3M™

Pocket Projector MP180

Viewing Office and PDF files
1 Tap the Office/PDF icon on the Home screen.  

  Office/PDF icon  

2 The Office/PDF screen appears. The Office/PDF screen let you open Microsoft Office and PDF files or 
view the entire contents of the selected mass storage device. 

3 Tap an icon to see a list of the corresponding files type.  

Office and PDF Screen Icons

1 Tap to see a list of Microsoft PowerPoint files
2 Tap to see a list of Microsoft Word files   
3 Tap to see a list of Microsoft Excel files   
4 Tap to see a list of PDF files   
5 Tap to browse the contents of the selected mass
storage device.
6 Tap to return to the Home Screen.    
7 Tap to project menu screen with the projector.   

Navigating a File
Tap on the appropriate icon to display files of that type, or tap on the folder icon to browse through all files.
The next screen displays a list of files. Once a file has been chosen, it is projected and the touch screen acts as a
navigator, as follows:

1 Tap to scroll up in the file

2 Tap to scroll left in the file   
3 Tap to scroll right in the file   
4 Tap to Zoom In   
5 Tap to scroll down in the file
6 Tap to Zoom Out.    
7 Tap to return to the file list.   

8 Tap to Page Up.

9 Tap to Page Down.

Firmware Upgrade
If a software update becomes available, 3M will post the file and instructions on the 3M Pocket Projector website. The
following instructions will step you through upgrading the MP180 projector.

What You Need For The Update:

1 3M MP180 projector
2 MP180 power supply
3 microSD card
4 Computer
5 USB cable

6 The upgrade file: upgrade.img

Download the upgrade from www.3mpocketprojector.com/support and go to Software Downloads. 

How to Update the MP180 Software

1 When the update is performed, all files on the MP180 projector will be deleted. Please back up your files from the
projector's internal memory to your computer before performing the update.
2 Connect the power adapter to the MP180 projector.

3 Insert the microSD card into the 3M MP180 projector

4 Power up the projector

5 Select SD card in Mass Storage Source settings. (Settings > Machine Settings > Mass Storage Source).
6 Connect the projector to the USB port on your computer and the microSD card in the projector will appear as
removable disks on the computer.
 Note: If you do not see microSD removable disk in Windows Explorer, you must 
reassign the drive to a new drive letter not already used. Please refer to 
KB297694 on the Microsoft Support website. 

6 Open the microSD disk from your computer and create a folder labeled “upgrade”.
7 Copy “upgrade.img” into the “upgrade” folder.
01010 
01011
10110
11110

“upgrade” folder 

8 After the file copy is complete, disconnect the USB cable from the projector and computer. Once the USB cable is
disconnected, the LCD panel on the projector will display the Home screen.
9 Open the Settings menu.

Settings Menu icon

10 Select the firmware upgrade icon and tap the Yes button.

Firmware Upgrade icon

11 The update will begin and will take about 10 minutes to complete.

Pocket Projector FAQ’s

Q: How long does it take to charge the battery?
A: It takes about three hours to fully charge the battery when the projector is off and up to six hours when the
projector is being used.
Q: How long will the battery last once charged?
A: When the battery is brand new and fully charged, the battery will last about 2 hours.
Q: What happens if I overcharge the battery?
A: There are protection circuits in the projector and the battery that prevent over charging.
Q: If my battery is dead‚ can I use the power adapter to power the projector?
A: You can use the power adapter with the projector.
Q: Are there any replacement parts in the projector?
A: The battery is the only replaceable part in the projector.
Q: Can I replace the lamp?
A: NO. The light source is a LED and cannot be replaced.
Q: Can I connect my gaming system to the 3M Pocket Projector?
A: If the gaming system has a composite video‚ component video or VGA output‚ it can be connected to the
3M Pocket Projector.
Q: What computer resolutions/refresh rates does my Pocket Projector support?
A: 3M MP180 projectors support:
Description Resolution (width × height) Refresh Rate

VGA 640 × 480 60 Hz

SVGA 800 × 600 60 Hz

XGA 1024 × 768 60 Hz

WXGA 1280 × 768 60 Hz

1280 × 960 60 Hz

1440 × 900 60 Hz

MAC 640 × 480 67 Hz

832 × 624 75 Hz

1152 × 870 75 Hz

Q: What is the native resolution?

A: SVGA (800x600)
Q: What is the maximum resolution?
A: WXGA (1280x768 or 1280x960)
Q: Does the 3M Pocket Projector have a menu system?
A: There is a menu system that allows you to access files and setup the projector.
Q: Can the Pocket Projector project at a 16:9 aspect?
A: The 3M Pocket Projector always projects at a default 4:3 aspect ratio. If you wish to have 16:9 video‚
select a video that is letter boxed. This is a 16:9 movie that has black bars on the top and bottom of the
image.
Q: What microSD card size does the 3M Pocket Projector support?
A: The 3M Pocket Projector supports up to a 16 GB microSD card.
Q: How do I update the software (firmware) on the Pocket Projector?
A: Go to the How To Documents section and follow the directions for updating software.
Q: How do I clean the projector lens?
A: A cotton swab is a good tool for cleaning the lens. When cleaning the lens‚ hold the lens in place using the
focus knob and then gently remove the dust and dirt. Do not use harsh chemicals like acetone because it will
damage the lens and other plastic parts.
Q: Can I use this projector in other countries?
A: Yes‚ the power supply has interchangeable outlet adapters and can fit most outlets. Before you plug the
power adapter into a wall outlet make sure the outlet voltage is compatible with the voltage rating marked on
the power adapter label.
Q: Is there a small stand or tripod option available for the 3M Pocket Projector?
A: The projector comes with a desktop tripod. The projector does have a standard 20-1/4” tripod mounting
point in the event you want to mount the projector via a camera tripod.
Q: Can I connect my Apple Computer to the 3M Pocket Projector?
A: Yes‚ connect your Apple computer using the VGA cable and set the Mac resolution to VGA‚ SVGA or
XGA. Apple computers require the Apple VGA adapter. For additional information‚ check the “How to
Section” of this website.

How to Documents
Connecting the iPod or iPhone to a 3M Pocket Projector
There are two ways to connect the iPod or iPhone to the 3M Pocket Projector. One way use the AV Cable
available from Apple; the second way is using the AV cable for the Apple iPod‚ iPhone‚ and iPad available
from 3M.
What you need:
1. Apple iPod‚ iPhone
2. Apple AV Cable‚ the 3M Pocket Projector AV cable‚ and 3M Pocket Projector AV Adapters
or
2. 3M AV Cable for Apple iPod‚ iPhone and iPad.
Connecting the iPod to the 3M Pocket Projector using the Apple AV Cable
The following step can be used for iPod‚ iPhone (up to 4.0)‚ and iPad:
1. Turn on both the iPod and the 3M Pocket Projector.
2. Connect the Apple AV cable to the iPod.
3. Attach the AV adapters to the ends of the AV cable.
4. Attach the 3M Pocket Projector AV cable to other end of the AV adapters.
5. Connect the projector AV cable to the 3M Pocket Projector.
6. On the iPod‚ start a video or Photo Slide show.
Connecting the iPod to the 3M Pocket Projector using the 3M AV Cable for Apple iPod‚ iPhone‚ and
iPad
The following step can be used for iPod‚ iPhone (up to 4.0)‚ and iPad:
1. Turn on both the iPod and the 3M Pocket Projector.
2. Connect the dock connector portion of 3M AV cable to the iPod.
3. Attach the AV adapters to the ends of the AV cable.
4. Attach the 3M Pocket Projector AV cable to other end of the AV adapters.
 5. Connect the projector AV cable to the 3M Pocket Projector.
6. On the iPod‚ start a video or Photo Slide show.
Troubleshooting Notes:
ƒ If the iPod is already playing a video‚ it will not play on the projector until you stop the video and start it
again.
ƒ If the iPod does not output video to the projector‚ the “TV out” setting may be turned off. You can find TV
out in the “Video” settings on your iPod.
ƒ Projector you iPod slideshows by selecting your photo library or an album and press play (N)

Connecting to a Computer running Microsoft Windows

What you need:
1. Computer with VGA port
Note: Some computers (like some notebook computers) will require a VGA adapter.
2. 3M Pocket Projector VGA cable
3. 3M Pocket Projector
Connecting the computer to the 3M Pocket Projector
1. Turn on both the projector and the computer.
2. Connect the VGA cable to the VGA/AV port on the projector.
3. Connect the VGA cable to the VGA port on the computer.
4. The computer should automatically detect the projector and output your desktop image.
Notes about the 3M Pocket Projector:
1. When you connect the VGA cable to the projector‚ the projector will detect the cable and display the

VGA icon ( ).
2. When the computer outputs a VGA signal‚ the projector will detect‚ display the VGA icon and the input
resolution and display the image.
Troubleshooting Notes:
ƒ If the projector does not detect an input signal‚ press FN button and monitor button at the same time to
toggle through the computer’s different display modes ( LCD‚ Monitor‚ or Both). The monitor button is

different on every computer. Most monitor buttons have one of the following on it: LCD/CRT‚ icon‚
etc.
ƒ If the input resolution is not one of the following resolutions: VGA‚ SVGA‚ XGA‚ or WXGA (1280 × 768)‚
the projector will display the question icon ( ).
ƒ If the projector still does not display the computer‚ try the following “How To” document for your video
adapter on the site.
ƒ To determine the video adapter application installed on your computer running Microsoft‚ follow these
steps: 1. Right Click the desktop and a context menu will appear‚ 2. select “Properties” from the menu
and the “Display Properties” will appear‚ 3. select the settings tab and then click the Advanced button
and “Plug and Play Monitor…” dialog box will appear‚ and 4. click the Adapter tab and look at the
Adapter Type. You should see the manufacture name and model of your video adapter like Intel‚
NVIDIA‚ or ATI. You may also see tab that takes you to the video adapter setup software.

Connecting to a computer running Mac OS 10

You will need the following:
1. Apple Computer.
 2. Apple VGA adapter.
3. 3M Pocket Projector.
4. 3M Pocket Projector VGA cable.
Connecting the computer and projector
1. Attach the VGA adapter to the Apple Computer.
2. Attach the 3M cable to the projector.
3. Connect the cable from the Apple Computer to the cable from the 3M Pocket Projector.
4. Turn on both the projector and the computer.
Displaying an image on the 3m pocket projector
1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.
2. Choose Displays.
3. Click Detect Displays.
4. Click Gather Windows.
5. Select the projector display pane.
6. Confirm the Resolution setting is 800 × 600‚ 1024 × 768‚ or 1280 × 768.
7. Confirm the Refresh Rate is 60 Hertz.
Note: For best results‚ set the computer resolution to SVGA (800 × 600).