Philips PicoPix MaxTV review: Powerful portable
Portable projectors have become mainstream in the past year and can be a quick and easy way to entertain the whole family wherever you are.
7NEWS reviews the PicoPix MaxTV. Philips provided us with a device for testing purposes, but this has not influenced our opinion of the product.
Our reviews always remain independent of the manufacturer; the first time they see the study is when you read it. Could you keep reading to find out what we think?
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How do I get it, and what does it cost?
Philips has released the PicoPix MaxTV portable projector in Australia, and it can be purchased from JB Hi-Fi for $1,499.
It also comes with HDMI and USB-C video cables, making connecting easy.
Who is it good for?
If you’re anything like me, I don’t like having a permanent TV screen in our kids’ rooms. I’ve found portable projectors a great solution for the occasional movie night or a weekend afternoon TV session.
I’ve already tested Samsung’s The Freestyle, which has no internal battery, and XGIMI’s Halo+, which lasts two hours on its internal power source. A four-hour battery life makes Phillip’s PicoPix MaxTV even more appealing. And that’s how long it takes.
I recently packed the PicoPix MaxTV in our luggage for a weekend trip so the kids could watch our Netflix, Stan, and BINGE streaming accounts in the hotel room. It was easily (and clearly) visible on the wall.
While use cases differ for how you’d use the projector, having a portable TV is something I never knew I needed – until I tried it out.
How does it work?
The Philips PicoPix MaxTV runs Android TV so you can access hundreds of apps through Google’s Play Store. All the usual streaming services are available such as Stan, Netflix, BINGE, 7plus, Disney+, ABC iView, Amazon Video, etc.
Setup is easy, especially if you already have a Google account, and the whole process is guided as soon as you turn on the PicoPix MaxTV.
After using other projectors within the same price range from Samsung and XGIMI, I found the PicoPix to be much brighter and more responsive. It also brings autofocus, keystone correction (for viewing angle correction), and even adaptive brightness.
Watching movies and TV shows on the PicoPix is a great experience. Even without a dedicated screen, I just used a blank white wall, which worked very effectively for a clear, sharp image. The kids certainly didn’t complain about anything, and that’s a big win in my book.
Disney’s The Lion King on the big screen. Credit: 7NEWSC Up to date with the latest from 7plus. Credit: 7NEWSonic the Hedgehog was a hit with the kids. Credit: 7NEWS
I liked the integrated lens cover that slides over to protect it on the go. While Samsung’s The Freestyle has a case, it can also easily be lost because it’s not fully attached.
In terms of sound, the speakers are very clear and loud. They are similar to the Harman Kardon tuned ones in XGIMI’s offerings. There is also a nice amount of bass. But as with all three projectors, you can pair an external audio source — such as a soundbar — for a more immersive experience. However, that also defeats the whole purpose of having something so portable.
In addition to watching TV, Philips has included the so-called ‘BoomBox’ mode. This allows the projector to convert into a portable Bluetooth speaker that the company says will last up to 10 hours. While I didn’t get to test this for more than 10 hours, connecting through my Pixel 6 Pro was extremely easy — and worked just like connecting to something like a Sonos Roam.
What we think
I never thought I’d need it until I started using a portable projector.
It’s still quite a luxury, but it’s very attractive to instantly create an entertainment space wherever there is a blank wall without installing a real TV.
But it’s a big investment to pay for portability when there are cheaper alternatives from TCL and their range of real TVs – where you can buy a few for the price of a single projector.
However, if you like to travel and love the idea of entertainment on the go, then the PicoPix MaxTV ticks many of the right boxes.