Wireless projector aims for simple setup

France-based AV Concept Products thinks current projectors have a complexity problem. They require users to handle jumbles of wires and have their system configured just right. AV Concept hopes to solve this with its All-in-one HC or AIO, which allows users to stream video wirelessly and audio via Bluetooth from any device with an HDMI port. The company has a new crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo that is aiming to raise $50,000.

So far, the device does not come cheap and the technology is unproven in terms of quality. When released commercially, the AIO will start at $1,499. However, for now the projector is only capable of 720 pixels. A 1080-pixel version is in the works, according to Engadget, but that does not change the fact that $1,500 is a lot of money for a 720-pixel projector that cannot handle surround sound, which is something else the company is said to be working on. People who act fast can get one of 30 AIO projectors being offered for $999 or one of 100 for $1,299 on Indiegogo, though.

Meanwhile, other players are also betting on the future of wireless video. The inexpensive Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV Stick have been popular options for those looking to stream content from the web straight to a television. The AIO has Wi-Fi, but more importantly, it can stream any image from an HDMI-equipped device and project it onto a screen. If this capability is replicated at a lower price point, it could catch on in a much bigger way as long as the product maintains quality. For consumers to appreciate the technology, video quality must be great with no sync issues with the audio and no noticeable lag for those looking to play video games. Trying to get all this right might be how AV Concept justifies the AIO's current price tag.

See a comparison table of selected home theater projector suppliers on GlobalSources.com