The question, “What is a pico projector?” comes up almost immediately upon seeing one. Compared to standard projectors, a pico model is almost comically small, as you’ll find in our YG300 mini portable LED Meer pico review. Some will be LED projectors. Most use a single-panel LCD or liquid crystal display. Because of this, their image quality does fall short compared to standard projectors.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Pico models are tiny projectors that can typically fit in the palm of your hand and fill a specific niche in the worldwide projector market for portable projection systems.
- Most pico models use LED technology and have multiple built-in features that are attractive to folks looking for a compatible projector for their portable DVD player.
- This display device is used rarely for anything requiring professional imaging elements because of how poor the picture quality can be.
While they might not be the best projectors around, pico models are great for the niche they fill.
What is a Pocket Projector?
If you’ve ever seen one, your first question was probably, “What is a pico projector?” These tiny but mighty models are sometimes small enough to fit into the palm of your hand. Even so, they pack a powerful punch for on-the-go presentations. A pico model usually is around the size of a cell phone, if not a bit smaller. Your mobile device might even be bigger.
These models are best for presenting image and video files informally. For a more cinematic experience, the question “What is a long throw projector?” will help you find the perfect model.
Insider Tip
If you’re looking into theater projectors, consider buying an LED projector for their excellent picture quality and low maintenance.
Everything to Know about Pico Models
The technology behind pico projectors is fascinating. Most units will have internal batteries, but some require the use of a regular or rechargeable battery. The type of battery you use will depend on what the model calls for. Rechargeable batteries are a great way to save some money if you must use batteries.
All projectors will require troubleshooting at some point. Learning basic troubleshooting, like what to do when a projector says no signal, will be crucial to your projection success. Plus, it’s also important to know how to adjust the display, like learning what the zoom function on a projector does.
Explaining Mini Projectors
Cheap pico projectors are highly affordable and many are portable projectors. Add a DVD player, and you have portable multimedia projectors ready to go wherever you are. They’ll never have the same benefits as a full-size projector, however.
But, you can make a projector from your phone with a few household items. As with anything, there are pros and cons to using these tiny but impactful projectors.
Benefits of Mini Projectors
These handheld projectors have an array of benefits to enjoy:
- They have low energy consumption and are cheap to use
- Most units will feature built-in speakers for easy audio
- Their small size makes them incredibly portable devices
- Some models are cordless and run on battery power
Drawbacks of Mini Projectors
Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks associated with these portable projectors:
- The image brightness will always be lacking
- Their internal speaker is relatively weak
- You may find their battery life to be relatively short
Warning
When setting up your projector, make sure to identify any light sources in the area and do your best to get rid of them.
F.A.Q.S
What image size can I create using micro projectors?
Sizes range from 5- to 100-inch images. You’ll generally want to stay between 25- and 50-inches, however. Image quality is the best in that range.
Should my projector have built-in internal memory?
That depends on what you’re looking to do with your mobile projector. If you need to run large presentations, then having internal memory is crucial. Otherwise, you can run off of an external device.
What is DLP technology, and why is it used in projectors?
DLP stands for digital light processing. This is a technology that is now popularly used by some brands. However, pico projector brands tend to use LCD. If you buy a pico model, you’ll probably end up with a single-panel LCD projector
Do portable projectors have Wi-Fi connectivity?
There are models, like a smart wi-fi mini projector, that feature a wireless connection. The ability to connect with wireless networks shouldn’t be overlooked, especially with portable projectors.
STAT: The automotive LED lighting industry was projected to reach a market share of over 10% in 2015. (source)
