Comments on: Overhead Gaming Revolution

By: M.S.W.

M.S.W. — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:17:28 +0000

Here a link to where you can view an actual picture of a 7-10 Lumen output PICO projector

http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Smallest-Pocket-Video-Projector/dp/B001K8ISXM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1244052108&sr=8-7

Note even at the LOW Lumen output end the image is viewable in the average dim lit room.

Now replace that 7-10 LED with an 80 Lumen one and you can a very good viewing experience.

By: Lamah

Lamah — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:30:18 +0000

The highest rated LED there rated in lumens is 80 lumens. Hardly staggering.

By: M.S.W.

M.S.W. — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:43:21 +0000

Yes Lamah, the STOCK Pico Projector from that one source is 7 lumens. BUT from a design engineer POV one can source the Pico projection unit(s) from one vendor and then source the LED light(s) from another vendor in order to create the finished projection subassembly to for this product to work.

Example of a place to get High lumen output LEDs is http://www.superbrightleds.com/leds.htm

By: Lamah

Lamah — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:47:01 +0000

The Pico projector specs list the light output as 7 lumens. I don’t think I’ve seen a projector as dim as even 500 lumens before.

By: M.S.W.

M.S.W. — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:19:19 +0000

Based on the size of the projector pod’s design one can infer the designer intends to use 4 “PICO Projectors” which can easily be fitted into the ceiling pod. Powered by High lumen output, low temp LEDs. Thus negating any fear of cooking yourself or the ceiling. Link to just one example of PICO tech

http://focus.ti.com/dlpdmd/docs/dlpdiscovery.tsp?sectionId=60&tabId=2235

If you Google “Pico Projectors” you can see that they can easily perform the intended purpose. Albeit still bit pricy for 4 units in a pod. But price comes down eventualy.

As far as the base unit it’s design appears to have ample circulation ability.

By: Lamah

Lamah — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:56:56 +0000

An XBox360 uses ~150W, has a loud fan which shifts a lot of air and fails all the time due to overheating. It’s hard to know what projector technology the designer has in mind, but it could use 200W per projector.

You’re telling me that you think that you could dissipate 1400W of power through those tiny vent holes? You’d scorch your hand if you even tried to approach it.

By: M.S.W.

M.S.W. — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:03:58 +0000

So “Tony” in your engineering perspective can you describe technicaly why you “don’t think this (product) would ever work…”?

It’s safe to presume the material(s) you believe to make the console “very heavy” is the mentioned “Anodized White Aluminum”?

This product from a manufacturing point of view would be made like many other computers, out of stamped sheet material (in this case aluminum instead of steel) thus making it lighter then average computer cases.

Design wise it looks like a cross between a beheaded Apple Inc. “iMac” (Ex: http://www.applelinks.com/news/gifs/imac17_motion.jpg ) and the “Jupiter 2″ from “Lost in space” (ex: http://www.scifimetropolis.com/j2built/thumbs/2ft%20Jupiter%202%20build%20up%20with%20lighting%20on.htm )

By: tony

tony — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:21:32 +0000

I really don’t think this would ever work, I am an engineer and I am very confident this will not work. As for the design, I really don’t like it and I think it lacks many design aspects. I think the materials david chose will make the game console very heavy. Sorry david, maybe next time!

By: M.S.W.

M.S.W. — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:04:08 +0000

Are you refering to the enclosure for the removable projector pod? Because the computer base unit appears from the renders to have more than ample holes in both the lower section as well as vent holes at the top where the projector pod plugs into.

Question for the designer about the “gecko dry adhesive”, How does the owner remove the projector pod from the surface it’s stuck to without damageing the surface or the pod?

Design modification suggestion: Devise a method to make the pod ceiling mountable by the shorter gamers without them having to stand on something to put it on/take it off the ceiling.

Otherwise it’s inevitable one of them will fall tring to mount/dismount the pod and try to sue.

By: Lamah

Lamah — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:49:13 +0000

I don’t believe that you could maintain the temperature of an enclosure that small that uses enough power for four computers and four projectors, and has no significant vents.