STACK #193 Nov 2020

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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PROJECT YOURSELF!

With the right portable or in-home projector, your home entertainment experience has just got a whole lot bigger. Words Adam Colby

Beefier sound

P rojectors used to be the domain of very dedicated entertainment enthusiasts. The best results needed a pitch-black room, retractable screen, and a bulb budget for when the main one inevitably conked out, likely mid-movie. Thankfully, projectors have come a long way. These days, instead of just being dedicated mini cinemas, projectors offer higher resolutions and are built to play nice with a range of multimedia, including movies and TV, a growing photo collection that’s begging to be embiggened, and even biggest-screen gaming from the comfort of your couch. Some projectors don’t even need a couch. PORTABLE PROJECTORS Smartphone screens are all well and good for playback on the go, but you can enlarge your playback realities with a projector that’s built to travel. Forget about lugging a screen around with you; just find an appropriate surface and you can have a big- screen experience that fits in your backpack, suitcase or overnight bag.

the Philips PicoPix Nano Projector is a solid pick. The PicoPix makes the already slimline NeoPix look bulky by comparison, because it can actually slip into your pocket. Despite the palm-sized build, there’s some impressive power at play. Images can be projected up to 60 inches, and there’s still an inbuilt speaker so the mobility isn’t hampered by a need for external sound support. Plus, there’s 80 minutes of battery life, which is the right If your ears demand more than inbuilt speakers in a compact projector, both of these Philips projectors also have universally friendly 3.5mm audio jacks to blow up your sound alongside your watch-anywhere screen. Use this port to connect to compatible speakers, big or small, or headphones. Bluetooth support on the NeoPix Easy+ means you can up the external audio possibilities with Bluetooth speakers or headphones.

You can, for instance, take that meme- worthy video you were cackling at on a small smartphone screen in the corner of the room and blow it up on the wall for everyone to enjoy. It’s basically a must for millennials. The Philips NeoPix Easy+ Projector is an easy pick for a first portable big screen. You get a whopping 30,000 hours of battery life via a powerful LED source that’s built to show off vivid colours. It can project images up to 80 inches in size (from under two metres away), and it’s ready to go out of the box. Plug in power, then everything else is wireless. Inbuilt Bluetooth and wireless means you can connect the external essentials, while Wi-Fi screen mirroring lets you cast from supported smart devices. As for the all-important audio, the Easy+ comes with inbuilt stereo speakers so no external sound source is needed. CABLES OPTIONAL For people who love the idea of projecting without the need for constant power,

length for watching the footy. Combo it with a

compatible power bank to increase longevity while preserving mobility. The PicoPix Nano also boasts that same 30,000- hour LED life, which means you can rely on this pocket projector pal

Philips PicoPix Nano Projector

Screen optional As with the cinema (remember that place?), projectors are usually best paired with a dedicated screen that reflects light. That said, in a pinch or as a permanent fixture, a wall will work. Plain white is the best wall colour – other colours tend to mess with what you’re watching – but you can also whip out a white sheet for a budget-friendly impromptu fix.

for many illuminating years. As for content playback, you can stream via Wi-Fi or plug in with MicroSD and USB ports.

36 NOVEMBER 2020

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