Microvision Demonstrates SHOW WX Laser Projector

January 8th, 2009 at 3:14 PM - News by John F. Braun

SAN FRANCISCO -- At this week's Macworld Expo, Microvision is demonstrating a revolution in portable projectors, the SHOW WX Pico Projector. Matthew Carmean, Product Manager, briefed us on the details of this product.

Unlike many other projectors, which use lamps or LEDs and a lens to project an image, the SHOW EX uses laser light. The benefit of this is twofold. First, there is no need to focus; the projector can be placed at any distance from the projection surface. Second, you can get bright and vivid colors that aren't available with other lighting technologies. The projector achieves a resolution of 848 by 480 pixels, and can project images up to 100 inches across.

Input is via either composite or VGA video. The size of this unit, 118 mm long by 60 mm wide and just 14 mm thick, roughly the size of an iPod Touch or iPhone, makes it easy to take just about anywhere. There are configuration options where you can adjust the brightness, input, aspect ratio and color mode. The built-in rechargable battery provides up to 2 hours of operation.

The SHOW WX will be available this summer, and will be priced under US$500.