Digitimes just made a bold announcement a few days ago that, if true, may change the way we view home theaters. The fact is today's increased use of portable electronics really calls for a simple and easy way to showcase media. Pico projectors, once upgraded and the prices dropped, are the answer to this need, and we imagine it'll be the biggest threat against the traditional home theater yet.
While pico projectors are certainly nothing new, there's still some work to be done in a number of departments before they start flying off the shelves like hotcakes - namely brightness in non-pitch black areas and production cost.
For business users and other mobile professionals, the reduced weight and empowerment of never having to cross your fingers again for a room with a properly-connected projector is enough to justify throwing down for one of these tiny little guys. The fact that they will eventually fit into a coat pocket is an even crazier thought, but is very likely given how fast tech develops these days.
Additionally, there are many things a dedicated home theater has that easily compliments the shift towards a more portable lifestyle version of the "screen." Pico projectors, if they become standard, will eventually have hookups (or maybe even wireless connectivity) to existing receivers and sound systems to deliver theater-like experiences anywhere you go.
What do you guys think? Does the pico projector pose a threat to the traditional home theater? What would like to see in a couple of years?
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Comments (7)
I like the idea of projectors, but your photo illustrates some of the drawbacks. You can't have anyone standing in front of the image. The way they are standing off sides of the projected image would be bothersome, especially with Wii. The old fashioned ceiling mount ones alleviate some of that, but then it wouldn't have the nice portability. Tough call.
I don't think pico projectors will ever compete with traditional home theater setups, whether that be TV or a larger projector.
The way technology moves means that there will be 4K or greater TVs and full size projectors by the time pico projectors are 1080p. I currently can't see any technology that will get pico projectors bright enough. LEDs just aren't going to do it at the small form factor, and anything else is just too hot.
Where I see pico projectors doing well is for business people traveling around with them. The other strong use case would be high school band or choir trips. There was always that one person who would bring an Xbox and try and hook it up to the hotel TV or even bring their own TV. A pico projector would be so much better.
This isn't true though. While we may have the capability of 4k projectors their actual usage is a different matter all together. We have been capable of hd quality broadcasts since the 50's, digital connections far longer than they have been in use etc. Pico projectors will be capable of 1080p long before a higher definition standard hits.
On top of that there is a diminishing return on fidelity. The current crop of consoles mostly runs modern games at sub hd resolutions and scales them, a large amount of content out there is barely HD.
The fact is the rest of your home theater isn't portable so whats the point of having the screen portable?
Have you guys seen the AAXA M2 projector? It's a pretty good alternative to a home theater projector, bright enough to be usable and is portable as well. http://www.aaxatech.com/products/m2_micro_projector.htm
ProjectorCentral rated it 5 stars
http://www.projectorcentral.com/aaxa_m2_micro_projector_review.htm
@CharlesBritainnia For $350? Not too bad. Waiting for $250 tho. :)
@Landmark
One reason is if you travel a lot you'll find that hotels are not at all "cool" about you hooking up your PS2 to their awful tv. Mad con parties FTW.
(Back in the early 2000's we used to 'liberate' ...er 'borrow' ...er 'sign out for a totally legit purpose we swear' department projectors from our uni for use at anime cons. But now you can buy your own--they used to cost $3500 and up with a $200 light bulb!!!)