Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsPicture looks great...for me. Happy with purchase.
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2020
I bought this knowing it is only a native 1080p projector and does not support 4K. It does, but it downgrades it. 4K projectors are still very expensive and not a whole lot of content yet so didn't pull the plug. Most of the reviews on picture quality, features etc. are accurate so i am not going into it. I own a 1080p 46 inch 3d Samsung TV from 2010 that I am using for comparison. So with that in background I am sharing my practical experience to help you decide if you should purchase this or any other HD projector:
1. First this is not a short throw projector. Those are still $1k+ at the time of the review but this does add a disadvantage. Meaning projector has to be 6-7 feet minimum, aka you need a free basement or a really large room that is not frequently used. For this to work, you either have to mount it under ceiling...but again will run into problems running power and HDMI cables. Or on a coffee or side table (my setup) but then you have HDMI and Power cables running along the floor to a power outlet on the wall / receiver. In most homes you have to live it it and can partially cover it up using area rugs.
2. The built in speakers are no fun, so have to connect to a surround sound system. HDMI cable issue as mentioned in #1. you could buy all wireless surround sound speakers and keep the receiver below the projector but you will still have power cable issue....unless you live in a modern home that has power outlets on the floor near by. I have one, but that is still too far away. Wall power point is closer.
3. You need a screen. The size and height of room limits the screen size. I could fit a 100inch screen but it takes up a full wall (I live in east coast city with small rooms, but I do have 10 foot ceiling). Projecting on wall may work if you have a full bare wall (no switches, hvac controllers etc. and willing to paint it white. There is some color correction available if your wall is colored but it will definitely change the picture color.
4. I may be happy with the resolution it because I am still using a 10 year old TV as reference, but it was top of the line (3k+ when it first arrived.) Those with UHD or 4K TVs...your mileage may vary as you have got used to seeing more details and a sharper image. When things are blown up, you tend to notice more defects.
5. If you don't have projector and screen fixed securely to wall you almost always have to re-focus and adjust screen (to correct keystone) every day. Again you get better and faster at it but still is a chore. Even slight movement of screen or projector throws off the focus.
Now the positives...these mitigate some of the practical issues mentioned above:
1. This thing is small and very light. you can unplug everything and put it away in 15 seconds. The cables you roll back to wall and/or receiver and you have the room back to normal.
2. If you buy a collapsible screen (even if it is manual) with stand. you can roll it down in 30 seconds. But you cant put away...it is too long, but at least it is along a wall at the bottom. Installing everything back takes a few minutes, you get better and faster with practice.
One word of Caution though: Once you get used to seeing movies on the 100+ inch screen it is tough to go back to a 46 inch screen no matter how good it is. So think twice before you leap!
