With phones and tablets shrinking in terms of weight and thickness and increasing when it comes to raw power, it’s easy to have screens of varying sizes with us at all times. The only problem is, sometimes you need a bigger display, but no screen is in sight. That’s where portable projectors come in handy.
Today, Magnasonic unveiled its LED Pocket Pico Video Projector, which is similar to other mini projectors we’ve seen before, but has one main claim to fame: Magnasonic bills this one as the world’s smallest portable DLP projector. It’s seriously tiny too, coming in at 3.9 inches by 3.0 inches wide, and just half an inch thick.
Despite the tiny size, the LED Pocket Pico Video Projector can provide a viewable area of up to 60 inches, using 25 lumen light engines powered by Texas Instruments. The projector accepts up to 1080p input, but don’t expect it to replace your TV — output resolution is limited to 640 x 360 resolution with a 1100:1 contrast ratio.
Setup is incredibly simple. Just plug in an HDMI cable for the input, and plug in headphones or an audio cable for the output, providing you need sound, which can be adjusted with the onboard volume controls. The only other port is a Micro USB port, which is used to charge the built-in 2,100mAh battery. This battery allows the projector to provide up to two hours of play time on a single charge.
The main audience here seems to be professionals who need a convenient way to take their presentations on the road, but Magnasonic promises a host of other uses for the Mini Portable Pico Projector. From camping trip movie nights to transforming a wall in a tight room into a TV, there are plenty of applications for this projector, especially considering the small size.
The Magnasonic LED Pocket Pico Video Projector is available now, and retails for $170. For more information, see the Magnasonic website.
Update: Edited to reflect updated name and pricing information
