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Digitimes has posted an interesting update about pico-projectors.First of all, they report that the upcoming Nikon camera-projector will be using Himax Technologies' LCoS module. It will hit the market in August. Another digital camera with a DLP projector is being co-developed by Asia Optical and TI. It will start shipping in September.

Asia Optical plans to ship 200,000-250,000 modules for Microvisions' Show-WX projector in 2010, and 100,000 modules for other vendors. In 2011 they expect to ship 8 million DLP modules for handsets. In 2012 it will grow to 12 million.

Digitimes also gives an update on pricing: a 11cc DLP light engine was priced at about $65-100 in 2009, and this will drop to $50-85 in 2010, with the size shrinking to 8cc. A 10cc LCoS costs $65 (in 2009, anyway), and this will be reduced to $30-50 in 2010, with the size dropping to only 4.5cc.

Favi has recently announced a couple of pico-projectors, the B1-LED-PICO and the E1-LED-PICO. The B1 (aimed for business use) is now shipping, and it costs just $297 (it was supposed to cost $399). We hope this is not a mistake over at Amazon. The B1 has a 800x600, 35 Lumens LCoS light engine with 1Gb of internal memory (and a microSD card slot). It supports music, video and photos files. Connectors include AV, VGA and mini USB. It's rather heavy at 450 grams.

The E1 (the "entertainment" projector) is still not shipping but is now available for pre-order (should be released July 14th). We hope this is not The price on that one is still $297, but this will probably drop as the B1 is the better projector. The E1 supports 640x480 resolution at 15 lumens, and weights just 113 grams. It includes VGA, composite and miniUSB connectors. It is powered by the supplied AC adapter, or four AA batteries (up to four hours of consecutive use).

Remember the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector camera? Nikon are said to be working on the next-generation model. The new camera will enable you to connect an external computer like a regular stand-alone pico projector.

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj

The S1000pj offers a 12.1Mp sensor, 5X wide-angle zoom, vibration reduction and the pico projector of course: LCoS based 640x480 resolution, 10 lumens. It is still available, and the price was reduced recently to 252$.

A few weeks ago, Foryou announced a new optical engine (the PE-620) that will be released in July. It will feature low power (3W), 20 lumens and a WSVGA (1024x600) resolution (it uses Syndiant's SYL2061 LCoS panel, driven by a RGB LEDs). The size will be 17cc (54x39x12mm). Foryou has sent us several photos comparing the new module to 3M's MPro-120 pico projector. The MPro-120 features 640x480 resolution, 12 lumens and costs $244 (Here's our in-depth review).

So obviously the PE-620 offers a brighter and sharper image, as you can see in the photos (here's the PDF with all the photos). Keep in mind that Foryou themselves sent those in - so this isn't an objective test of course. It's a shame that they didn't compare it to 3M's latest MPRo-150, which has a brighter image at 15 lumens. The Mpro-150 is available for $346. Read our full review, we really like this projector.

Microvision has just reduced $50 off the Show WX pico-projector - you can get it for $499. According to a letter they sent to all "VIP" members of their site, this discounted price will be available until June 22nd. So if you want one, you better hurry up. Or else wait a year for the HD version to come out...

Microvision ShowWX

The Show WX is the world's first laser-beam-steering pico-projector. It's small (118mmx60mm, 14mm thin) and light (122g with battery). It offers 10 lumens and a 848x480 resolution. Because it's based on laser, the image is always in focus! The Show WX is now shipping for $499.

Samsung say that the Galaxy Beam will launch on July, in Singapore (a European and Asian launch will follow soon afterwards). The Galaxy Beam has a 3.7" Super-AMOLED display, WVGA DLP pico-projector (that isn't very bright, only 6 lumens), Android v2.1, Wi-Fi, 8mp camera, A-GPS, FM radio and HD video recording.

Samsung i8520 Beam

Via OLED-Info

Formosa Epitaxy say they have shipped one million green LED chips in May to three pico-projector vendors in Taiwan and South Korea. They expect pico projector shipments to account for 10% of revenues, about NT$70-80 million (US$2-2.5 million), at year's end.

With patent licensing for high-power LED from Luminus Device, Formosa Epitaxy's green LED chip achieved an efficiency of more than 100lm/W (they say it's the highest in the industry). Standalone pico projectors typically require four green LED chips and built-in models need two.