Digital Trends

3M MPro110 Projector December 4th, 2008 | by David Tanaka

Performance and Use

The projector is extremely basic, offering no way to control any parameters such as output level, resolution or keystone correction. Setting up is therefore just a matter of plugging in the source video, aiming and focusing. Because the device is so small and light, adjusting its position can be a challenge, and this is where the quarter-inch threaded socket comes in handy. Mounting it on a tabletop tripod makes it easier to refine position so that you get a reasonably rectangular image.

3M says the unit's projection distance ranges from 10-71 inches, producing image sizes of 5-40 inches. On our test unit, we couldn't focus sharply once our projector-to-screen distances went beyond approximately five feet, although large text in PowerPoint slides could still be easily read. A bigger issue is the limited light output. Even entry-level tabletop projectors offer 1,200 Lumens of light output, so you can imagine that the MPro110's output of 12 Lumens is dim, and to see an image projected from six feet away, you'll need a darkened room. The inverse square law of light output teaches a strong lesson here: The bigger you want to project, the dimmer the image will be — and the more faded the color.

We used a 20x30 inch sheet of white foam board as a makeshift screen and from 42 inches away, the MPro110 could fill it with a 30 inch (measured diagonally like a TV screen) image bright enough to see in a room lit by normal daylight. (Though you'd never mistake it for being eye-piercingly bright…) At this level of magnification, you could make out screen text on most Web pages and video from a camcorder was easy to watch. However, colors were starting to lose their saturation.

Moving along, LEDs are known for their coolness of operation, and the MPro110 gets just slightly warm in use. The big bonus here really being that the device is completely silent since it has no fan.

On the downside though, the lens exhibited strong pincushion distortion. This was quite distracting when projecting a computer display, since distortion is most noticeable on rectangular forms like documents or Web pages. When utilized with video content, it was less bothersome, and in both cases, the distortion wasn't really noticeable towards the center. Worth noting: On our test unit, the lens focusing mechanism further seemed loose and prone to rattling.

The VGA cable that comes with the unit is around 18 inches. That's quite short, but the cable is also too stiff and bulky, given the size of the device it is being connected to. The projector uses a proprietary connector, which was easy to dislodge when trying to position the unit. The composite video cable is a common design with a 1/8 inch jack on one end and an RCA connector on the other.

Conclusion

If you compare the MPro110 to a standard digital projector, it comes up short on many measures. Think dim output; limited enlargement; a lens that’s not corrected for linear distortion; native VGA resolution; and a total dearth of added features like audio or HD inputs. But consider the gadget on its own merits, and there’s also much to add to the list of pluses. Frankly, what's not to like about a battery-powered device that fits in your pocket and gives you a usable, virtual 30-inch display? As a first-generation proof of concept product, 3M's MPro110 delivers a solid, satisfying performance. Regardless, there’s still plenty of room here for growth and refinement.


Pros:
 
• Battery powered
• Highly portable
• VGA and composite video ports allow connection to a variety of devices
• Cool fan-less operation

Cons:

• Dim output limits range of useful enlargement
• VGA cable is stiff, bulky and short
• Lens suffers from pin-cushioning