Product Description PicoBit is the world’s brightest HD laser pico projector with embedded Android 5.1.1 OS. With the brightest laser projection module manufactured by Sony, Celluon’s PicoBit displays a perpetually clear, focused HD image with a broad color gamut unmatched by any other pico projection technology. Topped with advanced technologies including USB Type-C charging port and touchpad, it connects to devices wirelessly via Miracast and DLNA, and offers a micro HDMI port and micro SD card slot for easy plug-and-play connection. The primary user interface is an embedded touchpad on top of the device. From the Manufacturer Smart Phone Size Portability Size of latest smart phone. Perfect size as a handheld device to easily carry around. Fits in shirt pockets, purses, and slim accessory cases for ultimate portability. Handy User Interface Multi-gesture touchpad, Bluetooth 4.0, and standard ¼” tripod hole on the back of device. Any tripod/stand with standard ¼” tripod screw thread can be used with PicoBit using this tripod hole. Vividness & Clarity Delivers the brightest resolution using 63 Ansi Laser Lumen and Laser Beam Scanning Technology. Produces distortion free, always-in-focus projections, automatic keystone correction, and other screen adjustments. Big Screen Experience Projects up to 250 inches with upscaled 1920 X 720p Resolution Convenience Built-in Android OS allows direct WiFi connection without mobile device. Both wired & HDMI connection available for any digital device. Share your Passion on Big Screen with PicoBit Show off with this ultra-slim, ultra-portable projector that lets you do more than you ever imagined. From wireless and HDMI connections to even SD card memory, PicoBit provides the easiest ways to project a big screen experience. About the Startup Describe your product in 3 words. Portable Laser Projector How did you come up with the idea for this product? Current pico projectors in the market are mostly LED-lamp based projectors that need manual focus adjustment and an internal fan that cools off the lamp. With our expertise on laser solution products, we are well aware of the advantages of laser projection module - always-in-focus, bright, vivid colors, small and thin module, etc. As pico projector markets keep growing at a steadfast pace, we saw the potential of a laser-solution pico projector in the current market. Laser solution projectors are definitely differentiated from other projectors in the market, and as more people recognize the advantages, more people will choose laser solution products than the other type of projectors. What makes your product special? After the launch of our PicoPro and PicoAir, the first generation models of our pico projector line up, we saw a few areas of improvement. With PicoPro and PicoAir, consumers always needed to have a mobile device connected to PicoPro to use the projector. PicoPro and PicoAir were only serving the sole purpose of being a portable projector on-the-go. Now, we want to provide a standalone product that is more than just a projector – a “Mini PC” solution. With built-in Android OS and embedded touchpad, consumers can easily use PicoBit without having to have their mobile device connected to it. Our projector is special because of the laser technology that creates an experience unlike other projectors. Always in focus and vibrant colors with a deep contrast ratio that only laser can provide. What has been the best part of your startup experience? The best part of being a startup company is the culture – the comfortable working environment. It is hard to communicate with upper management when you work for a big company. In a startup, the flow of information between teams is more likely to be open and honest, that you can easily communicate with others and pitch in ideas. Of course, there are lot of managing up and downs in working at a startup, but you’ll be given more opportunities. You will be more engaged in your work and the company because you would be doing a variety of things to help out – more experiences and insights for your career.
K**D
Great Projector, Android Could Be Better
I finally have my Celluon Picobit!The good: Fantastic - Great - Focus free - Bright Picture!!! Just the best, almost as bright as my ZTE spro2, and that is good.Air pico for iPhone works great, except for the Amazon Prime video app??? It will stream; YouTube, home movies, converted movies, anything at all from your iPhone, just not Amazon prime videos, not even downloaded to your phone Amazon videos??!HDMI, (micro hdmi connection) yes, works great with iPhone, Apple TV, DVD player, even streaming Amazon prime video through HDMI.Browser, go to YouTube and you can stream from the browser, works great.Bluetooth keyboard syncs easy and makes life easier, although touch pad works, just a little too much work.The bad, no google play store. Apps have to be side-loaded, not hard or time consuming, best to side load Amazon underground and work from there. Again, Amazon Prime video app does not work!!! I am so disappointed.The ugly: No Amazon Prime Video!The Amazon Prime video app does not work well at all. It crashes, freezes, and disconnects. Celluon, this is the "Missing Link"!The projector is a work of art, very high quality build and the small fan is not annoying at all. Battery seems to last about an hour and a half with wifi on, seems ok, not what they advertise.Celluon, please have your tech support fix this Amazon Prime video app streaming problem! You have the best format projector out there, It is bright , has a no focus laser, just the right size and it is a work of art, and... Amazon Prime streaming does not work!I have emailed tech support and I am waiting for a response.Thank you!All in all, I'll keep mine, you will too.Update: 3/28/2017, I received back an email from Celluon customer service, below is the email."Thank you for reaching out to Celluon and providing your feedback on the PicoBit.We have forwarded your issue to next level tech support and will contact you as soon as a reply is received.Please let us know if you have any additional questions in the meantime.Regards,Celluon Support Team"Update: 3/28/2017 I was originally using my bluetooth keyboard from my iMac, but I just purchsed the Rii i8+ Bluetooth keyboard. It controls the projector nicely and the touch pad and scrolling work wonderful. Here is the link on Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FXDVYU8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3DTGHA3Y9SJ17&coliid=I273UAM7CSZ8XY&psc=1This makes using the projector so easy, especially the air mouse on the touch padUpdate: 4/5/2017. Here is a stand I made for my projector.Update: 4/24/2017 I have had no reply from Celluon on software fixes or updates. This is very disappointing.Update: 5/9/2017 I just received an email from Celluon and they are working on an update for the Amazon app. They will email me when it is ready. Thanks Celluon!
D**D
PIcobit Overview
Okay. I am a normal user. I have had this long enough now to give a basic review. I am not a tech expert. I bought this to have a pocket-able, battery powered, entertainment system. I bought for the size, the keystone function, the laser, the built in Android, the metal casing, the SD card slot, the 5V 2.4 amp power consumption (ability to run off a USB battery bank; this was essential for me). The list of functions in something so small is pretty impressive. Bottom line; the hardware is amazing, if you are okay with using a phone to output to the device while hardwired it works flawlessly; if you want to cast your phone to this device there are issues, if you want to use this device stand alone there are major issues. Hopefully a firmware update will solve these issues. If the loaded Android 5.1.1 worked properly and apps worked properly when loaded this would get 5 stars. To put it mildly, the Android system used is atrocious. The work-arounds you need to do to get apps on the system and functioning is ridiculous. Really it should be reduced 3 stars, but I like the hardware so much I feel that would be overkill.How I use the Picobit: I have regulated this to use in this manner solely - as using onboard apps via the Android OS was getting very very frustrating for me. I have an Samsung S5 (MHL capable) with an MHL to micro HDMI cable. This works flawlessly. I can also cast my S7 (S5 was the last MHL capable phone - so don't throw that old hardware away!) Casting works great for me UNTIL I stream anything, or play any video. Then the screen on the Picobit goes blank. I have not solved this issue and am not sure if it is an S7 issue, or Picobit firmware issue.The hardware:-Picture / laser: This is the first laser device I have owned. I read about 'speckle', but just don't visual notice anything. The picture looks amazing. I have used this in a dark conference room with a 100" diagonal screen and it looked spectacular. I have also used this in my office with a decent amount of ambient light at 40"'s and again it looks amazing. I attached a photo of the 'home screen' in my office with the lights off, but my door open and light streaming through my windows. That photo is of a 42" diagonal screen. All I can say is I am very happy with the picture. I took my daughter to the doctors office a couple of days ago and we were stuck in a waiting room forever. I popped out the Picobit and played Minions for her on the wall.-Battery: With WIFI on I have ran the unit continuously for about 100 minutes (to about 2% power). I then have plugged in a Goal Zero Venture 30 (output is 2.4amps) battery pack and run it for another 60 minutes. When I stopped the playback the Picobit was at 35% power. So it was actually enough power to run the Picobit AND recharge it at the same time. Pretty sweet.-Micro HDMI: Not sure why they used this and not the mini, but it works fine. I have found you have to have the device in the HDMI mode and then plug it in for it to recognize the HDMI cable, but that is no big deal. I bought an extra cable just in case one goes bad as those pins are fairly small.-Sound: The internal speaker is enough for a very very quiet room. I use a small Altec Lansing Bluetooth speaker that works fine. I like having the internal speaker as a backup in case my Bluetooth speaker runs out of juice - but I would never use it as my primary speaker. I rely on Amazon Video and Netflix for my video needs. I'll get more into this in a bit, but they do not play well with the Bluetooth audio functions. I get perfect sync if I have my video hardwired through my phone and have the speaker hardwired through the device. I used the Bluetooth capability 1 time, tried a bunch of work-arounds and have not tried again. It does not sync. In addition the current firmware does not turn off the internal speaker when using Bluetooth (it does if the speaker is hardwired) - very annoying.-The SD Card. From what I have read the SD card needs to be formatted FAT32, which can not exceed 4gig files. Not an issue with Amazon Video and Netflix. May be an issue if you have your own video library in high definition. I just plugged the SD card in out of the package and it worked fine. That being said, I don't use it much right now as Netflix on this device does not allow downloads. I have only used it for side loading APK files and watching a few home videos as a test.-The touchpad: The device uses a touchpad. It works fine for me. The user guide gives you the basic touch commands and they all work as advertised for me. I did read early reviews that the touch pad was inconsistent. I have not experienced this at all. The touchpad is responsive and if you use the commands in the manual (two fingers to go back, etc) I have had no issues at all.-The casing: The casing is completely metal and has a slide cover over the laser lens. I must say this is well done. I didn't expect something of this quality (even with the high price tag). There is also a threaded hole on the bottom for a tripod. The layout of the ports is well thought out. The SD card and power button are on the side. The micro HDMI, USB 2.0, and audio jack are on the back.The software: The Picobit runs on Android 5.1.1. When you power the unit on it takes you to a main screen that is broken up into 8 sections (photo attached). I feel this is laid out fine and is fairly intuitive. It does not take long to get familiar with the system and learn how to navigate it.-The built in control systems (for keystone, laser alignment, color setting, etc..) is one of the tabs and is laid out well and works fine. My only complaint is the settings don't stick. They go back to the factory settings when you power down. Again, not that big of deal and I can see where this is actually useful as the device is meant to be portable and used in different applications.-Wireless receiver / Bluetooth. The Bluetooth recognizes devices and connects fine. My Bluetooth speaker had a lag that made it unusable. In addition the Picobit will not shut off the internal speaker when attached a Bluetooth speaker is attached. Very annoying echo. I am not sure if this is a Bluetooth fail, a firmware fail, or an app fail. The wireless signal has worked fine for me, but is definitely noticeable slower than my phone from the same location. Maybe the metal casing?? I can stream just fine though, so not really an issue for me. I have also downloaded apps via Amazon Underground just fine.-Android 5.1.1. Okay. This is the point where my blood pressure start going up. A firmware update is desperately needed. One of the main draws for me to buy the Picobit was the ability to run Netflix and Amazon Video directly on the device and utilize the SD card to store the movies (and not have to have a phone, computer, etc with me to watch a movie in my backyard, etc....). A few of the issues are app related, but most could be solved by Celluon. Clearly this was not fully tested before release, or there was an intended break in period (that we are still in) to identify issues by users and correct via a firmware update. I hope that is the case. I know other Picobit users have had success with some other apps, the only one I have got to work at all is Netflix. Netfilx recognizes that this is not one of their supported devices somehow and takes away the download function. I have tried everything short of spoofing the Picobit to make this come back (I have never tried this on any device, I just read that you can trick apps into thinking your device is something different). You can still stream on Netflix, which is useful. The deal-breaker is the sound does not sync. I have tried everything to fix this. I even deleted the Netflix app that the Picobit comes with and sideloaded (via the sd card) the most updated version. Still does not sync. I gave up and am waiting on an update from Celluon. Amazon Video crashes continually for me. Xfinity Stream TV loops and crashes. All of these work flawlessly through my S5. And oh yeah - most importantly - the Picobit does not support the Google Play store. So apps that come from the play store and update automatically through the play store are a no go. I loaded Amazon Underground through my SD card and that has many useful apps that will update. I still have not got them to work with the Picobit though! Amazon Underground works fine though.Cables I have needed to purchase:-MHL (Rocketfish one works well) cable for my Samsung S5-HDMI to micro HDMI (in both a 1' and 3' lengths)-Minidisplay to HDMI (to mirror my Surface Pro to the device)That's it. Hope this helps some buyers. This will be a fun for camping with the kids this summer. It has already been useful for videos on the fly. I even used this at training event where they needed to show a power point presentation, but forgot the projector. Pretty awesome to pull one out of your bag!
P**K
I expected more for the price :(
I brought this with me during field service work for 6 months and used it at all the hotels I stayed in.-The battery is already shot after less than 6 months of regular usage and keeping it plugged in to power whenever I've used it. And when I say shot, I mean it literally depletes at a rate of 1% every 2 seconds.-The micro-hdmi input is finicky. Sometimes if I touch the device/cable it will disconnect.-Also grabbing the device by its edges will activate the touch interface and register as a two-finger touch, often backing out of whatever app I'm in.-The internal speaker is a complete joke. It often makes a clicking noise almost a popping sound regularly when in standby mode (press power once)-It will reset your settings after every power cycle. Which is why I started using the standby mode.-The image quality is good and bright enough for dark room viewing.-Clear resolution with 3-5ft images. Greater than that and it begins to get a bit fuzzy but if your like me then that's not an issue for casual cinema.-The Aux out and Bluetooth speaker options work sufficiently well.-The airplay function works well but I can't make it play the audio through my iphones speaker instead it defaults to the picospeaker, which I could connect to a bluetooth speaker or analog but that's less convenient than my iphones stereo speakers.OverallIt works well enough with a bit of effort but I expected something this expensive to perform much better.I'm pretty sure the USB C power input only accepts 5v which suggests it was purely a gimmick. I would try giving it a standard USB C power (5-19v) but I'm afraid it would break it given my suspicion.
Trustpilot
2 days ago
2 months ago
