#SmartphoneswithBuilt-inProjector

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Pico projectors Review

Of course, the rapid development of digital technology at the end of the 20th century radically changed the situation in all areas of life, including the consumer electronics segment. Traditionally fierce competition in this area encourages companies to provide high competitiveness of their products. As a rule, it mainly depends on the quality, price and functionality of the device. But the quality of modern household appliances in most cases has already reached its maximum and its further increase negatively affects the cost of production and, accordingly, the price. Indeed, today even devices of the budget segment from popular brands usually have high quality of assembly and components. Of course, the pricing policy of companies significantly affects the choice of the buyer, but is not directly related to engineering aspects. Thus, functionality is becoming one of the main tools to ensure the competitiveness of any modern device. In turn, it directly depends on the innovative technologies used. In fact, we have been observing this obvious trend for several decades. The rapid improvement of robot vacuum cleaners, various smart kitchen appliances, including modern coffee machines, dishwashers, multicookers, refrigerators, smart washing machines and air conditioners, etc perfectly illustrate this trend.

Of course, the segment of media devices did not stand aside. An unprecedented innovative breakthrough in the TV segment over the past decades has overcome the distance from bulky models with modest specs to 8K HDR rollable models.

Media projectors

Of course, projectors also follow this trend. Modern media projectors are radically different from their prototypes, which were intended mainly for presentations and training. Today, these devices use effective video processing algorithms, support HDR, provide auto-correction and auto focus, etc. In fact, the rapidly increasing image quality allowed them to compete successfully with TVs. The list of traditional pros and cons of projectors includes: Pros - huge image size, limited only by some specs of the model (Lumen Output, Throw Ratio, resolution, etc); - flexible installation includes the ability to be placed on the floor using a tripod, on the wall or ceiling. In addition, the very popular ultra short-focus models are installed almost close to the screen;

- simple adjustment, including due to auto-correction of keystone distortion and autofocus. Cons - low brightness and contrast of the image requires dimming the room; - dependence of image quality on the screen surface; - less resource in comparison with TN / IPS-matrix; - relatively large dimensions and high noise level due to the lamp and its cooling system.

LED projectors

Of course, the last two drawbacks significantly limited the popularity of these devices. Usually, projectors traditionally use powerful lamps as a light source. Unfortunately, they have a limited resource and high cost. In addition, their high heat dissipation requires a large internal volume and a powerful cooling system with a high noise level. But, the rapid improvement of semiconductor light sources has greatly expanded the capabilities of companies. As known, LEDs and laser LEDs practically do not heat up. Their service life varies from 20,000 to 30,000 hours, which corresponds to approximately 10 years of active use. Of course, companies did not pass by such an opportunity. New compact light sources provoked the appearance of a whole segment of LED projectors. Of course, compactness has become one of the main directions of their improvement. Such models are often called pico projectors. Many models have a popular form factor of smartphone and similar sizes. However, the market also offers other form factors, for example, Nebula Capsule projectors.

But companies also often use the terms Pocket, Mini or Portable. The story of their appearance on the market begins in 2003, when the Israeli Explay company announced the development of mini projector. Already in October 2006, the company publicly demonstrated the first Explay Nano Projector.

The name of the pico projector first appeared during the Optoma Pico advertising campaign, which introduced the Pico PK101 projector on November 25, 2008. This iPod model supported HVGA resolution, screen sizes up to 66 inches diagonally and Lumen Output up to 9 ANSI Lm. Of course, pico in the name is not related to the SI system.

Modern mini projectors

Consumers enthusiastically reacted to the new gadget. Of course, the high demand did not leave the companies indifferent. Large companies, including Sony, Optoma, AAXA Technologies Inc., Miroir USA, LLC, APEMAN, Rif6, LLC, etc actively entered the competition in this new segment. As a result, after a few years, the market offered a wide range of LED pico projectors. Of course, modern models are significantly different from their prototypes. Firstly, engineers have significantly increased the operating time without recharging due to the use of modern efficient batteries. Today, it varies from 1 hour in budget models to several hours in more expensive projectors, depending on the brightness level. In addition, companies have significantly expanded the ability to download video content, including WiFi, etc. Most models have a built-in card reader or flash memory for separate input of video content and a threaded hole for mounting using a tripod. In addition, the popularity of this direction provoked the spread of this function in smartphones. For example, today the market offers Samsung Galaxy Beam series, Moviphone and, of course, Blackview Max 1.

The video at the end offers a comparison of three popular 2019 pico projectors.

Dimensions, weight, brightness, resolution and screen size

Modern pico projectors typically provide projections up to 120 inches in diagonal and Lumen Output up to 600 ANSI Lm. However, today the market offers mini projectors even with a brightness of 1300 ANSI lm and higher Optoma LH150).

Of course, the border between these gradations is very arbitrary. For marketing purposes, many companies often position rather dimensional and heavy models (up to several lbs) as a mini projector. But today the (RIF6 Cube LED Mini Projector Review) Rif 6 Cube with unprecedented 0.30 lbs (136 g) and 2 x 2 x 1.9 in (5.1 x 5.1 x 4.8 cm) can be considered the undisputed leader in miniaturization!

Unfortunately, some companies often incorrectly indicate the specs of their models, overstating the maximum screen size without regard to image quality. But, color saturation, brightness, and image clarity are inversely related to screen size. For example, specs of RIF6 include image size up to 120” diagonally at 854 x 480 (WVGA) native resolution (max support 1080p or Full HD) and at brightness only 50 ANSI lm. But expanding to 1080p (Full HD) traditionally uses upscaling. Respectively, increasing the screen size will reduce image clarity. Moreover, it becomes too dim due to low brightness. Of course, the special screen with high Screen Gain, coated walls to absorb reflected light and very low ambient light allows you to increase its size without compromising quality. But specs usually do not contain this information. However, this problem is effectively solved, for example, using the Projector Throw Distance Calculator on the reputable projectorcentral.com website (https://www.projectorcentral.com). Read the full article

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Smartphones with Built-in Projector or Projector Phone Review

Of course, the rapid development of chips significantly expands the capabilities of modern digital gadgets. As a consequence, leading companies are constantly expanding the functionality of their devices. Of course, smartphones top this list. Today, the choice of the optimal smartphone directly depends on its functionality. For example, the improvement of LEDs and laser LEDs has allowed engineers to actively use them as light sources for projectors. As a result, in 2009 Samsung introduced the first smartphone with a projector function.

Samsung Galaxy Beam

At CES 2009, Samsung introduced the first W7900 model with a projector. The integrated projection module provided 480 x 320 resolution with Lumen Output up to 10 ANSI lm. In 2010, the company introduced the first smartphone in the Galaxy Beam series. The nominal brightness of the built-in DLP projector in the Galaxy Beam GT-I8520 also reached 15 ANSI lm. Of course, such a low brightness could not provide acceptable image quality. In 2012, the company offered an improved Samsung Galaxy Beam 1 or GT-I8530 model. Its projector also had a brightness of 15 ANSI lm at nHD resolution (640 x 360). This model provided a fairly clear 50" image. But already in 2014 the company introduced the Samsung Galaxy Beam 2 or SM-G3858 model with a brightness of 20 ANSI lm at 800 x 480 resolution. Of course, these features do not correspond to the home theater, but significantly surpass the specs of previous models. In 2017, the company announced the Samsung Galaxy Beam 3 with built-in qHD laser projector and support up to 1080 x 1920 resolution. But, of course, qHD is not a typo from "QHD resolution". As known, QHD is an abbreviation of Quad HD, which, in turn, corresponds to WQHD (2560 x 1440) resolution. qHD is an abbreviation of Quarter HD and corresponds to 960 x 540 resolution. Today, many budget smartphones use it. Unfortunately, in recent years, Samsung has reduced its activity in this segment.

Moviphone

At CES 2018 Wireless Mobi Solution, Inc. (WMS, San Diego, CA) introduced its Moviphone smartphone with a built-in projector. This laser pico projector delivers 1280 x 720 resolution (HD or 720p) on a 100” screen with brightness up to 50 ANSI lm. In addition, the 3700 mAh battery provides just over 3 hours of projector time. A special app provides control and testing. It showed real brightness in the range of 30-60 ANSI lm at 1280 x 720 resolution. Of course, these are quite high values for a digital gadget. This model uses: - a powerful eight-core MT6750 processor; - 4 GB of RAM; - slot for expanding memory up to 128 GB; - two cameras with resolutions of 13 and 8 megapixels, respectively. Movi Smartphone comes with the latest Android 7.0 Nougat. Moreover, model can project 3D movies. Additionally, model supports MediaTek Sense ID technology for biometrics fingerprint powered. Unfortunately, the company only offers a Limited Warranty. Today, eBay offers Moviphone for $ 599.00.

Blackview Max 1

As known, Blackview first introduced the Max 1 with an integrated laser projector at Global Sources Hong Kong 2018. As known, this projector uses Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology. Probably, this model can claim the status of the first smartphone with the function of supporting a full-fledged projector. In any case, today Max 1 provides maximum image quality in this mode. In addition, the model supports almost all the basic functions of a modern projector. Max 1 provides a 70-inch picture with 1920 x 1080 resolution at a distance of about two meters. Of course, the package includes a tripod. The battery charge provides up to five hours playback, depending on the brightness. In addition, in projector mode, the smartphone provides some settings, including brightness, color inversion mode, etc. Additionally, in this mode the smartphone automatically turns off the display to reduce energy consumption. Moreover,The projection quality on a white surface (wall, ceiling or table) corresponds to a fairly high level. In addition, the projector supports autofocus and auto keystone correction ± 30 °. Unfortunately, the brightness of 50 ANSI lm does not provide high gradations of gray. Therefore, the image quality depends significantly on the ambient light and requires dimming the room. However, this is quite normal for a pico model. PROS - many accessories; - stylish design; - convenient tripod; - good specs. CONS - glossy glass body - user interface is not optimal; - no 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth still on 4.1. Today, this model leads the majority of top listings in this segment and costs from $ 440.

Conclusion

Generally, this short review shows good prospects for the development of projector function in smartphones. Already today they are successfully competing with pico projectors, combining this option with a traditional smartphone. In comparison, a Sony MP-CD1 WVGA Pico projector with similar specs costs a little over $ 400. This video demonstrates the capabilities of Blackview Max 1. Read the full article