Now you've  got more to thank Texas Instruments for than that TI-89 calculator that got you through geometry class. Today, the company announced a DLP HD chipset that will enable 1366 x 768-pixel video in pico projectors and other mobile devices. When projected onto a wall, the 16:9 aspect ratio video will span a 100-inch "screen".

The projectors will be released by more than 20 companies including Acer, Cinepic, Dell, Fujitsu, iGO, and Samsung.  Like a proud tech innovator, Texas Instruments will be showing off the new pico projector technology as well as other devices with the picos built-in--such as smart phones (like this one), cameras, and camcorders with the attached projectors on the back--here at CES. We'll be there for hands-on time.

Not as lilliputian as a pico projector nor as big as an ultraportable, the BenQ Joybee GP1 Mini Projector is well suited for business users who want to travel light, but still need to show clients a crisp, bright presentation. At $499 (currently on sale for $399), the GP1 is a good deal, but a few changes would make it even better.

Design

Measuring 5.5 x 4.8 x 2 inches and weighing 1.2 pounds, the GP1 is slightly larger and heavier than the Dell M109S (4.1 x 3.6 x 1.5 inches; 0.8 pounds), another mini projector with an LED light source. Still, it easily fits in the palm of your hand. We just wish the power brick were smaller--it's the same weight as the projector itself. While the Dell M109S is squared off at every edge, the GP1 has smooth, rounded corners. It's encased in white plastic except for the top, which is a glossy black.

A silver ring protruding from the top makes it easy to adjust the focus. The top of the Joybee GP1 features an indented circular panel of touch controls backlit in blue, and is easy to see in the dark. However, you have to know exactly where to press--not on the icon itself, but on the edge of the circle--otherwise, nothing will happen. The lack of haptic feedback makes it all the more tricky.

We preferred using the credit card-sized remote: its small rectangular rubber buttons made it easy to change any function, as well as launch presentations and movies from an attached USB drive.

On the back of the GP1 is a port for its 15-pin connector, which branches off to a VGA port and composite connections. Also on the back of the projector is a USB slot and a 3.5mm audio output. At the bottom front, a small foot can be turned to raise the image. However, when the foot is fully extended, the 15-pin connector in the back of the projector raises the back edge of the GP1, causing it to wobble. There's also a screw hole for a tripod.

An optional dock that connects to the 15-pin port lets you play music, videos, and photos using an iPod.

Performance

Upon first plugging the projector in and moving it around, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that the device is smart enough to know when it's being tilted up or down vertically, adjusting the image automatically so that it's not keystoned. Menus were simple and easy to navigate. While the SVGA (858 x 600) GP1 has a native aspect ratio of 4:3, it automatically changed to 16:9 when an external source (like most laptops nowadays) had the same ratio.

The GP1 is rated at 100 lumens (twice that of the Dell M109S) and a 2000:1 contrast ratio; within a few feet of the wall, we found it plenty bright, even with overhead lights on. Movies, our notebook's desktop, and PowerPoint presentations were all crisp and colorful. From three feet, the GP1 projected an image that was 24 inches in diagonal. At a distance of 10 feet, the image was 6 feet across diagonally. However, at the latter distance, we needed to turn off the overhead lights in order to view images comfortably.

You can also use the GP1 sans notebook. We plugged a USB drive into the back of the projector, and a simple menu launched where we could select photos or movies to play from the drive. Within seconds we were looking at pictures and watching movies stored on the drive. Sadly, the GP1 can't natively play PowerPoint presentations; you have to convert them to JPGs first. However, you can create a slideshow on the projector itself, as it lets you select the interval between slides and the transition type.

Be warned that the GP1 gets fairly warm: even with the fan blowing full tilt (quite noticeable in a quiet room), the bottom of the projector by the lens reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit after just a few minutes.

Verdict

The BenQ GP1 is a very capable projector for those looking to travel light. Its brightness is more suitable than pico projectors for business presentations in larger rooms, and the $499 price makes it half as expensive as larger (albeit much brighter) projectors. While we wish its power brick were smaller and controls easier to use, it's a solid little accessory.

As tech-savvy consumers fresh out of the aughts, most of us are unlikely to be impressed by new touch interfaces. But researchers from Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University have something remarkable up their sleeve with Skinput, a bio-acoustic sensing technology that allows our body to be used as a large finger-input surface without any electronics touching the skin.

Though the average adult possesses approximately two square meters of external surface area, it may have never occurred to you that this space could act as a way to control the devices you carry around. Chris Harrison, however, a PhD student in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon and one of the primary researchers for Skinput, believes the easy accessibility of our various limbs is quite conducive to such interactions.

When a finger taps the skin, the impact creates a variety of acoustic signals that travel through its surface. To capture and harness these signals, Harrison and his team created a special purpose bio-acoustic sensing array armband, accompanied by software that listens for skin surface impacts and classifies them appropriately. Variations in bone density, size, and mass, along with filtering effects from soft tissues and joints means different body locations are acoustically unique; the current Skinput prototype is built to gather signals from a user’s arms and hands.

Just how accurate can tapping on your arm be? “In our user study, we evaluated several input location sets, which demonstrated our approach could achieve accuracy as high as 95.5 percent for five locations, a sufficient number of buttons for many mobile interactions,” said Harrison. An audio player or portable PC, for example, could be controlled simply by tapping various fingers together.

Skinput is also capable of turning your body into a touchscreen of sorts. Harrison’s team outfitted its prototype with a Microvision pico projector, transforming a user’s arms into virtual buttons that respond in real time to various inputs.

While this technology is at least ten years away from being commercialized, its successful implementation could change the way we interact with the web and our data.

Just two years ago, the idea of projectors being built into stuff was futuristic. Two years ago, for instance, ASUS demoed a laptop with one embedded in the bezel, but it was just that: proof of concept.

Two years later, though, the idea of a projector being just another component, the way cameras are in phones, isn't so far-out. Here at Mobile World Congress, Samsung is showing off the Beam (also known as the Halo), a phone with a built-in projector that it's on the verge of shipping to many markets, including Europe, Africa, and Latin America, with Asia expected to follow later (sorry, Americans: we're not sure yet if you'll ever see this).

The projector, which is built on Texas Instrument's DLP Pico WVGA chipset, has a brightness of six lumens, which is pretty weak. You'll need some pretty dark conditions, as Samsung created at its booth, to make out the picture. In additon to 720p video, users can "beam" photos. In either case, the picture can get as wide as 50 inches.

The projector aside, the Beam is, at the end of the day, still a phone. A phone loaded with the works, including a 1-GHz processor, 3.7-inch Super AMOLED display, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G, and a 5-megapixel camera. The phone runs Android 2.1 with TouchWiz 3.0 on top.

After the jump, check out video of the Beam projecting video onto a wall several feet away. And sound off in the comments: would you use this? If so, when?

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We get closer and closer to living in Minority Report everyday. The latest step toward crime forecasts and interactive images cast by projectors comes courtesy of the Light Touch, a projector equipped with holographic laser technology and infra-red touch sensors that can register the movement of your hands. That potent mix of functionality means that you can control the projector simply by "pressing" the images it displays.

It also means that the device can be used for a host of other activities, some of which are displayed in the pictures below. Though browsing the color options for a particular shirt at the GAP is a fine use of the technology, I'm more interested to see how the LT takes advantage of WiFi and Bluetooth capability to connect to web-enabled devices.  Wall-projected, touch-controlled Farmville, anyone? Because the Light Touch runs Adobe Flash Lite 3.1 software, carries 2GB of on-board Flash memory, supports microSD cards up to 32GB, and can be powered via outlet or run on batteries for up to two hours, I'd say my wish is at least closer than Precrime.  Read more about the Light Touch here.

One look at the large fish-eye lens on the front panel of the BenQ MP512 ST projector and you know it is something special. Indeed, the ST in the product's official moniker might also give it away. It stands for "short throw," meaning you can park this model a mere 3 feet from a screen and still see a large, clear image. Of course, short throw projectors aren't new, but they've never been this affordable.

Design

Short-throw models have two advantages over typical projectors. First, they can be placed so close to the screen that there is little chance that a presenter will walk into the projector's beam and cast a disruptive shadow. And second, a short-throw model can be placed up front, away from your audience, minimizing any distracting light and cooling fan noise.

Outside of its large, short-throw lens, the MP512 is a fairly typical budget projector with many of the usual cost-cutting compromises. The resolution is relatively low, at 800 x 600-pixel SVGA, and there is no optical zooming capability, which limits your ability to tailor image size to a particular screen. (A higher-resolution XGA version, the BenQ MP522 ST, is just $100 more.) The credit card-size remote control has a relatively sparse set of controls (forget a laser pointer or any buttons for navigating a PowerPoint presentation).

Nevertheless, the MP512 ST does pack a few surprises. It is one of the few budget projectors to sport an HDMI port, enabling easy connections to set-top boxes, game consoles, DVD players, and laptops with HDMI. We also like the handy Blank button on the remote, which is perfect for temporarily turning the projector image black and shifting the audience attention back to the presenter. There is even an interesting timer option so your audience will know exactly when your slideshow will end.

Performance

On our performance tests, the MP512 ST continued to impress. Our luminance meter pegged this model at almost 20 percent brighter than advertised--a rare example of a projector over-delivering on this important spec. With 2610 lumens, our review unit was bright enough for just about any business application. Our checkerboard contrast test showed a contrast ratio of 462:1, a rating that is more than adequate for business applications and one that easily holds its own among portable projectors. We did notice some varying brightness, with the upper left corner of the image being almost a third brighter than the lower right corner.

The images produced by the MP512 ST were quite sharp, although we did observe some tiny comet tails on individual pixels and some green shadows in the upper left region of the image. As is frequently the case with a DLP projector, the yellows were rather dull, but blues and reds were rich. Even though the SVGA resolution was less than optimal for HDTV images, the large image size resulted in pleasant viewing. We were able to get a 60-inch diagonal image with the projector just 43 inches from the screen.

Warm-up and cooldown times were not especially fast, but acceptable at 43 and 33 seconds, respectively. The MP512 ST's Economy mode makes the cooling fan barely audible, increases the lamp life to an impressive 4,000 hours, and dims the brightness by only 14 percent.

Audio

Our biggest disappointment involved the speakers. Rarely have 5 watts sounded so tinny. Also, we initially found it hard to believe that a device with such a relatively powerful audio capability had no

Click to enlargevolume controls on either the projector top panel or the remote control. To adjust volume we had to navigate into the on-screen menu. A BenQ representative explained that our unit was preproduction, and the remote control that ships to consumers do include volume controls.

Verdict

The BenQ MP512 ST is a very good budget projector for work and play, even though the speakers could sound better. This model's short-throw lens, big image size, and amazing brightness make it a steal for $579.

When Epson laid out the specs for the EX30, some of its designers must not have received the memo about this being a budget model. While it costs just $549, the EX30 is one of the most impressive of this company's long line of budget-priced projectors. While it's not as portable as more expensive projectors, the EX30's price tag is liable to make you forget that extra weight.

Design

In terms of looks and shape, the EX30 is almost identical to the latest member of Epson's low-priced PowerLite S family, the S6, but has some gray accents, as opposed to the S6's all-white body. Like the other Epson budget models, the EX30 is no lightweight, weighing in at 5.8 pounds, but its travel weight of 6.7 pounds (including the usual complement of cables and remote control) still fits well within our definition of portable.

Of course, budget models must have some shortcomings--otherwise, who would buy anything else? The EX30 has no optical zoom, which could be a problem when fitting an image to a particular screen size. This is partially offset by a two-prong AC cable plug that can mate with any extension cord, making it easy to use this model just about anywhere.

The remote control, which is the size of a tiny cell phone, lacks a laser pointer but does include some small but useful buttons for navigating a PowerPoint slideshow. For some odd reason, these Page Up/Down buttons do not work by default. To activate them, you must access the projector's on-screen menu.

Performance

As with almost all budget models, the EX30 has rather low resolution (800 x 600, or SVGA), but the image was enjoyably large. The projector produced an image size of 54 inches in diagonal at a 5-foot screen distance.

On our lab tests the EX30 performed quite well, if not superbly. Our brightness test revealed 1946 ANSI lumens, less than 10 percent shy of the advertised value and just as bright as models twice its price. On our checkerboard contrast test, it scored a ratio of 226:1, about average for LCD projectors. Up close, the individual pixels showed a slight registration error, with red and blue fringes. This makes very small text hard to read, but you're unlikely to be using very small text in a presentation anyway.

On the plus side, that same LCD technology generated beautiful colors, especially brilliant yellows and rich reds. The images were also amazingly steady, without even the slightest hint of flicker. The cooling fan noise in the default high-power mode seemed about average, but in low-power mode (only 20 percent dimmer) it was very quiet.

Although you don't usually think of an SVGA projector in association with high-definition TV, the EX30 comes with its own component video adapter--a feature lacking on many higher-resolution projectors. Sure enough, when we connected the EX30 to our 1080i set-top box, we were impressed with the picture. Although we did see some occasional motion blur, this model's relatively low resolution seemed to stand up well with higher-resolution XGA models.

The EX30's warm-up and cooldown times were amazingly short: 14 seconds and 3 seconds, respectively. Accessing the cooling fan filter, which must be changed periodically on all LCD projectors, is very easy.

Verdict

Like any budget model, the $549 Epson EX30 is not quite perfect. In fact, the NEC NP100 offers even greater performance for the dollar, but if you want the rich colors of an LCD projector and a super-steady image for a budget price, the EX30 should be high on your list.

A few months ago, when we reviewed the amazingly inexpensiveNEC NP100projector (now just $420 online), we recommended that people might want to pass up this tremendous bargain and go for this model's higher-resolution sibling, the NP200. In looks, design specs, and performance, these two projectors are almost identical. The only difference is in their resolution, brightness, and price--the NP200 being slightly greater in all three regards. For those keeping score, that is: XGA resolution plus an advertised 2100 ANSI lumens of brightness for a list price of just $599. Add it all up and you have one of the best bang-for-your-buck projectors of the year.

Design

In outward appearance, the NP200 has a fairly simple rectangular box shape with a clean white plastic exterior. NEC pegs its weight at 5.3 pounds--pretty good for a budget model--but on our scale it was even lighter (5.1 pounds). Even in its travel configuration, with a remote and a collection of cables, it was still less than 6 pounds.

What might look like a control panel is actually a small remote, snugly ensconced in a special indentation, that pops out for wireless use. Just don't lose it, or you will have no way to access the projector's on-screen menu. You will always, however, be able to turn the projector on and off. The NEC designers wisely placed a prominent power button near the control panel/remote.

Inside the NP200 is one of the most impressive lamps we have seen. Not only does it have a long life of 3,500 hours in regular mode and 4,000 hours in the low-power Eco mode, it also represents one of the best bargains in projector lamps, costing just $170. That works out to a consumable cost of just 5 cents an hour, less than half that of most other projectors.

We were disappointed by the lack of a laser pointer and mouse-emulation buttons on the remote control, but that's a common shortcoming among low-price models. Also, the connectors on the rear panel were poorly labeled; quite a few harried presenters will attach their laptops to the VGA-out port instead of the VGA-input connector and wonder why nothing is happening.

Performance

On our lab tests, the NP200 did fairly well. Our brightness readings came in at 1970 ANSI lumens, which was actually dimmer than the NP100's by about 100 lumens, but still within 6 percent of the NP200's advertised value and more than adequate for typical business environments. With its DLP micromirror imaging engine, the NP200 was able to garner a respectable 553:1 contrast ratio on our checkerboard test. The projected image size was somewhat small: 39 inches diagonal at a 60-inch distance. Uniformity of brightness from corner to center was less than average, at 69 percent.

Subjectively speaking, the images were very sharp and fairly steady, although we did note some flicker in the darker colors. As per usual for DLP models, the yellows were rather dull, but blues and reds looked good. The cooling fan seemed to have an average noise level, but when we dropped it down to Eco mode, the noise was barely audible and the image just 19 percent dimmer.

Our biggest pet peeve about the NP200 is its rather slow cooldown time, which required a bit over 2 minutes. This is in stark contrast to such "instant cool" projectors as the Epson EX30; that model requires only 3 seconds.

Verdict

All in all, the NEC NP200 does a great job with typical presentations at a very attractive price. And thanks to its XGA resolution, it also deftly handles HDTV images. When you factor in its amazingly low consumable cost and its two-year warranty, you have the best projector bargain on the market.

No projector has exactly everything you might want. But the Epson PowerLite 1735W comes pretty close. Brightness? Check. Good resolution? Check. Easy to carry? Check. Extra features? Check, check, and check again. In fact, you may find only one or two things lacking. But more on that later. While some may balk at its $1,649 price tag, this is definitely a projector that will work well both on the road and at home.

Design

It's somewhat ironic that one of the brightest projectors we have tested is also surprisingly light. Its 4.0-pound weight qualifies for our ultraportable projector category, even if just barely. And though its height is almost 3 inches, the sleek rectangular shape and rounded corners should slide easily into most carrying cases. If you don't have a carrying case, don't worry; Epson includes a fairly well-padded one with this projector.

A Handy Help Button

The control panel on the top of the projector is functional and well designed. The power button is easy to spot, as is the Source button, which enables you to switch quickly from, say, a laptop to a DVD player. There is also a nice Help button, which reveals the Function key combinations to activate the external video connector on a number of popular laptops.

The included remote control leaves something to be desired. This relatively small device features an abundance of buttons--29 to be precise--and not one of which is a laser pointer. Another button missing is that for switching to low-power mode, a handy feature for a projector with such a loud cooling fan. The buttons that are present are surprisingly small, including the all-important power button. The similarly important Page Up/Down buttons for navigating a slideshow are not only small but also hard to find.

Ports

The PowerLite 1735W has an amazing array of input options. In addition to the standard input connectors (S-Video, composite video, audio, and VGA, which also accommodates an optional component video cable) are two USB connectors: a Type B jack for laptop connections and a Type A port to accept a USB Flash memory drive. The latter enables you to load a PowerPoint slideshow on a tiny USB drive and give a laptop-less presentation.

Under a small panel is yet a third USB connector; this one is designed for a special Wi-Fi adapter that enables you to connect to the projector without cables.

Performance

Inside the PowerLite 1735W resides a powerful lamp rated at 3000 ANSI lumens. Images are produced by a trio of LCD chips, a technology that should provide accurate colors but will entail occasional cleaning of the cooling fan's air filter. The native resolution is WXGA (1280 x 800), which should match well with some if not most new laptops. And the short-throw lens projects a beautifully large image that enables presenters to place the projector quite close to the screen.

Our lab tests revealed the 1735W's illumination, although unquestionably bright, to be a bit short of the advertised value of 3000 ANSI lumens. We recorded only 2618 lumens, which is outshone by the NEC NP61 (3011 lumens) but still represents one of the highest values we have ever tested. This level of brightness should handle everything except movie theaters and sun-drenched conference rooms.

Judging from this model's LCD imaging engine, we did not expect a high contrast ratio, but the 154:1 result from our checkerboard test was one of the lowest we have seen--and much less than the 2000:1 ratio Epson advertises. Such low contrast may be problematic for entertainment applications in darkened rooms.

The images produced by this projector were some of the largest we have seen, measuring 73 inches in diagonal at a distance of 5 feet. The warm-up and cooldown times were also remarkably fast, at 15 and 8 seconds, respectively.

On subjective viewing tests, the images looked sharp and steady as well as amazingly large. We particularly enjoyed the 1735W's widescreen performance in full-motion, high-definition TV, where it did a great job handling color and keeping up with action scenes. The main issue was the loud cooling fan, which could interfere with movie dialogs in entertainment applications. The projector's low-power mode is much quieter, but it also drops the brightness by 33 percent.

Wireless Features

Wireless connectivity has been something of a mixed blessing for projectors. Yes, it might obviate the need for heavy VGA cables and make projector sharing a bit easier, but wireless image uploads to a projector have traditionally been relatively slow, and the wireless connection itself has often been difficult to set up. Worse yet, it could enable laptop-toting pranksters in your audience to grab control of your show.

The 1735W provides two ways to set up a wireless connection. The standard way is to click the wireless networking icon in your laptop's System Tray, search for available wireless networks, and choose the SSID for the projector. This is a pretty simple process (requiring about 5 mouse clicks), but later on you may have to reconnect with your usual wireless network.

If you have a Windows Vista laptop, the second option lets you take advantage of Vista's ability to connect to a network projector directly without any special software from the projector manufacturer. But first you must set up a wireless connection manually between your laptop and the projector. (Just click the Networking icon in the Notification area and choose the SSID of the projector.) Once you have a wireless connection, you can use the Help feature of Vista to locate the netproj.exe program. (We simply searched for the word "projector" and chose the Connect to a Network Projector option). Once this program kicks in, everything on your laptop screen is relayed to the projector. When finished, you can disconnect from the projector by accessing a program button on the Vista taskbar at the bottom of the screen. With this type of connection, animations and slide transitions and even some document scrolling seemed slightly slower than with the Epson program.

The second, even simpler way to connect wirelessly to the PowerLite 1735W is by using the tiny included USB flash drive. Plug it into your laptop, and a small program on the flash drive will automatically reconfigure your laptop's wireless LAN to connect to the projector. Also, a window will pop up containing a link to a program called LaunchQW.exe. When you choose this program (Epson Quick Wireless Connection), it will start relaying the images from your laptop's screen to the projector.

On a Windows Vista laptop, getting the Epson Quick Wireless Connection program (QWC) to work correctly took two attempts; on a Windows XP system, it took about four; in Windows 2000, about six (disabling firewall programs, such as ZoneAlarm, helped). After the hold-ups, it then worked dependably on each system. To disconnect from the PowerLite 1735W (and reconnect to your usual WLAN) simply remove the Epson flash drive.

When the QWC program finally started working, it worked well. It relays a copy of the laptop's image to the projector, and does so very quickly. Unlike with earlier wireless projectors, images appear on the projector simultaneously with those on the laptop display. Only when we displayed animated slides or full-motion video were there noticeable short pauses or jerky motion.

If you are in an office environment, where your laptop is connected to the office's network, using the USB dongle will temporarily disconnect your notebook from the office network; that is, when the projector is set up in its default ad hoc configuration, a laptop can be connected either to the projector alone or to a wireless LAN, but not both. But you will probably want to set up the projector so that it is part of the office LAN (in infrastructure mode). In this case, you will not need the USB flash drive because your laptop will always be connected to the projector as long as you are connected to the office LAN. To start projecting images, all you need to do is run the Easy MP Quick Wireless Connection program.

While the USB dongle doesn't work with Macs, there is a Macintosh version of the Easy MP software on one of the CDs that comes with the projector. Macintosh users must manually set up a wireless connection to the projector, but can then use this software to control the projector and send images to it.

Additional Software and Security

A trio of programs that come on one of the CDs bundled with the PowerLite 1735W offer even more functionality. NS Connect provides access to the projector from any PC on the same network. EMP SlideMaker2 is designed to convert PowerPoint slideshows into a format that can be read by the projector from a USB flash drive for laptop-less presentations. And the EMP Monitor program enables IT staffs to monitor network-connected projectors. These programs are not especially easy to use and will require careful study of the instructions. For example, during the installation of the NS Connect program, a mysterious dialog box appeared, asking which of four "Epson virtual displays" we would like to use. There was no information about what these are and which might be best; we simply chose the first option.

The QWC program does not set up an encrypted wireless connection, and it probably does not need to do so given the difficulty of establishing a connection with the projector without the QWC program stored on the USB Flash drive. If you do require encryption, however, you will have to set it up on the projector and on the QWC Configuration program that also resides on the USB flash drive. Note, however, that "typing" an encryption key into the projector via its remote control is a tedious process. Also, encryption may slow down the transmission of images to the projector.

Verdict

The Epson PowerLite 1735W is a great projector. It is bright enough for almost any environment, light enough to carry almost anywhere, and filled with enough features to satisfy almost any projection need. Its USB dongle goes a long way towards simplifying wireless connection setups between projectors and PCs, and the included software offers a good deal of expanded functionality. We particularly liked the huge, wide images, but the loud cooling fan and imperfectly designed remote control were disappointing. But those are minor quibbles. With this projector, your presentations will be sure to outshine the competition.

Mitsubishi is one of the premier names in the projector industry, and the company's new $995 XD95U represents an impressive combination of portability and brightness. It also boasts very high-contrast levels. However, some design and performance issues prevent this model from being a top pick.

Design

Although not nearly as thin as competing ultraportables like theCasio XJ-SC215, this Mitsubishi model certainly qualifies as one of the smallest business projectors on the market. Its height of 3.1 inches is offset by a minuscule footprint, just 8.1 x 7.5 inches--not even half a square foot. Inside is a powerful lamp capable of beaming out 2200 ANSI lumens at XGA resolution. With a travel weight of less than 4 pounds (including the usual cables and remote control) and a small but decently padded carrying case, the XD95U should be able to go almost anywhere and handle almost any type of business environment. Theoretically, at least.

To achieve this model's slimmed-down weight, Mitsubishi designers apparently had to trim the feature list to the bare minimum. Only three input connectors are available (VGA/component video, S-Video, and composite video). A fourth connector marked RS-232C Control is also included for remote-networking control. There is no audio input; just as well, however, because there is no speaker.

The credit card-size remote control is similarly spartan. There are no laser pointer or mouse emulation buttons, and the buttons that do exist have little value except those for the on-screen menu and power.

Whoever designed the lens cap apparently didn't have human fingers in mind. It usually took us three tries to grab on to it successfully. Also, the cooling fan is unusually noisy. When you switch to low-power mode, the fan very gradually calms down, but only slightly.

Performance

The XD95U achieved an impressive brightness reading of 2339 lumens, actually greater than advertised. Our contrast ratio test with a checkerboard pattern achieved an equally impressive score of 639:1, the best we have seen in recent months. Exceptionally dark and light grays were resolved very well, and mid-level grays had a good neutral color.

Image size from the XD95U was rather small, at 41 inches in diagonal at a distance of 5 feet from the screen. In addition, images were difficult to focus, owing to a recessed focus ring that was difficult to access. On-screen, the top half of the image showed somewhat fuzzy pixels with significant comet tails. This made small text in the top of the images hard to read. Some of our test slides showed extraordinary amounts of flicker, which also showed up slightly in our PowerPoint presentations. And as per usual in a DLP-based projector, some colors, such as yellow, were significantly dull.

Finally, in an age of instant-cooldown projectors, the XD95U moves at a decidedly glacial pace. Warming up took 41 seconds and no less than a minute and a half to cool down. However, when we searched through the on-screen menu and enable the Quick Cooling feature time dropped down to a respectable 31 seconds.

Verdict

The Mitsubishi XD95U has a lot going for it. It is very bright, offers top-notch contrast, and is easy to carry. For the money, though, we prefer theDell M209X, which is lighter and equally bright, has a better remote control, displays sharper images, features more connectors, and sports a cheaper price tag of $899. And the XD95U's design flaws and relatively small image size don't help its cause. The XD95U is a good ultraportable projector, but better options are available.

Wireless USB technology is slowly creeping into more and more devices; one of the first was the Kensington Wireless USB Docking Station, which lets users wirelessly synch a notebook with a monitor as well as external drives. Using the same technology, the Imation Wireless Projection Link ($249) aims to free users from the limitations of short VGA cables and clumsy projector setups. Using this device's USB dongle, presenters are able to sit at the end of a very long table, instead of being confined to a small area around the projector itself. While the Wireless Projection Link could stand some improvement, it performs very well given the newness of the technology.

Design

The base unit of the Wireless Projection Link is a fairly small black box measuring 5.0 x 3.5 x 1.8 inches, with an external antenna that swivels up. Conveniently, the USB dongle used to link the base station with a notebook slides into the top of the base unit for storage. Also included is a USB swivel attachment and a USB cable. Unfortunately, there's no VGA cable, the only means of connecting the base unit to a projector.

Installation

Setup is as simple as plugging the Wireless Projection Link base station into a projector or screen via a VGA cable, and power it on. We then plugged the USB dongle into a Lenovo IdeaPad U330, and the appropriate drivers were automatically installed. (The device also works with Intel-based Macs, but requires that the drivers be installed from an included CD.) Within 5 minutes, our notebook's display was mirrored on the wall.

A menu bar icon let us choose from three different resolutions (800 x 600, 1024 x 768, 1280 x 1024), as well as display modes; we were able to mirror our desktop, have it temporarily disabled (Privacy mode), and change how our desktop appeared on the wall. You can have the Wireless Projection Link downscale the desktop's resolution to one of the three supported resolutions, or have it reproduced at full size--in which case you have to pan using the mouse to see the entire screen.

Performance

We tried the Wireless Projection Link with both aDell M209Xprojector and a Samsung 32-inch LCD TV (LN32A450C1D), and got similar results.

With our laptop set to its native resolution (1280 x 800), the output set to 1280 x 1024, and with the image scaled to fit the entire desktop, moving the cursor across the screen was a bit jerky, but not uncomfortably so. Mouse movements were a lot smoother at 800 x 600, but the image was a lot more pixelated, and was stretched to accommodate the entire desktop. The 800 x 600 resolution was also much more visually palatable when we turned scaling off--but could only see about a quarter of our desktop at a time.

We set the Wireless Projection Link to the highest resolution, and streamed a high-definition clip of Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag at full screen. We were impressed with the detail and image quality--the deep blues of the sky were represented well--but the fast pace of planes flitting about the sky was too much, and felt like we were using a flip book. Sadly, even a black-and-white film (Night of the Living Dead) was also very choppy, even in scenes where there wasn't a lot of movement. Streaming an episode of 30 Rock from Hulu.com was a bit better, though.

We were able to get better results by reducing the output to 800 x 600, turning scaling off, and moving the film's window to fill the screen. While artifacts were more noticeable (most apparent in the deeper blues and shading in skies and water), the overall image had a DVD quality, with much less choppiness.

After experimenting with different resolution settings we found the best results when we reduced the resolution of our desktop to match that of the resolution we output using the Wireless Projection Link--for example, we set the notebook's display to 800 x 600, and set the Projection Link's output to the same; the device no longer had to work as hard to downscale the image, and on-screen movement was much smoother.

Still, when using this for a business presentation, you're not likely to show feature-length movies. When it came to PowerPoint presentations, the Wireless Projection Link handled them well, regardless of the resolution, and streamed full-screen slideshows smoothly. While images appeared about a split second after they showed up on our PC, colors were represented accurately.

The Wireless Projection Link is best suited for those making presentations at the end of a long conference table; in our testing, when we moved our notebook farther than about 15 feet away from the base station, the link became much weaker; image quality began to suffer noticeably, and video became even choppier.

Verdict

For those who get annoyed futzing with VGA cables, or want to sit further than six feet away from a projector when making a presentation, the Imation Wireless Projection Link is a good option. While we wish that videos streamed more smoothly, that's not the primary purpose of this device, and it handles presentations with aplomb. When it comes to replicating your notebook's desktop on a large screen for PowerPoint slideshows, this $249 device, while not perfect, is where the future lies.

NEC has been flooding the market with powerful, attractively priced projectors lately. We recently looked at theNEC NP41, a powerful model that can correct for any keystone shape distortion and focus itself without any user interaction. Now that model's beefed-up sibling, the NP61, has all the features of the NP41 combined with even greater brightness--but it will cost you $300 more.

Design

Externally, the NP41 and the NP61 are identical. Both combine a plain off-white color scheme with a utilitarian rectangular shape that is small and light enough to be carried almost anywhere. (The NP61 tipped our scales at 3.6 pounds--just an ounce or two over the advertised weight--while the height, including feet, was a relatively low-profile 3.2 inches.)

Our biggest complaint with the NP61 regards its remote control. Being relatively large (picture two hotel soap bars attached end-to-end), it supplies the presenter with an ample array of buttons, although few of these are highly useful.

There is no laser pointer, and the very useful Page Up/Down buttons do not function without an optional $45 IR transceiver that connects to your laptop's USB port. (Instead of a USB connector right on the projector, there is a round PS/2-style control connector cable that uses the obsolete RS-232 serial protocol.)

Performance

Once you power on the NP61, it seems that the only thing this model can't do for itself is remove its lens cap. In just 22 seconds, a decent image begins to appear, although you may have to wait an additional 10 to 20 seconds for full brightness. The projector quickly detects what type of input is attached (we used both a laptop and a set-top cable TV box). It then automatically assigns one of six brightness modes, adjusts for any keystone correction (which is required if the projector is not perpendicular to the screen), and sets the focus.

The only adjustment you might want to make concerns the optical zoom; its relatively large ratio of 1:1.2X fills a projector screen easily. That, combined with a generously long 10-foot, three-prong AC plug should give presenters quite a bit of flexibility in terms of where to place the projector.

Brightness and Image Quality

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the NP61 is its brightness. We measured 3011 lumens, which set a new record in our lab for brightness among portable projectors, let alone models under 4 pounds. This level of brightness--which, for a change, actually exceeds the advertised value--should be capable of handling any projection environment short of your neighborhood Cineplex. While its contrast ratio of 588:1 falls short of NEC's advertised claim of 1600:1, it's still one of the best we've seen.

The images produced by the NP61 were quite good. The autofocus feature produced a sharp image, although we improved it slightly with a manual focus via the remote control. Because this model uses a DLP imaging engine, yellows were, unsurprisingly, a bit dull. On our Sunday night HDTV football game tests, we were very impressed with the video images. The only flaws we noticed were a few pixelated squares that would appear very infrequently during rapid-motion scenes.

Fan Noise

The fan noise of 37 dB was loud enough to be noticeable in business applications and distracting in entertainment environments. But when we shifted the projector into the low-power Eco mode, the noise dropped to a negligible level (advertised as 32 dB) while still pumping out an impressive brightness of more than 2000 lumens. The NP61 also has an impressively short cooldown time of 14 seconds.

NEC NP61 Verdict

Essentially, the NEC NP61 is the NP41 with higher contrast and brightness; we liked the NP41 so much that we gave it an Editors' Choice. Sporting the same features, the $1,299 NEC NP61, too, is so automatic you probably won't need to use its mediocre remote control. But you'll have to decide whether having an extra 800 lumens of brightness is worth $300. Regardless, you'll be getting a projector that's bright, exceptionally easy to use, and still manages to weigh less than 4 pounds.

In size, shape, and power, the amazingly tiny Optoma PK-101 Pico Pocket Projector is similar to the3M Micro Professional Projector MPro110we reviewed recently. Both are pocket-size devices that actually can fit into a pocket with room to spare--and both cost just south of $400. Simply turn it on without any connections, and the PK-101 beams out a nice white rectangle, meaning it could function well as a small, albeit expensive, flashlight. More important, it does a much better job of linking with one of the most popular electronic devices in existence: the Apple iPod.

Design

The PK-101 makes use of some amazing miniature technology. At 4.1 x 2.0 x 0.6 inches, it is not much bigger than the remote control bundled with many larger projectors, yet it's able to accommodate not only a DLP imaging engine and an LED lamp but also a rechargeable battery capable of powering the device for 1.5 hours--and even a tiny speaker. And unlike the 3M version, it wisely makes no pretense of being able to handle business presentations. In fact, this model lacks any VGA connector to link it to most laptops.

Rather, this model is meant strictly for after-hours work, when the lights are low and you are more interested in watching videos than pie charts. Just plug this projector's sole input connection, composite video, to any nearby camcorder, DVD player, or iPod.

To simplify iPod connections, Optoma includes an iPod kit with a dock connector that connected the PK-101 directly to a third-generation iPod nano without the need of Apple's $59 A/V adapter.

Performance

The PK-101 worked surprisingly well as an iPod accessory. In a very dark room, we were able to blow up images to about 8 feet in diagonal with the projector about 12 feet away--although we found the optimal size to be a 2-foot image at 3 feet away, depending on ambient light. In some video podcasts, the image quality and motion were amazingly good considering how low the native resolution is on this projector. A downloaded TV show, however, was remarkably grainy. Sound is passed from the iPod through the adapter cable to a tiny and noticeably tinny speaker hidden somewhere inside the PK-101. Fortunately, the LED lamp runs so cool that there is no fan noise to interfere with the sound.

One nice touch provided by Optoma is a small adapter that can be screwed into the bottom panel of the projector, for affixing it to a small tripod. Once attached, the PK-101 is very easy to position securely on a tabletop.

On our lab tests, the PK-101 performed fairly poorly. It was brighter than the MPro110 but still registered a paltry 10 ANSI lumens, less than 1 percent as bright as most new portable projectors. The contrast ratio was much better, at 240:1, which is as good as, if not better than, some much larger projectors.

Colors were quite good for a projector with a DLP imaging engine. Yellows--a traditional challenge for most DLP projectors--looked surprisingly bright. And although some video and TV images looked quite good, the PK-101 did not do well on a business presentation that had been saved as a series of JPEG images. The images were routinely grainy and showed significant interlace flicker. The tiny focus wheel was difficult to manipulate but did not go out of focus, which the did 3M model did.

Verdict

The $399 Optoma PK-101 Pico Pocket Projector is an amazing engineering accomplishment, something we might not even have dreamed of ten years ago. But, as was the case with the similar 3M MPro110, this may be a technology in rapid transition.

Future models will probably benefit from more power, more features, and a lower price tag. However, the PK101's aims as an entertainment device are somewhat more modest than the 3M projector and better able to realize them. For now, if you're tired of squinting at iPod videos and can dim your viewing environment, this tiny projector may just be worth the splurge.

The 3M MPro110 pocket projector is so small and light that it could easily fit into an actual shirt pocket. Even with its included rechargeable battery, this device weighs just a few ounces and is barely larger than the remote controls of many other projectors. What would you use this tiny projector for? 3M offers several potential scenarios, including projecting videos or slideshows from your cell phone or camera, as well as for traditional laptop usage (if in a very dark room.) Sadly, this innovation feels more like a proof of concept than an actual projector.

Design

If we weren't aware of this device's amazing internal components, we might confuse the MPro110 with a toy. At 2.0 x 4.5 x 0.9 inches and weighing just 5.6 ounces, it's about the size and shape of a power brick for a mini-notebook. The only control is a small button-size focus wheel that seems much too loose to work well. In fact, tilt the device up or down and you can hear the focus lens slide in and out.

The MPro110 features a very tiny LED lamp and image engine that 3M introduced in January. These components are so small that many industry observers speculated they could someday be incorporated into a cell phone.

Click to enlarge

The projector includes only two small inputs, both proprietary and designed to mate with special cables that can connect to standard 15-pin VGA and RCA composite video ports. The video connection worked well, but the thick and somewhat stiff cable made precise positioning of the lightweight MPro110 difficult.

The MPro110 does not elevate its image. This means that unless you place the MPro110 on the edge of a table, the bottom part of the projected image will be splayed out on the table surface in front of the device. However, a small screw hole on the underside of the projector will allow you to connect it to a standard tripod mount.

Performance

3M lists few specifications beyond the impressive size and weight--and for good reason. This device had the unenviable distinction of achieving some of the lowest performance scores we have ever measured. The image was so dim, it scored just 9 ANSI lumens. The contrast ratio was a likewise deplorable 48:1. At this brightness, it is impossible to get a halfway useful image larger than about 18 inches diagonal, and that's with the room lights turned way down.

3M does not list a native resolution for the MPro110, but we obtained our best results with our laptop set at low 640 x 480-pixel (VGA) resolution. At least, we think that is the best result. The image is so dim, small, and hard to focus with the flimsy focus wheel that it is quite difficult to be sure when the image is at its best.

Despite the "Pro" in this device's name, it is clearly not appropriate for business use. In fact, the only possible use that we can envision is as a mobile projector for movies stored on an iPod. But even that is problematic: The internal battery lasts only about 30 minutes, less than 3M's claim of 40 to 60 minutes.

Verdict

Click to enlarge

With the MPro110, 3M certainly achieved a technological success. We look forward to seeing the second or third iteration of this design, particularly one with an onboard flash memory drive for showing laptop-less slideshows. For now, however, we suggest any potential buyers spend a few dollars more and opt for the larger, but much more useful,Dell M109S.

Casio has once again enhanced its impressive family of Super Slim low-profile projectors, this time with its new XJ-SC215. While this $1,499 projector looks the same as previous models from the outside, there's a number of improvements that merit serious consideration. Most importantly, the SC215's ability to reproduce accurate colors makes this model stand out from other DLP projectors, and put it on a par with LCD projectors.

Design

As per usual, the new addition to this family of XGA-resolution DLP projectors is visually identical to the previous models, theCasio XJ-S57and XJ-S47. Its table-hugging shape (only 1.7 inches high) slides easily into almost any laptop carrying case. With its tiny credit card-size remote and two cables, the traveling weight is only 4.7 pounds.

Remote Control and Ports

The remote control is quite small--no larger than a short stack of credit cards. It's not big enough to accommodate a laser pointer, nor does it have any mouse-emulation buttons that might help you navigate through a PowerPoint slideshow on your laptop. But it does have features rarely seen on other projector remotes; we particularly liked the power-focusing buttons that enabled us to stand near the image and adjust the focus remotely, ensuring that it was as sharp as possible.

The XJ-SC215's USB connector lets you project slideshows of JPEG files stored on a USB Flash memory drive, without the need of a laptop. In practice, however, such presentations lack any animations or transitions, have a surprisingly low resolution, and reveal a noticeable level of jaggies and dithering--not quite up to par for a business presentation. (You can also purchase the optional $99 YW-2L adapter, which lets you wirelessly connect up to four PCs to the projector.)

Excellent Color

Of course, all the real improvements for this model are on the inside. At 2500 ANSI lumens, the SC215 is not quite as bright as its sibling, the 3000-lumen S57, but it excels in another area: The SC in its name refers to Super Color, and rendering color accurately--long an Achilles' heel for DLP projectors--is an area where Casio hopes to steal some thunder from LCD-based projectors.

On our lab tests, the SC215 images were a joy to watch. Individual pixels were quite sharp, with only the barest hint of halos and magenta fringes. True to its Super Color name, yellows were almost as lively as on many LCD projectors, and reds were remarkably saturated.

Image Size

The most striking feature of these Casio models becomes apparent as soon as you power them up: The image size is huge, approximately 52 inches in diagonal at a standard distance of 5 feet from the screen. And if it is too large, a simple pair of buttons on the tiny remote control enables you to adjust the image size to half its maximum--a tremendous optical zooming range that gives presenters great flexibility in where they might place these models. In fact, that latter point is complemented by the Casio's generously long 10-foot AC cable.

This model did particularly well on our HDTV tests. Its large image size meant that even a 16:9 aspect-ratio image could be large enough to impress. And its high contrast ratio ensured that there were no distracting gray areas above and below the image. The projector also kept up very well with fast action sequences, and the shimmering normally seen in certain mid-level colors was practically unnoticeable.

Lab Tests

On our benchmark tests, we were disappointed at first; the brightness was not nearly what was advertised. But when we switched the Casio from the default Standard color mode to the Presentation mode, we measured a brightness of 2409 lumens, just shy of the 2500-lumen rating. Its measure of 502:1 on a checkerboard test was, of course, well below the traditionally inflated advertised contrast ratio but is quite respectable when compared with those of similar projectors. The cooling-fan noise was noticeable but not irritating, and it was much quieter in low-power mode, which dropped the brightness by 23 percent. Cooldown time was a decent 61 seconds.

Verdict

The Casio XJ-SC215 is best suited for people who need the best possible color accuracy in a DLP projector, such as photographers, interior designers, architects, and illustrators. Our advice, however, is to opt for the XJ-SC210, which lacks the USB connector but sells for $200 less. And if you'd rather not splurge for color accuracy or USB connectivity, take a look at the XJ-S42, which is brighter and costs $400 less.

In June 2005 Mitsubishi introduced the first projector to use LEDs as a light source. This groundbreaking product was so efficient that it could run on its own battery. Unfortunately it was also barely brighter than a lit match. Now almost four years after that first LED projector appeared, here is one that is bright enough for use in special situations. The $499 Dell M109S may not be the most versatile ultraportable projector on the market--nor is it nearly as tiny as so-called pico projectors from 3M and Optoma--but it's impressive to see how much Dell has packed into such a small package.

Design

The Dell M109S, at 4.1 x 3.6 x 1.5 inches, is a small rectangular box reminiscent of jewelry-store watch boxes. The glossy black plastic exterior is interrupted by the barest minimum of controls and connectors. On the top panel is a knurled ring for focusing and a set of nine membrane buttons for accessing the projector's on-screen menu. The back panel reveals a single, small, narrow connector. A hydra-like adapter cable links this connector to an AC power outlet, a laptop VGA connector, and a composite video cable.

Interestingly, the M109S uses the same AC adapter as Dell's current laptops. This means if you have a Dell notebook, you can leave the projector's AC adapter at home and run the projector from your notebook's adapter while the laptop runs on battery.

Controls

Click to enlargeWith no remote control, the membrane buttons on the M109S are the only ways to control the projector. These buttons were hard to use: with no physical feedback, it is far too easy to press a button too lightly (for no response) or too heavily (for unwanted responses in underlying menus).For example, we accidentally changed the language to German, and it was only by the help of an old college German I class that we could navigate back to English. It should be noted that this projector has so few options that most users will never need to access the menu.

LED Light Performance

Click to enlargeUnlike the manufacturers of previous LED projectors--who often went out of their way to obfuscate their limited luminosity--Dell is quite up front about the M109S' capability of only 50 ANSI lumens of brightness. Of course, this is almost two orders of magnitude lower than the brightness offered by larger, relatively stationary projectors, yet it is bright enough for some limited applications where a presenter can control the ambient light, as in a darkened conference room.

LED projectors have had a spotty reputation in our lab. Some were so dim that they didn't even register on our brightness meters. The M109S, by contrast, was a pleasure to test. In fact, this model achieved the rare distinction of actually being brighter than advertised, checking in at 59 lumens--almost 20 percent better than claimed. But as usual for all projectors, our checkerboard contrast test showed results that were lower than claimed. We saw a contrast ratio of only 125:1, which is lower than most of the models we've tested, but not bad for a projector of this petite size.

Fan Required

LED lamps are so efficient that they produce little heat, and up to now, LED projectors did not require a cooling fan. But because this model is approximately twice as bright as previous LED projectors, the M109S does require a cooling fan. This fan is loud enough to be noticeable without being objectionable, and the cooldown time is a remarkably short 17 seconds.

Unorthodox Resolution

Click to enlargeFocusing was somewhat difficult, but once we got the image focused, the image was relatively sharp--or as sharp as it could be for its resolution. Regrettably, the M109S has a nonstandard native resolution of 858 x 600. This means that even a laptop set at the roughly similar SVGA resolution (800 x 600) will not match up exactly with this projector. When the M109S converts an 800-pixel-wide SVGA image into one that is 858 pixels wide, the extrapolation process results in about every seventh pixel being a bit fuzzy. Dell tells us that they had to use a DLP chip at this unusual resolution because of the small size of this projector. The end result is that the M109S does fairly well with PowerPoint slides and TV, but presenters should avoid any small type.

Verdict

We doubt the Dell M109S projector will put a crimp in sales of larger and significantly brighter models, but weighing less than 2 pounds even with its power adapter it could be very successful in ultra-mobile applications. We see it linking nicely with, say, an Apple iPod, for impromptu presentations and movie showings. At $499, the M109S is relatively expensive considering its limited luminosity, but its small size marks a big step forward for ultraportable projectors.

• $359
• 640 x 480 native resolution
• 4.5 x 2.0 x 0.9 inches
• 5.6 ounces
• Projects 6-inch to 50-inch image
• Small, cell phone-size power adapter
• Comes with VGA and Video cable
• 10,000 hours of usage

Dell M109S

• $499
• 858 x 600 native resolution
• 4.2 x 3.6 x 1.2 inches
• 0.8 pounds
• Projects 15-inch to 60-inch image
• Uses its own power adapter or one from a Latitude or Vostro (reducing the number of cords to carry)
• Multi-input connector (power, VGA, composite)
• 10,000 hours of usage
• Password protection

Unlike "pocket projectors," the Pico P is a truly mobile video device that slides easily into a pocket. We had time to play with a prototype (in the video below) and it was incredibly light in  hand; it weighed about as much as a cell phone. In fact, the final production model is going to match the iPhone's dimensions almost dead-on.

Video quality was quite good even in the prototype stage, and as it's powered by lasers it always remains in focus; no adjustments are required. It looks to be a great accessory for notebooks, cell phones, and other mobile devices that contain content that you'd like to project onto a wall, floor, ceiling, or the back of an airplane seat (you can expect approximately 2 hours of battery life). Microvision has partnered with Motorola, so hopefully we'll see the Pico P engine integrated into phones (no ETA was given).  Check the video below for availability, pricing, and hands-on sweetness.

[flv:/flvs/PicoProjector.flv 480 360]

In contrast to the sleek Casio XJ-S57, the new NEC NP41 is a white, utilitarian box. There's no fancy lens cap here; an ordinary translucent plastic disk pops onto the lens aperture the way such items have always done. And, at 3.6 pounds, this model is the lightest projector in this roundup, but certainly not the lightest we have seen recently.

The connectors on the projector's rear panel cover just the bare minimum: VGA (which doubles as the component video input with an optional cable), S-Video, composite video, and a mini audio socket. There is also a PS2-style round "control" port.

Although relatively large, the remote control has only a few useful controls. These include the somewhat standard but infrequently used digital-zoom buttons.

The best part of this projector is something that is missing: a focus ring around the lens. The reason? The focusing is done automatically and rather skillfully by the projector itself. The projector also automatically compensates for any trapezoidal or keystone image effects, but because such compensation usually degrades image quality, we turned this feature off via NP41's on-screen menu.

On our tests, this projector scored quite well. Its brightness of 2210 lumens was just a tad shy of the advertised mark of 2300. In our checkerboard contrast test--a more realistic analysis than the industry-standard full-on/full-off test--the NEC scored a ratio of 534:1, which is one of the higher marks we have seen, and the highest in this roundup.

We really appreciated the speedy warm-up and cooldown times, the latter being an impressively short 14 seconds. Subjectively, we like the color capabilities, especially some nice bright yellows, which is rare for DLP projectors. The cooling fan was a bit noisy, however, even in low-power Eco mode.

With a price tag of $999, including a two-year warranty, the NEC NP41 is one of the lower-priced XGA projectors capable of more than 2000 lumens of brightness. Add in the automatic focusing feature, and it becomes a real bargain.

Beyond its Eee PC family line and slew of regular notebooks on display at Computex, ASUS is showing off an interesting prototype. In the corner of its booth is a G1 laptop with a built-in projector. Sure we have all heard about the possiblity of mini-projectors being built into cell phones, but no other company has incorporated them into laptops as of yet. Check out our video and first impressions. I went hands-on with the laptop and think it could be awesome if it works as promised. Built-in to the top bezel of the notebook, the rotatable micro-projector is able to project what is on the screen of the notebook onto a flat surface. On the prototype unit only the top right corner of the display was actually projecting. It was pretty neat to navigate to Web sites and see them appear on the facing wall. I even pulled up a YouTube clip and was able to watch it on the white wall. The contrast and coloring wasn't vivid and I couldn't find a way to adjust it on the system. But see for yourself and check out the video of the laptop projector in action. [flv:/flvs/ProjectorASUS.flv 320 240]

While it's not the first sub-$500 projector on the market--a distinction that belongs to theSanyo PDG-DSU20N--the NEC NP100 may be the most impressive. With strong contrast, plenty of brightness, and a good picture, it's an excellent budget model for both work and play.

Design

Like the slightly older Sanyo PDG-DSU20N, the NEC NP100 has a slick white design. According to the company, it weighs 5.3 pounds, easily making it the lightest budget model. On our scale, however, it was even lighter, at just 5.1 pounds--a very rare case of a projector weighing less than claimed. The top panel is unique: It's a recessed cavity just deep enough to accommodate the projector's credit card-size remote control. But be careful not to lose the remote, as no menu control buttons are on the projector itself.

Performance Tests

On our tests, the NP100 did fairly well. We measured the brightness at 2081 lumens, which is higher than NEC's claim of 2000 lumens. The contrast ratio was also impressive at 711:1, one of the best we have seen for all projectors and certainly the best for a budget model. On our qualitative tests, the images were quite sharp, with very little flicker or noise. The colors looked good--even the yellow shades that are often such a problem for other models.

NP100 Entertainment

Of course, such a projector is bound to be used for entertainment applications as well as pie charts. The NP100 did quite well in this regard. The native SVGA resolution was not quite high enough to display 1080i HDTV really well, but it was good enough for regular digital TV and DVDs. The cooling-fan sound was a bit noisy during a movie, but you can lower it by switching to Eco mode with barely a noticeable drop in brightness.

A Few Caveats

The NP100's image size was a bit small, at 36.5 inches diagonal at a 60-inch distance. Uniformity of brightness from the corners of the image to the center was also low, at 60 percent. And the cooldown time was an irritatingly long 2 minutes.

Long Lamp Life

One cost factor often overlooked when buying a projector is the cost of its lamp. NEC prices the NP100's replacement lamps at $179, one of the lowest prices we've seen. The company also rates the lamp at a very long 3,500 hours in regular mode and 4,000 hours in the low-power Eco mode.

NEC NP100 Verdict

If you have a few extra dollars to spend, we would opt for NEC's more versatile and higher-resolution XGA version of this projector, the NP200, which is still a bargain at $649. However, the NEC NP100 does a good job with typical presentations at an amazingly low price. And with an introductory rebate of $50 (which ends on June 30), it's also temporarily the least expensive, at an astounding $449.

With its recently announced M209X, Dell is introducing a new style for its projectors. Where older models were more streamlined with rounded corners and edges, this device features a black, boxy, angular design highlighted with stylish glossy panels. This cigar-box-size model weighs just 2.6 pounds, and at just $999, it not only fits squarely in the ultraportable camp but can also claim membership in the budget category.

A Brighter and More Portable Projector

Intended as an upgrade to Dell's venerable 3400MP ultraportable, the new M209X outshines it by 500 lumens, with a claimed brightness of 2000 ANSI lumens. It has an HDMI input port and is less expensive at introduction. Dell also claims to have fortified the normally deficient color-handling capabilities of DLP imaging engines with multicolor processing and their new BrilliantColor technology.

Continuing a Dell tradition, the M209X is bundled with a high-quality carrying case and a set of cables equipped with Velcro straps for easy storage. But whereas earlier Dell models included every cable you could ever use, this new model lacks cables for its component video and USB ports.

The M209X' remote control is fully featured, including the all-important laser pointer and a pair of Page Up/Down buttons. But again, you will need to supply your own USB cable to get those latter buttons to work. This new remote design is very stylish, but that style gets in the way of usability: The button labels are amazingly tiny and printed in an almost unreadable blue color on a black background. Fortunately, the laser button is equipped with a pair of bumps to make it easy to find.

Dell M209X Performance

On our lab tests, the M209X did quite well. Its brightness score of 2125 lumens was refreshingly above its advertised value of 2000. Thanks to its DLP technology, the contrast ratio was equally impressive, at 640:1--although well below the 1800:1 claim. Unfortunately, Dell's new color-handling technology wasn't very effective: Yellow shades were still dull and mustard-like, similar to other DLP projectors such as the InFocus IN15.

One nice feature (though we couldn't test it) was the lamp life. Dell claims that the lamp will last 3,000 hours in standard lamp mode and a startling 5,000 hours in low-power mode. The lamps in most other projectors are rated at 2,000 hours in standard mode, or 3,000 hours in low power. We should also mention the sprightly cooldown time. In default mode, it took a leisurely 1 minute and 32 seconds, but when you switch the projector into Quick Shutdown mode, the cooling fan cuts out in just 11 seconds, and is relatively quiet to boot.

Verdict

Light, bright, and fairly low priced--what's not to like? Oh, right, the remote control. But you can use the money you'll save buying the $999 Dell M209X to pick up a nice pointing device and any cords you need. Those looking for a new projector will have a hard time choosing between the Dell M209X and the Optoma TX7155. Both have a similar price tag and features. But, at just 2.6 pounds, the Dell is a bit more portable, shows better contrast, and has a shorter cooldown time (in Quick Shutdown mode). Its long-life lamp and well-cushioned carrying case will have your wallet--and your back--thanking you.

The IN15 is remarkably thin at just 1.7 inches. You've probably read hardcover books that were thicker. And while this model is pricier than other XGA ultraportable projectors that offer similar brightness, InFocus sweetens the deal with convenient features.

In the case of the IN15, thin doesn't mean light; while it fits into our ultraportable category, its weight of 3.9 pounds is heavier than the 2.7-pound Dell M209X and the 3.2-pound Optoma TX7155. With all its accoutrements (such as the included AC, VGA, and composite video cables), the weight is closer to 5 pounds.

We can deal with the extra weight given this projector's surprising number of special features. First there's the motor-driven optical zoom: Just press a button on the remote and the image zooms to double its size--much larger than the 10 percent increase on almost all other projectors. The IN15 also produced one of the largest images we have seen: 52 inches diagonal at a distance of only 60 inches. Like the optical zoom, focusing is also motor-driven at the touch of a button.

For those who like an absolutely rectangular image, the projector will automatically correct for any keystone or trapezoidal shape problems. We also like the flip-down lens cap that is not only handy but also impossible to lose.

Like most credit-card-size remote controls, the IN15 remote lacks both a laser pointer and any buttons for navigating a PowerPoint slide show. It does, however, have buttons for controlling this model's motorized focus and optical zoom features. There is also a handy button for switching to low-power Eco mode that drops the noisy cooling fan down to a more tolerable volume while lowering the brightness by only 20 percent.

With such a small size, a few features had to be omitted. These include an S-Video connector, USB port, and an audio speaker. However, speakers on portable projectors are usually so mediocre that it's a minor loss.

On our lab tests, the IN15 did fairly well. It scored a brightness level of 2271 lumens--below the advertised value but within the traditional industry margin of overstatement. The contrast ratio was good, measuring 488:1. As is typical for DLP-based projectors, the yellow colors had a dull mustard-like look. In general, images seemed a bit fuzzy, caused by significant "comet tails" on individual pixels.

We knocked the older Casio version of this projector for its expensive $499 replacement lamp. The InFocus replacement lamp is a much more reasonable $365 (at www.superwarehouse.com). Too bad the IN15 requires a rather slow 61 seconds to cool down.

The IN15 is an attractively slim and full-featured projector. However, the nearly identical Casio XJ-S46, which costs $100 more, includes a speaker and a USB connector that lets you attach a wireless LAN adapter or run slideshows from a thumb drive without a PC. If you can live without those features, the IN15 is a solid choice for presenters on the go.

Notebook screens went wide ages ago. Now, finally, widescreen projectors are catching up, and the Optoma EP1691 is a very good complement for laptops with 16:9 displays. This tiny model weighs just 3.2 pounds, yet is capable of pumping out nearly 2,000 lumens, and has a wide WXGA native resolution of 1280 x 768. The EP1691 also includes a full-featured remote control with laser pointer and mouse controls.

Good Overall Performance

In our lab tests the EP1691 beamed out sharp, bright, super-wide images. We metered the brightness at 1,968 ANSI lumens, significantly less than the advertised 2,500, but still plenty for most typical business environments. In our contrast tests this model scored a ratio of 676:1, just shy of the best we've ever seen. The picture size was huge (54 inches diagonal at a 60-inch distance). And the cool-down time was impressively fast, at just 11 seconds.

Clear But a Bit Loud

We tested this widescreen model using our Scientific Atlanta HDTV-capable cable box from Cablevision (at 1080i). The EP1691 showed beautiful images with very few artifacts. In fact, we had trouble taking our eyes off it. But this is where the biggest drawback revealed itself: excessive cooling-fan noise.

Most of the time the fan noise is noticeable but quite acceptable. Occasionally, however, the fan kicks into high gear and becomes distractingly loud, especially during entertainment applications, when the audience may actually want to hear what is being said. This fan problem, by the way, arose in both the default Bright and Standard power modes.

EP1691 Remote Issues

Like that of the Optoma EP727, the bundled remote control has an amazing feature set (including numeric keys for inputting a theft-deterring password), but most of the buttons are arranged poorly, and could easily confuse a nervous presenter. Also, the menu structure is a bit more complicated than it needs to be. This is a particular problem for a widescreen projector that will have to match up with input devices of various resolutions and aspect ratios. We found the best results using the projector's native format, but getting this set up required more than a little menu digging.

Optoma EP1691 Verdict

Of course, one of the best features of the Optoma EP1691 is its price: just $999 street, which includes a 2-year warranty. Although it has a few flaws, this is easily one of the best projector values on the market.

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Shhh. If you listen carefully, you can hear an entire category of low-resolution SVGA projectors going extinct. Their low-budget niche has been invaded by the amazing Optoma EP727, which boasts XGA resolution, a highly portable design, and a price tag of just $699.

Good Performance and Features for the Price

If that's not enough, check out the full-featured remote (which includes both a laser pointer and a set of mouse pointer controls) and the relatively wide range of inputs. Not only is there a VGA-out connector for users of obsolete desktops, but there is also a choice of two VGA inputs, using the traditional VGA and the newer DVI connectors (which can be used simultaneously for quick handoffs from one presenter to another). We also like the Velcro straps on the VGA and USB cables for neat and easy stowage.

On our tests, the EP727 presented sharp images and was adequately bright for most applications (1,466 ANSI lumens versus the 2,200 advertised). The contrast ratio was a very impressive 591:1, thanks to its DLP imaging engine. However, like many DLP models, its yellows looked a bit too much like deli mustard. The projector shut down in a sprightly 18 seconds (although it was still warm to the touch) but needed a leisurely 40 seconds to warm up. Even though we had a difficult time doing it, we liked that you can shift EP727 into low-power mode, which for this unit means less noise from the cooling fan and a longer life for the lamp (3,000 hours vs. 2,000 in Bright mode), and a 12 percent decrease in brightness.

A Few Weaknesses

Sure, a couple of aspects of the EP727 could be improved. Although the remote control has an impressive set of features (including numeric keys for inputting a theft-deterring password), most of the buttons are arranged poorly and could easily confuse a nervous presenter. Likewise, the Power button on the top panel of the projector is difficult to identify. Also, the menu structure is a bit more complicated than it needs to be. Finally, the back panel has a surprising omission: an RCA-style video connector, which is usurped by the S-Video connector.

Verdict

The above are minor quibbles, however, especially for a $700 XGA projector that is sure to kill off an entire species of low-resolution budget models. Yes, there are certainly brighter projectors available, but none has the impressive combination of price and features available in the Optoma EP727.

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The Sanyo PLC-XU87 promises just about everything you could possibly need from a portable projector, including a high lumens rating, Wi-Fi, and a remote. Unfortunately, these features are drastically overshadowed by poor execution, confusing setup, and lack of support documentation.

This 5.7-pound projector boasts a 2,500 ANSI lumens, which should be more than enough for almost any typical conference room. Carrying on Sanyo's traditional emphasis on networking, this model is also one of the few projectors that includes both wired and wireless LAN connectivity. The remote control is full featured and includes a laser pointer along with buttons for navigating PowerPoint slideshows. The lens has impressive specs, featuring a high optical zoom ratio of 1.57X. And for easy stow-and-go capability, you can disconnect the AC immediately after powering the projector down.

On our tests, the PLC-UX87 did quite well, scoring 2,363 lumens of brightness-five percent below its advertised value. Its tested relatively low contrast ratio of 176:1 is still good enough for most business applications and about what we expected from this model's LCD imaging engine. That same engine requires users to periodically clean an air filter but also endows the PLC-UX87 with excellent color rendition. In general, images are quite sharp, and resolution was good with both very dark and very light images, but we did notice significant flickering in some dithered grays.

Thanks to the amazingly high 1.57X optical zoom ratio, the projected image was the largest we've seen, measuring almost 52 inches in diagonal with the projector only 60 inches from the screen. One audible downside: At full power, the cooling fan is quite noisy. Fortunately, the low-power mode drops the brightness by 30 percent and decreases the fan noise considerably.

Despite getting off to a good start, the PLC-UX87 has a few weaknesses. First, one of the most frequently used buttons on a remote control-the laser pointer-is located in an awkward place. Second, not all of the buttons seemed to register when we pressed them. Complementing the poorly designed remote is the projector's awkwardly designed onscreen menu, which has submenus for its submenus, an abundance of incoherent icons, and way too little text. And sometimes the Up arrow button actually takes you to the left menu.

The biggest rough patch, however, was the lack of support for the projector's networking features. Although we could connect via a wired network easily, connecting via Wi-Fi was cumbersome. At first, we thought it just didn't work, and then after much more tinkering, we figured out that you have to set up an Ad Hoc wireless connection first, and then use the Sanyo NetworkModule software. The connection is pretty good, but since it was so tricky to configure, we wouldn't trust it in a presentation environment where users may not be familiar with the setup.

At a street price of $1,595 with a generous three-year quick-replace warranty, the Sanyo PLC-UX is very reasonably priced, especially considering its abundant power and features. But its lack of some important user-friendly accommodations limits its appeal.

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Because it practically invented the budget projector category, we've always had some fondness for the old Epson PowerLite S1. Unfortunately, it was not until Epson's third try at this market segment when it debuted the PowerLite S3 (see LAPTOP, September 2005) that the company finally perfected the SVGA budget projector. Now, with the PowerLite S4, Epson has refreshed the S3 by increasing the brightness, adding a few features, and slashing the price to one of the lowest we have seen.

In size, weight, and general appearance, the new silver-clad S4 is practically identical to its older brother. The main external difference is a handy and sturdy sliding lens cover, which not only is impossible to lose, but will also automatically put the projector into standby mode when closed. No doubt owing to this superior lens cover, the S4 weighs slightly more than the older model, tipping the scales at an easily luggable 5.7 pounds.

Like Sony, Epson tends to favor LCD technology over DLP chips. Thus, like other Epson projectors, the S4 exploits the superior color accuracy provided by the 3LCD image engines. However, the images suffer from somewhat diminished contrast and a noticeable grid-like appearance.

As with the older S3, Epson clearly had to cut some corners to keep the price down. For example, this model has no optical zoom lens and comes with only a short six-foot AC cable. Compare this with Dell's 1200MP, which offers a rich assortment of eight cables (including USB and component video) and a carrying case for about the same price. The S4 is one of the few projectors equipped with an extension cord-friendly two-prong plug.

The remote control presents an interesting counterbalance of features. Its relatively small size fits nicely in the hand yet accommodates almost all the buttons you need, including those required for navigating through a PowerPoint slide show. The bad news is that there is no laser pointer (instead, you can display an arrow on the screen and move it around awkwardly with a four-way tilt button). Those PowerPoint navigation buttons do not work until you purchase a USB cable and connect the projector to your PC.

Such as it is in these larcenous times, many S4 users will appreciate the S4's new theft-deterring password option. A key component of this feature is a prominent sticker advertising its presence.

In its default mode, the S4 was quite bright. We measured 1461 lumens, which while almost 20 percent below the 1800 claimed is good enough for almost all conference-room applications. In addition to the default Presentation color mode, the projector has five others. These modes let you tweak the color temperature for special applications, such as movies or games. The Dell 1200MP is brighter, at a claimed 2000 lumens, but because of its excellent colors, the S4 is better for photos or movies.

As with all LCD projectors, the S4 turned in a relatively low contrast ratio of 223:1 in our checkerboard test. This result is easily offset by two other factors: the huge image size (49 inches in diagonal at a screen distance of five feet) and the S4's extremely quick warm-up and cool-down times (12 seconds and 3 seconds, respectively).

In our subjective entertainment tests, the S4 did quite well. The screen-door effect that is common among LCD projectors was visible but just barely so. We noticed more flicker than usual on some half-tone grays, but full-motion video was quite smooth, even for 1080i HDTV signals. One fault, however, was the fan noise, which in standard-power mode might be a bit too loud for home-entertainment applications. Fortunately, the low-power mode drops the noise substantially yet dims brightness by only 23 percent.

The Epson PowerLite S4 comes with a relatively generous two-year warranty, twice as long as that on all other budget projectors. The replacement lamp is also inexpensively priced at $199 and is said to last 2,000 hours.

While the Epson S4 may lack some of the features of the similarly priced Dell 1200MP, we would still choose it for multimedia and leave the Dell to business applications.