Presentation Fix: Ditch the Projector (Well, the Bulky One)

The MPro120 Pocket Projector, by 3M, lets you project videos, photos and presentations from a video source (such as your notebook, camcorder or even an iPhone) onto a wall or other screen surface.

By Keith Shaw
Wed, October 28, 2009

Network World — The scoop: MPro120 Pocket Projector, by 3M, about $330 (buy.com).

What it is: A miniature projector (known as a pico projector) that fits in the palm of your hand, the MPro120 lets you project videos, photos and presentations from a video source (such as your notebook, camcorder or even an iPhone) onto a wall or other screen surface. The system can project up to a 50-inch image, offers up to two hours of battery life (a power adapter is included), and 3M says the LED lamp offers up to 20,000 hours of light life. The system includes a carrying pouch, audio/video and VGA cabling, and a flexible mini-tripod.

Why it's cool: Using a pico projector eliminates the need for a bulkier, heavier, louder and hotter projector -- even the "portable" projectors meant for travelers take a lot of effort to unload, set up and carry around. The MPro120 sets up quickly and is small enough to throw into a laptop bag. Mobile workers who want to ditch the projector can carry this along and connect their notebooks to it for mini-presentations and impromptu meetings. I love the idea of using the projector in conjunction with an iPhone (with the use of the Scosche cables, see below) for presentations and video plays, which lets you ditch the notebook as well.

Some caveats: The smaller size of the MPro120 limits the brightness of the screen, which limits the ultimate size of the image being displayed. A 50-inch screen is quite ambitious; I was able to get the equivalent of a 25-inch TV before the image faded and blurred. The low brightness setting also means you have to be in an almost completely dark room in order to see the best images from your video source. The system includes tiny speakers, which also limit how loud the unit gets if you're displaying a movie and so forth. With these limitations, it seems like it could be just as easy to have your meeting participants gather around your notebook screen (you'd never use this device for a large crowd gathering).

Bottom line: There's great potential in this pico projector space -- hopefully the technology will allow for brighter projection and louder volume. The size certainly works well for extremely mobile workers who want to ditch a heavier projector, and can accept the other limitations.

Grade: 3.5 stars (out of five).

The scoop: showTIME Audio/Video Cable for iPod and iPhone, about $40, by Scosche

What it is: An audio/video cable with composite (RCA) jacks that connect to a standard TV input, and a universal docking adapter that connects to your iPod, iPod touch or iPhone. Once attached, you can watch videos or listen to music from your iPod or iPhone on the TV, utilizing the bigger screen and better speakers.

Why it's cool: As more multimedia gets placed onto portable devices, these cables are an easy way to showcase those files on a TV, or even to play music through the TV's speakers. Connecting them is easy, and the ports are made of high-quality tapered metal. Scosche also makes cables that connect to high-definition TVs via component inputs ($50). A newer cable (not tested) includes a mini-USB port that lets you recharge your iPhone as well.

Grade: 4 stars

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