Optoma® PT100 Portable DLP® LED Projector.
Purchased from Radio Shack for $179.99 plus tax. I had it delivered to a local store so shipping was free. :
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10954676&CAWELAID=689509529
After working with this small, light and slick projector for only a short while, it flat out exceeded my expectations! The size is only ~ 8" x 8" x 3".
** The Mfg of projectors for some reason keep the current / watt requirements a deep dark secret. They use different information to describe. This one hinted at a 24 watt draw. It ends up that it 's a 12 volt projector! I was able to purchase a 12 volt cigarette lighter male with the other end that plugs into the projector (from Radio Shack perhaps 10$ or less). Works great. Now for the sad news. How often does the Mfg. misinform about their product? It ends up that the projector comes with a 115VAC transformer that will put out 1500mAs at 12VDC. That's only 18 watts! The projector has two modes, Standard and Bright mode. When running off the Haiti Battery being driven by the computer (with the cooling fan running), in Bright mode draw is 12 watts, and in standard mode 11 watts (with a fresh fully charged battery it's 13 and 12 watts for a while). Amazing. This was measured using the Astroflight Whatt Meter. I can't remember the last time that I was surprised in a good way like this.
** The projector works fine in 16 bit low resolution, and really well at 800 x 600 32 bit. It will work with 1024 x 728 and 32 bit, but just like the laptop it's too much. It may be the Toshiba video driver, but the resolution on the projector is the same as the laptop, not great on 1024 x 728.
** Just a note that I needed to enable video being sent to the spare 9 pin port. By right clicking on the desktop there is two graphic settings on the Toshiba. One allows you to select either the laptop screen or the 9 pin output. There is another choice where you can enable both. Very straight forward set up. You can also select between two aspect ratios. your computer may be different. There is a technical support number on the back of the instructions that may be able to help. if not then it will be the computer manual or help line.
** The unit comes with connectors to hook up to a VCR or DVD. It has one built in speaker. There is no supplied cable to run from laptop. Radio Shack sells a 6 foot cable for $19.99.
** As far as brightness goes, obviously it will not work as well in a bright room as will a 375 watt projector. That said I first tested it at Radio Shack projecting onto a gray piece of cardboard in the bright store with all the lights on. It works fine with a 24 inch wide view. In my garage that's ~ 20' x 20' with white ceiling and walls and 6 four foot fluorescent lighting fixtures (2 bulbs each), with the lights on I can project easily 3 feet wide and details are good. With the lights out during the day there is still light coming in through the two windows (with blinds) and I can project on the garage door 6 feet wide. For 12 watts there is no question this works a lot better than it should! Believe it or not, I think if it's pitch black out, you would want to turn off your computer screen and go to Standard mode.
I just gave my "picky" wife a demo (garage is dark now when lights are off) and she just can't believe what she saw is only drawing 12 watts from the battery she helped charge!
Y11-09-30
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Full size:
345x235
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