The Chinese Anker Innovations Co has introduced a new Nebula X1 flagship, which is an improved version of the popular Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K (March 2022). In August 2024, the company introduced its cheaper version called Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE with hybrid Laser/LED light engine.
In addition to the Cosmos, the lineup of portable outdoor projectors includes the Mars series. Its last href=”https://theappliancesreviews.com/new-outdoor-anker-nebula-mars-3-and-the-versatile-epson-pro-ex11000-projector-review/”>Anker Nebula Mars 3 (July 2023) costs $ 800. Of course, it’s cheaper, but uses an LED light engine, provading only 1,000 ANSI Lumens and supporting only 1080p resolution.
All outdoor Nebula models have a recognizable design in the same style, almost the same size and weight:
– Mars 3 – (26 x 16 x 25 cm)@4.5 kg;
– Cosmos Laser – (26 x 17 x 22 cm)@4.9 kg;
– Cosmos 4K SE – (26 x 17 x 22 cm)@4.5 kg;
– X1 – 6.7 kg.
Portable outdoor 4K Nebula projectors
Lineup:
– Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K (March 2022) – $ 1,300, 1,840 ANSI Lumens brightness, Laser Phosphor light engine, 1,500,000:1 dynamic contrast (measured native contrast ratio of 652:1), 2x 10W audio, Android TV 10.0.
But on the NEBULA US website this model has a different price and specs. It may be an updated version under the previous name.
Its specs – $ 2,000 / £ 1,700, 2,200 ANSI Lumens, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 30W audio system (two 5W tweeters and two 10W speakers), Android TV 10.0;
– Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE (August 2024) – $ 1,040, 1,800 ANSI Lumens; Laser/LED hybrid light engine, 400:1 native contrast ratio, Google TV with 4K Netflix;
– Anker Nebula X1 – 3,500 ANSI lumens, ALPD 4.0 – based RGB triple-laser light sourse, built-in micro gimbal (tilt up to 25 degrees), 14-element glass lens array, Nebula AI Spatial Adaptation auto setup, motorized optical zoom, 30W audio system, Google TV with 4K Netflix.
Nebula X1 supports focusing up to 200-inch diagonal image at Throw Distance between 13 and 22 feet away (4 – 6,7 m).
Once enabled, AI Spatial Adaptation scans the projected surface to avoid obstacles such as picture frames or bookshelves. In addition, it auto scales, focuses, corrects keystone and adapts the brightness depending on the ambient light and wall color.
The projector is equipped with a new internal liquid cooling system to improve heat dissipation. According to the company, it improves cooling by 15% and reduces the projector noise down to 26 dB from 1 m away. Traditionally for a triple-laser light engine, the projector covers up to 110% in the Rec.2020 color space. It also supports Dolby Vision.
Contrast
But the native contrast ratio of 5,000:1 indicated in the specs is the main bonus of the new product.
Specs of many projectors contain a huge dynamic contrast ratio, up to several millions to one. But this aspect has nuances. As known, contrast characterizes the ratio of the maximum bright to the darkest level and affects the quality of detail reproduction in dark scenes. In modern projectors it’s divided into static native and dynamic contrast. Native contrast means is measured without enabling image processing settings and more objectively characterizes the capabilities of the model.
Changing the brightness of the light source depending on the scene is a main method of dinamic contrast control ((reducing brightness in dark scenes and increasing for bright ones). But the calculation method is not very correct. For example, with a max/min brightness ratio of 100 times, dynamic contrast = native x 100, reaching cosmic proportions.
In uniformly illuminated frames, the dynamic contrast is equal to the native one. Moreover, it does not take into account the ambient light and is ineffective in the frame with contrast areas (small dark objects on a light background or vice versa).
Today, the low native contrast problem is absent only in expensive LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) projectors, the price of which starts from $ 6,000. This bonus is due to a very small gap between the crystals, which almost completely blocks the light, providing perfect black.
Unfortunately, DLP and 3LCD projectors cannot boast high contrast, usually providing from 500: 1 to 1,500: 1.
But companies are actively solving this problem. In particular, Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 and Max models provide ‘Viewing Contrast’ up to an unprecedented 10,000:1-15,000:1 due to the very effective Enhanced Black Level (EBL) feature.
For reference, it costs $ 3,000.
Key Features
According to the developer, superb contrast is achieved by so-called NebulaMaster technology in combination with 6-blade dynamic iris. In fact, NebulaMaster 2.0 is an advanced image processing engine that provides ultra-high contrast performance due to:
– Dynamic Contrast Algorithm;
– Grayscale and Color Calibration;
– AI HDR Tone Mapping;
– De-Contouring Algorithm.
However, superb contrast is not the only bonus of the new model.
Pros
– 3,500 ANSI lumens;
– 14-element all-glass lens (high clarity, thermal stability, and great focus);
– 2nd-gen patented optical engine – U-shaped laser optical path of projection system increases brightness by ~ 10%;
– motorized optical zoom;
– built-in micro-gimbal ±25° vertically;
– AI Spatial Adaptation – auto adjusts image size, focus, and alignment based on data from TOF, Zoom TMR, Focus TMR, ambient light sensor, and a camera;
– X1 is the world’s first projector with liquid cooling inside;
– built-in 40W speaker system (dual tweeters, full-range speaker, and passive radiator).
Moreover, the model supports wireless connection to a pair of optional lossless speakers for 4.1.2 surround sound (FlexWave Sound Tech) and wireless mics for karaoke.
Each of the units has four speakers and runs for 8 hours on a single charge. Latency is less than 25ms over a range of 100 feet (30 m) due to Wi-Fi connection.
Unfortunately, the projector does not have a built-in battery, which is a bit strange for a premium outdoor model.
Conclusion
The Anker Nebula X1 goes on sale on 21st May for £ 2,200 / $ 2,999. Optional two wireless satellite speakers, one carry case and two wireless microphones increase the price by £ 500 / $ 999. From 21st May to 15th June Nebula offers a special promotion with price of £ 2,350 in the UK and $ 3,298 in the US. During this period the projector on its own is available at a lower price of £ 2,100.
To be fair, the price is quite high for this segment. However, it’s quite adequate for super-bright picture, superb contrast, great wireless audio, motorized optical zoom, and an impressive set of innovative solutions, including micro-gimbal, AI Spatial Adaptation, internal liquid cooling system, etc.
Formally, the X1 may be positioned as an improved Cosmos Laser 4K. But given the huge differences in their specs, features and, unfortunately, price, X1 could be the first mid-focal portable outdoor 4K projector in a new series of a higher class. Overall, Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 with unprecedented contrast gets a formidable competitor, and consumers – an expansion of choice.
The video demonstrates the new mid-focal portable outdoor Nebula X1 4K projector.
