3M PocketProjector MP180 review
An amazingly versatile pico projector, but the included stand is poor, there's no remote control and it's expensive
Specifications
800×600 resolution, 30 ANSI lumens, 32x64x150mm, 329g
The MP180 is a highly versatile office projector. It’s a short-throw model, which means it can project large images even when very close to a surface, and it can be hooked up to a source via VGA or component inputs (using an adaptor), display files from internal memory or a microSD memory card or copy them to internal memory over Bluetooth, and even browse the web over Wi-Fi.
Built-in office document and PDF support means you can read documents, spreadsheets and presentations directly from a memory card, and there’s also support for MPEG4 and H.264 movies and MP3, AMR and AAC audio files. BMP and JPEG image files can also be displayed. A resistive touchscreen interface lets you browse files, access settings and even browse the web, using the touchscreen to control a mouse and an on-screen keyboard. It’s extremely fiddly, but if it means not having to carry a laptop around with you then it may be worth it.
Pico projectors use LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) chips. These are like a mirror with a liquid crystal layer. An LED light source is used, reducing power consumption and meaning the lamp lasts a long time (the LED lamp in the MP180 has an estimated life of over 20,000 hours). The upshot is a tiny projector that can project an 80in-diagonal picture at about two-and-a-half metres, with a built-in battery that lasts for about two hours. The MP180’s versatility makes it ideal for travelling business people, but it’s not without its flaws.
For a start, the MP180 only produces 30 lumens of brightness, so unlike normal business projectors designed for use under harsh office lighting, the MP180 should either be used in a darkened room or at very short range. The second limitation is a physical one: the desk stand that comes in the box is a three-legged tripod stand with flexible legs, which screws into a standard mount on the MP180’s underside. The legs don’t keep their shape well and so provide a rather shaky foundation; it would be wise to either invest in a proper tripod or a Joby GorillaPod.
Details | |
|---|---|
| Price | £333 |
| Details | www.3m.co.uk |
| Rating | *** |
Specifications | |
| Projector technology | LCOS |
| Lamp brightness | 30 ANSI lumens |
| Lamp life | 20,000 |
| Lamp life in economy mode | 20,000 |
Picture | |
| Native resolution | 800×600 |
| Max compressed resolution | 1,280×800 |
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 |
| Other aspect ratios | 5:3 |
| Max diagonal at 7ft | 67in |
| Throw ratio | 1.36:1 to 1.48:1 |
| Optical zoom | N/A |
| Projection distance | 0.2m to 2.5m |
| Mirror image | no |
| Invert image | no |
| Lens shift horizontal | N/A |
| Lens shift vertical | N/A |
| HD Ready | no |
| Special view modes | N/A |
Inputs/Outputs | |
| VGA input | no |
| DVI input | No |
| Sound inputs | none |
| Composite input | no |
| S-video input | no |
| HDMI input | no |
| Component input | no |
| PAL support | yes |
| SECAM support | no |
| NTSC support | yes |
| Audio output | 3.5mm |
| Video output | none |
| Others inputs/outputs | USB mass storage port, proprietary input |
Other | |
| Size | 32x64x150mm |
| Weight | 329g |
| Internal speakers | yes (2x 0.75W) |
| Extras | desk stand, cables (power, VGA adaptor, component adaptor, USB) |
| Remote special features | N/A |
| Power consumption standby | N/A |
| Power consumption on | N/A |
Lamp | |
| Lamp cost (inc VAT) | N/A |
| Lamp supplier | N/A |
| Lamp cost per hour of use | N/A |
| Lamp cost per hour of use (economy) | N/A |
Buying Information | |
| Price | £333 |
| Supplier | http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop |
| Details | www.3m.co.uk |
