LCD projectors keep getting smaller—shrinkage thats certain to spur new growth in the market for portable projectors. Keen to grab a piece of the action, Hewlett-Packard has thrown its lens cap into the ring with two new portable digital projectors, the smaller of which I had the opportunity to test.
HPs Digital Projector Sb21 weighs in at only 2.2 pounds and boasts svelte dimensions of 7.9 inches wide by 5.6 inches deep by 2.3 inches tall. However, with an ample 1,000 lumens of brightness and a light engine from Texas Instruments, the Sb21s very good performance belies its small size.
The $2,499 Sb21 accepts S-video, composite, component or HDTV video input, as well as the full range of computer video links and can project at resolutions up to 800 by 600 pixels. In tests, the images I projected showed up well even with room lights on, and the Sb21 operated with very little noise. My only complaint with the Sb21 was with its included remote control; I found the remotes wheel-type control button a bit imprecise.