1080P resolution at just 5.25 feet from wall and holds up to 2 hours of battery in one charge. If you are in a position where money is short, and want a short throw projector that can get the job done, you can’t go wrong with the P400 since it offers almost everything that you need in a short throw projector.

Pros: Portable, native 1080P FHD, inexpensive, best value for money

Cons: Lack of smart features

Amazon Link for The AAXA P400 short throw projector

  • BenQ TK700STi

The BenQ TK700STi short throw projector is made for gamers with a low input lag 16ms at 4K/60Hz, you can experience your gameplay with unnoticeable lag. It’s compatible with major consoles such as Xbox, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and a few more. This short throw projector is an incredible entertainment powerhouse. The only downside of the TK700STi is the throw ratio of 0.9 so you will need to place it a little far away from your wall in order to have a big screen.

Pro: Low latency, great for gaming, 4K resolution

Cons: 0.9 Throw ratio, not great black level

Amazon Link for The BenQ TK700STi short throw projector

Should you get a short throw projector?

Deciding what kind of projector is best fits for you need depends on numerous of factors. The most important characteristic that you should consider when purchasing a projector is space. If you are setting up a home theater in a small room, then you should consider a short throw projector. Not only it will save you more space, but also preventing unwanted shadows. And if space is not an issue for you, then you should consider getting yourself a long throw since it will save you some cash.

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

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

The Benefits of Purchasing Refurbished Projectors

When purchasing a new projector, manufacturers and retailers will offer many buying options like New, Refurbished, or Used. There are differences between Refurbished and Used, which we will focus on today to understand the benefits of purchasing a Refurbished projector. 

Here are some pros of buying a Refurbished Projector.

  1. Cost Saving: Generally Refurbished Projectors are cheaper than New
  2. Certified Testing: All refurbished projectors undergo certified testing which is carried out by the manufacturer. The faulty parts in the electronics are repaired and then tested again for checking their performance before they are diffused in the market for resale.
  3. Eco-Friendly: Buying refurbished electronics instead of dumping in landfills can bring a second life to the electronic devices. This can leave a positive impact on the environment and save it from getting polluted through the harmful penetration of the hazardous elements into the atmosphere
  4. Availability of Older Model: If you preferred a certain model and the company no longer sells that model, Refurbished will be the only option to buy these older models.
  5. High Chance of Like-New Conditions: There are a lot of times when a projector is returned due to a customer changing their mind. This will allow for a “Like-New” condition projector that is almost like new but significantly cheaper. 

On top of the pros of buying a Refurbished Projector, you also have to be aware of the cons as well.

  1. Shorter Warranty: Some manufacturers will offer none or shorter term warranty for the refurbished projectors instead of the 1 year manufacturer warranty. Although companies like AAXA Technologies still offer 1 year manufacturer warranty on their refurbished products.
  2. Unknown life span: It is almost impossible to know the life span or used time on refurbished projectors.

Things To Do With Your Friends This Fall 2021!

As the summer heat cools down and the leaves on trees change color, this can only mean one thing and one thing only, Fall is coming! We’ve come up with a list of things you can do with friends this Fall.

Going to a Pumpkin Patch

Pick the Perfect Pumpkin Patch around Lake Wylie

Starting off with going to a pumpkin patch! When Fall comes the season of pumpkins starts. These pumpkin patches aren’t just for picking out pumpkins, you could say they’re more like mini-festivals! They could have anything from; games, attractions, petting zoos, and food! Go out to your local pumpkin patch and see what’s in store!

Pumpkin Carving

10 Best Pumpkin Carving Kits - Pumpkin Tools for Halloween 2021

If you went to your local pumpkin patch, then you had to have bought some pumpkins right?! Next, we have pumpkin carving, a great activity to do with your friends and family during the Fall Season. Carve the coolest or wackiest designs with your friends and family to see who did the best!

Halloween Decorating

Ghostly Apparitions - AtmosFX Halloween Digital Decorations – AtmosFX Digital  Decorations
Link: Digital Decorations for Halloween 2021

As Fall comes, then that means Halloween is just around the corner! Decorate with your homes with your friends to see who had the scariest decorations! You could even use uncarved pumpkins with digital decorations and a projector to project some spooky animations!

Outdoor Movie Night

Link: How to Have the Best Backyard Movie Night This Summer!

Last but not least, you can’t do Fall without having an outdoor movie night! Whip out your favorite projector and invite your friends and family to have a nice and cool Fall movie night! Bring your favorite snacks and bring out a projection screen or even a big white blanket to play with your favorite movies outdoors!

Here’s a list of some projectors you can use for your outdoor movie night:

AAXA P6X Pico Projector
Anker Nebula Solar Portable
Dr. J HI-04 Mini Projector

Digital Decorations for Halloween 2021

Things are finally beginning to cool down, and with Fall just around the corner, the next big seasonal holiday is none other than Halloween! Did you know that you could use a projector to create digital decorations? The use of a projector paired with holographic effects can create even the scariest illusions for your haunted house this Halloween! We’re going to dive into the necessary tools needed to create these digital decorations.

Projector

The Best Home Projectors To Screen Movies At Home | IndieWire

The first thing you will need to create these digital decorations is going to be a projector! You will want to have a projector that has a short to medium-range throw ratio. The projector will not need high resolution, standard resolution will work perfectly fine! Lastly, lumens will make the biggest difference, as this will factor in how the holographic image is produced on the projection screen. We recommend something with at least 100 LED lumens or more!

Here’s a list of some of the projectors we think would be the best for this:

Projection Screen

The next thing you will need for the digital decorations is going to be a projection screen. However, this isn’t going to be just your average projection screen, you’re going to need something that is thin and semi-transparent for this to work perfectly! We recommend using thin mesh netting, transparency film, or anything that is really see-through. This is a necessary piece as this will provide the illusion of a holographic effect, the more see-through your screen is the better the effect!

Here’s a list of some materials you can use as projection screens:

Amazon: Bridal Veil

Visuals

Lastly, you are going to need the star of the show, your visual effects! You can use a vast majority of different visual effects, however, we recommend something that isn’t too bright with now background images as it can cause make the projection screen visible.

Here are some examples:

Evil Twins
AtmosFX Evil Twins
Musical Skeletons
AtmosFX Musical Skeletons

Once Halloween comes by let us know what you did for your decorations in the comments below!

History of Projector Screen

The history of the projector and the projection screen began as early as the 17th century, with a slow progression until modern times. Today, technology has advanced at an unprecedented pace, leading to more development and innovation of all kind of projectors.

Opaque Projectors

The opaque projectors are the earliest form of projectors that allow users to project materials or small objects  by shining a bright lamp on the materials. The image is displayed by directing the reflected light through the projection lens and displayed. Opaque projectors have a maximum image size of approximately 20X magnification, a minimum distance of 18 ft.

Overhead Projectors

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The overhead projector was used since the 1960’s with many purposes. A transparency is needed and can be placed on the overhead projector to project into a wall or screen.The main benefit of the overhead projector is the option to annotate the projected image while presenting, very commonly used in the classroom. 

Computer Data Projectors

In the early 1990’s, computer data projectors became popular as they combined the overhead projector and the digital projection panel into one device, making it smaller and more portable compared to other models. The earlier models of the computer projectors were big, heavy, and expensive compared to later models that got lighter and better image quality. 

Home Theater Projectors

The rise of the home theater projector became very popular as it became possible to experience the home theater movie experience with very minimal cost. For anyone that wants to set up their own home entertainment, the home theater projector can achieve a 100+ inch image for a fraction of the cost of an 80-100+ inch 4K TV. These home theater systems now compete with Cinema to play high resolution videos. To remain competitive, many cinema companies are replacing their film projectors with high-end digital projectors, which are much higher in resolution and quality. 

The 4k Projectors

The first 4K home theater projector was released by Sony in 2012 a small and portable projector that fits into the palm of your hands. These 4k home theater projectors use clusters of LEDs as the light source and are powered by battery or wall outlet. The future of pocket projectors is very promising as new technology has allowed these projectors to project a smaller pixel size, allowing for a crispier picture than ever before.



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

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!

Vankyo V630 LED Projector VS. AAXA P6X Mini Projector

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

The Teachers Secret Weapon: Pico Projectors

© 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.

Micro Projectors See Auto Industry’s BlindSpots!

© 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!