Home > Consumer Reviews > Aiptek Pocket Projector V10

As a lecturer I was looking for a pico projector for presentations. The Aiptek v10 'pocket cinema' is a fun, novelty product with serious potential as a portable (literally in the pocket) projector with image viewing software for small group teaching, replacing a laptop and data projector. It definitely needs low light (or darkness for large images) which limits the places to use it.

To make best use of the device takes a little thought and planning. PowerPoint presentations, suitably edited and reduced to 640x480, saved as JPEGs and numbered as suggested in the manual work really well for talks to small groups, especially using the supplied mini-tripod and remote. Short teaching videos converted to MJPEG-AVI using the supplied software (this produces large files) play with an excellent picture but poor 'tinny' sound due to the small speakers and limited volume control. I have also joined it to my Nokia N95 (with the respective AV cables) and it works well.

Better speakers (like those in the N95) would have really made this a 5-star product. External speakers should improve performance but that defeats the object of a 'pocket' device; I will try various small external speakers designed for MP3 players.

Recognised as a USB storage device by the PC, it can easily be loaded with files and the additional memory (cheap SD card) allows presentation material to be stored until required. A fun device for a 'presentation in the pocket'

Great product and good idea at all from Aiptek. Display jpg files is easy. Play back from SD card or copy on internal memory (8GB) play back video files according to the video format, but there is some converter software available in the internet. Called the UK hotline (service manual -was provided with my unit) and get my questions answered. It can connect with the apple IPhone, just need composite cable (used original apple cable) and whatch podcast on a white wall or any white surface! It is a real gadget. Have also tried with Wii - works! With a freeview receiver - also worked! Surely this is like a mobile or travel projector with various additional functions. As darker the environment as bigger you can display the picture. In total darkness even 100" I would guess. I don't want to miss it.

I have given this projector 1 Aiptek Pocket Cinema V10 star because, if purely required for presentations, it may be satisfactory. I have not tested it for this or for photos - just for movie files. The instructions clearly state that if you convert an avi or MP4 file using the Arcsoft software that comes with the device, it will play it. I have tried this using various test files created in different ways and have not been able to get any file to play correctly on this device. I have used other conversion software that I have a lot of experience with (avidemux), in case the software that came with the device (Arcsoft) was at fault, and that didn't work either.

I am very upset as this was a special Christmas present for my husband. I have spent hours and hours trying to get it working as I didn't want to return it. However, in the end, I had to accept failure.


Luckily, I ordered this early and have had the time to order an alternative - a full size projector.

I realise that buying a device as new as this is risky but, I really expected it to work better than it did. After looking around on the internet (Amazon.com has some reviews), I found that another person has had similar problems. Very few people have them yet so, there is not much advice around. I went to the Aiptek US website and this product wasn't even mentioned??? There is no UK support no or I would have tried it.

If you have bought ones of these as a Christmas present (like I did) for someone, I strongly suggest that you test it before handing it over. I was very upset to find out that this device is faulty and that I had to send it back. However, there is nothing more embarassing than handing over a gift that doesn't work and that is only going to disappoint the recipient.

Received this product yesterday, and I must say I am pleased with its performance so far.

I always knew it would never match the quality of a full sized projector which you should keep in mind, but considering the price and the fact that it ways roughly the same as a Ipod and quite happily sits in my pocket I cant fault it.

Yes you do need to have a pretty much completely dark room but in such conditions the little projector throws a perfectly watchable image up to around 50 inchs and its little speakers do a superb job at producing a sound you can hear comfortably without having to strain.

I have connected this unit to my Iphone and plays without issue, a DVD player once again plays with no issue and also used the bundled conversion software for a short video clip from Youtube and then played it directly on the V10 using a SD card and again plays with no problem.

Bad points would have to be the lack of a rewind or fast forward feature which can be a pain for movies played directly through the unit, but it does remember where you stopped a movie half way through.

The unit also does get very hot but in saying that you shouldnt really be holding it if you are planning to watch a whole movie on it, use the little tripod it comes with or set it on a desk or shelf.

All in all as long as you dont expect HD quality and 5.1 surround sound you will be very pleased with this product, if you want HD and Home Cinema sound then spend the money on it!

Also super easy to upgrade the firmware on it, even my grandmother could manage it.

I have to say what a great piece of kit this is! I am a road warrior salesman and this is just going to save me from lugging my laptop and projector everywhere with me, it's so light and fits in my pocket! I can even do presentations in potential customers corridors!! No more having to book meeting rooms. The quality is great, highly recommend. I also would like to say how amazing Amazon were at delivery, just the best!