I just ran across this on TecheBlog.com (they've got a video).

I have no idea if there will be any FFC issues, but it might be a cheap way to build a decent resolution, small DIY projector.



Help Your Monitor Help Itself

Looking for that extra bit of screen real estate to get you through the busy workday? Referring to notes while writing an e-mail, checking info in a spreadsheet while entering data into a web page, keeping an eye on your to-do list while browsing YouTube... it's handy to have additional monitor space at the ready. Problem is an entire secondary monitor comes with its own needs like requiring a separate power cord or perhaps an additional video card.

The Mimo Mini USB Monitor changes this equation completely by offering a low-maintenance relationship between you and an extra display. A single USB connection from your computer gets you an instant high-resolution secondary display. This awesome display is perfect for your IM client, widgets, PC gaming tools, your email, a spreadsheet, your PhotoShop tools, or even video! Not only do these displays enhance productivity, they look great! The single USB connection, combined with a weight of only 1.3 pounds, means the Mimo monitor is ultra portable and cost-effective, as no expensive extra video cards are required.

Product Features

* Small monitor runs completely off of USB, giving you an extra mini display whenever and wherever you need it.
* No extra power needed. The Mimo monitor is powered by USB.
* No extra video card. The Mimo has a built in video card that runs over any USB 2.0 connection.
* Rotating Portrait or Landscape view. Go vertical for notes and spreadsheets, horizontal to watch a movie.
* Great for laptop use. The Mimo stores easily in your bag and is ready to go simply by plugging it in
* Mac and Windows driver support (intel Mac only)
* Display size - 7"
* Display resolution - 800 x 480
* Brightness - 350 cd/m2
* Contrast ratio - 400:1
* Connections - USB 2.0

Price: $129.99

Available at ThinkGeek.com.

Heck, I might buy one of these, myself, and build a smaller projector using some 180mm or 200mm fresnels with a matching triplet.

I'd be interested in one of these for a CarPuter... 7in is just about the right size as a double DIN HeadUnit... But USB is fairly slow.... So frame rate might be an issue. If anyone tries it out.... let me know!

Here's a video I found of the Mimo Mini (710) being reviewed by the folks over at Revision3. They start talking about it from about the 10 minute mark to the 13 minute mark, if you want to skip ahead.

Here's CNET's review of it's sister monitor, the 740, which includes a webcam and touchscreen functionality.

It definitely won't be good for gaming, as it won't be able to handle DirectX.




I'm still looking for a video of it displaying a movie.
I don't know why Youtube isn't the first place to enter my mind, when searching for a video...
Anyway, the video looks pretty smooth. This video shows the 740, which I would think uses the same LCD panel.

My only problem with this is it's lack of support for DirectX/OpenGL. Because of this lack, it limits what the monitor can be used for, so if used for a projector, that means that the projector is limited in what it can display. It's not even as versatile as a Composite/TV input even because it still requires a computer.