Optoma PK301 Review - Pico Pocket Dlp Projector

Optoma is aware of a thing of two about projectors, so it really is no surprise which the PK301 will not be only small and lgt, but built together with the identical top quality as its larger siblings. This pico pumps out a comparatively bright image, and we actually value the handy focusing ring. However, the PK301's fairly higher price and shorter battery lifestyle hold it back. And you've to jump via some hoops to view PowerPoints.

Layout

The Optoma PK301 looks like one particular of your corporation's bigger projectors was still left inside dryer as well very long. The rectangular unit actions 4.7 x 2.7 x one.2 inches and weighs a light 8 ounces. It is really all black, help you save for your chrome-colored focusing ring across the lens, plus the sides have vertical slats to enable air in.

On the back again of your device are inputs for its 24-pin universal connector, mini-HDMI, audio out, A/V in, microUSB, and electrical power. Around the proper facet is often a microSD Credit card slot, and also the bottom houses the battery as well as a tripod mount. The PK301 happens using a lightly padded situation.

The PK301 is also bundled with an adapter cable that connects the universal port to VGA. a a couple of.5mm-to-component connector, plus a USB cable. Sadly, the included documentation--a easy fold-out pamphlet--is skimpy compared on the 160-site, 16-language booklet that arrives together with the Samsung SP-H03 projector.

Interface

Around the high in the PK301 is really a 4-way push-button navigation pad with two excess buttons for Menu and input source. The all-black buttons would be impossible to make use of ended up they not backlit blue. The PK301's on-screen selections are straightforward to understand--the principal menu lets you opt for among RAM (settings), microSD, USB, and Lookup--nevertheless it's simplistic compared to that within the Samsung SP-H03. In addition, the background with the menu fades to black and it seems much like the image is receiving cut away, that is alarming the initial time you use it.

Efficiency

Although pico projectors are certainly not likely to rival full-dimensions projectors when it comes to brightness, we identified the rated 50 lumens of the PK-301 to generally be plenty adequate in a very darkened area. The brightness also can be turned straight down to 20 lumens in Typical mode. Though its native resolution is 854 x 480 pixels, the PK301 is capable of project images nearly 1080i. It supports 3GP, AVI, MOV, and MPEG-4 video formats, and BMP and JPEG snap shots.

We discovered the focusing ring to get highly correct. It acquired the best level of stiffness to ensure that we didn't have to drive it into location, and didn't come to feel like it would drift out of emphasis. Having said that, we wish there was an anti-keystoning element so the PK301 did not should be for the identical degree as the image it projected.

Also not like the Samsung SP-H03 and the 3M Mpro150, the PK301 cannot natively view PowerPoint shows; you have to first connect the projector to your ntoebook by means of USB and install the ArcSoft Media Converter several application that is on the projector itself. In order to view a PowerPoint, you need to drag and drop files to the Media Converter three app, which will then exchange the presentation to your projector. Also notice that this software package converts the presentation to static photographs, so that you reduce any animation and sound.

Battery Everyday living and Guarantee

Even though projector companies are generally hyperbolic in their statements, the PK301's stated battery existence of one hour (in 20 lumen mode) was really shut to precise; the battery died after 56 minutes of actively playing a motion picture continually. Having said that, the Samsung SP-H03's battery lasted 40 minutes lengthier. Optoma sells an extended battery pack that it statements offers in excess of 5 hrs of enjoying time.

Verdict

You'll find some points we like about the Optoma PK301; of each of the pico projectors we've tested just lately, it is really the easiest and most complete to aim, and it has a fantastic variety of connection selections. It's photographs are also fairly bright. Nevertheless, we prefer the Samsung SP-H03, which can be significantly less costly, has more time battery everyday living, and may display PowerPoints natively.