The new PK201 and PK301 model Pico projectors from Optoma represent two attractive options for consumers looking for the convenience of a pocketable video projector without the severely limited performance of the previous generation. The best-in-class PK301 represents a departure from traditional, less-powerful Pico projectors, with major advances like an AC adapter that helps enable unmatched brightness. Increased connectivity choices also make either of these an ideal video display device for a variety of sources, including portable DVD players, video iPods, or even video games.
Both models offer a native resolution 854-by-480, at 16:9, with a 0.3-inch WVGA DLP panel. Contrast ratio is 2,000:1, with an expected LED life of 20,000 hours. Only 28MB of internal memory is provided, but each offers a MicroSD card slot to add up to 16GB. Additional ports include VGA (with cable), micro USB, mini HDMI, 2.5mm composite A/V-in jack and 24-pin VGA/component input. They each feature a half-watt onboard speaker, in addition to an audio out jack for headphones or external speakers.
All Optoma Pico projectors employ Texas Instruments' DLP Digital Micro-mirror device. Optoma's encoding software formats most photo and video files for playback directly from the internal memory, the MicroSD card or other external memory. The supported file formats are AVI, MOV, MP4 and 3GP, through video conversion.
The slightly larger PK301 tips the scale at half a pound when packing the standard one-hour battery, and is capable of 50 ANSI lumens in Bright Mode--running off of either AC power or the optional extended battery bank, good for two-plus Bright hours--or 20 ANSI lumens in Standard Mode. The image size ranges from five to 120 inches, measured diagonally.
By comparison, the more compact (less than an inch high), more affordable PK201 offers 20 ANSI lumens in its Bright Mode, 12 in Standard. Image size is not recommended above 66 inches meanwhile, although the weight is less than six ounces, with its lithium battery, good for about an hour in 12-lumen mode.
With pricing for the PK201 and PK301 expected to be $299 and $399 respectively, both models are due to arrive at retail outlets by the middle of March.
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