Archive for September, 2010

iGo Pocket Projector

Sep 22nd, 10 / 0 Comments

Projectors are becoming a staple of meetings. What better way is there to get a point across than with a beautiful presentation right there in the meeting room? While projectors provide an invaluable asset to meetings, they are notoriously hard to travel with. With tons of wires and the huge screen it is almost not worth the trouble to do a projector presentation on the go and using equipment provided by others can be complicated and unreliable. There are portable projectors to solve this problem, and now there is the new iGo Pocket Projector, which brings portable to a whole level.

Coming in October 2010, the iGo Pocket Projector is designed to go with the popular Flip Video cameras. Flip cameras are all about ease of use, and this accessory is no different. When iGo says portable, they mean it. The Pocket Projector literally can fit into a pocket. It is tiny enough to not even be noticed while traveling, even smaller than some cell phones.

The Pocket Projector will project 70 inches, the size of a big screen tv. It provides 16:9 widescreen resolution and is battery powered. While originally designed for quick picture and video sharing using Flip Cameras, the iGo Pocket projector is also packaged with mini-HDMI and micro-HDMI cables, making it compatible with desktops and laptops. Using the HDMI cables it is also possible to connect with netbooks, smartphones, and some gaming systems, making the Pocket Projector able to be used in almost any situation.

To make a projector so small iGo is using a pico projector for the Pocket Projector. Pico projectors first became popular in 2008 and have been used in mobile phones and gaming systems recently. Upcoming digital cameras also incorporate pico projectors.

The iGo Pocket Projector is set to hit markets next month. One downside to this exciting release is the hefty price tag of $349.99, but hopefully once it is released, it can be confirmed that the perks of having such a tiny projector that can go almost anywhere will outweigh the large price.  There is also the fact that most portable projectors cost over $500 dollars, and if the Pocket Projector can keep up with the lead contenders then the price doesn’t seem so bad at all.

Below are some features and specifications for the iGo Pocket Projector taken from the Flip Camera site

Features

  • Compatible with all UltraHD, MinoHD and SlideHD video cameras. Not compatible with Ultra or Mino video cameras.
  • Portable mini projector, fits in your pocket
  • Battery powered (battery life 1.5 hrs)
  • DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology
  • Designed for Flip and also connects to portable devices such as laptops, smartphones
  • 5″ – 70″ viewable screen size (diagonal)
  • LED light source (20.000 hrs)
  • Supports MicroSD memory cards up to 32GB for easy storing or transferring of media
  • Built-in 0.5W speaker
  • Changeable projection (front, rear, front inverted, rear inverted)
  • Built in media player

Specs

  • Size: 4.6in x 2.4in x 0.7in
  • Weight: 5.6oz
  • Display type: DLP
  • Max resolution: 1200 x 800
  • Aspect ratio: 4:3 and 16:9
  • Brightness: 20 ANSI lumens
  • Input: A/V, composite video, stereo audio, Mini HDMI, VGA, Micro USB

If you liked this story then you may be interested in a Smartphone-sized Projector from Acer. You can check it out on The Projector Blog.

Get an Industrial Audio Rental from Rentacomputer.com today by going online or calling at 800-736-8772.
Uncategorized

Build Your Own Projection Screen

Sep 9th, 10 / 0 Comments

Projectors are expensive, but what can really gall someone is buying that super-expensive projector and having to spend a ton of money on the screen as well. While nothing can replace a high-tech projector, with a few supplies a projection screen can be built for under $100 and function just as well as a store bought screen and look just as good too. Here is a supply list as well as the places that will have to be visited to buy said supplies.

Supplies:

Super-white seamless paper 53″

Wood for frame

L bracket and screws

Velveteen fabric in black

Elmers Glue

To obtain the super-white seamless paper the best place to visit is a camera store. This paper is used as a backdrop for photographers and happens to be the perfect size for projection screens. The wood frame, L bracket, screws, and Elmers Glue can be found at any local hardware store, and the velveteen fabric can be found at a  craft or fabric store.

The wood frame needs to be made of 1×4 poplar wood. Poplar wood is strong, lightweight, and smooth enough not to catch on the fabric. The 1×4 wood will give your screen a border that is 3.5″  around. Have the hardware store employees cut two of the boards to a length of 55.25″ and the other two to 93.5″.  Once this is done, see if it is possible to have the ends cut to a 45 degree angle, and if they are unable to do it at the store, take it home and cut it yourself with a handsaw.  While at the hardware store, pick up four flat L brackets that are six inches long on both sides and  twenty four 3/4 Philips wood screws. After the hardware store, the last stop is the fabric store. Pick up three feet of black velveteen fabric to wrap your wood frame in.

Step one

Cut the boards to the correct lengths and angles if not done at the hardware store. 55.25″ for two of the boards and 93.5″ for the other two, ends at a 45 degree angle.

Step two

Cut the fabric into four 6.5″ wide strips, with two  58″ in length for the sides and two strips for the bottom and top edges  being about 96″ in length. Lay the fabric on a flat surface with the board on top and wrap the fabric around the board stapling it into place as you go. If the fabric slides, use a little glue to hold it into place until the fabric is fixed to the wood all the way around. Carefully cut the fabric to match the 45 degree angles and glue in place if necessary.

Step three

Arrange the fabric-covered pieces of board in a rectangle, placing an L bracket at each corner. Holding the two boards firmly in place, screw six of the screws into the L brackets. Repeat for each corner.

Step four

Lay the super-white paper over the frame and keep it taut. Starting at one of the 55″ sides staple the paper into place, one staple every 9″ is sufficient. Once the paper is secured, trim it up around the edges so it doesn’t hang over the frame.

There you have it! The finished frame should look professional enough to be mounted on the wall for meetings or even at home for a home theater. The total cost of the supplies should be under $100 and it should look like it came side by side with your new projector.

Meetings