ZIP, the foldable projector for your pocket
Projectors with LED light sources can be built very compactly. Aurzen has taken this to the extreme with the ZIP.
Weighing 280 grams, the ZIP can be folded into a Z-shape using two hinges, so it fits in any handbag. When unfolded, it is as thin as a smartphone, and at 8.4 cm Ă— 7.9 cm, about the size of an XL phone.
Inside the foldable projector is a tiny DMD chip (Digital Mirror Device) with a 0.16 inch diagonal and 720p resolution (1280 Ă— 720 pixels). The mirror chip is illuminated by small LEDs, resulting in 100 lumens on the projection surface. Experience has shown that small LED beamers are somewhat less bright in practice than stated. You should therefore not expect particularly bright images, but at CES Unveiled it was possible to read projected text clearly even in the bright hall.
(Image:Â Ulrike Kuhlmann, heise online)
There are two picture modes, Standard and High Brightness, whereby Standard is more of an Eco mode with reduced brightness. Apart from that, nothing else can be set on the device. The autofocus with TOF sensor (Time of Flight) scans the projection surface 30 times per second to focus the image. The image is also automatically straightened using vertical keystone correction.
Helpful accessories
The lower panel of the three-part construction contains a 5000 mAh battery, which should last for one and a half hours of video operation. The projector is charged via USB-PD. Manufacturer Aurzen offers an optional height-adjustable stand with a built-in 10,000 mAh, on which the mini projector is held magnetically.
The manufacturer, whose name is derived from "Aurora" and "Zen", has all kinds of useful accessories in its range. For example, there is the magnetic Puk MagPlay, which sits surprisingly firmly on smooth surfaces with a durable vacuum seal; Aurzen promises holding power of up to 1.5 kilograms. The magnetically attached ZIP can be rotated on the puck as required.
(Image:Â Urike Kuhlmann, heise online)
This is interesting for presentations in small groups, for example, for which you only need a bright projection surface such as a white wall or a large sheet of paper. Thanks to the foldable construction, you can project from the lid of a notebook onto the table surface, for example.
Videos by heise
Wireless connection
(Image:Â Urike Kuhlmann, heise online)
The projector connects to mobile devices via Miracast or Airplay. If the signal source does not support the wireless standard, you can use the CastPlay HDMI dongle from Aurzen. The wireless HDMI stick transmits AV signals from any HDMI source to the ZIP. For example, you can send video signals from games consoles to the mini projector. However, neither the projector nor the HDMI stick can stream Netflix & Co.
The 2 x 1 watt speakers in the middle panel are a weak point. But Aurzen has also taken precautions here: the ZIP can pass on the audio signals to an external BT speaker via Bluetooth 5.1.
Aurzen plans to offer the ZIP in Europe from April, in the USA it will cost 400 dollars, here in Germany it will probably be 400 to 450 euros. The stand with battery will cost 130 dollars and the MagPlay-Puk, like the CastPlay HDMI stick, will cost 40 dollars. Aurzen also plans to promote the foldable projector via Kickstarter in the near future.
Heise Medien is the official media partner of CES 2025.
(uk)
