In recent years, projectors have come to dominate the home entertainment devices thanks to the huge technological advancements in this segment. But the list of conceptual innovative technologies is short:
– Solid State Light Source (SSL)-based light engines (LEDs or laser LEDs) ensure compact design and silent operation.
Unlike traditional lamps, low heating does not require the use of a powerful noisy fan and large internal volume to dissipate heat;
– pixel shift-based XPR (Xpanded Pixel Resolution) technology in DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) chipsets from Texas Instrument reduced the price of DLP 4K projectors.
In fact, the projector divides the 8 million pixels of a 4K image into 4 parts of 2 million each. It then displays them sequentially with a half-pixel shift using 2 million micromirrors of a relatively cheap chipset with a resolution of only 1080p. To do this, the projector uses an XPR module, 4 electromagnets of which provide lens tilt. Ignoring the micro-delay between their display, the brain and vision perceive 4 images as a single one in higher resolution;
– UST (ultra short throw) projectors eliminated the problem of wires on the floor of mid-focal projectors.
UST models create 100″ or more image from a very short distance and are placed near the screen;
-smart functionality, streaming and screen mirroring technologies have solved the problem of content for projector.
To be fair, projectors are inferior to TVs in brightness and contrast, but they offer huge images of fairly high quality. As a result, they are increasingly replacing traditional TVs in living rooms. Of course, UST projectors are the most ideal for this purpose due to the lack of placement issues.
However, the compactness of modern mid-focal models also partially solves this problem.
Anker and NexiGo
Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air and new Capsule 3 expand these popular series.
Thus, the outdoor Mars includes Mars II, Mars II Pro, Mars 3 and new Mars 3 Air.
Capsule series has popular Soda-Can or Pint-sized design.
It includes Anker Nebula Capsule, Capsule Max / Capsule II, Capsule 3 and its new version, which the company markets as ‘The Pocket Cinema’.
It has Google TV streaming platform, which was first introduced in last year’s Hisense UST models. Unlike Android TV projectors, they offer a working Netflix app, providing access to this popular service without a separate dongle.
Otherwise, both models offer (Mars 3 Air / Capsule 3 Pocket Cinema):
– price ~$ 500 – $ 600 / $ 550;
– brightness – 400 ANSI lumens / 200 ANSI lumens.
But last year’s Capsule 3 uses Laser Phosphor light source with brightness up to 300 ANSI Lumens and costs ~$ 740;
– 1080p resolution;
– LED light engine;
– 2.5-hours of watch time on its built-in battery.
NexiGo
American-born NexiGo brand uses a production base in China, but it’s not affiliated with NexGo headquartered in Shenzhen (China), which is a global manufacturer of high-tech payment terminals, PIN pads, etc. For several years, the company has introduced several successful models, including NexiGo Aurora Pro and PJ90 4K UST projectors with ALPD 4.0-based triple laser and ALPD 3.0-based laser phosphor light enines, respectively.
The new portable TriVision Ultra uses a hybrid ALPD 5.0 light engine (RGB Laser+RGB LED), providing brightness up to 2,500 ANSI lumens, 110% BT.2020 gamut and unprecedented DeltaE < 1 color accuracy 'out of the box'.
Model is Dolby Vision compatible, has 60 Hz refresh rate, 26W audio system, and ‘gaming’ 4 ms lag time.
Dangbei
Dangbei brand became one of the main sensations of last year in the projector segment by introducing the X5 Ultra with ALPD 5.0-based light engine. The new fifth gen of this dominant technology was announced at the DLP Technology Innovation Application Symposium 2022, which was organized by Texas Instruments. Dangbei X5 Ultra became the first projector with such a light source. In fact, the latest version uses a hybrid light generator (3 lasers + 3 LEDs), providing ultra-wide color gamut (120% Rec.2020, 165% DCI-P3 or 210% Rec.709) and unparalleled color accuracy (DeltaE < 1 'out of the box'). Therefore, the interest in the new Dangbei models is quite obvious.
The Chinese Dangbei, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, specializes in the development and production of smart projectors and other products in this segment. Initially, the company worked only in the Chinese market. But in 2021, Dangbei entered global markets with the flagship Dangbei Mars Pro projector. Today, Dangbei US offers several popular models under this brand.
In addition to the ultra-innovative X5 Ultra, the list of new products expands to include the Mars Pro 2 (4K and brightness up to 2,450 ISO lumens), and the Atom, which the company positions as the ‘smallest on the market’.
Like Anker’s new projectors, they come with built-in Google TV, which has integrated Netflix.
Specs:
– $ 899 before discounts;
– 1,200 ISO lumens (ISO 21118 standard);
– HLG, HDR10 (only for online streaming of HDR video sources);
– 3D (only via HDMI);
– ALPD light engine without spekles and rainbow.
– FHD 1080p (1,920 x 1,080) resolution;
– intelligent setup with auto-focus, auto-keystone, screen-fit, and obstacle avoidance.
It uses multi-point dToF(direct time-of-flight) sensors, CMOS, gyroscope, and opto-sensor modules.
XGIMI
As known, XGIMI is part of the MioT Xiaomi ecosystem. Last year’s XGIMI Horizon Ultra with hybrid ‘Dual Light’ engine was one of the most innovative models. It uses red laser, red LED, blue pump LED, green LED and a Dynamic Color Filter to adjust the color gamut.
This scheme increased brightness and color accuracy, expanded cplor gamut, and decreased laser speckle in the image.
This year the company introduced the Dual Light 2.0-based Horizon Max version. 2nd gen uses a traditional triple-laser RGB source and phosphor wheel, which converts part of the blue into an additional yellow-green range. Subsequently, it’s mixed with primary colors. According to the company, the combination of the narrow-bandwidth laser radiation with the wider-bandwidth phosphor’s light significantly reduces the likelihood of speckles. As knowm, they can form as a result of interference of laser beams.
Both are Dolby Vision HDR compliance. This mode makes highlights up to 40 times and enhances darks up to 10x more vs standard playback. The Max is brighter (3,100 vs 2,300 ISO Lumens) and has a contrast ratio of 2,000:1.
Max comes with an automated gimbal. Unlike ISA (Intelligent Screen Adaptation) 3.0 in Ultra, Max offers improved ISA 5.0. In addition to uninterrupted Auto Keystone Correction & Autofocus, Intelligent Screen Alignment, Obstacle Avoidance and Wall Color Adaption, it’s compatible with motorized actuators. ISA 5.0 automatically selects the optimal projection position on any wall and remembers the settings. In fact, it eliminates the need to recalibrate when moving the projector.
Finally, it has IMAX Enhanced certification (IMAX’s picture and sound via DTS:X).
XGIMI also introduced an Aladdin model that combines a projector with an LED overhead lighting fixture.
It offers 100″@6ft at 1080p resilution, 360° Harman Kardon sound system and Bluetooth.
Conclusion
Of course, this list is very limited. This year the list of innovative projectors is also expanding with:
– Hisense Dynamic Light Steering UST Laser TV with Barco Bright technology;
– ultra-bright Formovie 4K UST Max with brightness up to 4,500 ANSI Lumens;
– ultra compact mid-focal LG CineBeam Qube with triple laser RGB light engine;
– the world’s first wireless Samsung Premiere 8K UST laser projector with One Connect technology and interactive Lightwarp feature.
However, a complete list would be too long. In general, manufacturers are adequately responding to consumer excitement in this segment, offering a very wide range of different projectors:
– 4K UST models with brightness from 2,000 to 5,000 ANSI Lumens as an alternative to TVs in the living room;
– gaming models with very low input lag (several ms in game mode);
– relatively inexpensive ultra-compact pocket projectors with brightness from 300 to 700 ANSI Lumens (often with 1080p resolution) are ideal for backpacking trips, etc;
– ‘hybrid’ portable mid-focal projectors, which are very convenient for watching baseball games with friends and barbecues in the backyard.
Therefore, any consumer today can choose the optimal solution depending on their budget and personal preferences.
This video demonstrates the new ultra compact triple laser Google TV Dangbei Atom projector.