Optoma Adds $199 Pico Projectors, Ups Apple Presence
By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 10/12/2009
MILPITAS, Calif. — Optoma introduced this month its third Pico-style projector, which is positioned to hit a key price point of less than $200. The company also said that distribution of its PK101 model has been expanded to more Apple Stores.
Model PK 100 ($199 estimated retail) is billed as a more simplified version of the miniature DLP-based Pico projectors the company has introduced in the past.
The new model is designed for general purpose use and features composite-video inputs for connection to similarly configured digital cameras, game consoles movie cameras and similar devices.
The projector is expected to be broadly distributed, especially through Optoma's online retail partners, according to Jon Grodem, Optoma's product marketing director.
The unit features the same tiny 0.17 DLP DMD chip used in Optoma's earlier models, and is powered by three LED lamps (red, green and blue) capable of outputting up to 11 ANSI lumens of brightness at a 1,000:1 contrast ratio.
The PK 100 will join the previously introduced PK 101 ($229) and PK 102 ($249) models.
In related news, Optoma said Apple has agreed to expand the distribution of the PK 101 model to up to 170 Apple stores nationwide beginning in October.
The PK 101, which includes a built-in 30-pin iPod connector, is said to be one of the only Pico-class projector models certified for use with an Apple iPod, iPod Touch or iPhone multimedia device.
It is currently the only Pico projector carried by Apple stores. Optoma originally began selling the PK 101 through 27 to 39 Apple stores, Grodem said.
The expanded distribution will put the tiny projector into more of Apple's larger footprint stores that stock a wider array of accessories and iPod-related product offerings.
