Customer Reviews

FAVI E1-LED-PICO Mini LED Projector, Entertainment Edition

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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The E1 is an Entertainment Edition PICO projector from FAVI Entertainment. It measures 4.5" long by 2.5" wide and 1" thick. It's smaller and lighter than the FAVI B1 business edition Pico projector: about the size of my armored iPhone, with a weight of less of a pound with batteries.

Opening the box reveals everything you need to get the E1 up and running in a few minutes. FAVI has included a universal power adapter, mini USB cord, RCA interface cable, a mini tripod, remote control and 4 x AA batteries.

The design of the E1 is simple and straightforward. The front of the projector houses the lens assembly and a small wheel that controls focus. The top of the projector has a circular multi-button selection wheel to control menu navigation as well as a shortcut-button for brightness. The right side of the E1 has a port for external 5 volt power while the left side holds the power switch. The back of the unit has three different ports: one for Audio/Video input, one for headphone or speaker output, and a third for a mini-USB cable. The unit also has a sensor for the IR remote control and two speakers that are embedded into the sides of the case.

The underside of the E1 has a hard-point for connecting the projector to any standard tripod, including the mini-tripod that comes with the kit, which is necessary to angle the projector as it doesn't have any built-in mechanisms for tilting the unit. Removing the battery cover reveals a cradle for 4 x AA batteries and a SD memory card reader that is compatible with SD and SDHC modules up to 32GB.

The E1 is rated for 12 lumens of light output and the projector can throw images and video with a resolution of up to 640x480. The LED light source is non-replaceable, but rated to last up to 20,000 hours. The light rating is a bit low for our tastes, but the upside is that with a lower-powered, cool-running LED lamp, the E1 is almost silent as it doesn't require a cooling fan.

The remote control of the E1 is simple and intuitive. It uses a membrane keypad and has a total of 12 buttons. These buttons will allow you to control all menu functions while also giving you instant access to the play and volume functions of the projector.

The E1 has several input options, starting with the aforementioned SD card slot. With the card slot built into the bottom of the unit, you can pull a SD card out of your digital device, plug it directly into the E1, and have the option of immediately projecting your images and videos on a wall, screen or other projector-friendly surface.

The E1 also has the ability to receive standard definition analog audio and video signals through the included RCA cable. You simply connect the RCA connectors to your source and plug the other end of the cable into the input port on the E1.

The final display option is to connect the E1 to your computer via its mini-usb port. Doing so will register the E1 as a USB card reader, giving you access to units internal 1GB of memory and any SD card that you may have plugged into the unit. One note of caution: though standard video, audio and picture files should play fine by either transferring them through the USB port or on an inserted SD card, large photos and videos or media in non-supported formats will need to be run through the included transcoding software.

Using the E1 starts with loading 4 AA batteries into the battery tray and mounting the projector on a tripod. After using one of the three input options, you can either plug in the AC adapter of the E1 or run it directly off batteries. The unit will come up with a menu that lets you select your video source. One click, and you're projecting. - It's really that easy.

Performance of the E1 is good for a Pico, but don't expect it to match a full-sized projector that is six times the weight and 10 times the size, or even that of a larger, louder Pico. The E1 will project a reasonably clear image of up to 20 inches in a moderately dark room. In total darkness, that image size increases to 40. The image definitely has a tendency to wash out with brighter parts of videos or images, but much of that has to do with the quality of the projection surface. Don't even think of using this projector in daylight, it just isn't powerful enough.

The speakers are just passable for basic listening in a silent room, but they are too tinny for serious entertainment. For that, you need to use headphones or external speakers. On the plus side, the E1 doesn't have a noisy cooling fan providing its own soundtrack, so you don't need to overpower the E1 just to hear it.

FAVI claims up to 6 hours of power on a single set of AA batteries, but we found battery life to be between 4-1/2 to 5 hours. This of course will depend on how bright you set the lamp and what kind of batteries you use to power the E1.

One of the standout features of the E1 is a rudimentary media player that is integrated into the unit's operating system. The media player can display images in JPEG or BMP format, videos in MPEG4/AVI/MOV/3GP and MP4, as well as audio files in MP3/WMA/OGG/AAC/WAV/PCM and ADPCM. This media player is a somewhat simpler version of the software included in the B1, but even so, this media player turns the projector into a stand-alone presentation or entertainment machine.

The FAVI E1 Mini LED Entertainment Projector is available now with a 1 year limited warranty. We've been able to find this Pico online for as little as $200.

Gotta say I was surprised at how cool this thing really is. It comes with software to convert video files for playback on your sd card but there is better free software out there that does it in less time. I love the fact that it is powered by AA batteries as I love the outdoors and was thinking to take this on the next hiking trip. This thing is definitely bright enough to watch movies(I use surprised how good it was in the dark). The box says 3-6 hours of battery life so hopefully they fix the ad which states 4-6. either way, just pop in some new rechargeable batteries and your good to go. I saw this on some gadget review when it was announced last year to come out this summer and had a price tag of around $400 so this is a great deal at $200. Gotta say it fit my prerequisites 1)Small, Light 2)Run on AA 3)Around $200 price point. 4)Able to play more than 2 to 3 hours like most every other pico projector. I would buy again in an instant.

Update: It's been a few month's now and I still love this thing. I got a stretchy projector screen that packs really small so i can take it with me camping(look up 'dj screen' on ebay) i got the 4x6 which is the perfect size for this projector, it's stretch's larger. and also check out the Joby Gorillapod and connect this projector anywhere. pop a 32gb card and store a library of movies on here. awesome... just pure awesomeness...

Entertainment is correct! The FAVI E1-LED-PICO Mini LED Projector, Entertainment Edition, is fun to use!! It's also easy to use. If someone as technologically ignorant as I can master it, practically anyone can. Displaying photographs and short film clips is its primary function. My parents visited me during their vacation to the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina and I took many photographs with my digital camera, a Kodak Easy Share M341. At night, when we came home, I would use the FAVI Projector for exhibiting these photographs.

My camera's SD Flash Memory Card can be removed and inserted directly into the FAVI Projector, which can operate directly on batteries or can be plugged into the wall using a power adapter. (See photographs I have posted on this web site.) I recommend always using the power adapter because the projector requires four AA batteries and they quickly expire. Also, I believe photographs and short film clips appear brighter, sharper and clearer when the power adapter is used. How can you tell if the batteries are about to die? The projector takes excessively longer and longer to power on and remain on.

However, I still believe that the best quality photographs are seen when the photographs are downloaded directly into the FAVI Projector`s internal memory. I insert the SD Card directly into my HP w2007 computer. A screen opens up with numerous options and I choose the one allowing me to view the photographs. I then connect the USB cable to the projector and the computer. (See posted photographs.) Another window opens up displaying the files, if any, that are stored on the projector's internal memory. Photographs (or film clips) on the SD Card can be directly copied into the projector's internal memory. Once there, they are there forever until erased. Basically, the projector acts like an USB 2.0 Flash Drive of which I have several.

Photographs and short film clips can be downloaded from my computer's Internet directly into the FAVI Projector. However, short films must have a file extension of .avi or .mp4. The projector came with a Pico Projector Media Converter disc from ArcSoft; it contains the Media Converter 3 program. This program will convert film clips to an extension of .mm2, which can also be played on the projector. When installing the Media Converter 3 program, the user will be asked for a User Name and the License Key; simply type in your actual name and the number that is on the bottom of the paper envelope in which the disc was packaged. You must type the entire number, using all caps, and including the dashes. Don't confuse the "U" with the "V."

Installation of the Media Converter 3 program is quick. Once installed, it is very easy to operate. You can select a film clip from a folder and the program will automatically convert it to an .mm2 file and directly transfer it to the FAVI Projector, if it is connected to the computer with the USB cable. How long does it take to convert? It depends on the length of the film clip. If the film clip is ten seconds, then the conversion process is approximately five seconds. The transfer process is much quicker. If the projector isn't connected, the Media Converter 3 program will convert the film clip to a .mm2 file and save it in a folder on the computer`s hard drive. You may then copy it into the projector's internal memory at a later date.

Finding an empty wall on which to project your photographs and short film clips can be fun. In my search, I took down the oil paintings above my bed and above my living room couch. The walls in both rooms are painted light yellow and the quality of the photographs and film was quite decent. However, you can obtain the best quality when using a white screen or, as I did, a solid white bed sheet. Don't laugh, but I threw a white sheet over the shower rod and used that as a screen upon which to project photographs and short film clips from both the SD Card and the projector's internal memory. The media from the internal memory appeared the best.

I'm afraid that the FAVI Projector's User Guide (ten pages in length) doesn't give complete details about the functions of the different arrows on the projector and the remote control. I had to learn through trial and error. Through the "Photo Setup," the photographs can be shown in a variety of different slideshow presentations. My favorite are the 3D ones. Also, the duration of each photograph can vary from 5 seconds to 15 minutes. If you desire to quickly see the photographs, simply press down on either the forward or backwards arrows. Press the Esc button and you will see a thumbnail display of all the photographs and you can use the buttons to quickly navigate to the ones you want to begin viewing.

When viewing a photograph, press the OK button and you will be in "Browse" mode; you can then use the arrows to change the direction of the photograph. You can rotate the photograph, turning it upside down or sideways. Pressing the Esc button will return you to the photograph thumbnails. If you press the OK button twice, you can magnify the image up to 250% depending upon how many times you press the OK button. Using the arrows, you can move the area of magnification across the photograph. One must press the Esc button again to exit to the photograph thumbnails.

The brightness level button can be pressed to make the photographs and/or film clips brighter. However, I couldn't perceive a significant difference. To conserve the batteries, I recommend leaving it on the lowest setting or else using the power adapter. The tripod is nice. I leave it on my projector because it helps me grip it better. Also, the tripod will fit on my Kodak digital camera. The plug adapters for various continents is convenient if you are a world traveler and can't wait to get back to the United States in order to display your photographs and/or films. The carrying pouch is a nice accessory.

When playing videos on the FAVI Projector, it is best to use the remote, which has separate buttons for this purpose. The projector itself has up and down arrows to control the volume and the right and left arrows will fast forward or backward through the selected film clip. In order to move quickly from one film clip to the next, use the double right and double left buttons on the remote. The projector's Esc button will take you to a listing of all the film clips. When displaying a film clip, the total length in minutes and seconds is displayed in the lower right-hand corner and the length already shown is displayed in the lower left-hand corner.

The FAVI Projector has a composite video cable that allows me to connect it to the audio/video cable of my Dynex 9" Portable DVD Player. (See photographs I have posted on this web site.) I can easily play a DVD and it will be projected onto the screen. Unfortunately, widescreen films are compressed to a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. I don't know why the projector fails to display films in their correct aspect ratio. Most films on DVD are now in widescreen with a theatrical aspect ratio. Also, the film appears much darker on the white screen then it does on the actual DVD player. Therefore, the projector is not suitable for publicly displaying a film. Short film clips stored in the projector's internal memory have a better quality. Also, in order to clearly see photographs and film clips, it is best that the room be as dark as possible. This is why I mentioned the bathroom because mine has no windows.

Overall, I highly recommend the FAVI E1-LED-PICO Mini LED Projector, Entertainment Edition, for amateur photographers. The projector is a great means of displaying one's photographs that are taken during a vacation, wedding, bachelor party, baby shower, bar mitzvah, etc. My parents and I had a great time viewing the photographs as they were displayed larger than life on the wall above my bedroom. We laughed out loud at several of them. After all, having fun is what this projector is all about. Furthermore, the technical assistants at FAVI were very helpful when I e-mailed them about the User Name and License Key for installing the Media Converter 3 program. Amazon won't allow me to give you their web address but it can easily be found using Google or Yahoo and performing a search with the exact phrase: FAVI E1-LED-PICO Mini Pocket Projector, Entertainment Edition. They include a toll free number and an e-mail address.

As far as improving the FAVI projector, I feel that a rechargeable battery should be used in lieu of having to replace AA batteries. My Kodak digital camera has one and I can't understand why the FAVI projector doesn't. A lot of money can be spent purchasing batteries, especially if you use this at your business and need it to be mobile. Also, I don't like having to always remove the battery cover in order to insert the SD Card. Over time, the integrity of the cover may suffer depending upon how often it is removed. The User Guide needs to have more details concerning the projector's operation. Also, it would be nice if widescreen films were shown on the projection surface with their correct aspect ratios.

Joseph B. Hoyos

Pulled this thing out of the box, put my micro sd card in and was ready to go. Pleasantly surprised with how clear the picture quality is. Love the fact that this thing comes with the option to use with batteries. I do a lot of presentations for work and this is definitely going to make me look more professional. I didn't even realize the projector had speakers when I ordered it so that was a nice surprise.

The FAVI E1-LED-PICO Entertainment Edition Portable Projector comes with 1GB internal memory, plus accepts SD/SDHC cards for larger memory needs. The crisp 640 x 480 picture displays up to 80 inch picture and utilizes RGB enhanced color without noticeable sound from the lightweight projector. Three brightness levels can be selected as well as optimizing the focus. Built-in speakers eliminate the need for carting around bulky extras, but computer speakers can be used utilizing the headphone jack if desired. Connecting an external component, using the composite video cable to the A/V jack, allows the external device to take control while the projector is used to display the projection. The pocket sized (4.5" x 2.4" x 1") projector can operate on either 4 AA batteries or by plugging into an electrical socket. The projector comes with a mini tripod, remote control, USB to mini USB cord, composite video cable, power cord with various power adapters, video conversion software, and a small leather carrying pouch.

I initially received a faulty unit, and Favi Entertainment was quick to address and resolve the problem. At first the IR remote didn't work properly. I tried repetitively and only got it to work once. I went to Favi Entertainment's website to email the support department. They quickly responded and indicated the included remote battery was dead. I was disappointed by having to replace the battery on a new product, but this solution resolved my remote problem. Not long after, the projector started to show video with a red cast. Again I emailed customer support, where I was quickly contacted and was asked to return everything to them. Unfortunately I had to mail the unit back at my own expense, but by the end of the week I received a new problem free projector.

However I don't like the remote at all. Being an IR remote, it must have a direct line of sight to the receiver in the projector unit. This isn't always a problem, but at times makes projector placement difficult and results in finicky response. Additionally the leather carrying pouch is only large enough to hold the projector. There are no storage capabilities for the various accessories like the remote or power cord. While the carrying pouch offers limited protection to the projector, expect to purchase a case to hold everything.

Using the projector is simple. Plugging the projector to the computer using the USB to mini USB cord allows for file transfers. The video conversion software is equally simple to use with its drag and drop methodology. The projectors menu is initially divided into the internal memory or the SD card. Either selection results in Photo, Video, and Setting menu options. Selecting Photo immediately starts an image slideshow, while selecting Video begins with a file listing. Videos start quickly and play without freezing. Lastly the Settings menu option is sectioned out just like the previous screen, with a few settings for each option. These never need to be changed, but does allow for some customization.

I initially had a faulty projector, and Favi Entertainment quicky addressed and resolved the problem. The customer service rep was friendly, professional, and helpful. If you're looking for a compact video projector from a company who stands behind their products, Favi Entertainment provides a worthy solution. For those needing a VGA connection or greater resolution, consider the Business Edition. Otherwise, the Entertainment Edition will provide a quality picture at a more economical price.

PROS:
Compact design
Sharp image
Excellent customer service
1 year warranty

CONS:
Finicky remote
Inadequate carrying pouch

It works exactly as describe. Actually, it will output much larger than 60" without much distortion. As long as it not being compared to a very large tabletop projectors or much more expensive models you will not be disappointed. The brightness over-all is better than any other models that I seen of equal price. I like this product because it is small and can fit almost anywhere. I DJ and play music videos in clubs on the weekends. Before, I would have to carry a TV with me to view what im playing on the screens in the club. Now I can just throw this thing in my bag and project anywhere. People are amazed by the quality coming out of such a small projector.

i bought this while i was in Iraq. It was worked really well.
it will project up to 70 inches with perfect clarity, but fades out with just about any light.
Battery life is great, but trying to put movies in the proper format so they will play is extremely difficult.
Do some research before you buy!
plays AVI files mostly and speakers are "meh"
but for the price its a good deal.

I like the size and portability,low light is good,changing the sd card could be easier.You have to remove the cover when an external slot would be better.

This is the first projector I've owned since the one from my childhood some 50 years ago gave out. So I might just be easy to please, but I love this compact projector. Picture quality is amazing, and the sound from it's speakers is good. It runs on AC or batteries, so you can take it anywhere. I plan on taking it camping next summer, so we can watch outdoor movies. It comes with cables, remote, even a small tripod. Instructions are easy to understand, and it is simple to operate. It comes with a one year warranty.

Was able to work this right out of the box without much problems. Used my micro SD card from my MP3 player where I already had some videos loaded and it worked flawlessly. Was able to download some cartoons right to the internal memory with no problems. Can be run on 4 batteries, or an AC adapter. I have not tried using batteries too much because I think it would drain them really fast.

The compact size is great and means it can go anywhere. Comes with a tripod. Nice big clear picture for such a tiny device. I like watching shows on the ceiling of the bedroom or on the bathroom wall while relaxing in the tub.

Now the drawbacks:

1. Device has horrible sound quality. You'd need a new set of speakers to use with it if you want any sort of sound that won't be embarrassing.

2. Device gets rather hot. Not sure if this is ok or if eventually it would damage the components, but after about 20 minutes it is REALLY warm to the touch. Have not ran it for more than an hour at a time.