3M Launches First Pocket Projector 187
An anonymous reader writes "Popsci.com has a writeup on 3M's new pocket projector, the 3M MPro 110, set to launch on September 30. 'In a dark room, it could project a big enough image to be the ultimate cheap-o home theater. The projector will sell for a mere $359. It doesn't have a speaker, so you'll have to get that separately. But really, how good could a microscopic speaker jammed into this thing sound, anyway?'"
Re:only 640x480 (Score:5, Informative)
Nope. 720 Ã-- 480 for NTSC and 720 Ã-- 576 for PAL.
Specs (Score:5, Informative)
The article didn't list any specs but a little digging found this:
3M MPRO 110M
640x480 Resolution
LCoS Technology [wikipedia.org] (supposedly similar to DLP)
VGA and composite in
150g weight
Considering how small 1080p DLP chips are, and now that they're using LEDs as lightsources, I was suprised that a DLP model wasn't first to market...
That said, 3M has a smaller model for cell phone use: here [pocket-lint.co.uk].
Good for DIY multitouch setups (Score:4, Informative)
Good for DIY multitouch setups
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=multitouch [google.com.au]
Re:Specs (Score:5, Informative)
Spoke too soon. I knew some friends at TI had mentioned seeing prototypes of compact DLP projectors. Seems they're already marketing them to cell phone companies:
http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/9849/10873/hands-on-dlp-mobile-phone-projector.phtml [pocket-lint.co.uk]
Soon... very soon we'll have our tricorders!
Microscopic Speakers Sound Great (Score:5, Informative)
SoundAndVision.com (_Stereo Review_ magazine's website) is giving audiophile raves to a $180, 5.6 inch, 9.5 ounce portable speaker called Foxl [soundandvisionmag.com]. So the answer to the question is that for about $500, a projector and the Foxl could make a microscopic kit into a hugely entertaining movie theater.
Re:only 640x480 (Score:5, Informative)
No.
720 x 576 is 4:3 PAL where the pixel aspect ratio is 1.06
16:9 PAL is 720 x 576 where the pixel aspect ratio is 1.42
nothing really new here (Score:3, Informative)
Even older were IBM pocket protectors. (Score:3, Informative)
- Staple two IBM tab cards together along one narrow and about 3/4 of two long sides.
- Fold down the top of one card.
- Stuff in pocket.