Small is beautiful. Light and small is still better. Who but the Japanese to endorse this fact? It is they who have hit big time making small things smaller, everytime. Smaller calculators, smaller watches. Smaller cameras, smaller switches. And, now a smaller projector. Palm-sized. All of 1.3 kg. 48 mm high. For all those of us who have been fed on `images' of the bulky device that are tugged along to every presentation, this factfile is sure to startle. But there is more on offer than this Digital DLP Data Projector, from Plus Business Machines, a joint venture company with Plus Corporation, Japan. The Japanese parent company which has been a leading manufacturer of audio-visual range of products for over half a century, now offers what you could call a `presentation kit': A whole range of innovative presentation and communication products like digital multimedia projectors, electronic copyboards, visualiser and overhead projectors.

Today's age is after all the Age of Presentation. How you present is many a time more important than what you present. This `how' could make all the difference and help you clinch that vital deal. And the `know-how' is made possible in infinite ways, thanks to tech-know-logy! On its part, Plus claims that its palm-sized DLP projector is the only personal projector in the world. DLP, Digital Light Processing technology, which the projector uses, is said to score over the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology used by the existing projectors in the market.

It is obvious therefore that these projectors, their size notwithstanding, are more feature-packed than their predecessors or contemporaries. Besides, they have a wide-angle lens to provide a larger projection area from a smaller distance, making it ideal for cubicles or situations where space is a constraint. They can even be placed permanently in a meeting room due to their size. These small devices come in with more interesting features:

• Digital zoom: An image can be reduced to 90 per cent and magnified up to 1000 per cent.
• Direct mouse control: A remote mouse of the unit can operate the cursor on the PC.
• Freeze/Mute functions: A freeze function stops the PC and videos motion pictures, while `Mute' makes the image and sound disappear temporarily.

• You simply write on the electronic copyboard and print out the info on paper or download it to your PC. What you write is converted into digital format in real time.
• Since it is saved on to a file, your audience can concentrate on the seminar rather than focus on taking down notes. Thus audience participation increases, also giving you time to gauge their response.
• Repeat the lecture as many times as you want. Give copies to people who missed the lecture.
• Combine with sound application to make it more appealing.
• Add graphs or visuals on the spot.
• The device doesn't need extra printer hardware as it does it on an NT platform.

Direct projector: This equipment allows you to project in true colour documents, books, printed materials and even 3D objects like watches, pens, etc, just as they are. Now you have an option to combat the last-minute rush in search of transparencies and colour photocopies.

Auto transparency feeder: Now you can change your transparencies through the remote control instead of you going across to the projector or deputing someone to do it when you instruct him to do so.

Digital slide show: This comes in the form of an external floppy drive that can be connected to the computer data projector. Thus, you don't even have to carry your PC/laptop along to every presentation.

Visualiser: This is a multi-purpose device which uses the camera to project document, transparencies, 3-D objects, negatives, films, 35-mm slides etc. If it has a microscopic attachment, it can even magnify microscopic slides up to 800 times.

Laser Pointer: This compact, lightweight device shoots a beam of light to focus the attention of your audience.

Armed with these latest gizmos, any presenter can `project' his company profile in the best way possible. As Gautam Bahadurge, Assistant Manager, Sales, at Plus, puts it: "These devices creep right into the customer. They indirectly spoil him by giving these luxuries." But as long as these means achieve the desired end, who is complaining?