AAXA M6 Pocket Projector Review – Hardware 1: Overview, Inputs and Connectors Panel, Lens
The M6 is small – only 7 x 7 inches in size, 2.1 inches tall. Starting at the front, we have a small recessed lens on the far left. Next to the lens, there is a compartment boasting Full HD 1920x1080P resolution – that compartment houses the removable battery, which can be taken out by removing four screws. The model number is printed on the top right of the front, just to the side of that compartment.
On the left side of the projector – the side closest to the lens, you’ll find one of the 2 Watt speakers. Above that, there is the On/Off switch, its indicator light, and the TF-Card slot to the left of that. Also on this side are the focus ring, air intake vents, and a USB port.
The back of the projector houses the second 2-Watt speaker. The rest of the inputs and connectors are located here, as well as the power input. The final side of the projector – the right side when looking at the lens – is completely dedicated to hot air exhaust fans. The control panel is located on the top of the M6, along with a ring of blue LEDs for some extra style.
The inputs and connectors panel is simple, as one would expect on a pocket projector. It’s got a DC input for connecting the power cord, of which there are two components, on the top left.
Next to that, we have a single HDMI port, and two audio ports – one for connecting headphones, and one for connecting the projector to external speakers that have an eighth-inch input. Next to those, there’s a tiny RF receiver for the remote control that looks like another port. It’s not.
The final port is a standard VGA input for connecting a computer. A computer can also be connected using an HDMI cable, if your computer uses HDMI or you have an adapter for it.
The projector does not come with either an HDMI or analog computer cable, but it does come with an RCA cable – red, white, and yellow inputs on one end, an eighth inch on the other – for basic Composite Video. That’s a little old school. I remember using an RCA cable with my original PlayStation and 4:3 TV. In any case, RCA is still used for a number of AV applications. Most of you will need to remember to order an HDMI cable when you buy your M6 projector, unless you already have a spare.
But wait, there’s more! There’s a USB port on the right side of the projector when looking at the inputs and connectors panel, right above some air intake vents. The focus ring and a TF-Card slot are on this side as well. And, don’t forget the On/Off switch!
No, seriously, don’t forget it. The M6 needs the switch to be at the On position for the projector to power on. Only then will there be light. In other words, it’s the master power switch. Once that’s on, you can power up, (or down,) the projector with the Power Button on the remote or the control panel. When unplugging the projector, turn the switch to the Off position first.
The lens is tiny – and, dare I say – super cute. Recessed and accented with a silver casing, the lens is relatively safe from scratches. It does not come with a lens cap, but the deep setback and using the carrying case when on the go, shouldn’t require much cleaning. A periodic wipe with a microfiber lens cloth should do the trick.
This is a fixed lens – no zooming capabilities. The focus ring is located on the left-hand side of the projector when looking at the lens. It is a small, white, ridged gear that is easy to use. I can get the M6 to be perfectly focused within seconds. I appreciate the accuracy, especially since the focus ring is tiny, too. Those ridges definitely help with grip. Fixed lenses are typical on the small LED projectors in this class. When there are exceptions, the amount of zoom is normally minimal, The theory is this type of projector can easily be moved closer or further from your screen surface.
When focusing dead center, there is the slightest amount of softness in the corners of the image. However, focusing on a point about 1/3 out between the center and a corner improves the corner sharpness. We typically focus 1/3 out from the center when we review projectors because, in most cases, this is the best way to get the sharpest image from the projector.
There’s almost always some curvature of the image at the top and bottom of a projector. This is called barrel distortion and all lenses have it, at least to some minor degree. In the case of the AAXA M6, if there is a curve – I can’t see it. It must be so slight, since I am unable to detect it.
