Pros & Cons
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- Doesn't require focusing.
- Connects wirelessly to a PC or mobile device.
- MHL-compatible HDMI port.
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- Lacks internal memory.
- Somewhat soft focus in data images.
- Mild speckling effect.
- Feeble audio in testing.
Sony MP-CL1 Projector Specs
| Engine Type | Laser Scanning |
| Inputs and Interfaces | HDMI |
| Inputs and Interfaces | MHL |
| Native Resolution | 1920 x 720 |
| Rated Brightness | 37 |
| Weight | 7 |
Laser-based pico projectors, which have been around for a few years, are coming into their own, thanks to the PicoP laser technology developed and licensed by MicroVision. We've seen it in action in the Celluon PicoAir and the Editors' Choice Celluon PicoPro , and now in the Sony MP-CL1 Projector ($349), which is very similar in form and features to the PicoPro. The MP-CL1's laser light doesn't require focusing, and this highly portable projector can mirror the screen of a mobiloe device or project from a PC or video source.
Design and Features
The MP-CL1 measures a mere 0.5 by 3.1 by 5.8 inches (HWD). Similar in size to an iPhone 6S Plus (though a little thicker), it is small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, and it weighs just 7 ounces. It can easily project images from a cell phone, a tablet, a computer, or a DVD player. Like other laser projectors, it doesn't require any focusing—you just point it at whatever you're using as a screen. The built-in 3,400mAh rechargeable battery can last up to 2 hours on a single charge. The projector stays cool enough that it doesn't require a fan.
All the ports and controls are on the projector's right side, when viewed from the back. There's a mini-USB port for charging the projector, and bundled in is a USB-to-mini-USB cable that you can plug into a computer or power supply for juice. Conversely, the projector's USB Type A port is strictly for charging mobile devices. A mini-HDMI port lets you connect the projector to an HDMI data or video source, such as a computer, a DVD player, or an MHL-enabled mobile device. Rounding out the selection are an audio-out jack, a Power button, and a button marked Enter, which lets you access the projector's menus, as well as control the audio volume from the built-in 1-watt speaker. In addition to the wired HDMI/MHL connectivity, the MP-CL1 supports wireless screen mirroring from a smartphone, a tablet, or a PC via Miracast over 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi.
The light engine doesn't have a native resolution in the sense that DLP, LCD, and LCOS chips have one, because instead of turning pixels on and off in a fixed grid, it draws an image with lasers that scan across the screen, turning on and off as they go. It does have the equivalent of a native resolution, though, scaling all images to 1,920 by 720. Because the pixels are taller than they are wide, the aspect ratio is a standard 16:9.
Brightness and Image Quality
Sony rates the MP-CL1 at 37 lumens. According to the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), that's bright enough for extended viewing for a 21- to 29-inch (diagonal) image in theater-dark lighting, assuming a 1.0-gain screen and a 16:9 aspect ratio. However, some research indicates that people perceive reflected laser light as brighter than the light from other kinds of sources with the same measured brightness. My experience bears that out, as when testing in darkness, a 40-inch (diagonal) test image was a comfortable viewing size.
For testing with a PC, I used the same 1,280-by-720 resolution that we used in testing the Celluon PicoPro, which has nearly the same features as the MP-CL1. The MP-CL1 did a fair job on our standard suite of DisplayMate tests. Black text on white is easily readable at sizes down to 7.5 points, and white text on black is easily readable as small as 9 points. Colors are well saturated, particularly considering the low brightness. Dark-gray areas frequently show a reddish tinge. Focus seems somewhat soft, and I saw mild speckling in some test images.
Video is watchable, albeit not impressive. Color is reasonably good, although I saw some reddish tinging in testing, particularly in dark areas. I did see a mild speckle effect in brighter areas of some test scenes, and there was some loss of detail in bright areas. I consider the MP-CL1's video usable for watching clips; a full-length movie might be stretching it. You need headphones or an external sound system for the latter, as the 1-watt speaker proved feeble in our tests.
Conclusion
Overall image quality on our tests for the Sony MP-CL1 Projector wasn't quite as good as it was with the Celluon PicoPro, which retains its Editors' Choice. Another top pick worth considering is the AAXA P4-X Pico Projector, which uses the more traditional LED light source paired with a DLP chip. It is brighter than the MP-CL1 and can read files from memory cards and USB thumb drives.
If you want to project from phones, tablets, a computer or other video source while on the road, the Sony MP-CL1 Projector is a good choice. It's easy to set up and doesn't require any focusing, and you can use it away from an outlet. It's small and sleek, and it's powered by lasers, which provide a brighter-looking image than its brightness rating would indicate.