Until 2023, the popularity of Dangbei projectors was mainly limited to Asian markets. This Chinese Dangbei Network Technology Co was founded in 2013 and is located in Binjiang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. Today it’s one of the leaders in software for large screens in China. The list of Dangbei laser projectors includes mid-focal F1, B1, C1, D1, DBX3, Mars Pro 4K and Mars Pro 2.
But, of course, the mid-focal Dangbei X5 Ultra became the main reason for interest in the brand in international markets. This model was the first to use the ALPD 5.0-based hybrid light engine, becoming one of the main sensations of 2023 in the projector segment.
Today its price varies in the range of € 1,300 – € 1,500. The new scheme uses three colors of laser light sources and three colors of LEDs. The hybrid version significantly expanded the color gamut, reduced chromatic aberration and speckles due to beams interference. Today, other companies are also actively developing this direction. In particular, the new NexiGo TriVision Ultra and XGIMI Horizon S Max also use the laser/LED hybrid light engine.
The new Dangbei N2 and Freedo became the brand’s first portable Google TV LED 1080p projectors. The N2 was introduced last spring. Today it costs $ 250, providing brightness up to 400 ISO Lumens.
The launch price of the newer Freedo on Amazon UK was £ 599. However, for UK customers using the promo code FREEOFF150 Dangbei reduced it to £ 449 to celebrate the launch. For U.S price on the Dangbei website is $ 549 (MSRP) or $ 439 using code 439FREEDO.
Portable single-chip DLP LED projectors
Dangbei Freedo has a cylindrical form factor and a stand that rotates in two planes, which radically expands the choice of image placement.
Today, this design is one of the most popular among compact portable DLP projectors with LED light source. However, in addition to the design, they offer similar specs and functionality. In particular, they support 8-bit color processing and voice control, have auto focus and auto keystone correction, etc.
Dangbei Freedo – February 2025, $ 440, 450 ISO Lumens brightness, Full HD 1080p resolution, 90% DCI-P3 color gamut, (24 x 13 x 11 cm)@1.4 kg, Google TV with licensed Netflix, 6W / 360° internal speaker, InstanPro AI Image Setup technology, flexible gimbal stand.
The list of main competitors in this segment includes:
– LG CineBeam PU700R – May 2023, $ 1,150, 1,000 ANSI Lumens, 4K (e-shift), RGB LED light engine, 150,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, (30 x 16 x 14 cm)@3 kg, 5.0W internal speaker, Auto Screen Adjustment (ASA), LG webOS, LG ThinQ intelligent voice recognition.
– Samsung Freestyle 2nd gen – August 2023, $ 800, 230 ANSI Lumens, Full HD 1080p resolution, 100,000:1 dynamic contrast, 90% DCI-P3 and 69% BT.2020 color space, (17 x 10 x 9 cm)@0.8 kg, 5W internal speaker, Samsung Tizen OS, Bixby and Alexa Assistant built-in, Samsung’s Gaming Hub onboard for cloud-based gaming.
– XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro – September 2024, $ 380, 450 ISO Lumens, Full HD 1080p resolution, 90% DCI-P3, (30 x 9 x 9 cm)@1.1 kg, ISA 2.0, dual 5W Harman Kardon speakers with ambient light mode, Google TV with licensed Netflix.
Key Features
Dangbei Freedo has 1.2:1 throw ratio, providing 60″@1,83 m, 80″@2,44 m, 100″@3,05 m and 120″@3,66 m.
Traditionally for this segment, the projector does not have variable optical zoom. Of course, it offers digital zoom (software scaling) from 50% to 100%. But its can reduse resolution / sharpness and provoke blurring or distortion in high-contrast scenes.
Specs
– color gamut – 90% DCI-P3 and 124% Rec.709;
– FHD 1080p (1,920 x 1,080) resolution;
– supported formats – HDR 10 and HLG;
– image size 40″~180″ (recommended 60″~100″);
– auto adjustments, including Auto Focus, Auto Keystone Correction ±30° (real-time), Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance, Intelligent Screen Fit and Smart Eye Protection;
– gimbal stand tilt range – 165° (-30° to +135°);
– projection method – front, rear, front ceiling, rear ceiling;
– 6W, 360° speaker;
– Google TV OS (Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, etc);
– Google Cast and OTA;
– 60Wh battery (up to 2.5 hrs of movie playback in Eco Mode and 6 hrs in Bluetooth Speaker Mode);
– dimensions / weight – (5.2 x 4.3 x 9.4 inches)@3.1 lb.
The autofocus, auto keystone correction and the intelligent obstacle avoidance feature work flawlessly. As known, the last option the last option adjusts the image size when an obstacle is detected on the wall (book shelf, flower in a vase, etc). This feature is very convenient when using the projector in small rooms, such as a bedroom or a child’s room.
Of course, the 3 internal batteries and compatibility with power bank are a significant bonus for any portable model.
For reference, the USB connector for connecting to the charger is located below one of the stand’s rotation axes. Moreover, the color of the LED constantly informs about the battery level.
Dangbei Freedo vs XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro
Of course, comparing the Dangbei Freedo with the LG CineBeam PU700R is hardly correct, because theу belong to different classes. The LG PU700R is significantly more expensive ($ 1,150 vs $ 440), but it’s brighter (1,000 ANSI Lumens vs 450 ISO Lumens) and has a higher resolution (4K vs Full HD).
The specs of the Samsung The Freestyle are much closer, but the almost twofold price difference ($ 800 vs $ 440) seems excessive.
In fact, the Dangbei Freedo only competes with the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro. Both projectors use the same DMD 0.23″ chipset with a native resolution of 960 x 540 pixels, which scales up to 1080p. Unfortunately, increasing the image size can cause pixel grid, which manifests itself as the visualization of boundaries between pixels.
Therefore, the indicated maximum picture size of more than 150″ diagonally characterizes only the focusing range. But acceptable detail is maintained only up to a 90-inch picture.
Color gamut (90% DCI-P3) and brightness (450 ISO Lumens) are identical. Comparative testing of both projectors confirms the indicated brightness. Depending on the settings, both projectors provide a contrast ratio between 200:1 and 230:1, which is typical for this class. Accordingly, the detail in dark scenes is below average.
The ‘out-of-the-box’ settings are not perfect, but the calibration provides good color accuracy with Delta E for white of ~1.9 and color temp of ~6,640K. For reference, Delta E < 3 is good, 6,500K is a standard. But overall, the Mogo 3 Pro's calibration is slightly more effective.
The competitors also don’t support a Motion Estimation / Motion Compensation (MEMC) function, which uses frame extrapolation to smooth out fast horizontal movements. Accordingly, the reproduction of fast-moving objects is accompanied by blurring of their contours.
Conclusion
In fairness, the projector’s brightness is clearly not enough to use it as an alternative to a TV in the living room. But the Dangbei Freedo was primarily designed for outdoor viewing. Accordingly, its pros are concentrated in this area:
– relatively low price is ideal for campers, students and newlyweds;
– portable and lightweight;
– Google TV OS with licensed Netflix;
– comes with a shock and water-resistant carry case;
– silicone flap for USB 2.0 and HDMI ARC ports;
– 3 internal batteries and compatibility with power bank;
– auto adjustments for keystone and obstacle avoidance;
– stream wirelessly support.
The new projector competes with the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro. The built-in battery, more flexible orientation, and HDMI port are pros of the Dangbei Freedo. A slightly lower price ($ 380 vs $ 440) and superb sound with dual 5W Harman Kardon speakers are XGIMI’s bonuses. But overall, both models offer almost identical price quality ratio. Therefore, the choice depends on secondary factors, including service, discounts and personal attitude to brands.
This video offers step-by-step instructions for setting up Dangbei projectors with Google TV OS.