Fremont, Calif. - Optoma introduced Monday its Neo-i pico projector with built-in iPod sound dock.

The tiny projector is said to give digital media device users plug-and-play compatibility to enjoy audio and video content in a easily transportable device.

The unit features a built-in 16-watt stereo speaker system and a range of additional inputs accommodating most source devices.

The Neo-i will ship to dealers in mid-December at a $449 estimated retail.

 "The Neo-i offers a unique solution to a marketplace that is increasingly dependent on portable devices for both audio and video content," stated Jon Grodem, Optoma sales and marketing senior director.  "This gives them a simple, all-in-one solution for sharing that content." 

The unit features an attractive styling design and leverages its 50 ANSI lumens of brightness performance to drive images up to 120 inches in size at native WVGA (854 by 480 pixels) resolution in 16:9 format.

The 16-watt stereo system includes a bass reflex design within the 2-speaker system to increase the effective displacement of air. 

The effective dynamic range of the audio was also increased using unique digital signal processing techniques, resulting in a listener perception of greater bass and dynamic range.

The iPod docking connector accommodates all iPod, iPhone and iTouch devices.

Media selections can be controlled from the control interface of the iPod/iPhone device, the included IR remote control or through the backlit control panel on the Neo-i.  Metadata, such as song and video titles and artist names, can be displayed by the projector to make playback management easier.

The Neo-i also charges the iPod/iPhone while docked in the unit.