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KDC Laser Beam Pro C200 projector review

Introduced at the 2017 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, Korean company Cremotech’s flagship Pico projector, the Laser Beam Pro C200 earned an Honoree Innovation Award. The C200 touts 780P resolution, a quad-core Android-based operating system, Bluetooth, and WiFi. I purchased one of these units as a portable alternative to my bulkier projector.

The C200 arrived in a 7”x 4” x 3.25” box akin to Apple’s iPhone – sturdy, with the lower portion fitting snugly into the upper portion. Breaking the two safety seals reveals the C200 projector suspended and protected by a plastic tray. Below, the trays are the user manual and power supply.

C200 LaserbeamPro “safety seal”

The projector measures approximately 6” x 3-1/8” x 3/4” and feels sturdy. To protect the finish, the upper surface is coated with that clingy plastic wrap stuff that’s fun to peel off. How I love that Velcro-like peeling sound and the smell of new plastic. It’s just like Christmas!

C200 Laserbeam Pro projector – The business end

Admittedly, I was a little disappointed that the power supply plug is USB C. I had hopes of using a standard wall-wart micro USB power block, but I can see why this isn’t going to happen. The power supply is rated at a whopping 4000mAh – a full 4 amps. Clearly, this little beastie needs more power than a typical mobile phone power supply can muster.


Beefy 4000mAh power supply and USB Type C power connector

Charging the projector took about three hours, indicated when the power LED changes from red to green. While waiting, I took the opportunity to read the user guide. It’s a tiny 3” X 3” manual and contains VERY basic instructions, warranty information, and specifications. For most, it won’t be needed.

The Android OS takes about 30 seconds to boot and begins at the mode selection screen. I was rather surprised that a software update was ready as soon as I powered up the projector. I elected to update which took about 30 minutes.

C200 Android skin user interface

The user interface is simple consisting of nine buttons on the top of the projector, comprised of four cursors, two volume, one “back,” one “enter,” and one for power. Tactile feedback is good with a satisfying click sensation. After booting, the operator is presented with selections for playing onboard (Micro SD) media, Applications including Netflix, Settings, Android Miracast and iOS Airplay. I tried AirPlay first and found the connection agile, with little lag. However, when attempting to Airplay streaming media from the web, the C200 display would go blank. While trying to get this to work, on several occasions, the projector spontaneously rebooted. Not an encouraging start. Moving on to play videos already stored on my iPhone 6S was seamless and smooth. Now that’s a little better.

Nine button controls on the top of the projector below the cooling fan. The rectangle adjacent to the power button is the power indicator, red for charging, green for fully charged.

Several movies were loaded to an SD card which was inserted into the player. Interestingly, the projector doesn’t seem to like having the card inserted with power applied as it responded with another spontaneous reboot. Restarting, the C200 was able to read the SD card and located the files I intentionally placed in a sub-folder called “movies,” albeit a little slowly, taking about 40 seconds to populate. Interestingly, the files were populated in the order they had been copied to the SD card. I would have preferred for them to be alphabetized.


I tried several different video files of different formats which played without difficulty. The 200-lumen image is surprisingly bright for a pico projector, but in no way could compete with a full-sized 1000+ projector. Contrast is…. Well, okay. The image is watchable, with a kind of sparkly hue, due to the laser light source. It’s been stated that the human eye perceives reflected laser light as brighter than competing illumination sources. I can’t verify this, but I can say the image is the brightest I’ve observed in any comparable pico projector.

Thumbs up for a crisp, clear, bright image (approximately 40 inches diagonal)

Unlike DLP projectors which contain a system of tiny mirrors for each pixel, this unit “draws” each line of video similar to CRT tubes of years gone by. The 780P image is clear and colors are brilliant and appealing. I found the color to be somewhat warm, I would estimate 5000K, but I have no mechanism for formal testing. I tend to favor a cooler color temperature but wasn’t put-off with out-of-the-box tint. I’m sure I’ll be tweaking the settings as time goes by and I get to know this projector more.

The C200 is equipped with a cooling fan which is not oppressively loud but is noticeable particularly in close quarters. The housing adjacent to the lens became warm, but never uncomfortably so.

I found the audio output somewhat shrill, but I didn’t expect much from such a small speaker. It’s certainly adequate for small-group presentations, but I don’t think a home theater user would appreciate the lack of fidelity. To complement the audio, I coupled the projector to a Bluetooth sound bar. The connection was easy to access through the “setting” menu, found the sound bar and paired without difficulty. I could see no discernable audio lag and was pleased with the performance.

Moving on to the built-in apps, I started Netflix and logged into my account which was cumbersome. Using only the cursor keys and the on-screen keyboard was tedious but can be done. To expedite the process, I plugged in a Logitech USB wireless mouse which worked instantly. Netflix loaded with a comparable delay from other streaming devices such as Roku 2, Stick or smart TV.

I used the projector to play the first half of a movie for a small group. Image size was approximately 120 inches. The image at that size is not extraordinarily bright but is quite watchable. Images of 40-60” are much brighter with pleasingly vivid colors. Despite being “focus free,” images under about 20 inches appeared muddy. The optimal distance was about 60 inches, not bad for a projector that fits in your pocket. After about 1 hour with no issues, the image turned off and the Bluetooth speaker disconnected. Initially, thinking that I had reached the end of the battery life, the projector did another spontaneous reboot. Interesting.

Day two opened with yet another software update. I hoped it would eliminate the spontaneous restarts and Airplay issues, but I found no improvement with AirPlay streaming web browser content. Loading and playing a different movie from SD yielded the same result. This prompted me to contact KDC USA, the manufacturer’s representatives in The United States. They were quick to respond shipped a replacement unit. Shipping of the defective unit back to KDC was at my cost.

The replacement unit arrived a few days later and this eliminated the reboot and AirPlay issues. I watched several hours of Netflix both using the built-in app and AirPlay with excellent results. However, I noticed a pesky “spot” on the screen reminiscent of a bad pixel or DLP element which I found to be very surprising since this projector has been touted as being 100% laser so missing “pixels” should never be an issue. Another RMA was processed back to KDC and a second unit was sent. I suspect most people would find this to be insignificant, but having a background in digital imaging, I found it distracting, particularly for a nearly five-hundred dollar projector straight out of the box. In the spirit of fair play, if this projector was going to be used for largely static presentations (spreadsheets and the like), I doubt it would be noticed.

What looks like a defective pixel, but can’t be – this is a laser…

The second replacement unit arrived and, to my surprise, this unit also had what appeared to be a defective “pixel.” Since this projector does not use DLPs mirrors, LED or LCD technology, it does not have “pixels,” so the presence of these screen anomalies is a bit enigmatic. Emails to KDC prompted a polite and pleasant call from KDC’s Service Department and I was told these projectors are quality inspected in Korea and again when arriving in The USA, but such a minor anomaly might be missed. I was politely told that this issue would be brought to
KDC’s engineering team in Korea for investigation.

In the month I’ve owned the C200, I’ve had issue after issue, but KDC’s service department continues to be responsive, offering another replacement or refund. I’m hoping the current issues can be resolved.

Conclusion: The output from KDC’s C200 Laser Beam Pro projector is crisp, bright and vibrant and a good choice for anyone looking for a pocketable projector with good resolution. While in its infancy, laser projection is clearly viable and I look forward to KDC’s future offerings.

Source: The sample for this review was purchased with my own funds. Please visit KDC for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $485.00
Manufacturer: KDC
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Intuitive user interface
  • 720P resolution
  • Bright, even in situations with some ambient light
  • Focus-free projection
  • Vibrant color
  • Good battery Life
  • Excellent connectivity choices
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Feeble speaker output
  • Manufacturer quality control issues

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KDC Laser Beam Pro C200 projector review originally appeared on on April 6, 2017 at 7:00 am.

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Now you can customize your AirPods charging case because plain white is boring

Are you a fan of Apple’s AirPods Bluetooth earbuds but wish their Stormtrooper white charging case was a little less meh? You can bust out some colored Sharpie permanent markers and get your doodle on (yeah, don’t do that…), or you can check out these decal sets from Air Vinyl Design.

Air Vinyl Design is a company that was started only a few weeks ago by a guy named Ryan who decided that he wanted to start his own company, be his own boss and make things. The first thing he’s making are AirPods stickers that let you add a little extra style to the AirPods charging case.

The decals are die cut from high-quality, easy to apply, and easy to remove vinyl. The decals are available in 3 sets that are priced at $5.99. Each set includes 2-3 different decal designs.

For more info visit www.airvinyldesign.com and to get a pair of AirPods, visit Apple.

Filed in categories: Cases and Covers, News

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Now you can customize your AirPods charging case because plain white is boring originally appeared on on April 5, 2017 at 3:25 pm.

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Cut the Cord, Ditch the Dish, and Take Back Control of Your TV – New from LeanPub

Keeping up with your favorite TV series can get expensive when you are tied to providers like cable and satellite companies. The only option in my area is DirecTV or Dish. I’ve been with DirecTV for over 20 years and am happy with their service and content, but not the monthly bill. Ouch! A few months ago I called to have my programming package changed so I could lower my monthly bill below $100. It was fine for a couple of months but now it’s back above $100. Grrrrrr. I’ve seriously considered cutting the cord many times but haven’t taken that step yet because I’m not quite sure which solution to choose. If you’re in the same boat, this new book from LeanPub might help.

Cut the Cord, Ditch the Dish, and Take Back Control of Your TV by J. and K. Fidler is an easily-understood, cord cutter’s roadmap for readers of all technical levels. The 400-page ebook explains terms and technologies, what you need to get started, and technical skills needed. It then goes forward with a “cookbook” of fun, documented, and tested DIY projects, including:

  • Integrating AndroidTV with broadcast-to-air TV, network accessible TV tuners and DVRs
  • Optimizing a home network for streaming media traffic using a laptop
  • Fun with Chromecasting and watching broadcast-to-air TV on Android or iOS devices.
  • Creating an entertainment computer and DVR for the living room using either Windows or Linux OS software and an Intel NUC
  • Optimizing a home network for streaming media traffic using a laptop
  • Watching 4K content and trying out hardware accelerated video

Cut the Cord, Ditch the Dish, and Take Back Control of Your TV is available is compatible with Kindle, iBook, Nook, and PDF format. It can be purchased through LeanPub, and is regularly priced at $20.00, which includes a year of updates for new information and technologies. The authors are currently offering a 20% discount using this link: http://leanpub.com/control_your_tv/c/March_Madness. The discount is valid until April 20, 2017.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV, News

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Cut the Cord, Ditch the Dish, and Take Back Control of Your TV – New from LeanPub originally appeared on on April 5, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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Urbanears rolls out new line of connected wireless speakers

Swedish company Urbanears, who are known for their colorful headphones and earphones, have just launched a new line of equally colorful Connected Speakers. The speakers are available in six colors and two sizes that have been named Baggen and Stammen. Baggen is the larger speaker and Stammen is the smaller one. Both models feature multiple connectivity options that include Bluetooth, AirPlay, WiFi, Chromecast, and Aux input.

Two or more of the Connected Speakers can be combined to form a multi-room audio system with synchronized sound.

The Urbanears speakers have a retro radio feel that has skipped digital displays in favor of two knobs on top that control volume, playback and more. A single push switches from pause to play, or from solo to multi-mode if you own multiple speakers. A twist of the knob adjusts volume or selects one of seven presets to customize your favorite Spotify playlists or internet radio stations.

Prices for the Connected Speakers are $350 for the smaller size and $450 for the large version. You can learn more about these speakers at urbanears.com and Amazon.

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Urbanears rolls out new line of connected wireless speakers originally appeared on on April 5, 2017 at 9:48 am.

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Fellowes Powershred 12Cs Cross-Cut Shredder review

Spring is here! The flowers are budding and the birds are singing. Unfortunately its also tax season, and time to clean out that mountain of forms, papers and receipts you have been hoarding all winter long! We like to have a paper shredder here in the House of Bob, but our last shredder met a horrible end due to overexertion. Fortunately, Fellowes was kind enough to send me their Powershred 12Cs Cross-Cut Shredder to evaluate as part of the annual office Spring cleanup. How does it handle the job? Let’s shred! 

First Impressions

The Powershred 12Cs Cross-Cut Shredder is a heavy-duty shredder designed for household use. Measuring in at 15″ tall by 9″ wide by 17″ deep and nearly 16 pounds, it’s a small beast. But it’s a nice looking beast! The form factor is streamlined and professional looking. The unit is all black with a combination of shiny and matte surfaces. You’ll want to find a permanent spot in the office for this one, but it will look good occupying that floor space or nested under a table or desk.

Construction is solid. It’s a heavy-duty plastic two-piece assembly, with a massive 4-gallon catch bin that slides out of the front of the unit. The bin also has a small window so you can see when you’re hitting maximum capacity, which is a nice touch. There’s a single beefy control slider on the top of the unit, and the power switch is on the back. The feeder is silver and beveled to guide the materials into the shredder. I’ve killed shredders before that don’t feel like their built to handle the weight of the shredding motor & mechanism; that’s not the case here.

Operation and Use

Preparation for battle is simple. You plug the unit in and turn on the power switch on in the back. The control slide has three positions: center is the off position (when not in use), left is the on position (for munching), and right is a reverse mode (for “I shouldn’t have tried to fit that in there…”). There are three LED lights above the slider to indicate operation (green), overheating (red), and activation of the SafeSense safety feature (yellow). The shredder is motion activated, and starts grinding when it senses that material has been inserted in the feeder.

As far as shredding goes, the feeder can take a stack of up to 12 sheets at a time as well as paper clips, staples, plastic credit cards, and the assorted extras you might find in junk mail. All material is shredded into 5/32″ by 2″ cross-cut particles. The shredder can run continuously for about 5 minutes before overheating, at which point it requires 15-20 minutes to cool down before continuing. 

Another feature is what Fellowes calls its SafeSense technology. It’s activated by your hand or finger touching the feeder, at which point the shredder stops running. It’s a nice safety feature, especially if you forget that you have left the shredder in the on position.

The Test Case(s) 

Enough with the specifications; it’s time to see if the Powershred lives up to its name. Here in Bob’s house, we keep the paperwork flotsam and jetsam in a box (or two) in the closet until Spring cleaning time arrives. You’re looking at 25 pounds of receipts, papers, junk mail and assorted plastic credit cards that have been waiting for this moment to meet their shredding demise.

Let the Destruction Commence!

As we worked our way through the collection, I found that thePowershred 12Cs Cross-Cut Shredder did an excellent job with most tasks. Papers (alone or in stacks) flew through the beastie as it chuckled and begged for a real challenge. I had a stack of expired credit cards and used gift cards that it chewed up with equal zeal. Staples and paper clips didn’t even phase it. The feeder is 9 inches long, but even when I fed 8-1/2 by 11 sheets in lengthwise, the shredder sucked it all in.

Junk mail, however, did pose some challenges. You know those thicker mailings you get with brochures or little sticker books in the package? I’m happy to report that, while operation slowed a bit with these heftier feedings, the shredder chugged through them without too much trouble. There was one extra-thick mailer, however, that did slow it to a stop. We had to use the reverse switch a couple of times to back the envelope out and refeed it to chew it through. It got there eventually, but I admit that I was pushing the max capacity of the device. You’d probably want to break down bigger items like this (or old checkbooks, for example) to make sure they go through.

The SafeSense technology works well. If you even brush it with your finger anywhere on the metal feeder, the unit will stop and alert you that the safety feature has been triggered. I tested this a couple of different ways, and it works consistently once contact is made.

The collection bin does a nice job of trapping all the shredded bits, including paper dust. I did notice that it was easy to overload the bin unless you are paying attention to the window, however. Sliding the bin out is easy, and it locks firmly in place when you put it back in.

As far as negatives go: removal of the bin can get messy if you overload it before removal. There are also stray shredded bits that get knocked loose from the shredding mechanism when you remove the bin that requires cleanup. This unit is a lot cleaner than others I have owned. The good news is that the bin area is spacious and clear of obstructions, so it’s easy to run a vacuum nozzle through occasionally for quick cleanup. It should also be noted that the bin is flush with the bottom of the unit. I had it set up on a carpet, so the bin would catch occasionally when sliding it out. I believe that this would work better on a smooth surface, but I consider this a minor issue in practice.

In our test of the Spring cleanout boxes, we found that the 5 minute continuous run time is pretty accurate before it overheats, and we were able to go farther with brief breaks. We ran it as fast and far as it would go, and it took about 90 minutes total to get through the 25 pounds of test material. For an occasional-use home shredder, I think this a pretty good expectation for that amount of material all at once. If I were keeping up on my regular cleanup, I would expect that I would not see it overheat very often.

Conclusions and Pricing

Not everyone needs (or wants) a home shredder. We like to have one handy because we seem to collect a lot of printed material with personal information on it. If you decide you need one for your house, it should really do three things well:

  • Shred your papers, documents, and cards into consistently small and unrecognizable bits;
  • Minimize the mess from paper dust and flying particles in regular use; and
  • Show enough durability that you don’t need to buy a new one every couple of years.

Retailing at about $125, the Fellowes Powershred 12Cs Cross-Cut Shredder meets all of these requirements and meets them well. It performs better than the cheaper models I have killed over the years, and it looks nice in the office. I’d recommend it as a solution if you are looking for a new paper shredder in your home office. 

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Fellowes, and is available at Amazon and other retailers. For more info visit their site.


 

Product Information

Price: $125.00
Manufacturer: Fellowes
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Handles up to 12 sheets of paper, paper clips, plastic cards, and staples easily.
  • Sleek profile for the office (despite the size and weight).
  • Large collection bin for easy cleanup.
Cons:
  • Bin can get stuck on thicker carpeted floors.

Filed in categories: Home and Kitchen, Reviews

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Fellowes Powershred 12Cs Cross-Cut Shredder review originally appeared on on April 5, 2017 at 7:11 am.

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