If you aren't sure where to begin in your search for an Projector, take a look below, where I've rounded all the Projectors that are hot right now. I've also offered a few general pointers on finding the Projector for you.
Take a look at this list:
4K Projector Under 5000$ - Epson Home Cinema LS11000 - 4K projector that can handle high dynamic range video and wide-color-gamut material that offers a combination of performance and features that you won’t find in any other projector priced lower than $5,000
Budget projector around $1,000 - BenQ HT2060 - offers great image contrast and color accuracy, it’s bright enough to pair with a large screen for a more immersive home theater experience, easy to set up and quiet in operation
4K projector for a living room - BenQ TK860i - The BenQ TK860i’s high brightness, rich color, razor-sharp image, and solid HDR performance are well suited for everyday TV and movie watching in a brighter viewing environment.
Portable mini projector - Nebula Mars 3 Air - offers good brightness and contrast, rich color, and a 1080p resolution, its internal speaker system delivers good sound, the projector automatically focuses and shapes the image so that it’s always optimized for your desired throw distance and angle, no matter where you place it.
Outdoor projector - Nebula Mars 3 - built for the outdoors because of its IPX3 weatherproof rating, drop resistance, and built-in LED lantern. This projector had the longest battery life lasting around 2 hours on 100% brightness and 4 hours and 45 minutes on eco mode (20% brightness).

Big Fun in a Small Package: The Antmap Mini Projector

Looking for a portable entertainment option that won't break the bank? Then the Antmap Mini Projector might be just what you need! This little projector packs a surprising punch, offering several features that make it a great choice for movie nights, presentations, or even tracing artwork.
On the plus side, the Antmap Mini Projector is incredibly portable thanks to its compact size and lightweight design. It shines in darker environments, projecting a good quality image that's perfect for cozy movie nights or presentations with dimmed lights. Plus, it connects easily with popular streaming devices like Fire Sticks, and the built-in speakers deliver decent sound despite the projector's small size. Another perk? Unlike older projectors, this one operates very quietly, so you won't be disturbed by fan noise. Finally, the price tag is sure to please budget-minded shoppers.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The picture quality suffers in brightly lit rooms, so it's best for use in low-light settings. Additionally, Antmap may not be as well-known a brand as some competitors, and the projector lacks a manual keystone correction feature, which can make it a little tricky to get a perfectly aligned image.
https://trendyprojectors.com/antmap-mini-projector-review/

: A Bright and Versatile Projector for Business and Education

The ViewSonic LS751HD is a laser projector that punches above its weight in brightness and versatility. Packing a massive 5,000 lumens, this projector cuts through ambient light with ease, making it perfect for brightly lit rooms like conference halls and classrooms. No more struggling to see presentations or visuals – your content will always be crisp and clear.
But the LS751HD offers more than just raw power. It boasts a long-lasting laser light source that eliminates the need for frequent lamp replacements, lasting a staggering 30,000 hours. Plus, it features instant on/off functionality, saving you time when you need to get your presentation started right away. The projector also offers a variety of adjustment options, including zoom, keystone correction, and lens shift, ensuring a perfectly proportioned image regardless of where you place it. An additional perk? The LS751HD can project in 360 degrees, so you can even mount it on the ceiling. And for added convenience, it allows for remote management over a network. Topping it all off, the LS751HD is surprisingly compact and portable, making it a great choice for presentations on the go.
While the LS751HD boasts an impressive feature set, it's important to consider some drawbacks. First, the price tag might be steeper compared to traditional lamp-based projectors. Additionally, if you require razor-sharp, 4K resolution for your presentations, this model might not be the best fit. However, for those seeking a feature-rich projector with exceptional brightness and a long lifespan, the ViewSonic LS751HD is a compelling option.
https://trendyprojectors.com/viewsonic-ls751hd-is-a-powerful-laser-projector-review/

Hey guys, 4ThWall here. I want to apologize for the slowness of this series recently. I've been struggling to write and edit/move episodes at the same time. Either way, I hope you guys enjoy this episode.
If this is your first time reading "The Black", welcome! This series is currently split between Royal Road and Here on HFY. Feel free to start from the beginning here: (Royal road)
(Previous), (next)
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USN Olyvia thrummed gently, her voice a comforting companion to those serving aboard her. Few, however, knew her better than her chief engineer and his bride. Patrick awoke almost instantly, his body responding to a slight change in tone. Cammy stirred against him, grumbling quietly as the change slowly pulled her from her own dreams. “Red?” She groaned.

Patrick slipped out of bed, “I felt it too,” he murmured. His console was up in a flash, and Patrick reached for his weapons belt while he scanned the incoming information. “We’ve been recalled, looks like it’s time.” The old leather belt’s buckle snapped into place. Its natural browns struck a stark paradox against the hyper-modern synthetics that both served to identify and protect him. Cammy slipped one of the desk drawers open, handing him the inherited revolver that both saved their lives and brought them together. She then picked up a smaller, sleeker, more modern silver pistol. It was housed in a much more modern holster, and she snapped the entire package into place at her waist. Her weapon was of Delmar design, a small bore auto-loading handgun chambered in a Delmar version of the originally Belgian-designed 5.7x28mm cartridge. Its holster was designed to make use of the standardized fitting along the belt of their uniforms. Moments later, a pair of magazines snapped into place as well.

Patrick slipped his wheel gun into its holster before typing a quick message. Olyvia was still under Silent Running, and closed-circuit messaging replaced even internal com transmissions while under this protocol. “Looks like Jesse needs me on the bridge, and he wants the PAC and the forward deflector emitters double-checked.”

Pat turned just in time to catch a quick kiss on the cheek from Cammy, “I’ll get it started. Have fun with the brass.” Pat snorted before kissing her on the forehead and departing. He and Cammy were essentially equals in both skill and seniority in engineering. Both knew Olyvia’s systems to a level that Cory’s vessel essentially had two chief engineers. Cammy, however, was playing the part of that role more often in the last two weeks. Cory had needed to remain on Wisconsin. All of the captains of Mackenzie’s Privateers were watching the data collected from Cory’s and Jacob’s sensor net from the same conference room, leaving the operation of their respective vessels to their first officers. It was a necessary evil, allowing for an absolute minimum of risky transmissions, but it had left Patrick acting as Jesse’s XO for the time being.

Patrick stepped onto Olyvia’s bridge throwing a casual salute to Jesse as he stepped up to the chair, “What ya got, sir.”

Jesse huffed, clearly not entirely happy with the situation. “What we got, is a plan. No details as of yet; it looks like they are not transmitting them to the fleet. We’re en route to pick up the skipper, and I suspect He’ll be filling us in shortly.”

Patrick nodded darkly, “It’s about time. watching what’s going on down there is… getting to me, sir. I know why we had to wait, but I reckon Karma is just about out of patience.” Jesse nodded his agreement. The two double-checked the ship's logs from the previous night before Patrick departed for Engineering.
Six hours later, Olivia lay alongside USN Wisconsin; and Captain Corellus Grarzia stepped out of the transfer shuttle’s airlock. Jese stepped up with a crisp salute, “Welcome back, Captain.”

Cory responded with a salute of his own, nodding for Jesse to follow him. “I am glad to have returned.” Jesse raised an eyebrow at his captain’s tone, but otherwise simply waited for him to continue, “XO, I’m going to need all senior staff to my office in 2 minutes. We are on a tight schedule.”

“Aye, Skipper,” Jesse answered, breaking off from his captain almost instantly. Cory continued on to his office, he was barely sitting down behind his desk when the senior staff; Jesse, Patrick, Camorra, and Jackie all filed into the standing room only. At the last minute, Captain Colins squeezed in, having been transferred to the Olyvia for the operation.

Cory slipped a data stick into his desk, activating its ceiling-mounted Holographic projectors. “Thank you for coming, everyone.” He began. The space between them illuminated with the Lurix system, “First off, I thank you for your patience. I know that standing by as we devised a plan was difficult. As of this moment, our waiting is over. Our part of the attack will be here.” Cory pointed to one of the prison hulks in orbit over the marsh world. “Captain Collins will be leading the assault. His team will be in charge of hitting the bridge with Jesse. Patrick and Camorra, You will be part of team two. We have no idea what condition these ships will be in, but we will need power, navigation, and propulsion as soon as their engineering is cleared. Your job is not combat, I need you safe so that we can get the freighter into the asteroid field and out of the line of fire as quickly as possible. Doctor, you’ve undoubtedly already surmised this’ but expect a large volume of new patients. We expect that most of them will be children. The Hind and Louise will be taking the other two freighters respectively. Any questions?”

Patrick raised his hand, “I’m assuming the Tech is going to be close to the Celest? Or are we going to be dealing with a different design?”

Cory nodded, “Same generation as Celest, but each Tribe makes their own modifications over the eons. Remember, those vessels are thousands of years old; and they were maintained on opposite sides of the Unity. Stay on your toes and think it all through. We don’t need much, but we will need at least symmetrical power out of the main drives. Anyone else?” No one else responded, so Cory continued, “Plan A, is to get the Freighters out of orbit, and through the asteroid field into the Deep Void between systems where we can properly evacuate everyone. If that falls through, be prepared to pivot to plan b) evacuate from the freighter in all haste. Afterwards, we will be making best possible speed for Delmar. Our goal is to keep as many kids alive as possible until we can get them to the Facilities that My father is organizing on the home world.”

“Uh… Captain?” Cammy asked timidly. “What about the planet, There’s no way we.. I mean… can we hold until we evacuate Lurix?” Several heads nodded with hard eyes as they met Cory’s own evenly.

Cory nodded at the question’ but something flashed through his expression, eliciting a raised eyebrow from Jackie and Jesse. The captain of the Olyvia pulled up a second three-dimensional diorama on the holoprojector. “You’re fuckin’ with me.” It was Jesse’s outburst that resulted first from the change of images.

Cory only nodded, his expression unchanged but his voice betrayed his anticipation, “We won’t be evacuating the Planet...”
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Zirrik Mog stepped into the bridge of his command. His ship, the ancient Thermian Frigate Maw’s Vengence, was one of three warships in orbit above the filthy backwater world of Lurix. His battlegroup was comprised of two other aged Frigates, Thermia’s Talon, and Dune Strider, and he wondered yet again what he had done to be punished with this post. Thermians were a dessert species, and this cursed marsh-saturated planet did not even give him or his men the courtesy of having a proper place for taking leave. The few that did visit the planet invariably returned with some form of Scale rot or respiratory infection that required treatment before they could return to their duties.

“Commander, we are receiving the check-in query.” Zirrik groaned at the call out from his coms station. This was the other bane of his current existence. Not only was he essentially stuck over a swamp world, but he was forced to play the part of an overly paranoid babysitter. He had no idea whose brainchild this was, but he suspected that It was not a plan from the Homeworld.

Zirrik straightened, scanning his sensor feed once before responding, “Send the codes, then rotate the generation program for the next cycle.” He watched the exchange of data flow, keeping a close eye on it to ensure no mistakes. Once complete, Zirrik stood. He stretched deeply before turning to his First Officer, “Krikks, with me. I require your report on the larboard power banks. I would…”

“Captain? Uh, Sir… I have something on sensors.” A diminutive voice of a young Thermian crewman interrupted Zirrik. “Something just… appeared. 285 by 116, five hundred thousand out.”

“That’s not possible, crewman. That would be the edge of the asteroid fi….” The lights flickered once, then failed. “REPORT!” Zirrik barked, and multiple voices rang at once. All their responses were the same. A chorus of “Not responding!” echoed from the helm, navigation, communications, sensors, and weapons. Two bright flashes shone in from the observation windows, and Zirrik rushed to look out of them with his bare eyes. His two other frigates were no more, shattered into slowly pinwheeling pieces of almost unrecognizable debris. “Get us back online, NOW!” he bellowed, turning to his first officer just as the lights flickered on and the door to the bridge opened. ‘Finally, some progress’ Zirrik thought, turning to greet whoever was entering the command deck. Noone walked through the opening, and Zirrik slowly began stepping toward door to observe an empty corridor hall. Corridor bulkhead doors were not supposed to stay open. They were designed to remain closed unless an authorized user was passing through. Zirrik reached over to slap the manual closing button.

The Thermian commander never reached the control. The small stealth drone that had attached itself to his ships hull days before had infiltrated every system on the Maw’s Vengeance, and every frigate in his command had suffered a similar fate. The command was sent through the drone, and every through hole, escape hatch, and airlock was opened to deep space. Empty escape pods were ejected, and their shipside entrances opened to the Void. The Maw’s Vengeance explosively decompressed in a matter of seconds, killing everyone aboard. It was as messy as it was efficient. Bodies were violently disassembled and smeared across bulkhead and console alike as they were violently ripped through the nearest opening at terrifying speeds. A full minute after the grim atmospheric evacuation, all vents closed; and the Maw’s Vengeance powered back up. She reconnected with the Thermian controlled Unity network just in time to broadcast the next all-clear code at the appropriate interval.

______________________________________________________________________________________

“Report from both Simo and Furlong, Targets destroyed.” Clint nodded as the report arrived through the voice of the young Delmar Coms officer, “Stormhold, Protectorate, and Iowa moving to phase 2. The… Privateers are arriving on target presently.”

“Excellent. Captain, position Us in between the two groups if you please, launch boarding parties to retake the ‘Maw’.” Clint turned to Captain Gallanis as the Massive man seemed even larger than life in his MACE armor. “You’re up, Cap.” Gallanis snapped a salute, then lumbered out of the Bridge, and Clint sat back down in the admiral's chair to review the operation so far. In simplest terms, it was a turkey shoot. He had complete control over every enemy vessel in orbit. He had disposed of the two frigates he did not require and vented their ‘flag’ ship. He did not trust the depressurization fully, and would be taking proper control of the vessel shortly. He smirked as three beacons winked out of existence. His brother and sister-in-law had joined Ivar and Martina, Mac choosing to command from Concord for this operation. Bull Fuller was not amused, but understood that his flag admiral performed his best from inside a cockpit, and Clint knew from the final briefing that those three vessels were headed to perform a… special task… a beep alerted him to Louise, Hera’s command, entering the atmosphere or Lurix, “Launch attackers, captain, close support for the surface assault.” A chorus of reports echoed through the command deck as the Aardvarks launched, and Clint forced himself to settle. Now, he was meant to wait and watch.

Across the void, unseen by either Eye or Sensor, Three wraiths stalked the singular corridor etched into the englobing fortress of shifting rock and ice that defined the Lurix system. Their job was simple, They were the gatekeepers. All could enter Lurix at their pleasure. Who was allowed to leave was another story entirely.

*On station. Beacon in the hud.* Fizz’s mind spoke into BigMac’s as well as transmitting via tight beam to R’Cari and Sombra.

“R’Cari on station, I’m not sure I’m going to get used to that.” Ivar responded from his own cockpit.

*Used to what?* The blended voices of Mac and Lyrian responded.

*That* Chika stated *which one of you is talking at the moment.* her voice came through slightly garbled through the tight beam.

*Oh, Uh, sorry* Lyrians voice alone responded this time, *We uh, forget sometimes. *

*Lets settle it down a touch. McLovin, Chika, adjust point 38 by point 91* Mac cut in, *It’s about time. Fizz, send the signal.*

A long silence followed before *Done* Fizz responded at last. Concord was acting as the coordinator for the three-ship formation. This time, no one spoke. The three stealth fighters were positioned just along the edge of the asteroid field, and each one stayed in Silent running as they awaited their next move.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

USN Olyvia shuddered slightly as she connected to the Starboard side airlock of their target, freighter number 1. Dozer, leading his team 1, stepped into the airlock. A quick hiss of equalizing pressures, and the interior door opened. Dozer’s chest plate immediately took no less than 6 impacts from laser-based small arms. Dozer could see the three Thermian guards stop shooting in pure stupor as their laser pistols were simply ignored. He gave them a toothy smile, then activated his visor. It slammed down into place just as his handgun rose. The Gauss pistol, with its ammunition detuned for work inside a pressure vessel, barked three times; and the three Thermians fell, each missing various percentages of their cranial vaults. “Let's Move.” Dozer growled, stepping over the rapidly cooling bodies, “Team one, in.” He transmitted as his team stormed into the prison hulk.
Patrick kept himself in front of Cammy as their team followed behind the Vanguard led by Captain Collins. Each member wore a set of translation earbuds, and the devices served triplet of purpose. The earbuds were to transmit directions and facilitate team communications as well as prevent any language barriers. The two of them were accompanied by a full squad of the Marine contingent from Olyvia, and they were augmented by a pair of riflemen from Collin’s MACE unit. Within moments the few weakly armed guards were swept aside. The MACE spearhead threw a concussive flash grenade into the open engineering door, then breached with a flurry of rifle fire, and the two master engineers stepped in behind them.

The Engineering section was in atrocious shape, not counting for the ballistically dismembered Thermian bodies lying where they were dragged. Fresh Thermian blood lay about the floor and against the walls alongside dried stains of several other colors, including Delmar, and Patrick felt Cammy balk in horror at the scene. He reached out and squeezed her shoulder gently, “Common, Cam. Let’s get to work.”
She stayed frozen for a moment, then straightened her shoulders and nodded to him, “I’ll get into the core diagnostics.” She said quietly.

Patrick nodded, “Good. I'll start on propulsion.” He turned only to almost run into the pair of MACE riflemen.

*We’ve been rerouted. We’re leaving two marines. The rest of us are headed to the kids. * The strange anonymous voice spoke through the helmets speakers.

Patrick nodded instantly in understanding, “Go. We’ll manage.” In a flash, all but two of the Marines were gone, and the remaining soldiers stood just inside the door and kept watch. Patrick sat down at the blood and gore-stained console, “Looks like we’ll have propulsion when the Second Core comes online. Jesus… did they do ANY maintenance? Navigation is all fucked to hell. I’m reading multiple conduit leaks. It looks like they just shut the system down instead of fix it.”

“Problem!” Cammora called from around the other side of the four fusion core clusters, “They cannibalized at least two of the cores to keep this one running. I dunno if we have the parts to get a second running!”

Patrick stood, walking quickly over to her. His eye narrowed as he read the same readout, “Fuck! Let’s get an answer on if we can rig the second core.” Patrick turned and activated his com. “Skipper, bad news. Engineering's a roach fuck, we have one working core, two that are D.O.A., and one that we might have the parts to get something out of. It's not looking good, sir…. Yes…. Yes sir… We’ll do what we can, update in 20.”

Cammy poked her head from around the corner, “So?”

Patrick unslung his took bag, “We need that second core, or we have to evac everyone while in orbit. Let’s get that second Core up.”

Cammy shrugged off her own tools, “Shit!” She swore in English flipping to her back before sliding up under the second core.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Nuvurese stood from her position behind her desk. Her door had refused to open since the beginning of the malfunctions. Now, it was pried open by a pair of Thermian guards, “Mistress Nuvurese, we must go!”

“Go? Nonsense, we are in a stable orbit. What is taking so long with the malfunctions!” She demanded with a harsh tone, a rod-straight spine, and a severe glare.

“There is no malfunction, we are under attack. We are to evacuate you.” The first of the guards stated formally.

“Attack? The children…” She gasped. “They must be after the children.”

“Fuck the Children, Vorath. We must go. Now!” The second Guard spat, already turning to leave.

“You misunderstand, Follow me.” Nuvurique growled, picking up her Vorath heavy beam pistol, stomping out of the office, leading the guards down the corridor. “The Children must be disposed of.”
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you made it this far, your awesome! I'm currently moving the bulk of my work over to Royal Road because of the AI deal combined with the recent change in the terms of service. I would be grateful for a rating/review over there to help. I would say that it is the single biggest thing you can do to help The Black.
If you believe I have earned it, and want to support the black, or my work in general. I have a Patreon that has extra in universe content in the forms of side stories, shorts, occasional map updates, and images. I've made it about the minimum that is allowed on Patreon, and even the lowest "tier" gets you access to the entire site.
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https://www.patentlyapple.com/2024/06/nine-hmd-smartglasses-patents-published-today-cover-displays-optical-systems-infrared-coatings-for-gaze-tracking-systems.html
https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/
20240184117
Excerpt:
[0020] Display modules 20A may be liquid crystal displays, organic light-emitting diode displays, laser-based displays, or displays of other types. Display modules 20A may include light sources, emissive display panels, transmissive display panels that are illuminated with illumination light from light sources to produce image light, reflective display panels such as digital micromirror display (DMD) panels and/or liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display panels that are illuminated with illumination light from light sources to produce image light, etc. Display modules 20A may sometimes also be referred to herein as projectors 20A.
Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published nine patent applications from Apple that covers a wide range of technologies relating to future smartglasses and both current and future Vision Pro technologies ranging from Optical Systems, Displays, Infrared coatings for gaze tracking systems and more. For those following Apple's HMD projects intently, there's a lot of material to review.
Optical Systems For Directing Display Module Light Into Waveguides
A display system may include a waveguide, an input coupler with a first surface relief grating (SRG), and an output coupler with a second SRG. A display module may produce image light that is coupled into the waveguide by the first SRG. The first SRG may have an input vector non-parallel with respect to a normal axis of the waveguide. The display module may have an optical axis tilted with respect to the input vector by a non-zero angle. A prism may redirect the image light from the module to the first SRG in a direction parallel to the input vector. The module may include lens elements with an optical axis offset with respect to the center of the field of the image light. This may cause the lens elements to output the image light in a direction parallel to the input vector of the first SRG.
2-Optical-System- Patent-Fig. 2 - Apple For details, review Apple's patent application 20240184117.
Infrared Coatings For Gaze Tracking Systems
Apple's patent application relates to a head-mounted device that may include near-eye displays and gaze tracking components to track a user's gaze. The head-mounted device may include an optical system, including a waveguide and optional lenses to guide images produced by display modules to an eye box. The gaze tracking components may include infrared emitters that emit infrared light toward the user's eyes and infrared sensors that detect infrared light that has been reflected from the user's eyes. To reduce interference with the gaze tracking components from environmental infrared light, the optical system may include an infrared-reflective coating and an infrared-absorptive coating. The infrared-reflective and infrared-absorptive coatings may be formed on the optional lenses or on other transparent structures in the optical system. Together, the infrared-reflective and infrared-absorptive coatings may reduce an amount of environmental infrared light that reaches the gaze tracking components and reduce a thermal load on internal components within the head-mounted device.
Apple's patent FIG. 2 below is a cross-sectional top view of an illustrative electronic device having display and gaze tracking capabilities.
3 Smartglasses-Optical-System
Apple's patent FIG. 4 above is a diagram of an illustrative optical module having a waveguide, first and second bias lenses, and infrared-absorptive and infrared-reflective coatings on one of the bias lenses.
Further to FIG. 4, Apple notes that Lens #34 may have a complementary power value (e.g., a positive power with a magnitude that matches the magnitude of the negative power of lens #32). For example, if lens #32 has a power of ?2.0 diopter, lens #34 may have an equal and opposite power of +2.0 diopter (as an example). In this type of arrangement, the positive power of lens #34 cancels the negative power of lens #32. As a result, the overall power of lenses #34 and #32 taken together will be 0 diopter. This allows a viewer to view real-world objects without optical influence from lenses #32 and #34. For example, a real-world object located far away from the smartglasses (device #10 - effectively at infinity), may be viewed as if lenses #32 and #34 were not present. Lens #32 may therefore sometimes be referred to herein as biasing lens #32 whereas lens #34 is sometimes referred to herein as compensation lens.
Some users may require vision correction. Vision correction may be provided using tunable lenses and/or fixed (e.g., removable) lenses (sometimes referred to as supplemental lenses, vision correction lenses, removable lenses, or clip-on lenses). For example, vision correction may be provided for a user who has astigmatism by adding a removable astigmatism correction lens to the display system.
Other vision correction lenses may also be used, if desired. In general, the vision correction lenses may include lenses to correct for ametropia (eyes with refractive errors) such as lenses to correct for nearsightedness (myopia), lenses to correct for farsightedness (hyperopia), and lenses to correct for astigmatism, prism lenses to correct for skewed vision, lenses to help accommodate age-related reductions in the range of accommodation exhibited by the eyes (sometimes referred to as presbyopia), and/or other vision disorders. Lens 32, lens 34, and/or additional lenses may be used to provide vision correction.
To review the full details of this invention, check out patent application 20240184118. The lead inventor is listed as Brian S. Lau, Product Design Engineer, Vision Products Group.
Other HMD (Headset and/or Smartglasses Patents
20240184122: Display System Circuitry
20240184120: Display System With Virtual Image Distance Adjustment And Corrective Lenses
20240187554: Head-Mounted Devices With Forward Facing Cameras

1. Smartglasses patent fig. 3

20240184329: Device With Light-Shielding Structure
20240184330: Devices With Adjustable Headbands
20240184116: Optical Systems For Mitigating Waveguide Non-Uniformity
20240184121: Device With A Removable Cushion
10.51FX - Patent Application Bar

Hi all, would love some expert advice please as really struggling with this decision!
I am a movie geek and have always dreamed of a "cinema" room at home. Unfortunately that hasn't been affordable to me so biggest TV I've ever had was a 60".
We are soon moving into a new house though and excited to take the next step up! My wife has kindly agreed to let me do what I want (within budget) in the living room which measures 16'2" x 14'0". I was all set to buy the LG OLED 77G26LA for £2000 as seems like a great TV at a good price. But today I saw a incredible deal for the Samsung QLED 98Q80C for only £3k!
Now I am fully aware that OLED tech is better than QLED but the QLED has got good reviews and seems a ridiculously good price. So what do people think... go for a 77" TV with better picture quality or a 98" TV?!
FYI I will be watching a lot of 4k content and I am fussy with my picture. A projector isn't an option due to daytime TV watching and general light in the room at times. Right now I'm veering towards the bigger QLED for the cinema experience but am very conflicted as picture quality is very important to me!
Any advice most welcome... thanks!

Hi all, would love some expert advice please as really struggling with this decision!
I am a movie geek and have always dreamed of a "cinema" room at home. Unfortunately that hasn't been affordable to me so biggest TV I've ever had was a 60".
We are soon moving into a new house though and excited to take the next step up! My wife has kindly agreed to let me do what I want (within budget) in the living room which measures 16'2" x 14'0". I was all set to buy the LG OLED 77G26LA for £2000 as seems like a great TV at a good price. But today I saw a incredible deal for the Samsung QLED 98Q80C for only £3k!
Now I am fully aware that OLED tech is better than QLED but the QLED has got good reviews and seems a ridiculously good price. So what do people think... go for a 77" TV with better picture quality or a 98" TV?!
FYI I will be watching a lot of 4k content and I am fussy with my picture. A projector isn't an option due to daytime TV watching and general light in the room at times. Right now I'm veering towards the bigger QLED for the cinema experience but am very conflicted as picture quality is very important to me!
Any advice most welcome... thanks!

I've done a lot of research on UST projectors, and the best tradeoff between price and quality seems to be these two. The NexiGo just went on sale in my country and now the pricing of the NexiGo is the same as the Epson ReNew/Refurbished LS800.
TLDR: Help me decide between a new NexiGo or ReNew'd Epson LS800 for the same price.
A bit more detail, room will be white and have lights on the majority of the time. I see myself using this more for sports than for movies, however, I will use it for both. Some of the other reviews I've read say that the NexiGo is a top projector for dark light controlled rooms, and the Epson is a top projector for brighter rooms.

The FOSA Mini Projector is a budget-friendly option for those looking for a portable way to project videos and images. It's a great choice if you're on a tight budget and want something easy to take with you. You can connect it to laptops, phones (with an extra cable), DVD players, and more using HDMI, USB, SD card, or AV cables. It even comes with a remote for convenient control.
However, it's important to know that the picture quality won't be amazing. You might see individual pixels if you look closely, and it works best in darker rooms to get the clearest image. Overall, the FOSA Mini Projector is a good value for the price, but keep in mind the trade-off for affordability is lower image quality.
https://trendyprojectors.com/fosa-mini-projector-review/

The ViewSonic LS710HD is a high-performance laser projector that offers a bright and clear picture in any environment. With 4,200 lumens of brightness, it can easily overcome ambient light, making it a great choice for both home and office use. The projector also features a 1080p resolution that delivers sharp and detailed images.
One of the key features of the LS710HD is its short throw ratio. This means that the projector can be placed close to the screen without casting any shadows. This is ideal for smaller spaces where there may not be a lot of room to place the projector. The LS710HD also features a variety of keystone correction options, including horizontal, vertical, and 4 corner adjustment. This allows you to fine-tune the image so that it is perfectly rectangular, even if the projector is not perfectly aligned with the screen.
Another advantage of the LS710HD is its long lifespan. The laser phosphor light source is rated to last up to 30,000 hours, which is equivalent to many years of use. This means that you won't have to worry about replacing the lamp for a long time. Additionally, the LS710HD supports HDHLG content, which provides a wider range of colors and contrast for a more immersive viewing experience. With its combination of features, the ViewSonic LS710HD is a versatile projector that is well-suited for a variety of applications.
https://trendyprojectors.com/viewsonic-ls710hd-4200-lumens-1080p-laser-projector-review/

I've been running this for a bit now, just upgraded the Disco Shield and Warp Core, but still feel like I'm pretty underwhelming as far as lasting in a TFO and my damage output.
I'm sticking primarily to Disruptors, and these are the best I've gotten, so far. Was able to get them all up to XV and Epic via the upgrade weekend a couple weeks ago.
I've followed guides on DPS League, and STOBetter, and I still feel like my DPS is lacking, and survivability in TFOs is awful, I have to pull back constantly.
Thanks in advance!
Edited: Didn't realize formatting was so jacked when I originally posted.
Ship: Terran Lexington Dreadnought Cruiser (T6-X2)
FORE WEAPONS

• Disruptor Beam Array Mk XV [Ac/Dm] [Dmg]x4 (Epic)
• Disruptor Beam Array Mk XV [Ac/Dm] [Dmg]x4 (Epic)
• Disruptor Beam Array Mk XV [Ac/Dm] [CrtD] [Dmg]x2 [Thrust] (Epic)
• Kelvin Timeline Photon Torpedo Launcher Mk XII [Acc] [CrtD] [Reload] (Very Rare)

DEFLECTOR

• Elite Fleet Intervention Protomatter Deflector Array Mk XII [ColCrit] [DrainX]x2 [EPS] (Ultra Rare)

IMPULSE

• Combat Impulse Engines Mk XV [SecSpd-2] [Spd]x4 (Epic)

WARP

• Mycelial Harmonic Matter-Antimatter Core Mk XV [AMP] [S->W] [SCap] [SSR] [W->S] (Epic)

SHIELDS

• Tilly's Review-Pending Modified Shield Mk XV [Cap]x4 [Cp/Rg] (Epic)

AFT WEAPONS

• Omni-Directional Disruptor Beam Array Mk XIV [Acc] [Arc] [Dmg] (Very Rare)
• House Martok Omni-Directional Disruptor Beam Array Mk XII [Acc] [Arc] [Dmg] (Very Rare)
• Disruptor Beam Array Mk XV [Ac/Dm] [Acc] [Dmg]x2 [Pen] (Epic)
• Disruptor Beam Array Mk XV [Ac/Dm] [CrtH]x2 [Dmg]x2 (Epic)

DEVICES

• Kobayashi Maru Transponder (Epic)
• Phased-Waveform Beacon (Epic)
• Delta Alliance Reinforcements Beacon (Epic)

UNIVERSAL CONSOLES

• Advanced Engineering - Isomagnetic Plasma Distribution Manifold Mk XV [Disruptor] (Epic)
• Advanced Engineering - Isomagnetic Plasma Distribution Manifold Mk XV [Disruptor] (Epic)
• Advanced Engineering - Isomagnetic Plasma Distribution Manifold Mk XV [Disruptor] (Epic)

ENGINEERING CONSOLES

• Universal - Multi-Directional Artillery Barrage (Epic)
• Engineering - House Martok Defensive Configuration Mk XII (Very Rare)
• Engineering - Bellum Triburnium Alloy Mk XII (Very Rare)
• Engineering - Bellum EPS Flow Regulator Mk XII (Very Rare)
• Engineering - Pax Triburnium Alloy Mk XII (Rare)

SCIENCE CONSOLES

• Universal - Spatial Charge Launcher (Epic)
• Science - Emitter Array Mk XII (Very Rare)

TACTICAL CONSOLES

• Tactical - Directed Energy Distribution Manifold Mk XII (Very Rare)
• Universal - Temporal Anomaly Projector (Epic)
• Tactical - Directed Energy Distribution Manifold Mk XI (Very Rare)
• Universal - Micro Dark Matter Anomaly (Epic)

HANGAR
Mirror Universe Shuttlecraft (Rare)
PERSONAL SPACE TRAITS

• Thrill Seeker
• Accurate
• Beam Training
• Warp Theorist
• Shield Technician
• Increase Defense
• Intelligence Agent Attache
• EPS Manifold Efficiency
• Shield Frequency Analyst
• Impact Defense Specialist

STARSHIP TRAITS

• Need-To-Know Basis
• Target Rich Environment
• Improved Predictive Algorithms
• Nano-Infestation

BRANNIGAN TRAITS

• Confederation Furor
• Regeneration Cycle

SPACE REPUTATION

• Advanced Engines
• Chrono-Capacitor Array
• Magnified Firepower
• ADvanced Hull Reinforcement

ACTIVE SPACE REPUTATION

• Bio-Molecular Shield Generator
• Refracting Tetryon Cascade
• Forced Challenge
• Anti-Time Entanglement Singularity

STATIONS
LT COMMANDER UNIVERSAL STATION

• Hazard Emitters I
• Energy Siphon I
• Tyken's Rift II

LT COMMANDER TACTICAL STATION

• Tactical Team I
• Torpedoes: High Yield II
• Beams: Fire At Will III

LT TACTICAL/INTELLIGENCE STATION

• Augment Boarding Party I
• Kemocite-Laced Weaponry II

COMMANDER ENGINEERING/MW STATION

• Emergency Power to Shields I
• Engineering Team II
• Directed Energy Modulation II
• Mixed Armaments Synergy III

ENSIGN SCIENCE STATION

• Tachyon Beam I

Like others before me in the pursuit of one day shooting a round of golf that doesn't have multiple boxes around a number that rivals todays interest rates.... I decided to pull the trigger on my first launch monitor setup.
Here is a TL:DR, Uneekor Eye Mini Lite is GREAT. Pull the trigger and just build it.

Background:

I luckily live in a place like North Carolina that is surrounded by great golf courses. Courses like Tobacco Road, Pinehurst No. 2, and Talamore are only ~30 minutes away. However, we are coming into the months of summer that make practicing outside less than ideal. I'm not too proud to admit that I absolutely hate working on my game when it's 100 degrees with 100% humidity. Nothing quite like trying to practice that nice bump and run, only to skull it across the green while you try to dig the corner of your polo under your sun glasses to get the last 28 beads of sweat that went into your eye.
My hate for the hot summer days and my "new'ish" entrance into the high handicap club made me want to build something. Something that helped me get better with accurate data and also keep me for looking like I jumped into a swimming pool with all my clothes on. Goal: I want to be 6-8 handicap golfer, someone that looks like he has a thing or two figured out, but also will hook one of those premium golf balls into the set of trees on the right.
Two important things to note regarding my setup:
1. Buy once, cry once. - I have learned with my taste in nice things that younger me would buy the cheaper option of the item I wanted. After multiple times of buying a cheaper option only to list it on the marketplace in a month, so I can go back and buy the original item I wanted. I learned from those experiences. So for a lot of the gear for this build, I opted for the things I wanted from the start - bar the launch monitor.
2. It's Extra - I know! - I would be remised if I didn't acknowledge a hand full of the golf enthusiasts that will say something like "Psshh... you just need to suck it up and sweat like the rest of us" or "If you really wanted to get better you wouldn't care about the conditions" and they would go on to quote Tiger or something. I hear you ...... but like I mentioned above, I want to play and enjoy golf. Shoot 80 once in a while, I'm not trying to walk 12 events on the PGA tour. Practicing in the best conditions will frustrate you. I'm choosing to skip the "Advanced Weather" setting.
Requirements:

• Quick and Easy to Practice: I wanted something that allowed me to quickly go from golf videos to getting ball data within a few minutes.
• Accurate Data
• Footprint: I only wanted to take up a 10' x 12' area.
• Easy pickup: I still need to be able to conduct family events from time to time. Need the ability to reduce it's footprint, even if it's just the wife picking it up.
• Professional Feel: I feel like you have more confidence in your tools when they feel premium.
• $5,500 - $6k Budget: Enough money to address the requirements above without jeopardizing the wife's tolerance of my hobby.

Alright, enough witty banter. Here is build:

Equipment

Net/Screen/Enclosure: Net Return Pro V2
I wanted to do an enclosure from Carl's Place, but the footprint really didn't make sense and wouldn't have met the Requirement #4. I did a lot of research and user reviews of nets that could double as a simulator with a screen. I ended up going with the Net Return Pro V2 (Net Return Pro Series V2 - $545) with add-ons. So far the net with/without the screen (Net Return Simulator Kit - $299) is a large hitting area with a good ball return. The side barriers (Net Return Side Barriers - $159) are easy to attach provide a little piece of mind.
Launch Monitor: Uneekor Eye Mini Lite
(Uneekor Eye Mini Lite - $2750)
I originally tried out the Rapsodo MLM 2 Pro in hopes that I could get a decent enough solution to start me down this journey, with the hopes of upgrading to a GC3 or Bushnell Launch Pro later in the year. This didn't meet the mark. The space needed for accurate data collection and a small alignment window made it a no-go for me. I started comparing the Bushnell Launch Pro and Skytrak + . I kept looking at the best unit that could give me the data I wanted, without spending an insane amount on subscriptions. Bushnell with only ball data is ~$2K. I watched almost every youtube video breaking down launch monitors. I couldn't find a high speed camera option, with club data, and a professional type software in the $3k-$3200 range.
I found an article about the Uneekor Eye Mini and how everyone loved the interface and software. Then I noticed a video that talked about it's more cost efficient little brother. In walks the Uneekor Eye Mini Lite. BLUF: It gives you everything you need for an indoor setup and nothing extra. The unit is controlled through the Launch software via the ethernet cable. The Lite doesn't have wifi and at the time of writing this, no mobile app capability. The requirement for power and ethernet is what makes this an indoor unit in my eyes. You will need a computer to run the VIEW (Uneekor Practice Range) and plugged into the Lite. I haven't tested the REFINE + or Third Party Integrations. I will post those updates later.
Projector: BenQ LW600ST
(BenQ LW600ST - $899)
This was more of a trusted brand purchase. I looked at others in the same price point. I was looking for a Short Throw (ST) projector to ensure I wasn't in the projection. The BenQ was easy to setup and you can do everything from the remote. I currently am using the 1:1 aspect ratio. I purchased a cheaper mount off of Amazon. The projector is quiet and does have a built in speaker. It has two HDMI inputs and is plenty bright to use inside of the garage at 1pm. I purchased this projector to work if I ever decided to move to an enclosure, ensuring I would have a strong enough projector to support 16:9 aspect ratio.
Hitting Mat: Carl's Place
(Carl's Golf Hotshot Mat - $534.50)
The mat feels premium and has some bounce. The comments about the mat moving under your feet I find are valid. The replaceable divot strip I have found to be frustrating. It's hard to get that area flat and keep the ball from rolling into the seam. I've spent more time trying to place my ball with my club than I would care to admit. If you hit the shot fat, you will get good feedback without the pain that would come in cheaper mats.
https://preview.redd.it/98ntffn6s05d1.jpg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4c947d10885d28c2a0f87f15a49727096709510f
https://preview.redd.it/0onanfn6s05d1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c7b70ca641c905f2a572d85d20d1971c0b1856a

First reviews are coming in on the LX700-4K-RGB/Ultra model. This is the first tri-laser standard projector that I am aware of hitting the market. It's using similar tech to what is being found in the UST products and some of the lifestyle models, but in a very traditional form factor. The question tends to be how well Viewsonic can pull a product like this off, as pricing appears to be around $2,500 or so, which is going to put it up against the BenQ X3100i and HT4550i models.
There is a review on the hd199 forum which has been translated and posted here: https://www.avsforum.com/threads/new-viewsonic-lx700-4k-rgb-announced.3294194/page-5?post_id=63352065#post-63352065
The projector is pulling dynamic contrast beyond 5,000:1 and native contrast in the 1,200:1 area. This is far better than we've seen from many models, and puts it way up in their rankings. It has decent, but not great brightness, so it's better for a dedicated space. And the noise level is among the lowest of models they have tested.
I will post back to this as I see more reviews come in, and I am not sure what final USA pricing will be. But, for those looking for something new, this model very well could be the ticket. It's the most exciting model I have heard about so far this year.
EDIT #1: Mondoprojos has indicated that they will have their first review out this Sunday, June 9, 2024. Their reviews are about as gold as reviews can possibly be and are up there with the absolute best. They have also indicated a MSRP and release date. https://www.mondoprojos.f2024/06/06/reception-du-viewsonic-lx-700-4k-rgb-pour-un-futur-test/ RELEASE: JULY 2024 RELEASE PRICING: $1,799 (Euros, not dollars)
If price holds under $2,000, then this may be THE model to get for a lot of people.

The Elite Screens VMAX 3, 150-inch Electric Projector Screen sounds like a great option for a home theater or gaming setup. Reviewers love the high-quality picture it produces and how easy it is to use. The electric motor allows for smooth operation, and the screen itself is encased in a durable metal casing for protection. With a large 150-inch size and the ability to be mounted on either the wall or ceiling, it offers a lot of versatility.
However, there are a couple of potential downsides to consider. Some reviewers mentioned that the screen doesn't retract completely, leaving a small gap at the bottom. There have also been concerns about customer service and the warranty potentially not being honored. If these issues are dealbreakers for you, it might be worth looking at other projector screens before making your final decision.
https://trendyprojectors.com/elite-screens-vmax-3-150-inch-electric-projector-screen-review/

The COMAOGO 1080p Mini Projector promises a big-screen experience at a budget-friendly price. Here's a breakdown of its pros and cons to help you decide if it's the right fit for you.
On the bright side, this projector boasts a vivid and clear picture, even in rooms with some ambient light. It's surprisingly bright for daytime viewing, eliminating the need for complete darkness. Another major perk is its affordability, allowing you to enjoy a large screen experience without breaking the bank. The projector offers a massive projection size, ranging from a cozy 45 inches to a truly immersive 220 inches. Plus, it boasts a variety of connection options including USB, HDMI, VGA, AV, TF card, and AUX, making it compatible with a wide range of devices.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Users report that the remote control can be unreliable, requiring precise positioning and close proximity to function. The menu system is described as outdated and potentially difficult to navigate. While advertised as 1080p, the picture quality may fall short, with some users comparing it to a classic Etch A Sketch. The built-in speaker also falls flat, delivering poor sound quality. Additionally, the projector might be slightly larger and louder than some users anticipate.
https://trendyprojectors.com/comaogo-1080p-mini-projector-review/

I’m not a real teacher yet, but I have been subbing for over a year now and have done several classroom observations and noticed that a lot of schools are heavily reliant on technology now. They use iPads, laptops, and smart boards for about 85% of instructional time and only a small portion of work is actually done on paper. Although I’ve only graduated from high school a couple years ago, I do remember having to hand write most of my assignments when I was younger. Even when my teachers explained lessons to us it was sometimes done on a smart board, but most times they’d just project our work on a projector and go over it with the entire class using a pen or pencil.
Why is there such a big shift now? It doesn’t even feel like kids actual learn anything anymore. They’re constantly glued to screens and can’t pay attention for more than a couple minutes or choose to be disruptive because they get bored. I even had high schoolers who don’t even bother writing essays anymore because they say it takes up too much time and that they have better things to do. Instead, they choose to use AI to write their essays and do their homework all because they don’t want to spend 30 minutes to an hour reviewing what they’ve learned in class. I can only imagine how stressful it is for teachers to constantly stop their lessons to manage their classrooms. I just don’t see how having students use electronic devices for most of the day keeps them engaged. I’m not sure if most schools are like this or if it’s just a district thing, but I hope something will change soon. I think it’s starting to do more harm than good. :(

I ordered a 135 inch ALR screen from Vividstorm(around 1600CAD) because even though my basement is light controlled I have white walls and a light coloured floor and was concerned that the reflected right from the walls and ceiling would end up making my image washed out.
My projector arrived yesterday and I tried it out by projecting on my white wall and the image was very good and i realized that I am not too bothered by the light bouncing back on my projected image.
I asked the Vividstorm team if I could return the screen since it hasn’t arrived yet but they said that the return and shipping fee would be quite significant and not good financially.
The main reason I’m having cold feet is because I read in some reviews that Long Throw ALR screens have major hotspotting and sparkling issues and I could potentially get a basic motorized grey screen for around 500CAD.
What should I do? Should I return the ALR Screen irrespective of the big fee? Should I try to find someone in the Toronto region who would want to buy the screen from me in picked condition? Should I just go along with the ALR screen?
Screen I’ve ordered: https://vividstorm.ca/product/vividstorm-alr-slimline-motorised-drop-down-projector-screen-for-standard-throw-projectors/
Screen I could buy: https://www.texonic.ca/products/130-texonic-electric-matte-grey-projector-screen-enhanced-contrast-hd-wall-ceiling-mount

The hdmi output of my pioneer lx 701 (11.1 sound system) died recently: it still processes audio data coming into various inputs via hdmi. But hdmi output to projectotv is dead. Idea:
Hdmi splitter. 4 inputs (or minimal 2), 2 outputs SIMULTANEOUSLY of course. Out 1 to projector, out 2 into lx 701. Purpose: extraction of atmos sound coming from my PC from movies / games. I already have a 1080p splitter, it works this way. But I need 4k 60 hz (not 30!).
Audio extraction using spdif seems to be not working for atmos.
Can anyone recommend a suitable splitter or matrix? Thousands on the market, but many bad reviews. 4k60hz and SIMULTANEOUSLY outputx2 seems to be the problem.
Thank you so much

The Core Innovations 150-inch LCD projector is a tempting option for budget-minded movie lovers and gamers looking for a big screen experience. Its biggest strength lies in its versatility and affordability. The projector boasts a massive and adjustable screen size, ranging from a cozy 32 inches up to a room-filling 150 inches diagonally. This allows you to customize the viewing experience to fit your space, whether you're enjoying a movie marathon on the couch or presenting to a small group.
Another major advantage is its connection flexibility. With HDMI, USB, VGA, Micro SD, and AV ports, you can connect a wide variety of devices like laptops, streaming sticks, gaming consoles, or even mobile phones with a Micro SD card adapter. Plus, the projector features a built-in focus adjustment knob and keystone correction to ensure a sharp and undistorted image, regardless of the projection angle. The long-lasting LED bulb promises vibrant visuals and extended use, while the lightweight and portable design makes it easy to move from room to room or take outdoors for movie nights under the stars. The biggest drawback, however, is the projector's limited performance. With only 45 lumens of brightness, it might struggle in brightly lit rooms or with larger projected images from a distance. The contrast ratio of 300:1 is also on the lower side, which means blacks might appear less deep, affecting picture quality in certain situations. Additionally, there's no information about the projector's resolution, but budget projectors often have lower resolutions which can make the image appear less sharp. Finally, Core Innovations might be a lesser-known brand, so there might be some uncertainty regarding long-term reliability and customer service.
https://trendyprojectors.com/core-innovations-150-inch-lcd-home-theater-projector-review/