Acer unveils C110 pico projector with DLP technology

Manufacturer will also launch C112 projector with 70 ANSI Lumens brightness

Acer has added to its pico projector range with the introduction of two portable devices aimed at travelling business users.

The C110 projector is touted as a companion device, as it operates only when connected by a USB cable to a laptop or tablet.

With dimensions of 110x85x25mm and a weight of 175g, the C110 is only slightly larger than smartphones such as the iPhone 4 and the Google Nexus S.

The C110 incorporates digital light processing (DLP) technology developed by Texas Instruments. An LED lamp has been used as the light source, providing around 20,000 hours of use, according to Nick Walter, business development manager of the audio-visual unit at Acer.

The device has a brightness of 50 ANSI Lumens, a native resolution of 854x480, and a contrast ratio of 1000:1, and can display images between 12in and 100in.

Additionally, the C110 has an 'instant' startup time and incorporates Acer's SmartFormat technology. This allows the projector to support a wide range of PC formats, and means that users do not have to manually adjust resolution when connecting the device.

However, the C110 can be used only when it is connected to another device via USB. There is no standalone AC adaptor connection, so the projector is going to eat the battery life of the device it is connected to, which could deter potential buyers.

Walter estimated that the projector will provide one to one and a half hours of projection when connected to a fully charged tablet.

Acer unveils C110 pico projector with DLP technology

Manufacturer will also launch C112 projector with 70 ANSI Lumens brightness

The slightly larger C112 projector, meanwhile, offers more functionality. It has largely the same specifications, but a slightly brighter 70 ANSI lumens lamp and iPhone and iPad compatibility.

The C112 has dimensions of 137x91.5x22.5mm and weighs 220g. The projector comes with mini-USB, standard USB and composite AV connections, and can be powered by a traditional AV adaptor. Acer includes a clip-on battery pack that gives two hours of life, and there is also a remote control.

In terms of accessories, Acer will offer a foldable screen enabling business users to set up group viewings on the move. The 25in screen can be folded into the size of a magazine and enhances projection, Walter claimed.

The projectors will be available from the end of July. The Acer C110 will retail at £199 and the C112 at £229.

Both projectors come with a five-year warranty on the DLP chip and one-year warranty on the lamp.

The pico projector market is set to expand, and Acer is working on other devices in conjunction with Texas Instruments, said Emmanuel Herbreteau, European market development manager at Texas Instruments.

"We can improve the brightness and are working with Acer to launch a WXGA projector with 500 lumens brightness later this year," he told V3.co.uk.

"The next step is to provide 720p quality and we will also be increasingly incorporating DLP chips into smartphones."