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PROJECTORS
12
The smart choice
Philips PicoPix ticks all the boxes for Smart Works Reading
Using different HDMI adapters, Smart
Works can also connect the projector to
tablets and smartphones.
“We’ve just had our Volunteer training
day when we managed to use both a
laptop and an iPad to project different
presentations easily and effectively onto
our limited wall space,” explained Burns.
“There was great excitement at the mini
size of projector and how easy it was to
set up and use.”
The nation’s favourite
Smart Works Reading is not the only
fan of PicoPix
projectors.
According to
GFK Reports
2016, four
out of five pico
projectors purchased
in the UK are Philips PicoPix models. Its
analysis shows that in Q2 2016, Philips’
market share within the pico projector
market rose to an all-time high of 81%,
with the Philips PicoPix PPX3414 a clear
best seller.
In 2016, XGEM strengthened its range
with three new models, the PPX3417W,
PPX4835 and PPX4935, offering higher
resolution (720HD), brighter images and
wireless connectivity with smartphones or
tablets.
Smart Works helps women on low
incomes to re-enter the job market by
providing them with interview coaching,
styling advice and smart clothes for
interviews.
The charity has five centres, in London,
Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and
Reading. Set up in October 2015, Smart
Works Reading has already helped more
than 200 people look for work, with a
success rate of 73%.
A big part of its working day is taken up
with training, both of volunteers and of the
women it assists, so the ability to display
and share visual material quickly and
easily is essential.
Sarah Burns, Co-chair & Founder of
Smart Works Reading, found what she
was looking for in the diminutive form of a
Philips PicoPix PPX4010 projector.
“What we needed was a small,
portable, efficient projector that we could
use in the office and out and about. We
have little storage at Smart Works, so it
had to be small and portable. We also
wanted to ensure we presented ourselves
in a professional light. The Philips PicoPix
projector ticked all the boxes,” she said.
About the size of a computer mouse
and weighing just 83g, the PPX4010
slips easily into a laptop bag, handbag or
coat-pocket, yet can still deliver bright 100
lumens images up to 120 inches in size.
Set-up is quick and easy, using an
HDMI cable to connect to a range of
devices from laptops and notebooks to
DVD players, TVs and games consoles.
Ask the experts
with Ian Aitken,
AV general
manager, Exertis
Q. Pico projectors
– are they a toy or
a serious business
tool?
A.
“If you’d asked me a year ago I
would have come down more on the
consumer side. They’re a cracking little
gadget for taking on holiday or having
around the home for occasional use,
but with limited connectivity and a
relative lack of lumens they
were never going to be a
serious bit of business kit.
“However, fast forward
a year and you see vastly
improved features, like brightness
creeping up to 1,000 ANSI lumens;
mobile HD and wireless links; better
battery life; and some with LED
engines. So what we have is a super
little product, great for home use, that
can also open up new opportunities for
a business needing mobile projection.
“For SOHO users they’re a great
hybrid; for larger enterprises they add
flexibility by enabling projection in parts
of a facility that doesn’t have fixed
installation collaboration tools; and they
are an easy-to-use option for external
staff. All in all, they’ve carved a niche and
could and should be seen as an option.”
Optoma joins Stampede
Optoma has appointed Stampede Europe a UK distributor for its DLP
business projectors, building on the successful relationship the two
companies enjoy in North America. The announcement follows Stampede’s
expansion into Western Europe and the establishment of a UK HQ earlier
this year. Stampede CEO Mark Wilkins said: “Our goal is to create a single
source for the highest quality ProAV and IT solutions in the UK, as we
have done in the United States. This new partnership brings us one step
closer to that reality by enhancing our portfolio with Optoma’s range of
DLP business projectors. We are confident that UK-based integrators and
resellers will be just as excited about this partnership as we are.”
Aiptek going places
Tech Data has taken on the distribution of an eye-catching range of
pico projectors from Taiwanese manufacturer Aiptek. These include the
compact, rechargeable battery-powered MobileCinema i70 with embedded
WiFi; the modular iBeamBlock projection system, consisting of an HD
projector (400 lumens, up to 120in), 4.5in multi-touch Windows 10 tablet
and battery, all joined together wirelessly with magnets and Pogo-Pins;
and the P800 described by Aiptek as ‘the first HD 800 lumens projection
system with an integrated 360° sound system and high-performance
touch-screen Android tablet powered by Samsung CPU’. Simon Hughes,
Category Manager for Accessories at Tech Data, expects the projectors to
make a big splash. He said:
“The Aiptek range is truly
different and eye-catching. We
think they will be very popular
here and represent a very good
opportunity for retailers and
webstores.”
in brief...
What we needed
was a portable,
efficient projector
that we could use
in the office and
out and about
