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I spent a month testing the 11.4.6-channel Nakamichi Dragon, and it’s a Dolby Atmos soundbar on steroids
7:00 pm | February 1, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Soundbars Televisions | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Nakamichi Dragon: Two minute review

The Nakamichi Dragon is an 11.4.6-channel soundbar system that pushes the outer limits of what a soundbar is capable of. It’s more akin to an AV receiver in its design, features, and execution. Using it, I was frequently reminded of AV receivers by everything from the system’s heavily buttoned remote control to its extensive, detailed setup menu. The Dragon is not aimed at someone interested in simple plug-and-play sound (though it does provide basic setup options and is easy to get up and running) but rather users who like to dig in and painstakingly tweak settings.

At $2,999.99 (around £2,400 / AU$4,750), the Nakamichi Dragon costs double what you’ll pay even for the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on the market such as the Samsung HW-Q990D. That’s quite a lot to pay for a soundbar system, and it takes you into an AV receiver and separate speakers package price territory. But an important Dragon advantage is that it’s a wireless system, though one with the high channel count you’d get from a receiver-based home theater audio rig.

The Dragon isn’t as feature-packed as expected given its relatively lofty price. There’s processing onboard for Dolby Atmos and the Pro version of DTS:X, and there are four HDMI 2.1 ports (one with eARC) that support 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through. The system comes with a full-scale remote control that provides quick access to a wide array of audio adjustments and it has Bluetooth aptX HD for wireless music streaming. There’s no AirPlay or Chromecast support for streaming over Wi-Fi, and the system’s control app is primarily used for system setup.

Automatic setup and room EQ features, either the more basic ones you get in premium soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra, or advanced ones such as Audyssey or Dirac Live in AV receivers, are also nowhere to be found. Basic setup of the Dragon soundbar system is surprisingly easy, however.

The Dragon system’s sound does its name justice. It can go incredibly loud and the dual subwoofers, each with two 8-inch opposing drivers, provide deep-reaching and very full-sounding bass. Having two subwoofers also helps to even out bass performance, which compensates to a degree for the lack of room EQ processing. (Two subs are provided with the system configuration I tested, but it supports up to four subs.)

With six up-firing Atmos height drivers between the soundbar and the surround speakers, which also provide both side and rear surround channel driver arrays, the level of immersion provided by the Dragon system surpasses any other soundbar system I’ve heard. Not all is perfect with the Dragon’s sound, however: it can come across as aggressive and treble-forward with some content, favoring clarity and presence over subtlety. But if your main thing is action movies or gaming, there’s not too much here to complain about.

At 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4 inches, the Dragon system’s soundbar is fairly huge – it just about fit my TV stand, which is designed to support TVs up to 75 inches. The soundbar’s stainless steel enclosure is superior to the plastic ones you get on budget models, and the system’s design strikes a nice balance between function and style. A large front panel LED display can be customized to show the names of sources (Blu-ray, Xbox, etc.) and it can also provide visual feedback beyond basic source and volume settings when you hit the Info button on the remote control.

Paying $3,000 for a soundbar system might sound a bit outrageous, but the Nakamichi Dragon is no ordinary soundbar system. It delivers a level of performance that’s more like what you get from a traditional AV receiver-based home theater system from a big honkin' soundbar with wireless subwoofers and surround speakers. If that all sounds appealing to you, you’ll find the Dragon to be a good value.

Nakamichi Dragon soundbar seen from above with Apple TV 4K menu on TV screen

At 58.1 inches wide, the Dragon requires a substantial TV stand for support (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Price & release date

  • Released in October 2023
  • $2,999.99 (around £2,400 / AU$4,750)

The Nakamichi Dragon soundbar system with two dual-opposing eight-inch subwoofers is listed at $3,999.99, but sells for $2,999.99. It is available in the US on Amazon, and can be purchased and shipped internationally through B&H Photo Video.

Along with the base configuration reviewed here, the Dragon can also be purchased in configurations with two 12-inch subwoofers ($4,199) or four 12-inch subwoofers ($7,199). Dragon pricing is high compared to other premium soundbar systems such as the Samsung HW-Q990D and LG S95TR, both of which have a lower overall channel count and lower rated power.

Nakamichi Dragon review: Specs

Nakamichi Dragon soundbar detail shot of tweeter with subwoofer in background

The Dragon soundbar and surround speakers use matching 1.5-inch Air Motion tweeters. (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Features

  • 11.4.6-channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
  • Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through
  • Bluetooth aptX HD wireless streaming

The Nakamichi Dragon combines a sizeable 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4-inch main soundbar unit (1476 x 112 x 196mm) featuring a stainless steel enclosure with two wireless subwoofers and wireless rear surround speakers. The soundbar provides processing for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Pro and features four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through along with optical digital audio and 3.5mm aux inputs and outputs. There’s no onboard Wi-Fi for streaming, but the Dragon soundbar does support Bluetooth aptX HD for streaming music.

The soundbar’s speaker array consists of three 1.5-inch “Air Motion” folded ribbon-type tweeters, each flanked by a pair of 3-inch mid-range drivers for the left, center, and right channels. Two pairs of 3-inch height speakers are arrayed on the soundbar’s top surface, with the pairs angled at 10 and 20 degrees, respectively, to evenly distribute Atmos height effects from the front toward the back of the room. Along with these, 3-inch drivers are located on the soundbar’s side panels for an enhanced surround sound effect.

Nakamichi’s tall, tower-like dual-opposing wireless subwoofers each house a pair of eight-inch drivers inside a ported cabinet. The system’s Omni-Motion Reference wireless surround speakers each contain side and rear surround speaker arrays consisting of a 1.5-inch Air Motion tweeter and three-inch mid-bass driver, with a three-inch height speaker mounted on top. A PerfectHeight adjustment on the Omni-Motion Reference’s top surface lets you rotate the height speaker up 180 degrees to optimize height effects for your specific room layout and installation.

Unlike other premium soundbars on the market from brands like Samsung, LG, and Sonos, the Dragon has no automated setup or room EQ features. The system’s dual subwoofer configuration does help to evenly distribute bass in your room and compensate for room modes, however, and the extensive sound level and delay adjustments allow for a precise manual setup.

  • Features score: 3.5 / 5

Nakamichi Dragon subwoofer in corner of room

The Dragon's dual subwoofers are fairly tall, but can be tucked unobtrusively into the corners of a room. (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Performance

  • Powerful, immersive sound
  • Deep, impactful bass
  • Overly aggressive sound with some content

The Dragon system sounded good out of the box but strongly benefitted from a manual calibration in the Advanced Sound Setup menu. Once that was done, I cracked open a new 4K Blu-ray disc of the recent Twisters remake that I had bought specifically for this test.

On the Dragon system, the sound of violent tornadoes ripping through space in the Twisters soundtrack was potently rendered, providing an almost unnerving sense of being directly inside the path of destruction. Vehicles propelled through the air and crashing to earth had a powerful impact, so much so that I found myself dialing back the bass adjustment – conveniently located right next to the volume button on the system’s remote control.

On Top Gun: Maverick, another movie that I regularly use to test soundbars, the sounds of jets in the first training scene early in the movie had a strong trajectory as they swooped from the front to the back of the room, and there was impressive verticality to the sound as they crisscrossed overhead. The drums and bass in The Who’s Won’t Get Fooled Again that plays in this scene came through with equal power, with Roger Daltrey’s yawps soaring along with the jets on the soundtrack.

Dolby Atmos music streamed from Apple Music on my Apple TV 4K sounded equally vivid and exciting on the system, especially tracks like Kraftwerk’s Nummern / Computerwelt. This track sounded almost endlessly wide and immersive, showcasing the benefits of six separate height speakers for delivering Atmos mixes. The low-end on this track was powerful and deep but also well-integrated with the rest of the mix, the system’s dual subwoofers working together to energize my room with bass.

With more subtle-sounding fare – Severance season 2 on Apple TV Plus, for instance – dialogue was very clear, and that was the case with most shows and movies I watched. As part of my initial setup, I selected the system’s Movie (Movie 1) sound preset (Music, Game, and Night modes are also available) and also dialed back the treble to the minimum setting. That’s because the Dragon system, while it has a considerable roar, can sound aggressive and even a bit harsh with some content.

I’ve listened with multiple speakers that use the same Air Motion-type tweeter that’s found in Nakamichi’s system and those generally had a much more laid-back quality to the treble. This tells me that the Dragon was voiced to have a bold, even in-your-face sound that befits its name.

  • Performance score: 4 / 5

Nakamichi Dragon rear input ports

The Dragon soundbar's rear input ports include 4 HDMI 2.1 ports (1 w/ eARC) (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Design

  • Large soundbar and subwoofers
  • Soundbar height may block the TV image
  • Solid overall build quality

At 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4 inches, the Dragon’s design is anything but subtle. This is a big soundbar, and its 4.4-inch height means the top edge will definitely obscure the screen bottom of some TVs. At 32 pounds (14.5kg), it’s also a heavy one – not surprising given its stainless steel enclosure. Nakamichi sells optional floor stands for the Dragon, which will allow it to be used with wall-mounted TVs and projectors.

Aside from being massive, the Dragon soundbar has an appealing design, with top panel controls that light up when touched, angled front corners, and exposed Air Motion tweeters poking through the metal mesh front. The same design chops carry over to the Omni-Motion Reference wireless surround speakers, which also get optional stands. Nakamichi’s wireless subwoofers have a plainer, more utilitarian look, but their tall form factor lets them tuck fairly unobtrusively into the corners of a room.

The Dragon soundbar’s front-panel alphanumeric LED display is a feature I fully expect to see in a soundbar at this price. While it’s welcome, I would have liked an option to dim the display or to shut it off entirely with the remote when viewing, which is a feature you get on some AV receivers.

  • Design score: 4.5 / 5

Nakamichi Dragon surround speaker against wood panel wall background

The Dragon surround speakers have matching tweeter-woofer arrays on either side to deliver rear and side surround channel, and there's an upward-firing driver on top for Atmos height channels. (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Setup & usability

  • Easy wireless speaker setup
  • Extensive manual sound adjustments
  • Alphanumeric front panel LED display

The basic setup of the Dragon system was incredibly easy. After positioning the soundbar on my TV stand, where it occupied nearly the stand’s full width with an inch to spare on each side, I located the subwoofers in the front corners of my room and the surround speakers at either side of my sofa. After plugging all speakers in, they made an automatic wireless connection to the soundbar, with a blue LED indicating that the system was up and running.

After connecting my sources to the soundbar’s HDMI inputs, and my TV to the HDMI eARC port, I renamed the inputs in the setup menu so they would show up on the front panel display as “Blu-ray disc player, Xbox One X console, and Apple TV 4K.” I next made a Bluetooth link to my phone for music streaming by pressing the Bluetooth button on the remote control, which put the Dragon into wireless pairing mode.

So much for the easy part – the next part of the setup was much more laborious. Nakamichi gives you an easy out by providing Small, Medium, and Large room options. (Guidance on which option is best for your particular room is provided in the detailed and well-organized PDF owner’s manual.) Sound with the Small option selected – the closest match for my room – was good out of the box, but for my test, I wanted to go through the full manual setup to see what difference it would make.

Pulling out my tape measure and trusty old Radio Shack SPL meter, I manually entered the listening distance for each channel and also ran the pink noise output to adjust the sound level. With 11.2.6 total channels for the Dragon system I tested, we’re talking a lot of speakers to adjust! The effort was completely worth it, though, since sound clarity and bass evenness received an immediate boost.

Nakamichi’s remote control is large, has an aluminum faceplate, and is packed with buttons to access a wide range of fine adjustments for things like individual speaker channel levels, including height and subwoofer channels. There’s also a Dragon control app that gives you many of the same adjustments. The only thing I didn’t like about the remote is that the keypad doesn’t have the same backlighting feature typically found in AV receiver remote controls offering the same level of granular adjustments.

Another gripe I had with the Dragon was the setup menu, which requires you to jump out of any program you’re watching to make adjustments other than the ones with dedicated keypad controls on the remote. My annoyance with this was mainly during my initial setup and early use, however. Once I had dialed in my preferred settings for movies/TV and music, those adjustments could be stored in the two available Favorite Settings buttons on the remote for easy recall.

  • Setup & usability score: 3.5 / 5

Nakamichi Dragon remote control on black background

The Dragon's full featured remote provides instant access to many adjustments for tweaking the system's sound on the fly. (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Value

  • Unique value proposition
  • Other premium soundbars available for much less
  • Approaching AV receiver-based system price range

The Nakamichi Dragon occupies a unique space in the home theater audio world, combining many of the functions of an AV receiver in a high channel-count soundbar plus wireless surround speakers and subwoofers package. At $3,000, you’re getting a lot for your money here, and there’s really nothing out there that parallels it.

While not as elaborate or high-impact as the Dragon, other premium soundbar systems can provide a similarly satisfying and immersive home theater audio experience. For around $1,500, you can get the Samsung HW-Q990D, an 11.1.4-channel system that also has multiple HDMI inputs with 4K 120Hz passthrough. And for under $1,000, there’s the LG S95TR, a 9.1.5-channel system. Both of these soundbars support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and they offer unique audio processing features designed to work with Samsung and LG TVs.

Another option is the Sony Bravia Theater Quad (around $2,200). This 4.1.4-channel wireless speaker system offers audio processing features designed specifically to work with Sony TVs, but it can also be used with any TV or projector setup. It’s a more compact and elegant alternative to soundbar-based systems, and with Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping at work, it doesn’t skimp out on audio immersion.

Finally, the Dragon’s $3,000 price is a threshold where you should also consider an AV receiver-based system. You can buy a 9.2-channel receiver such as the Onkyo TX-RZ50 for as little as $999, and then the sky is the limit when it comes to which speakers you add to your setup. The advantage to this option is that receivers offer extensive switching and control options, and they also provide automatic setup and room correction processing solutions such as Audyssey and Dirac Live. But going the AV receiver route means running wires – lots of them – plus a more complicated setup.

  • Value score: 3.5 / 5

Nakamichi Dragon top panel controls shown from above

The Dragon soundbar's top-panel control buttons (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Nakamichi Dragon?

Buy it if...

You want a wireless home theater audio system
With an 11.4.6 channel count and dynamic overall audio performance, the Dragon comes closer to a traditional home theater speaker system than other premium soundbars.

You want a soundbar without typical soundbar limitations
The Dragon’s six upfiring height speakers mean it doesn’t skimp on Atmos immersion, and its dual subwoofers deliver deeper and more powerful bass than you get with typical soundbar systems.

Don't buy it if...

You want a simple, no-fuss setup
While the Dragon system’s various components easily make a wireless connection, optimizing its sound for your particular space can be time-consuming.

You listen to music as much as watch movies
The Dragon system’s sound is a good match for electronic music and action movies, bringing everything to vivid, dynamic life, but it can also sound aggressive and in-your-face with some content.

Nakamichi Dragon review: Also consider

Sonos Arc Ultra
The new flagship soundbar from Sonos is an all-in-one 9.1.4-channel unit, and it can be supplemented with the company’s wireless speakers and subwoofer for an even higher level of Atmos immersion. It has no HDMI inputs beyond an HDMI eARC connection for a TV, however, and also no DTS support. Here's our full Sonos Arc Ultra review.

LG S95TR
LG’s 9.1.5-channel soundbar system also has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support and it provides impressive surround sound immersion at a considerably lower price than the Dragon. Bonus points if you own an LG TV, which provides features to enhance the S95TR’s performance and usability. Here's our full LG S95TR review.

Samsung HW-Q990D
Samsung’s flagship soundbar system tops out at 11.1.4 channels, which is the closest you’ll get to the Dragon when it comes to Atmos (and DTS:X) immersion. It’s also half the price, supports AirPlay and Chromecast, and has similar HDMI 2.1 connectivity and gaming support as the Dragon. Here's our full Samsung HW-Q990D review.

How I tested the Nakamichi Dragon

Nakamichi Dragon system with TV showing green landscape

The Nakamichi Dragon with its two subs in my home. (Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for over a month
  • Served as my main system at home
  • 4K Blu-ray discs, TV streaming apps, and Apple Music used as sources

The Nakamichi Dragon arrives in a shipping container about the size of a coffin, so expect to enlist help when lifting it into your home. Once unboxed, I set it up in my near-3,000 cubic foot home theater room and connected TV, Apple TV 4K, Xbox Series X, and 4K Blu-ray sources via HDMI. For music testing, I listened to Dolby Atmos music streamed on the Apple Music app by the Apple TV 4K.

I listened with the system for over a month, using it as my main system for casual TV watching, movies, and music. I performed an in-depth audio calibration, measuring the distance between all speaker channels and my listening seat, and then inputting that data in the Dragon’s setup menus. This also involved adjusting the sound level for each channel with pink noise generated by the soundbar that was measured with a sound pressure level (SPL) meter.

I have 20-plus years of experience reviewing home theater speaker systems and components, including soundbar systems. Prior to testing the Dragon, I used Sony Bravia Theater Quad wireless speakers as my main home theater audio system, and before that an AV receiver-based 5.1.4-channel speaker system, so I have a good understanding of where the Nakamichi Dragon sits among its wireless and wired speaker competition.

I tested the Epson QB1000, and this stunning, super-bright projector is perfect for gaming
1:09 am | January 31, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Theater Projectors Televisions | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Epson QB1000: two-minute review

The Epson EH-QB1000 is a fantastic projector, and in terms of performance, specifications and features, no other beamer comes close at this price.

The QB1000 uses a three-chip LCD design and laser light source that’s capable of producing an incredibly bright 3,300 lumens, which is higher brightness than many of the best 4K projectors can manage. In addition, thanks to excellent out-of-the-box accuracy the resulting images are not only bright but also naturally saturated. There’s a very low input lag, 4K 120Hz high frame rate support, and even HDR10+ high dynamic range support, making this beamer a cracking all-rounder.

The SDR performance is clean and detailed, with good motion handling and great accuracy. The HDR images are even better thanks to the dynamic tone mapping that gets the most out of the specular highlights and expanded shadow detail. The result is a rich and nuanced image with plenty of visual pop. The same goes for HDR10+ content, with its additional dynamic metadata.

Epson includes a host of higher-end features that are often absent from competing projectors. These include fully motorised lens controls and up to 10 lens memories for those using a ‘Scope ratio (2.35:1) screen. The menus themselves are comprehensive but simple to navigate, plus there are also extensive picture controls if you fancy getting your new beamer professionally calibrated.

The build quality is excellent, with a solid chassis and a choice of matte black or white finishes. There’s an extensive selection of connections, including two HDMI 2.1 inputs, along with a well-designed remote control that has a very useful backlight. There’s even a motorised lens cover to keep out dust, which is important because the light path on an LCD projector isn’t sealed.

Aside from the possibility of dust blobs, the only other limitation is the black level, which could be deeper. It’s also worth pointing out that the Epson isn’t native 4K, but can still produce higher-resolution images thanks to pixel-shifting technology. So when you add it all up, you really won’t find a more highly specified or better performing 4K HDR home cinema projector for the money.

Epson QB1000 review: price and release date

  • First available: December 2024
  • Price: £4,799 / $7,999

The EpsonQB1000 is the new entry-level model in the brand’s range of Premium Residential projectors and is available now in a choice of matte black or matte white finishes. The QB1000 currently retails for £4,799 in the UK but costs more in the US, where it will set you back $7,999.

Epson QB1000 on table

The QB1000 has a specified 3,000 lumens light output, and its laser light engine has a 20,000-hour lifespan (Image credit: Future)

Epson QB1000 review: Specs

Epson QB1000 on table

The QB1000's motorised lens controls include 10 lens memories for those using a 2.35:1 screen (Image credit: Future)

Epson QB1000 review: design

  • Fully motorised lens controls
  • 10 lens memory positions
  • Backlit remote control

The Epson QB1000 looks identical to the earlier Epson LS12000, with the same matte black or white chassis and central lens flanked by large forward-firing cooling grilles. The bodywork is solid and well-built, the motorised lens cover is retained, and there are basic controls at the rear, along with a removable cover to keep things tidy. There’s also an optional ceiling mount if required.

Setup is simple thanks to a generous throw ratio and motorised lens controls that include 10 lens memories for those using a 2.35:1 screen. The QB1000’s increased brightness makes it ideal for rooms with lighter-coloured walls, and as a bonus, the weak contrast ratios won’t be as obvious. There are also various picture modes, along with extensive calibration controls.

The connections are located in a long recess at the rear of the unit, where you’ll find two HDMI 2.1 inputs with support for 4K 120Hz, eARC, HDCP 2.3 and HDR10+, alongside regular HDR10 and HLG. There are also three USB ports, a 12V trigger output, an Ethernet port and RS-232C serial connector, along with support for various integrated control systems when used in a custom installation.

  • Design score: 5/5

Epson QB1000 rear panel ports

Ports include 3 HDMI 2.1 connections (1 with eARC) with 4K 120Hz support for gaming (Image credit: Future)

Epson QB1000 review: features

  • Dynamic HDR Tone Mapping
  • Support for 4K 120Hz high frame rate
  • Support for HDR10+ with dynamic metadata

The Epson QB1000 incorporates the same 3LCD design the brand uses on all its projectors, and this particular technology is limited to Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels). However, the QB1000 can accept and display 4K content (3840 x 2160 pixels) by using pixel-shifting technology that literally shifts each pixel diagonally to increase the perceived resolution and create more detailed images.

Despite using the same laser light source as earlier models it has a claimed peak brightness of 3,300 lumens, which is massive, and an average lifespan of 20,000 hours. As with all beamers that use LCD display technology the black levels are poor, with the QB1000 producing a claimed native contrast ratio of 5,000:1, although the dynamic laser feature can boost this to 5,000,000:1.

New this year is dynamic tone mapping that analyses HDR10 content and optimises the image, allowing the QB1000 to deliver improved performance with HDR compared to the earlier LS12000. As with the earlier model there is also support for HDR10+, which means the QB1000 can use the format’s dynamic metadata to deliver an image optimised to its inherent capabilities.

The QB1000 has improved motion handling and upgraded frame interpolation. As a result, it can deliver smooth and detailed motion with sport, although I’d recommend leaving the frame interpolation off when watching film-based content. The Epson also supports higher frame rates up to 4K 120Hz, which makes this beamer a great choice for any next-generation gamers.

  • Features score: 5

Epson QB1000 picture setup menu screen

Picture accuracy is excellent in the Cinema mode (Image credit: Future)

Epson QB1000 review: picture quality

  • Incredibly bright HDR images
  • Impressive HDR tone mapping
  • Very low input lag for gaming

The Epson QB1000 impresses right out of the gate, with the kind of bright, detailed and saturated picture that makes big-screen projection so enjoyable. With quality content, primary colours are punchy, while the uniformity of the LCD chipset is good with no signs of patchiness, banding or dust blobs. The latter can be an issue with LCD due to the light path not being sealed.

The out-of-the-box accuracy is excellent in the Cinema mode, with whites that aren’t awash in blue. The same goes for the skin tones, which look suitably natural, while the image itself is pleasingly sharp thanks to effective 4K upscaling and the three LCD panels being well-aligned.

Despite its inherent brightness, the QB1000 is surprisingly quiet, although the noise levels will increase if you use the higher laser settings. However, there’s so much brightness available that you don’t need to move the power up too high to illuminate even a large projection screen.

In fact, the QB1000 has sufficient brightness to handle rooms with light-coloured walls, and the option of a white finish also lends it to more lifestyle-friendly installations. The reflected light in this kind of setup has the added advantage of disguising the Epson’s poor contrast performance.

Black levels are the QB1000’s big weakness, with the contrast ratio only measuring 4,300:1 in my tests. To be fair at least this is close to the 5,000:1 Epson claims in its marketing, but it does mean blacks look more like a dark grey. You can use the dynamic laser feature to improve the contrast performance but in reality this only helps with fades to black and the rest of the time the blacks remain the same.

One area where Epson has improved the performance is in terms of motion handling, even with the frame interpolation turned off. When it’s engaged this feature results in smoother motion, which makes it very effective when watching fast-paced sports. However, make sure it's switched off for movies and TV dramas, so they don't end up looking like cheap video.

The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 inputs means the QB1000 can support frame rates up to 4K 120Hz. This makes it a great choice for gamers, and this appeal is only enhanced by the inclusion of ALLM (auto low latency mode), which automatically selects the Game mode when a console is detected. In Game mode the input lag measures a very impressive 19ms, with only Sony’s VPL-XW5000ES projector measuring lower.

The QB1000 supports high dynamic range, and really impresses with a bright and detailed image where the highlights pop and the shadows reveal more subtleties. The QB1000 doesn’t use a colour filter, which means it only covers 88% of the DCI-P3 wide colour gamut. However, thanks to the increased brightness and new dynamic tone mapping the results are often excellent.

For example, the Alfred Hitchcock classic North by Northwest was shot on the larger VistaVision film format and the resulting 4K disc is stunning. The QB1000 expertly delivers the sumptuous images, fleshing out the fine detail and rich colours with skill. The crop-duster attack is a particular treat, with the Epson’s increased brightness helping to bring the Indiana cornfields vividly to life.

Furiosa is the prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road and enjoys the same epic desert vistas and insanely detailed production design as the earlier film, along with a deliberately stylised colour scheme. The QB1000 handles all these visuals perfectly, while the excellent motion handling ensures all the frenetic vehicular action is delivered smoothly and without any annoying artefacts.

The WW1 thriller 1917 is about a mission across no-man’s land and boasts superb photography and HDR10+ encoding. As a result, the QB1000 can render all the detail in the native 4K image, as well as deliver bright and clean daytime vistas. The nighttime scenes are more of a challenge, and while the blacks could be better, the bright flares really cut through the darkness.

  • Picture quality score: 4/5

Epson QB1000 remote control

The QB1000's fullly backlit remote control makes it easy to adjust settings in a dark room (Image credit: Future)

Epson QB1000 review: value

  • Fantastic value for money
  • Cheaper than any direct competitor

The Epson EH-QB1000 is fantastic value for money value, especially when compared to its direct competitors. The Sony VPL-XW5000ES is currently £4,499/$5,999, and while it might be native 4K it doesn’t have motorised lens controls, dynamic HDR tone mapping, or HDR10+ and 4K 120Hz support. The JVC DLA-NZ500 is more expensive at £6,499/$5,999 and while it is native 4K, has better blacks levels and does include motorised lens controls, lens memories and HDR10+, it still lacks support for 4K 120Hz and doesn’t have a Game mode, so it’s not the best choice for gamers.

  • Value score: 5/5

Epson QB1000 back panel control buttons

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Epson QB1000?

Epson QB1000 on table

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want a super-bright picture
The laser light source not only delivers a longer lifespan of 20,000 hours but also 3,300 lumens of peak brightness. This is brighter than any projector aside from Sony’s super-high-end XW8100.

You want 4K 120Hz support
The HDMI 2.1 inputs allow the QB1000 to support frame rates of up to 4K 120Hz, which makes this beamer a perfect choice for next-gen console owners or anyone using a high-end PC gaming rig.

You want HDR10+ support
The inclusion of HDR10+ allows the QB1000 to take advantage of the format’s dynamic metadata, ensuring tone mapping that’s optimised for the lower brightness of a projector compared to a TV.

Don’t buy it if… 

You want native 4K
The QB1000 has Full HD resolution, and while it can accept and project 4K sources by using pixel-shifting technology, the detail isn’t as impressive as native 4K beamers from Sony and JVC.

You want deep blacks
The QB1000’s LCD display technology doesn’t deliver deep blacks or impressive contrast, so if that’s important you should be looking at the more expensive JVC NZ500 D-ILA projector instead.

You want support for 3D
Epson dropped 3D support with the previous generation, so if you’re a fan of the format you’ll either have to look at an alternative DLP projector or the high-end and very expensive JVC NZ800.

Also consider...

Epson LS12000
Epson LS12000 is less bright than the QB1000 but also costs less. It's also a great choice for gaming with 4K 120Hz support and it has great overall picture quality.

Read our full Epson LS12000 review

Sony VPL-XW5000ES
The Sony VPL-XW5000ES costs less than the Epson but is less bright and lacks the Epson's motorised lens controls, dynamic HDR tone mapping, and HDR10+ and 4K 120Hz support.

JVC DLA-NZ500
The JVC is more expensive than the Epson, has better blacks levels and includes motorised lens controls, lens memories and HDR10+ support. it lacks 4K 120Hz support, however, and doesn’t have a Game mode

Epson QB1000 on table with lens open

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Epson QB1000

  • Measured with Calman calibration software
  • Evaluated using SDR and HDR content
  • Reviewed in a dedicated home cinema

As with all my TV and projector reviews I use a combination of subjective viewing and objective measurements against the industry standards. For projectors, I also do all my testing in a dedicated home cinema with a completely blacked-out environment and high-quality screen.

The subjective testing is based around watching a variety of familiar scenes, primarily sourced from 4K and 1080p Blu-rays, plus the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K disc. Any test scenes have been specifically chosen to evaluate a display’s black levels, contrast performance, colour accuracy, upscaling, image processing, motion handling, and HDR tone mapping.


For the objective testing, I measured the QB1000’s brightness, greyscale and colour gamut in SDR, before doing the same in HDR. I also evaluated the accuracy of the HDR tone mapping, along with the colour gamut coverage for DCI-P3. To do this I used a pattern generator and colour meter combined with Portrait Displays’ Calman calibration software. I measured the QB1000’s input lag in milliseconds using a specialised Leo Bodnar tester.

First reviewed: January, 2025

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: the best Fire TV yet, and a solid option for sports and gaming
7:00 pm | January 25, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Televisions | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: Two minute review

The new Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED enters a seriously competitive mini-LED TV market, taking on Samsung, Hisense, TCL and Roku. It doesn’t stand out in this crowded arena, but it is a solid all-around TV for the price.

The Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED’s picture quality is pretty good overall compared to the best TVs. Colors are vibrant, textures and details are lifelike and contrast is well-balanced. Motion handling is good for both sports and movies. Unfortunately, it suffers from crushed black levels in some picture modes, resulting in a loss of shadow detail.

Audio quality is a mixed bag on the Omni Mini-LED. Sound is accurately placed with a good sense of direction, speech is clear and there’s generally good bass. While the sound can go beyond the borders of the screen, it feels narrow and contained, especially with Dolby Atmos effects. For those wanting a full home theater experience, I’d recommend one of the best soundbars.

The Omni Mini-LED has a good stock of gaming features including 4K 144Hz, Dolby Vision gaming, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro is included) and ALLM support. Performance is smooth and while it won’t beat the best gaming TVs from LG and Samsung, it provides a good mid-range alternative, though its graphics could be better.

Amazon’s Fire TV smart TV platform performs well enough and has a good number of picture settings for those who like to experiment. While Fire TV can be on the cluttered side, and there’s occasional stutter, it's a perfectly decent smart TV platform.

With a similar price to its main competitor, the Hisense U7N, the Omni Mini-LED’s real value comes down to what sort of prices it can hit during Prime Day and Black Friday. Discounts are already appearing, so it has the chance to seriously up its value when the sales begin.

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: Prices & release date

Amazon Omni Mini-LED with red flowers on screen

(Image credit: Future)
  • Release date: November 2024
  • 55-inch: $819.99 / £849.99 (about AU$1,316)
  • 65-inch: $1,089.99 / £1,149.99 (about AU$1,750)
  • 75-inch: $1,499.99 / £1,599.99 (about AU$2,409)
  • 85-inch: $2,099.99 / N/A (about AU$3,373)

The Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED series is the latest entry in Amazon’s Fire TV range, following the Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED. It is the first Fire TV to feature a panel with a mini-LED backlight and is available in 55, 65, 75 and 85-inch (US-only for the 85-inch) sizes.

Its launch prices are strikingly similar to the Hisense U7N, one of the best mini-LED TVs on the market. The U7N has seen major discounts since its release in April 2024, especially during Black Friday, and the Amazon Mini-LED is already following suit.

Despite a relatively recent release, the 55-inch Mini-LED (the size I tested) is already down to $699.99 / £749.99 (about AU$1,122) and the 65-inch is down to $959.99 / £949.99. I expect these prices will drop even further during peak trading events in 2025 such as Amazon’s own Prime Day and Black Friday.

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: Specs

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: Benchmark results

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: Features

Amazon Omni Mini-LED TV connection ports

The Amazon Omni Mini-LED features two HDMI 2.1 ports, a first for an Amazon Fire TV (Image credit: Future)
  • First mini-LED panel in Amazon’s TV range
  • 4K 144Hz support for gaming
  • Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ high dynamic range

The Amazon Omni Mini-LED is the first set in Amazon’s Fire TV range to feature a display panel with a mini-LED backlight, a step-up feature from its LED and QLED TVs. The Omni Mini-LED features 512 dimming zones and supports both Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ high dynamic range.

Gaming support on the Omni Mini-LED includes 4K 144Hz, VRR (including AMD FreeSync Premium), ALLM and Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming. A game mode provides optimal picture settings for gaming but does not feature a game bar, a useful feature in gaming TVs from brands like LG, Samsung, Hisense and Panasonic. It also only features two HDMI 2.1 ports.

(One HDMI-related issue occurred during my testing. When switching a source from HDMI 2 to HDMI 1, the TV kept switching back to HDMI 2. I found that turning the TV off at the wall fixed the problem, which is something to bear in mind should this issue happen to you.)

The Omni Mini-LED has a 2.1-channel speaker array with Dolby Atmos support plus several preset audio modes including Standard, Movie and Sport.

The Omni Mini-LED uses Amazon’s own Fire TV as its smart TV platform. Fire TV supports all major streaming services such as Prime Video, Netflix and Disney Plus as well as UK-based streaming services such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX. It also has an Ambient Experience, where photos and artwork can be displayed on the screen when the TV is idle and it supports hands-free Alexa voice control.

  • Features score: 4.5 / 5

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: Picture quality

Amazon Omni Mini-LED with butterfly on screen 2

The Amazon Omni Mini-LED demonstrates very good detail (Image credit: Future)
  • Bold color and accurate detail
  • Better than expected contrast
  • Black crush in darker scenes

The Omni Mini-LED’s peak HDR brightness as measured on a 10% white window pattern was 845 nits in the Standard picture preset and 973 nits in Filmmaker Mode. These results were with out-of-the-box settings for both picture modes, where the backlight was set to 80 and 70, respectively, and are roughly in the range of the Hisense U7N, which hit 807 nits in Standard mode and 1,074 nits in Filmmaker Mode.

Raising the backlight to 100 for both modes, the Omni Mini-LED hit 1,081 nits in Standard mode and 1,333 nits in Filmmaker Mode. While the higher backlight settings resulted in much higher brightness levels, I found it made highlights look blown out when watching movies.

Measuring fullscreen HDR brightness on a 100% white window pattern, again with out-of-the-box settings, the Omni Mini-LED hit 431 nits in Standard mode and 481 nits in Filmmaker Mode. When bumping up the backlight to 100 in picture settings in those modes, the Omni mini-LED hit 538 and 633 nits, respectively.

For picture testing and measurements, I used the Omni Mini-LED's out-of-the-box settings. When measuring color and grayscale in Filmmaker mode (with local dimming set to Medium), it averaged 2.9 for color accuracy and 4.8 for grayscale accuracy.

However, I did find that the Omni Mini-LED has potential for those who want its picture calibrated. After using the TV's calibration tools in Filmmaker Mode (SDR), it averaged 1.7 and 2.5 for color and grayscale accuracy, respectively, which are notable improvements.

Watching an HD stream of Fight Club via Disney Plus, the Omni Mini-LED did a solid job of upscaling, with both textures and contrast improved. It also did a good job of displaying the movie’s murky, dark color palette.

Color on the Omni mini-LED was very good overall. A 4K Dolby Vision stream of Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Disney Plus showcased vivid reds during the throne room fight scene. They verged on oversaturation but were still pleasing to the eye. A 4K Blu-ray of La La Land also demonstrated stunning color reproduction, with Mia’s yellow dress given a dynamic punch.

Measuring the Omni Mini-LED’s HDR color gamut coverage, it yielded results of 70.3% for BT.2020 and 94.9% for UHDA-P3 – both good results that are comparable to the Samsung QN85D and Hisense U7N.

Amazon Omni Mini-LED TV with geyser on screen

The Amazon Omni Mini-LED delivers solid contrast (Image credit: Future)

Contrast was generally strong, with the Omni mini-LED displaying a good balance between light and dark tones, something that could be seen in the opening crime scene and aerial shots of the city when watching a 4K Blu-ray of The Batman. I found that Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode was the best overall picture preset, though setting local dimming to Medium in the picture settings resulted in the best contrast. Also, when watching the black-and-white scenes in Oppenheimer, there was a good range of gray tones throughout.

Black levels and shadow detail were a mixed bag on the Omni Mini-LED. The contrast was solid and it demonstrated decent backlight control, but I found it would crush black tones in darker scenes, resulting in a loss of shadow detail. For example, in the same opening crime scene of The Batman, with local dimming set to Medium in Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode, the detail in clothing was lost. Brighter picture modes such as Dolby Vision IQ or Dolby Vision Bright rectified this, but contrast also looked less accurate in those modes.

Textures were generally very good on the Omni Mini-LED, with facial features and details in a wide range of movies including The Batman, Top Gun: Maverick and Oppenheimer all looking accurate and true-to-life. Pictures could occasionally look on the soft side compared to more premium mini-LED TVs, but they were still solid for a mid-range model.

Motion in Sports TV mode was accurate out-of-the-box. When watching an HD stream of a soccer game, I found that setting Smoothness (judder reduction) at 4 and Clarity (blur reduction) at 10 were the optimal adjustments. For viewing sports, I found the Omini Mini-LED to be better than both the Hisense U6N and U7N, which required a lot more setup.

Motion was also good for movies, with the Omni Mini-LED easily handling the intense, fast-moving flight sequences in Top Gun: Maverick. Interestingly, I found I couldn’t alter the Natural Cinema motion setting in Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode, but it did not seem to make a noticeable difference when tested on other picture modes.

  • Picture quality score: 4 / 5

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: Sound quality

Amazon Omni Mini-LED TV with La La Land on screen

The Omni mini-LED has average built-in sound quality, so movies such as La La Land could benefit from a soundbar (Image credit: Future)
  • 2.1-channel speakers
  • Good accuracy and placement
  • Sound is narrow and contained

The Omni Mini-LED has a 2.1-channel speaker system totaling 24W of power. It supports Dolby Atmos and comes with several sound modes targeted towards different types of content such as Movie, Sports, and Music. In my testing, I generally found Movie to be the best sound preset.

Watching the Batmobile freeway chase sequence in The Batman, the Omni mini-LED demonstrated good sound placement and accuracy – as cars swerved across the screen, the sound of the screeching tires also swept across the screen. Bass was decent, with a good level of rumble stemming from the Batmobile’s engine. When watching Top Gun: Maverick, the sound exceeded the confines of the screen during flight sequences, giving it an expansive quality, and the dialogue was clear throughout my viewing.

Even so, in both The Batman and Top Gun: Maverick, Dolby Atmos effects were so faint as to be unnoticeable, with the rain in The Batman and height channels in the Mach 10 scene in Top Gun: Maverick never hitting – something to be expected from a TV with basic, 2.1-channel built-in speakers. For those using the Omni Mini-LED mainly for watching movies, I’d recommend adding a soundbar.

  • Sound quality score: 3.5 / 5

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: Design

Amazon Omni Mini-LED TV feet

The Amazon Omni Mini-LED's tall feet allow plenty of space for a soundbar (Image credit: Future)
  • Tall feet allow space for a soundbar
  • Hand-free voice control
  • Bland design for the price

One of the Omni Mini-LED’s best design features is its supplied feet. They are tall enough to easily fit a soundbar without the soundbar obscuring the bottom of the screen, a common issue with many TVs.

Otherwise, the Omni Mini-LED’s design is very uninspired, with a rather generic and slightly bulky appearance compared with mini-LED rivals from Hisense, Samsung and TCL. I expected a slimmer depth at this price.

The Omni Mini-LED comes with Amazon’s latest generation Alexa Voice remote, which still feels a little cheap and flimsy compared to remotes from other brands. Hands-free Alexa voice control is available via the TV’s built-in microphone – a welcome feature that can also be turned off in the settings.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: Smart TV & menus

Amazon Omni Mini-LED TV with geyser on screen

Fire TV has access to plenty of apps but its home screen is taken up by a large banner ad (Image credit: Future)
  • Fire TV smart TV platform
  • Sometimes stuttering performance
  • Advanced picture setup options

The Omni Mini-LED uses Amazon’s Fire TV smart TV platform, which is featured on the Amazon Fire TV Stick range as well as TVs from other brands.

Fire TV’s home screen provides a good number of movie and TV recommendations (especially for Prime Video) based on your viewing history and lets you easily jump back into programs you’ve previously been watching. It also has a large, revolving banner ad at the top that takes up roughly one-third of the screen.

Performance-wise, Fire TV is generally responsive when navigating though there were occasional stutters and freeze-ups during my testing. Menus, while fairly easy to get around, could be a little more user-friendly. There are plenty of settings to tailor the picture to your taste and even 2-point, 11-point and Color Grading calibration tools for those who want advanced fine-tuning.

While Fire TV gives preference on its home screen to Prime Video movies and TV shows, it does provide access to a wide array of streaming services including Netflix and Disney Plus.

  • Smart TV & menus score: 4 / 5

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: Gaming

Amazon Omni Mini-LED TV with Battlefield V on screen

The Amazon Omni Mini-LED, shown here with Battlefield V, has a good stock of gaming features and performs well (Image credit: Future)
  • 4K 144Hz and Dolby Vision gaming
  • 13.4ms input lag time
  • Only two HDMI 2.1 ports

The Omni Mini-LED is well-equipped with gaming features, including support for 4K 144Hz, VRR (including AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming. It is the first of Amazon’s FireTVs to feature 120Hz support, but only features two HDMI 2.1 ports, which is currently the case for all TVs not made by LG or Samsung.

The Omni Mini-LED performs well, even at higher frame rates. Playing Battlefield V on Xbox Series X, I found chaotic battle sequences, quick targeting and panning shots all ran smoothly and showed quick response times. When I measured the input lag time, it hit 13.4ms, which is similar to TVs from Hisense, TCL, and Sony, but doesn’t quite beat the best gaming TVs from Samsung and LG. Still, it sits below the 15ms threshold gamers look for.

For picture quality during gaming, the Omni Mini-LED delivers good detail and dazzling colors along with solid contrast, again shown in desert and night missions in Battlefield V. I did find that textures took on a soft, muddy tone in some cases, which detracted from the experience a bit, but overall the Omni mini-LED is a solid gaming TV.

  • Gaming score: 4 / 5

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV review: Value

Amazon Fire TV remote

The Amazon Omni Mini-LED is supplied with the Alexa Voice remote (Image credit: Future)
  • Extremely competitive mini-LED TV market
  • Closely matches rivals’ prices
  • Potential for discounts

The Omni Mini-LED enters a highly competitive mini-LED TV market dominated by Samsung, Hisense and TCL, and also competes with budget models from Roku.

Its primary rival is arguably the Hisense U7N, which delivers similar features and performance and has very similar prices. For the 55-inch model I tested, we’ve seen the U7N average about $598.99 / £699.99, and it has gone as low as $480 in Black Friday sales. But the Omni Mini-LED has already hit $699.99 / £749.99 only months after release, and as an Amazon product, it has the potential to drop lower during Prime Day and Black Friday.

The Omni Mini-LED is a solid TV for the money, offering good performance and many features that will please most TV buyers. It doesn’t quite beat the Hisense U7N in terms of value, but that could all change come Prime Day.

  • Value score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV?

Amazon Omni Mini-LED with flower on screen

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want a TV ready for sports
Compared with other budget mini-LED TVs, the Omni Mini-LED is ready for sports out-of-the-box, requiring almost no setup in its Sports mode.

You want a good-value TV
The Omni Mini-LED is well-priced for what it offers and has the potential for big discounts during sales events such as Prime Day and Black Friday.

Don't buy it if…

You want the best built-in sound
The Omni Mini-LED's accuracy and sound placement are very good, but it lacks in other areas.

You want the best smart TV platform
While Fire TV has its plus points, a cluttered home screen and sometimes stuttering performance means it falls short of the likes of Google TV and LG's webOS.

Also consider

Hisense U7N
The Omni Mini-LED's closest rival, the Hisense U7N offers a similar list of features, plus similar picture quality and overall performance. The U7N isn't quite as good for sports, but it's better for sound. Your choice should come down to the price at the time of buying. Read our full Hisense U7N review. View Deal

Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED
The Omni QLED is the step-down model from the Omni Mini-LED, using a QLED panel that doesn't offer as good a picture or as many gaming features as it's limited to 60Hz. It is, however, a good budget option if you're looking for something cheaper. Read our full Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED review. View Deal

Samsung QN90D
A much more premium mini-LED TV, the Samsung QN90D offers impressive picture quality and superb motion handling for sports. Plus, it comes with a full suite of gaming features and better built-in sound. Be prepared to spend a lot more on this TV, however. Read our full Samsung QN90D review. View Deal

How I tested the Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED TV

  • Tested in light light-controlled environment
  • Used SDR and HDR sources for testing picture quality
  • Measurements were taken using Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software

Amazon Omni Mini-LED with testing equipment attached

(Image credit: Future)

To test the Amazon Omni Mini-LED, I first conducted casual viewing to establish the TV's most accurate picture mode. In this case, it was Filmmaker Mode, which I used to carry out both subjective and objective testing.

For subjective testing, I used reference scenes from both SDR sources, such as HD streaming and broadcast TV, as well as 4K Blu-ray and streaming HDR sources. I tested the Omni Mini-LED's color, contrast, detail, motion handling, and black levels. Some of the same reference scenes were also used to test the Omni Mini-LED's built-in audio quality.

I also tested the Omni Mini-LED's gaming features and performance using an Xbox Series X.

For objective testing, I took measurements of the Omni Mini-LED's brightness, color and grayscale accuracy, and HDR color gamut coverage. The measurements were taken using a colorimeter, test pattern generator and Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software.

Brightness measurements were taken using both SDR and HDR white window patterns, ranging in size from 1-100% with a focus on 10% (peak brightness) and 100% (fullscreen brightness). Color and grayscale accuracy were taken in SDR, using Delta E values, looking for a score below 3. HDR color gamut coverage was measured for the BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 color spaces.

For input lag testing, measured in milliseconds, I used a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI input lag tester.

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: a well-rounded portable laser projector with Google TV
10:00 pm | January 24, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Theater Projectors Televisions | Tags: | Comments: Off

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22: One minute review

Epson’s smaller, portable EpiqVision home projector models were long overdue for an update, and that’s just what it has done with the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22. This introduces the tilting, swiveling stand design that’s proven so popular with many other recent projectors, and it packs in Google TV for streaming, which helps bring the EpiqVision Mini EF22 closer to parity with its competition. Add in a pair of stereo speakers and the EpiqVision Mini EF22 proves an effective all-in-one system.

The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 beams a laser through its 3LCD projection system, providing respectable brightness near 1,000 lumens. It makes for a decent picture, though it doesn’t manage quite the exciting color gamut of triple-laser options like the JMGO N1S Pro. Its 1080p resolution will also have you sticking to smaller projection sizes than you might otherwise opt for with the best 4K projectors like the BenQ X300G or even the older Xgimi Horizon Pro.

While the EpiqVision Mini EF22 is a simple and effective little home theater projector selling for a reasonable $999, it struggles to contend with the market it’s entering. Not only are there many great new projectors in the $1000-$2000 range but there’s also a sea of slightly older models that have come down in price. It’s a good projector, but I’m hard-pressed to find a reason to choose it over the alternatives. I’d snag myself a BenQ X300G or Xgimi Horizon Pro instead, both of which have been seeing some impossible-to-ignore discounts.

Epson EF-22 projector on table with remote

(Image credit: Future)

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: Specs

Epson EF-22 projector on table

The JMGO N1S Pro 4K delivered strong picture quality across the board (Image credit: Future)

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: Prices & release date

  • Release date: October 2024
  • Price: $999

The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 launched in late 2024 with a starting price of $999 (£799, AU$1,599). It has seen some discounts since then, though these tend to come and go. The EpiqVision Mini EF22 comes in a variety of colors, giving you more options. You can find it in Stone Blue, Opal Green, Quartz Rose, Onyx Black, and Diamond White.

Epson EF-22 projector on table

(Image credit: Future)

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: Design & features

  • Built-in stand makes setup easy
  • Google TV and automatic image adjustments
  • Built-in 2x 5W stereo speakers

Like many of the new consumer projectors in 2024, the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 comes with a stand built in. This makes it easy to adjust the vertical tilt and horizontal angle of the projector, even supporting vertical projection up toward the ceiling. This provides a simpler setup, though anything but a perfectly lined-up projection will result in some digital corrections that detract from the usable image.

The EpiqVision Mini EF22 makes automatic vertical and horizontal keystone adjustments very quickly, letting you shift the projector around and see the image change shape in real time. It’s also quick to focus automatically. It has an optional setting to avoid obstacles when projecting, and this proves effective, but it is a slower process than the other automatic corrections, taking a few seconds. The EpiqVision Mini EF22 rounds out its smart projection features with eye protection that dims the projector when it detects someone in front of it.

The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 is plenty compact, proving not dramatically different in size from the JGMO N1S I recently tested. That said, projectors can certainly come smaller, as LG showed with the LG CineBeam Q. It’s hard to have small projectors get very bright or offer solid audio, though, and those aren’t sacrifices the EpiqVision Mini EF22 made. It features stereo speakers and is rated to hit 1,000 ISO lumens. It also comes with Google TV. Unfortunately, Epson didn’t make the most of the projector’s size, as it opted to include just one HDMI port (with ARC), a USB-A port, and a 3.5mm audio output jack. It’s providing options, but not many. The focus of the EpiqVision Mini EF22 really is on being a standalone device that doesn’t call for external connections.

The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 comes with a simple remote. It’s all plastic with rubber buttons and nothing too elegant, but it’s effective. It has simple navigation controls, a Google Assistant button, a shortcut to the HDMI input (making the input selection button a bit redundant), dedicated volume and brightness controls, and shortcuts for projection settings, auto-focus, as well as YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Video. None of the buttons have backlighting, making it a bit hard to use in the dark, but at least some of the buttons are white, and it’s easy enough to feel out the volume buttons.

  • Design & features score: 4/5

Epson EF-22 showing image of animated movie with toys

The JMGO N1S Pro 4K's picture is at its best with bright and colorful images (Image credit: Future)

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: Picture & sound quality

  • Decent brightness
  • No unsightly motion smoothing
  • Color could use a boost

The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 provides an overall good-looking image, but it’s not the most impressive I've seen in this projector category. While natural content looks solid, with the projector offering a great presentation for Dune, it can struggle elsewhere. In the extremely colorful Mind Game, it didn’t keep up with some of the triple-laser options on the market, like the JMGO N1S, and I noticed some banding in color gradients. That said, the 3LCD technology avoids some of the unsightly swimming-pixel artifacts I’ve seen from DLP projectors displaying large monotone regions, as well as DLP rainbow artifacts.

The EpiqVision Mini EF22 doesn’t keep up with some of its 4K competition either. BenQ’s X300G may have originally been much more expensive, but it’s come down considerably in price, and it has the chops to really threaten the EpiqVision Mini EF22.

I took a rough measurement to overall brightness in the Dynamic profile, which achieved 959 lumens with an ANSI test pattern and a matte white screen. There again, it’s just decent. Competitors like the Dangbei Atom and JGMO N1S offer as much, and slightly more expensive options from BenQ and JMGO take it to another level.

Gaming on the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22, I found the projector added considerable latency if it had any sort of processing going on (i.e., keystone correction or digital zoom). With these disabled, the projector still had a tangible delay between actions and on-screen effects, but it wasn’t significant enough to slow me down as I worked my way through numerous encounters in Hades. Oddly enough, there’s no specific picture profile for gaming that would disable the projector's processing automatically, so you’ll have to manage these settings on your own.

With two speakers on the rear of the EpiqVision Mini EF22, it works reasonably well whether you set the projector up in front of you or at the back of the room. They provide a bit of stereo separation, which adds a touch of depth, though they’re no substitute for a dedicated audio system. They get reasonably loud for a small, quiet room, but the sound gets a bit muddled at higher volumes, making it hard to pick out everything that’s going on in a song, for example. You’ll get clear enough mids and a bit of bass, but higher frequencies tend to suffer when the volume is cranked.

To the EF22’s credit, it doesn’t mess around with any unsightly motion smoothing. Right from the jump, it provides good, clear motion.

  • Picture and sound quality score: 3/5

Epson EF-22 projector on table closeup of lens

(Image credit: Future)

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: Value

  • Effective all-in-one package
  • Comes up short next to the competition

The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 puts plenty into one package. It’s a decent projector, providing a bright image that can handle impromptu movie nights or let you settle in to binge the next hot series, as long as you turn the lights off. With Google TV, it’s ready to stream a great variety of content with no external sources. And it packs in a good enough set of speakers to make do in quiet, intimate viewing conditions. The built-in stand also proves helpful, making it that much easier to set up in various places without the need to stack up a pile of books or go buy a separate stand.

The biggest thing holding the EpiqVision Mini EF22 back in the value department is the competition it faces. You can get much brighter projectors and ones that offer 4K or provide more vivid color for the same price or just a little more. Compared to these, the EpiqVision Mini EF22 ends up feeling lacking.

  • Value score: 3/5

Epson EF-22 projector on table pointing at ceiling

The JMGO N1S Pro 4K comes in a styrofoam carry case. Although portable, it is on the weightier side (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22?

Buy it if...

You want a simple all-in-one: The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 is easy to set up and easy to use. It has the streaming platform, speakers, stand, and display all covered. It performs decently in each department as well, giving you a reasonably well-rounded experience.View Deal

You can’t stand DLP rainbow artifact and dithering: Epson’s 3LCD projection technology gets around a couple visual artifacts that often impact DLP projectors. If you see rainbows or are distracted by weird pixel movement when watching DLP projection, you may prefer the look of Epson’s projector. View Deal

You can’t stand motion smoothing: The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 doesn’t mess around with motion smoothing at all. While most projectors I test have it enabled by default, forcing you to turn it off manually, the EF22 lets you avoid it entirely. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You can’t control ambient lighting: Projection at 1,000 lumens is decently bright and can work in a dim or dark room. But if you can’t close the blinds and dim the lights, it won’t be enough for a bright room.View Deal

You’re a big gamer: The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 has no optimizations for gaming. It requires all of its image adaptations to be disabled to avoid serious input latency, and even then the latency is perceptible. There are much better gaming projector options, like the BenQ X300G.View Deal

You plan on setting it up with more home theater gear: A key aspect of the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 is its all-in-one nature. It’s well-rounded, but not exceptional in any one area. If you’re planning on pairing your projector with separate speakers and video sources, you may as well go with one that goes more all-in on visuals (and one that has more useful ports).View Deal

Also consider

JMGO N1S Pro

The JMGO N1S Pro costs twice as much, but its tri-laser projection system is brighter and way more colorful. If you can tolerate DLP artifacts, it makes for a great alternative with more stunning visuals.

Read our JMGO N1S Pro reviewView Deal

LG CineBeam Q 4K Projector

The LG CineBeam Q gets you upgrades in color quality and resolution thanks to its 4K, triple-laser projection system. It’s also tiny, making it far more portable. But it sacrifices brightness and audio for its size.

Read our full LG CineBeam Q reviewView Deal

BenQ X300G

While this projector might have a high MSRP, it’s recently seen its price reduced to become incredibly competitive. It’s much brighter and offers 4K visuals and gaming enhancements. If you can live without the built-in stand of the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22, strongly consider this one instead.

Read our full BenQ X300G reviewView Deal

Epson EF-22 projector Google TV interface

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22

  • Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
  • Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
  • I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade

I tested the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed content, HDR and non-HDR, and PC gameplay.

My testing evaluates the projector’s performance concerning its price and competition from other models that I and my colleagues at TechRadar have tested.

I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.

Hisense HS214 review: I was impressed by this small soundbar’s audio capabilities, especially given its incredibly low price
3:00 pm | January 20, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Soundbars Televisions | Comments: Off

Hisense HS214 review

The Hisense HS214 could be the perfect soundbar for you if you've decided it's time for an upgrade on plain ole TV audio, but you’re working on a pretty tight budget. The Hisense HS214 is a popular budget option, typically priced at just $99 / £79 (about AU$160). It’s a 2.1 channel soundbar with a built-in sub that aims to offer powerful audio via a compact, all-in-one build. But does it deliver?

Well, before I answer that definitively, let’s take a look at sound quality. I’m happy to report that out of the box, the Hisense HS214 sounds pretty good. When watching I Think You Should Leave on Netflix, a scene with two characters conversing in a people-filled room had clear dialogue, which was decently separated from background murmurs.

Similarly, when watching Howl’s Moving Castle, the vocals of protagonist Sophie felt a bit more defined in the overall mix than with standalone TV audio. During one scene, whistling winds were also replicated accurately, without any tinniness or unintentional harshness – something I always listen out for in my hunt to find the best soundbars available in all price brackets.

Red LED light on Hisense HS214

(Image credit: Future)

One aspect of the HS214 that Hisense talks up is its bass output. That’s mainly because the Hisense HS214 has a built-in woofer, which is meant to offer “powerful bass”, according to the Chinese electronics giant. And in fairness, the soundbar mustered up a bit more of a boom than my TV could manage alone – although it wasn’t massively striking, that’s to be expected given its size.

I watched the horror movie Smile and during a heart-racing scene with screaming and object-smashing, the deep bass playing throughout was a touch underpowered, meaning the full weight of the scene was slightly restricted. Luckily, this can be remedied significantly, thanks to the bass boost/reduce option on the remote. This enables you to raise or decrease bass output by five levels. When cranking up low-end output, the spooky scene in Smile had more impactful bass, which created a darker atmosphere in the build up to the scene’s climax (I won’t spoil it, don’t worry).

So, even if you won’t get massive, imposing bass out of this mini soundbar, it has the potential to offer a considerable leg-up to some of the best small TVs. You may notice the soundbar struggling with deeper bass tones and sub-bass when listening to music, however. For instance, when I tuned in to the bass-heavy Splash Mountain by Yung Gravy, the low-end boom from deep bass running throughout the track was a little bit feeble. More generally, music sounds solid with the HS214, though. It’s decently clear for the most part and doesn’t get awful tinny like some cheap soundbars.

Underside of Hisense HS214 exposing subwoofer

(Image credit: Future)

I mentioned that bass boost/reduce option a moment ago, but you might be wondering what other features the Hisense HS214 has to offer. You get three different sound modes here: Movie; Music; and Night. However, those of you with a Hisense TV will also be able to access Sport and Night mode if you alter the EQ mode via the soundbar settings menu, rather than the soundbar’s remote. Each of these are well differentiated, with Movie adding a bit of emphasis in the low-end. I used this for the majority of testing.

Another feature is surround sound mode, which to clarify, has nothing to do with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X/Virtual:X. When I realised this was an option, I was looking forward to trying it, because even if the HS214’s overall audio quality was good, it didn’t offer much of a spatial impression. Unfortunately, though, surround mode isn’t worth activating. I tried using it when playing Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth on PlayStation 5 and despite providing broader, more nuanced positioning, it wasn’t long before I switched it off. And that’s down to one big issue – it significantly hampers audio quality, which is tinny and a bit unpleasant.

This isn’t the end of the world, of course – the HS214 sounds totally fine without surround mode. And even if it doesn’t offer mesmerizing spatial audio, it does plate up a solid helping of power. It has a total power output of 108W and can get pretty loud, making it an ideal step-up for TVs with weaker audio, or sound that gets easily distorted at higher volumes. And placement isn’t too bad either. During gameplay, one character whizzed across the screen on a motorbike and I got a solid impression of his directionality. Of course, this is a small soundbar and you won’t get much width out of it – especially with Surround Mode off – but general audio placement is decent.

Side of Hisense HS214 with Hisense logo

(Image credit: Future)

One more feature worth mentioning is the dimmer option, which can alter the brightness of the LED light display on the front of the soundbar. I kept it at max brightness, but I have to say, I wasn’t a massive fan of the LED display used here. Rather than displaying volume numbers, EQ modes and more, you just see a small light flash when you change settings or volume. This isn’t the most clear or intuitive and a lot of cheap soundbars, like the Majority Elias, for instance, use clearer displays with words and letters.

But look, I don’t want to be overly critical, especially as I personally like the design of the Hisense HS214 overall. It has an almost leather-like plastic casing on top of that soundbar which is attractive and adds a touch of class. It also has button controls for power, source and volume if you don’t have the soundbar's very neat-looking remote to hand.

Hisense HS214 remote

(Image credit: Future)

On the reverse side, there are a number of ports that enable you to connect your soundbar to a TV in multiple ways. These include: HDMI (ARC); AUX; coaxial; digital optical; and USB-C. That means it should be good to go with any modern TV and gives you plenty of options if all of your HDMI slots are used up. I opted for the HDMI ARC connection type and found setting the soundbar up incredibly easy – just plug in the connector and a power cable and you’re good to go.

All in all, the Hisense HS214 is a very solid budget soundbar. It’s wide of the mark on spatial audio and you may not be wowed in the bass department, but it’s an attractive, compact, easy-to-use soundbar that plates up clear dialogue and solid amounts of power. Given the price you pay, that does make it an attractive offering. If that’s all you need, I’d say this soundbar is worth considering, but for those seeking a stronger spatial impression, one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars will offer a more nuanced, expansive and premium-sounding experience.

Connectivity ports on underside of the Hisense HS214

(Image credit: Future)

Hisense HS214 review: Price and release date

  • $99 / £79 (about AU$160)
  • Launched in 2021

The Hisense HS214 is positioned as a budget, entry-level option for those looking to add a bit of power to their TV setup. It was released back in 2021 and has a list price of $99 / £79 (about AU$160). However, you may well be able to snap this soundbar up for even less. I’ve personally seen this soundbar available for less than £70 via Amazon UK, for instance, so keep an eye out for some sweet deals.

Hisense HS214 review: Specs

Power port for Hisense HS214

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Hisense HS214?

Buy it if...

You’re working with a fairly tight budget
If you’re looking for a solid, cheap soundbar, the Hisense HS214 is an option worth considering. For less than $100 / £80, you get decently powerful audio, clear dialogue and a bundle of connectivity options – not bad at all!

You’re a little low on space
Something I really liked about this soundbar was its ultra-compact build. It was small enough to just fit under my TV stand and so if, like me, you’ve not got a ton of space to play with, this soundbar will fit the bill.

Don't buy it if...

You want truly cinematic sound
Sure, the Hisense HS214 has a surround mode, but it’s just not very good. On top of that, it’s a small, standalone soundbar, so you’re not going to get the most immersive sonic experience.

You’re an audiophile
And if you’re someone who’s picky about sound, this soundbar might not quite hit all the right notes for you. It’s by no means a poor-sounding soundbar, especially for its price, but if you’re hoping for top-tier music replication, deep, impactful bass and supremely crisp vocals, this may fall short.

Hisense HS214 review: Also consider

Panasonic SC-HTB100
This soundbar is UK only, but if it’s available to you it’s a great budget option. You don’t get any fancy tricks from the Panasonic SC-HTB100 – no Atmos or DTS:X and no hi-tech display either. But if you want clear dialogue, strong connectivity options and solid EQ options at a low price, you’ll be well-served here. Read our full Panasonic SC-HTB100 review.

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar
But here’s one that’s available in the US as well – the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar. This budget option supplies pretty impressive sound, as well as a simple setup process and ultra-compact build. Once again, there’s no Atmos and you’re unlikely to be blown away in the bass department, but this is still a very solid option. Read our full Amazon Fire TV Soundbar review.

Hisense HS214 review: How I tested

  • Tested for one week(s)
  • Used at home with the Hisense U7K TV
  • Predominantly used the HDMI ARC connectivity option

I put the Hisense HS214 to the test over a week-long period. I mainly used HDMI ARC when connecting the soundbar to my Hisense U7K TV – a model which had integrated support for the HS214 in its options menus.

While testing, I watched a number of TV shows, videos and movies – mainly using streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube. I also played Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth on the Playstation 5 to judge the soundbar’s capabilities for gaming. In addition, I connected the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE to the Hisense HS214 using Bluetooth connectivity for playing music. I made sure to play tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist to assess the quality of the soundbar’s Music EQ configuration.

  • First reviewed: January 2025
  • Read more about how we test
Hisense 110UXN review: a super-bright, 110-inch mini-LED TV
6:30 pm | January 19, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Televisions | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Hisense 110UXN review: Two minute review

The Hisense 110UXN is the company’s flagship mini-LED TV and has a cinema-sized 110-inch screen. Hisense’s mini-LED TVs often sit among the best TVs, but the 110-inch is both amazing and frustrating.

A quick note – the model I tested is referred to as the Hisense 110UXN in the UK, and although it is essentially the same TV as the Hisense 110UX in the US, the latter's panel is said to have exceeded 10,000 nits brightness, whereas the UXN is capped at 10,000 nits. As a result, I will refer to it as the UXN, but it is the same TV as the 110UX in all but brightness.

Priced at $14,999 / £19,999 (roughly AU$24,300), the Hisense 110UXN, while cheap for a TV this size and with this level of technology, is still a premium-priced set that will outstretch most people’s budgets.

Picture quality on the 110-inch UXN is generally very good. It has dynamic, bold color, black levels matching the best OLED TVs, balanced contrast and lifelike detail. Brighter content looks amazing, but backlight blooming issues keep its picture from true greatness.

The 110-inch UXN’s sound is immersive, punchy and detailed. Pushed to higher volumes, it never distorts, demonstrating tight control. Dolby Atmos effects are limited in their presentation, however, often seeming lost in the mix, and bass sometimes feels limited. While most will be happy with the 110-inch UXN’s sound for everyday viewing, those looking for sound quality to match the picture may want to invest in one of the best soundbars.

The 110-inch UXN’s excellent gaming features including 4K 144Hz, VRR (with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM, rank it up there with the best gaming TVs. Performance-wise, the UXN is responsive, smooth, and a joy to play on. Gaming on a screen this big is a fun experience! It does only feature two HDMI 2.1 ports – something those with multiple consoles should keep in mind.

The 110-inch UXN sits at the top end of the TV market and is priced at a premium. For a screen this big, you may want to instead consider one of the best 4K projectors, many of which can be found for substantially less while delivering an equally large picture.

Hisense 110UXN review: Price & release date

Hisense 110UXN with ferris wheel at night on screen

(Image credit: Future)
  • Release date: November 2024
  • 110-inch price: $15,000 / £20,000 / around AU$24,300

The Hisense 110UXN is Hisense’s flagship mini-LED TV for 2024 (smaller sizes were released at the end of 2023). It sits above the rest of the company’s ULED range, including the Hisense U8N, Hisense U7N and Hisense U6N.

Released in November 2024 in the US and December 2024 in the UK, the 110-inch UXN is a premium-priced TV, with initial launch prices of $20,000 and £20,000 in the US and UK, respectively. The 110-inch UXN has since fallen to $15,000 in the US.

Hisense 110UX review: Specs

Hisense 110UXN review: Benchmark results

Hisense 100UXN review: Features

Hisense 110UXN with valley during sunrise on screen

(Image credit: Future)
  • Mini-LED panel with 40,000 local dimming zones
  • Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR support
  • Hi-View Engine X Processor

The Hisense 110-inch UXN uses a mini-LED panel with up to 40,000 local dimming zones. It features the company’s flagship Hi-View Engine X processor, which uses a 16-bit neural AI chipset to provide AI picture and sound options. Hisense claims the 110-inch UXN can hit 10,000 nits peak brightness (more on how I got on with that later), making it one of the brightest TVs available. It supports both the Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ HDR formats, as well as IMAX Enhanced.

For sound, the 110-inch UXN has a 4.2.2-channel speaker array, including both up-firing and side speakers, and supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound formats. It also has Hisense’s Hi-Concerto feature, which enables the TV’s built-in speakers to work with compatible Hisense soundbars and wireless speakers.

Gaming is well covered on the 110-inch UXN, with 4K 144Hz, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro included), ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming all accounted for. It’s said to support 240Hz at 1080p HD resolution, but I was unable to test this. It does only come with two HDMI 2.1 ports, as is currently the case for all non-LG and Samsung TVs.

The 110-inch UXN is a formidable TV, weighing 85kg (187 pounds) but has a surprisingly slim design for a TV of this size and a premium metal-finished frame.

Hisense’s smart TV platform depends on your region. The US and Australia get Google TV. For the UK, HIsense uses its own VIDAA smart TV platform, which has ample settings to customize picture and sound and provides access to all major streaming apps such as Netflix and UK-based streaming ones such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX. It also supports Freely in the UK, which allows for live broadcast TV to be streamed over Wi-Fi.

  • Features score: 4.5 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Picture quality

Hisense 110UXN with butterfly on screen

The Hisense 110UXN has bold, bright and vivid colors that make pictures jump off the screen. (Image credit: Future)
  • Superb detail and contrast
  • Bold, bright images
  • Picture requires some setup

Hisense claims that the 110-inch UXN can hit 10,000 nits of peak brightness and while I wasn’t quite able to confirm this, I did measure 9,600 nits on a 5% white HDR window pattern in Standard Mode. Crucially, however, this was achieved using the AI Brightness Burst adjustment in Picture Settings, which intermittently increases brightness.

Measured on the 10% HDR white window pattern we use for testing, the 110-inch UXN clocked in at 3,050 nits and 2,665 nits in Standard and Filmmaker modes, respectively. Fullscreen brightness measured using a 100% HDR white window pattern hit 941 nits in Standard – one of the highest fullscreen brightness results I’ve ever measured – and 628 nits in Filmmaker Mode.

Moving onto viewing, an HD stream of Fight Club on Disney Plus showed decent contrast and shadow detail, but textures were soft – unsurprising given the size of the screen. Generally, picture quality for SDR pictures was acceptable, but the TV’s upscaling didn’t do much to enhance the picture quality.

Watching 4K HDR programs on streaming services and Blu-ray, I had to tweak the picture settings a fair amount to get a picture I was happy with. If you’re going to purchase this TV, be prepared to invest time into getting the picture right. I found that turning off settings such as Ultra Resolution helped. For my HDR viewing, I generally stuck to Filmmaker Mode and Dolby Vision Dark for Dolby Vision movies. Those looking for a brighter picture can opt for Dolby Vision IQ, but note that you can’t alter the motion smoothing which is set to on by default in that mode.

Colors on the 100-inch UXN are vibrant, bright and accurate. Watching a 4K Dolby Vision stream of Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Disney Plus, the reds throughout the throne room fight scene had plenty of punch. Similarly, watching a 4K Blu-ray of La La Land, colors were dynamic and boosted by the TV’s high HDR brightness, which gave Mia’s yellow dress a vibrant glow against the dark backdrop in the ‘A Lovely Night’ scene.

Hisense 110UXN with The Batman Gotham street on screen

The Hisense 110UXN delivers impressive contrast and detail, as shown here during a street shot in The Batman. (Image credit: Future)

Measuring the 110-inch UXN’s HDR color gamut coverage, it yielded 97.9% for UHDA-P3 and 84% for BT.2020, both of which are phenomenal results. It also achieved a 1.7 average (below 3 is good) for SDR color accuracy, another impressive result.

The 110-inch UXN’s black levels were deep and it displayed great shadow detail throughout testing. In the opening section of The Batman, details in clothing and objects were maintained in the dimly lit scenes. Contrast was also very good, with a solid balance between the darker backgrounds and lamp lights and torches.

The Batman is a challenging movie due to its low-light mastering (400 nits), and I could see backlight blooming around brighter objects and people during my viewing. Setting the local dimming to Medium or Low (High was the default) in picture settings helped to lessen the issue, though some blooming was still present throughout most content with darker scenes that I watched.

Picture detail was realistic and refined throughout my viewing. In Top Gun: Maverick, every facial mark and hair was visible in close-up shots in the cockpit. The same was true for the clothing in The Batman and La La Land, where fabric and textures looked authentic and accurate.

Motion was generally well handled by the 110-inch UXN. When watching sports including soccer and rugby, it displayed camera pans and fast-moving images with a good level of solidity, though it did benefit from the motion smoothing provided by the Standard preset. And when watching Top Gun: Maverick, the 110-inch UXN handled the chaotic flight sequences well with motion settings turned off.

  • Picture quality score: 4 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Sound quality

Hisense 110UXN side-mounted speakers

Side-mounted speakers on the 110UXN greatly help with spatial audio (Image credit: Future)
  • 4.2.2-channel speaker array
  • Expansive, accurate sound
  • Bass sounds contained at times

The 110-inch UXN has a 4.2.2 channel, 102W built-in speaker array and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS. Two up-firing speakers sit at the top of the frame, and there are two side-firing speakers and two subwoofers on the rear.

I found the best sound mode for most viewing was Theater. Watching The Batman, screeching tyres and swerving traffic were accurately placed on screen during the Penguin-Batmobile car chase. In La La Land, the jazzy score was tightly controlled and had an excellent balance between the brash trumpets, warm bass tones and beating drums.

I did find that Dolby Atmos effects, while present, weren't very pronounced. In The Batman, the rain throughout the movie was audible but the effect wasn’t as powerful as what I’ve heard on some of the best OLED TVs. Bass was decent throughout, but it didn’t have the power I was expecting from two built-in subwoofers.

Overall, most people won’t feel the need to attach a soundbar to the 110-inch UXN. But, if you’re looking for sound to match the picture, you may want to invest in one.

  • Sound quality score: 4 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Design

Hisense 110UXN rear angle shot

Despite its imposing size and weight, the Hisense 110UXN is surprisingly slim (Image credit: Future)
  • Trim design and profile despite size
  • Weighty
  • Basic feet for a premium TV

The 110-inch UXN weighs a whopping 85kg (187 lbs) and comes with two carry handles on the rear for transportation. This is a hefty TV that will require multiple people for installation.

Despite its size, the 110-inch UXN is slimmer than you’d expect, and its trim bezel means most of the 110-inch screen is used to display pictures. It uses two support feet, which is typical for a TV this size.

Hisense’s remote is USB-C rechargeable and takes cues from Samsung’s SolarCell TV remote with a solar panel on the rear in place of traditional batteries. While it is a bit bottom-heavy, the remote has a nice, burnished steel look and a premium feel.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Smart TV & menus

Hisense 110UXN with VVDAA home screen

VIDAA (Hisense's smart TV platform in the UK) is responsive on the 110UXN and has plenty of settings to customize the picture (Image credit: Future)
  • Google TV in the US and Australia, VIDAA in the UK
  • A good number of settings for picture customization
  • Slightly laggy navigation

The 100-inch UXN’s smart TV platform varies depending on your region. In the US and Australia, you get Google TV and if you’re in the UK, you get Hisense’s own VIDAA. I tested this in the UK so will be discussing VIDAA, but If you want to know about Google TV, check out our Hisense U8N review.

VIDAA has access to all the best streaming apps like Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video, and major UK streaming apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4. It also supports Freely, a service that enables you to watch broadcast TV live over Wi-Fi without the need for any cable or satellite dish. There are a good number of picture settings, something I found necessary to apply.

VIDAA ran more smoothly than on budget sets I’ve tested such as the Hisense U6N and Hisense U7N thanks to the 100-inch UXN’s stronger processor. VIDAA is not the most visually appealing smart TV platform, however, with menus that look a little bland and dated.

  • Smart TV & menus: 4 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Gaming

Hisense 110UXN with Battlefield V and Game Bar on screen

The Hisense 110UXN boasts an impressive list of gaming features and superb graphics (Image credit: Future)
  • 16.1ms input lag time
  • Big-screen gaming is fun
  • A good number of gaming features

The 110-inch UXN only has two HDMI 2.1 ports but supports 4K 144Hz gaming, with VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming all featured as well. There is no dedicated Game picture preset(other than Dolby Vision Game), with the TV’s Game Mode overlaying the existing picture presets. It also features a Game Menu where settings can be adjusted on-the-fly.

I found that Standard picture mode with Game Mode turned on suited gaming best. The 110-inch UXN’s input lag time measured 16.1ms at 4K 60Hz. (Gamers typically look for under 15ms.) However, I generally found the 110-inch UXN to be responsive and fun to play on. With Battlefield V on Xbox Series X, it handled chaotic gunfights and packed battle sections well. I did find when using the Game Mode menu that frame rates generally varied from 98Hz-120Hz, but this didn’t deter from my experience.

The 110-inch UXN displays graphics in a dynamic, bright and colorful manner. Playing a desert mission in Battlefield V, the vast waves of sand and bright blue skies all looked punchy and accurate.

  • Gaming score: 4.5 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Value

Hisense USB-C rechargeable TV remote against white wall

The Hisense 110UXN comes with Hisense's premium remote, which has a USB-C port and solar cell on the bottom rear, both for charging (Image credit: Future)
  • Very pricey
  • Significantly more expensive than ultra short throw projectors
  • Cheaper than large micro-LED and OLED TVs

At $15,000 / £20,000 (roughly AU$24,300), the 110-inch UXN is a super-premium mini-LED TV that will outstretch most people’s budgets. This is roughly the same price as one of the best projectors, the JVC DLA-NZ800, which retails for $14,999 / £14,999 (roughly AU$24,300). It’s also pricier than the best ultra short throw projectors such as the Samsung The Premiere 9, which costs $5,999 / £5,999 (roughly AU$9,750).

Although the 110-inch UXN is cheaper than 97-inch OLED models and larger micro-LED screens and offers uniquely high brightness levels and very good picture and sound quality, it still goes a step too far price-wise compared to other premium sets.

  • Value score: 3 / 5

Should you buy the Hisense 110UXN?

Hisense 110UXN with La La Land on screen

The Hisense 110UXN comes at a premium price that most won't be able to afford (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want cinema experience at home
The 110UXN delivers a bold TV experience that's highlighted by its bright, colorful and detail-rich picture.

You want a giant-screen gaming TV
The 110UXN combines a great list of gaming features, solid performance and stunning graphics to deliver a big-screen gaming experience that's downright fun.

Don't buy it if…

You're on a budget
The 110UXN is unsurprisingly an expensive TV, outpricing premium 4K projectors, big screen OLEDs and other 98-inch-plus TVs by a substantial margin.

You don't want to spend time setting up the picture
Out of the box, the 110UXN's picture needs tweaking. Expect to spend a lot of time in the settings getting it to look just right.

Also consider

Hisense U8N
One of the step-down models from the UXN, the U8N is still delivers a bright, detailed and colorful picture with excellent gaming performance and comes in an 85-inch screen size. If you're looking for a cheaper, smaller alternative to the UXN, the U8N should be your first choice.

Read our full Hisense U8N reviewView Deal

Samsung QN90D
Though not as bright as the Hisense UXN or even the U8N, the Samsung QN90D delivers superb contrast and impressive motion handling and comes in a 98-inch screen size. It has more gaming features than the Hisense range as well. If you're a sports fan, the Samsung QN90D is one to consider.

Read our full Samsung QN90D reviewView Deal

How I tested the Hisense 110UXN

Hisense 110UXN with testing equipment attached

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested in light controlled cinema room
  • Tested SDR and HDR sources for picture quality
  • Measurements taken using Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software

I tested the Hisense 110UXN in a light-controlled cinema room at the headquarters of AWE, a Hisense TV distributor. I spent the first portion of my time with the UXN doing casual viewing to establish the most accurate picture mode, which in this case was Filmmaker Mode.

For my critical viewing, I used several reference scenes from both SDR (broadcast TV and streaming) and HDR sources (4K Blu-ray and streaming). I tested the UXN's picture for color, contrast, black level, detail, HDR performance and motion. I also used these same sources to test the UXN's audio performance. To play 4K Blu-rays, I used the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player.

I also tested the UXN's gaming performance and features using an Xbox Series X.

After this, I moved on to objective testing, which involved taking measurements with Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software, two colorimeters and a test pattern generator.

I used both SDR and HDR white window test patterns ranging from 1-100% in size to measure the UXN's brightness, focusing on 10% for peak brightness and 100% for full-screen brightness.

I then measured the UXN's color and grayscale accuracy, looking for an average measurement below 3. I also measured the UXN's HDR coverage of the UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces to see how accurately the UXN can display colors with ultra-high definition (UHD) sources.

Finally, I measured the UXN's input lag using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI input lag tester, with under 15ms representing an ideal result for gaming.

For a more detailed explanation of how we test TVs at TechRadar, check out the link.

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro review: a strong contender for the portable projector crown
3:34 am | January 16, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Theater Projectors Televisions | Comments: Off

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro review: Two-minute review

Chinese electronics brand XGIMI is on a continued mission to be the brand of choice when searching for a projector, hoping to lure you away from the likes of Samsung, BenQ or LG in the process. The MoGo 3 Pro, released alongside the much higher-end Aura 2 4K UST projector towards the end of 2024, certainly has a resumé to suggest it’s in with a fair shot of becoming one of the best portable projectors: full HD resolution, 450 ISO lumens brightness, Google TV and Netflix onboard and, of course, a portable design. And yes, I recognize XGIMI has diverted away from the design of the previous two MoGo projectors and has instead adopted something akin to Samsung’s The Freestyle projector.

Admittedly, the new XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro’s new look does make it a lot more portable and it has added practical benefits. The cylindrical design allows the projector lens to remain covered up when it’s not in use and it can be tilted through a 130º angle. XGIMI claims this allows the projector to beam onto the ceiling but, in my use, I wasn’t able to do so without physically angling the whole projector unit itself. A full 180º of tilt would allow it to perform better in this regard, if that’s what you’re looking for in a projector.

Images projected onto a wall using the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro are of excellent quality, although you will want to dive into the picture settings to make some adjustments for the best results. Out of the box, images could look washed out and overexposed, but after diving into the albeit limited picture settings and making a few adjustments, I found that the projected images were able to deliver good color and contrast. I was impressed with its ability to combat some bright ambient light filtering into my testing room, too. Naturally, when the lights went down, the images projected onto my wall became much clearer.

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector viewed from the side, with the unit angled at 90 degrees

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Because the MoGo 3 Pro is a portable projector it needs to rely on its built-in speakers for sound, which is where things get less positive. The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro has 2 x 5W Harman Kardon speakers built in which, sadly, fail to deliver anywhere near a cinematic experience, despite XGIMI's claims. Dolby Audio and Dolby Digital Plus are both supported formats, but it adds little to what is an overall unengaging sound. For casual viewing with friends, family or even by yourself, it can pass, but if you’re planning on movie nights when you’re away camping or on holiday, for example, then you’ll likely be disappointed. You can connect a Bluetooth speaker to help boost things on the audio front, and a Mini HDMI connection is onboard with ARC support, meaning you can connect a soundbar, for example, using a Mini HDMI-to-HDMI cable. But if you’ve taken the MoGo 3 Pro away on a camping trip, you’re unlikely to have access to a full-fat external audio system.

The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro also doesn’t have a built-in battery, which naturally can also affect its portability. If you know you’re going to want to take it somewhere where a power outlet won’t be accessible, then you can connect a USB-C power bank with a minimum power output of 65W, or you can buy the optional PowerBase stand, which not only raises the projector off the ground or a small table, but has its own built-in battery to keep it powered. XGIMI says the stand allows you to “continuously play a full-length movie without interruption,” although I found that would be the case only if said movie is 2.5 hours or less.

The other disappointing aspect I found when using the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro was that it could be slow in use. Volume adjustments using the remote control took a few seconds to register; navigating around the main home page regularly suffered from lag and I even found when trying to watch a particularly fast moving scene from The Incredibles on Disney+ that the projector just completely crashed. I should stress that this was an isolated incident that I couldn’t repeat with other fast-motion content such as sports.

The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector is, ultimately, a good option for anyone who wants big-screen thrills when on the go or perhaps as an option for a second bedroom at home in place of installing a TV. Keep in mind when comparing projectors, the 450 ISO lumens from the MoGo 3 Pro is about equivalent to 500 ANSI lumens. It does well against its main competition, Samsung’s The Freestyle projector, particularly when it comes to brightness. But, if your budget can stretch, you’ll find greater performance from the likes of the 4K RGB Laser equipped LG CineBeam Q.

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro review: Price & availability

  • Launched on September 6, 2024
  • List price of $449 / £429 / AU$1,099
  • Optional accessories cost extra

The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro was announced and officially launched at IFA Berlin on September 6, 2024, alongside the Aura 2 4K UST projector. It’s available to buy now for $449 / £429 / AU$1,099 for the standalone projector. You can buy it bundled with the PowerBase stand for $499 / £499 / AU$1,199

You can also pick up an optional carry case for the MoGo 3 Pro projector, which is only available in green, for $69 / £59 / AU$99.

The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro portable projector’s list price is significantly less than the Samsung The Freestyle projector in the US, UK and Australia. However, Samsung’s projector does have greater HDR support, with HDR10+ available. The MoGo 3 Pro maxes out at ‘standard’ HDR10, although as we said in our Samsung The Freestyle projector review, “I didn’t see much of a picture quality difference when viewing in HDR from standard HD format”, so the MoGo 3 Pro’s lack of extended support isn’t necessarily a mark against it.

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro review: Specs

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro review: Design & features

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector being held in a hand

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Google TV interface
  • Can double up as a Bluetooth speaker

The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro sports a cylindrical form factor and is finished in an anodized silver aluminum color. It’s lightweight at just over one kilogram, making it a breeze to not only move around your home, but to throw into a bag to take on the road with you. The main projector unit itself features an integrated stand, which also houses the built-in speaker system.

When connected to power, the MoGo 3 Pro turns on as soon as you lift it up to separate it from its stand. You can then tilt it through 130º to project an image onto a wall or screen. Alternatively, when you lift the projector from its integrated stand to power it on, you can leave it in this position, where it will light up in one of three selectable colors. In this mode, you can use it as a nightlight or you can stream music to it via Bluetooth, and you can select an option that will see the light pulse – this is more of a flickering of the light rather than it moving in time with the music.

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector remote control

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

A remote control comes supplied with the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro and two AAA batteries to power it. The remote feels good to hold, although I wasn’t enamored with the layout of the buttons. I found it required a bit of a learning process: the home button is in the bottom right for example and I’m used to it being more central on the majority of other remote controls I’ve used. I also occasionally pressed the Google Assistant button when I actually wanted to select ‘settings’. The remote control isn’t backlit, which can make things even trickier. Fortunately, the volume button is in an obvious and hard-to-miss place at the bottom, although I found the projector took a short while to register whenever I wanted to turn the volume up. Alternatively, because the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro uses the Google TV operating system, you’re able to use your phone as a remote control via the Google Home app.

The single-chip DLP projector uses an LED light source, which XGIMI says is good for 25,000 hours of use. The company’s ISA 2.0 technology is onboard, which gives access to a number of especially useful setup tools, including automatic keystone correction, autofocus, obstacle avoidance, screen alignment and eye protection. Automatic screen adjustments are just a click away via a button on the remote control and you’re free to manually adjust settings further if you wish. I found autofocus to be the most successful of all the settings, while auto keystone correction delivered mixed results. The idea of this setting is that it will automatically realign the screen if you move the projector around. In most instances it worked fine, but I was occasionally forced to dive into the manual settings to get the screen aligned properly.

Image 1 of 2

Close up of XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector speaker and power input

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
Image 2 of 2

Close up of XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector output connections

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

A small selection of accessories is available for the MoGo 3 Pro, including a PowerBase stand which has a built-in 20,000mAh battery for keeping the projector running when a power outlet isn’t accessible. XGIMI says it’s good for 2.5 hours of playback time when the projector’s brightness setting is set to Eco mode, which is just enough for movies such as Deadpool vs Wolverine, but too short for recent releases such as Wicked. When using the MoGo 3 Pro with just the PowerBase stand, the projector defaults to Eco mode. It can be changed, but it will impact battery life significantly.

A carry case is also available to keep it better protected during transport and a Creative Optical Filter can be placed over the MoGo 3 Pro’s lens to project a much larger image onto a wall. It’s intended to be used with the XGIMI Wall app to project underwater seascapes or immersive starry night sky images.

While the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro features a Mini HDMI input for connecting to either an external sound system or a media streaming device, for the most part, you’ll likely be using the built-in apps to access content. In this regard, it’s good news as the MoGo 3 Pro uses Google TV, which provides access to a huge selection of apps and services. Perhaps most crucially, Netflix is supported. The ubiquitous streaming service doesn’t always play nicely with projector systems – a third-party app is required to access it on XGIMI's own Aura 2 for example, which uses the Android TV OS instead – so it’s great to see it front and center here. In a similar vein to the Samsung Freestyle projector, the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro uses the older Wi-Fi 5 standard, which is more than capable enough to handle streaming, and didn’t cause any issues during my use.

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector on PowerBase stand

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

As a predominantly streaming-focused projector, connections on the MoGo 3 Pro are limited to micro HDMI. It would have been great to have received a cable or adaptor in the box, but alas, you’ll need to buy one if you want to connect an external gaming console, Blu-ray player, or other HDMI source. The micro HDMI connection does support HDMI-ARC, which allows you to connect it to a soundbar or other audio system, but there isn’t a 3.5mm audio output. You can also stream music to the projector via Bluetooth, or from the projector to a Bluetooth speaker thanks to dual Bluetooth support. I connected the projector to a Beats Pill to test this feature and experienced no obvious signs of audio delay. Android users can stream wirelessly via Google Cast, and AirPlay is supported too. XGIMI says in the support menus that you need to download the MagiCast app from the Google Play Store, but I searched for it and had no luck. I eventually found another app called AirMirror that allowed me to mirror the screen of my iPhone and stream music via AirPlay.

  • Design & features score: 4 / 5

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro review: Picture & sound quality

Scene from Toy Story projected onto a wall by the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
  • Decent brightness even in ambient light conditions
  • Impressive picture quality after some adjustments
  • Sound is poor unless you turn it up to maximum

I went into my review of the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro with limited expectations about the picture quality it would be able to produce, given its size and limited specs. I’d previously reviewed the XGIMI Aura 2 which produced a gorgeous and bright image, but this was expected since it has a 2300 ISO lumens rating. The MoGo 3 Pro’s 450 ISO lumens rating, therefore, suggested to me it would only really function at its best in the dark.

The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro supports the HDR10 HDR format, which did provide some benefit to contrast in movie scenes with dark and bright elements. The company claims the projector supports 90% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. With Game mode activated, XGIMI says the MoGo 3 Pro has input lag of ≈ 27ms with auto keystone correction turned off and ≈ 60ms with it turned on.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that it held up well in a brighter room, with ambient sunlight coming in through a small opening. With the overhead lights turned on, it was totally unusable, but with just some sunlight creeping in, I was able to watch the projected image without too much fuss. You are able to project an image up to 200 inches in size, but XGIMI says that for best results you’ll want to stay within a boundary of 60 to 120 inches. For reference, the size of the image I was able to project onto my wall was around 80 inches, with the projector positioned around 200cm (80 inches) from the wall. XGIMI says the throw ratio of the MoGo 3 Pro is 1.2:1.

There are slightly different picture presets depending on whether you’re watching HDR or SDR content. The majority of my testing used HDR content, which presented Standard, Sport and Game presets. I left it on Standard most of the time as I felt this offered the best overall picture. I was surprised to not find a ‘Movie’ picture preset, especially given the fact this will likely be the projector’s main use.

Google TV home screen projected onto a wall by the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

There are also three different brightness settings hidden within the menus: Standard, Eco and Performance. Again, I left the standard option selected the majority of the time. Eco mode limits brightness to 40% to help prolong battery life, and in darker rooms is perfectly fine to watch. If you’re watching in a brighter room, however, it doesn’t do as good a job.

Performance mode, meanwhile, introduces a blue tint to the image, which was a little peculiar... I was expecting this mode to ramp up the brightness further, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. When this mode is selected, the built-in cooling fan also gets turned up to 11 to the point where it’s clearly audible. It’s also worth noting that the performance brightness mode can only be enabled when the official power adapter is plugged directly into the projector unit. It won’t work with other power adapters or when connected to a power bank or the PowerBase stand.

A scene from Toy Story projected onto a wall by the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector

Enabling Performance brightness mode introduced a blue/green tint to the image. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

A stream of Alien: Romulus provided a good test of darker content for the MoGo 3 Pro and, considering its size, specs and price, I was pleased with the results when watching in a dimly lit room. It was able to unearth details in shadowy areas of a scene, while brighter areas such as lights had a satisfying pop.

I switched over to Toy Story on Disney Plus for its color-rich palette and generally bright scenes. The various reds, yellows, greens and blues were prominent, although not quite as vibrant as I’ve seen on TVs and higher-specced projectors. Nevertheless, it was still an enjoyable watch.

Seeing as though the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro is designed to be taken out of the home with you, I set it up in my courtyard to see how it fared when being used outside. I will preface by saying I was projecting onto a dark grey wall, but it was also at night and so, despite the color of the wall coming through, I was still able to watch without trouble. I have no doubts that if you project onto a white wall, a sheet or even a portable projection screen, you will have no issues when watching movies on the road.

Scene from Toy Story projected onto an outdoor wall by the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

I also watched my favorite clip from The Incredibles and came across an issue with a fast-moving scene about two-thirds into the movie. When Dash is running through the forest away from Syndrome’s goons, the projector seemed to just crash and stopped playing the movie. Pressing the home button returned me to the main home page, but the same thing happened again when I attempted to watch the scene again. I wasn’t able to replicate this again with any other content, so it could be a one-off, isolated incident or due to a bug that can be fixed via a future firmware update.

The projector’s built-in speaker system is more difficult to be excited about. At full volume it does produce a spacious sound that will ultimately pass for whatever you’re watching. At lesser volumes however, it’s too quiet to do any real service and it lacks any real impact. Connecting a Bluetooth speaker is a fuss-free experience and can work wonders to boost the overall sound output, especially as I didn’t experience any signs of audio lag.

  • Picture & sound quality score: 4 / 5

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro review: Value

  • Cheaper than its closest competitor
  • Great features and performance
  • Portable power options cost extra

Dark scene from Alien: Romulus projected onto a wall by the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

With a list price of $499 / £449 / AU$1,099, the MoGo 3 Pro offers enough to make it worth recommending. Its most obvious competitor, the Samsung The Freestyle, costs more in most markets yet has a similar specs list. Samsung’s offering doesn’t go quite as bright, but it does use the excellent Tizen operating system and it supports cloud gaming. Like the MoGo 3 Pro, there’s no built-in battery, but an optional base is available to make it truly portable.

To this end, I think the XGIMI's optional battery-powered base is the better choice as it’s also a tripod. Samsung’s option only raises the projector a few extra inches, so you may still need a table to put it on for optimal results. XGIMI's MoGo 3 Pro also has the added benefit of keeping the lens protected when it’s not in use. You will need to consider spending extra on the PowerBase stand (which is more cost effective to buy as a bundle with the projector) or a power bank that meets the required criteria.

If you can spend more and your only need for a portable projector is to use it in your garden, then almost any projector will do the job when plugged into an extension cord.

  • Value score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro?

Buy it if...

You want a well-specced portable projector
The MoGo 3 Pro is especially portable thanks to a compact design and lightweight build. A lightweight battery-powered tripod base, or power from an external power bank, allows it to be used practically anywhere.

You plan to watch in dark conditions
The MoGo 3 Pro does well to combat ambient lighting in rooms, but when the sun goes down, it really comes into its own.

Don't buy it if...

You want 4K picture
The MoGo 3 Pro only supports up to full HD 1080p, which does mean picture quality can diminish if you supersize your projected image

You like to game at odd angles
27ms of input lag with auto keystone turned off is pretty decent, but this does mean you have to have the projector set up to directly face your projection surface.

Also consider

Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen
It’s been mentioned throughout this review for good reason, Samsung’s portable projector looks incredibly similar and has a similar spec sheet. It fares better in the gaming arena, but its picture isn’t quite as bright. But it costs quite a bit more than the XGIMI, and rarely receives discounts.
Read our in-depth Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen review.

LG CineBeam Q
LG’s portable projector rocks a funky retro design and supports 4K content with HDR. Color performance is excellent and brightness levels are good for a portable model. It does cost a lot more, but you also get a lot more in return compared to the MoGo 3 Pro.
Read our full LG CineBeam Q review.

How I tested the Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro

  • I used the projector in a range of light conditions
  • Set it up inside and outside to test portability
  • Watched a variety of dark and bright content

I tested the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro at home over a period of about a month so I could experience it during various daytime living conditions. This meant multiple light sources, be it natural daylight or overhead lightbulbs, came into my testing room, at which point I rated the picture to see how well it performed.

The projector was tested against a white wall for the duration of my review, but also on a dark grey wall outside to assess its portable credentials. Both performed well and I could see noticeable differences before and after calibration.

I used a variety of content, including HDR and SDR content from a variety of streaming services.

My testing evaluates the projector's performance against other reviews my colleagues at TechRadar have conducted. I have been writing about and reviewing displays for five years.

Read more about how we test

[First published January 2025]

Optoma UHZ66 review: a bright but basic 4K laser projector
1:09 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Theater Projectors Televisions | Comments: Off

Optoma UHZ66 4K laser projector: one-minute review

The Optoma UHZ66 is a rather staid update to the company’s projector lineup. It offers a bright 4K picture with solid contrast and the useful ability to drop down to 1080p and run at 240Hz for smooth gaming, but it’s not breaking the mold in any particular way. It may have good color, but it does not match competitors like the JMGO N1S Ultra.

HDR viewing on the Optoma UHZ66 leaves plenty to be desired, and its bland design isn’t offset by helpful utilitarian features you find on the best 4K projectors like vertical lens shift — something the BenQ X3100i includes. Factor in the lack of an onboard smart TV system for streaming, the bottom-of-the-barrel remote control, and the weak built-in speaker, and you get a system that’s not offering much value on top of the picture quality.

The Optoma UHZ66 really needed to do more to win our hearts. It’s got a good picture, but the picture is just about all it has, and even at its recent price of about $2,000, a good picture simply isn’t enough.

Optoma UHZ66 4K laser projector review: price and release date

  • Release date: October 2023
  • Price: $1,999 (around £1,637 / AU$3,230)

The Optoma UHZ66 has been on the market for a little while now, launching in late 2023. When it arrived, it had a retail price of $2,999 (about £2,935, AU$4,460), but street pricing has come down considerably since then. It’s readily available for $1,999 (around £1,637 / AU$3,230) at the time of writing and has wavered between about $1,800 and $2,300 for much of the past year. At $2,999, it would be an immediate pass for us, but at $1,999, it offers a slightly more competitive value.

Optoma UHZ66 projector on table

The UHZ66 control buttons are located on the projector's top (Image credit: Future)

Optoma UHZ66 4K laser projector review: Specs

Optoma UHZ66 projector on table

Connections include 2 HDMI 2.0 ports (1 with eARC) (Image credit: Future)

Optoma UHZ66 4K laser projector review: design and features

  • Bland design next to recent competitors
  • Limited optical adjustments
  • Requires additional home theater equipment

The Optoma UHZ66 is not one of those projectors that's gotten a recent glow-up, like the JMGO N1S Ultimate or any from Xgimi. Instead, it's your classic white plastic brick that would look just as at home in an office as it would in a home theater. The front of the projector is a flat piece of white plastic with a large lens protruding out of it. The sides are fully vented with grilles and the rear has an additional grille for even more airflow.

On the top of the Optoma UHZ66, you can find a handful of buttons that allow you to navigate the controls in case you misplace the remote control, which will be easy to do given how tiny it is. The top also includes a little slot with access to the zoom dial. That dial gives the UHZ66 an adjustable throw ratio, though no matter what you’re not getting a fairly long throw. The minimum is a 1.4:1 ratio. While optical zoom is useful, the Optoma UHZ66 unfortunately lacks vertical lens shift. I found placing it on a mantle at the back of a room too high to use it at all and also too low to use flipped upside-down. The most ideal setup is likely mounted to the ceiling with a long throw.

The Optoma UHZ66 sits on three small rubber feet allowing for some angle and tilt adjustments to help you align the projection with your wall. There are also mounting holes to set the UHZ66 up with a ceiling mount.

On the back of the projector, you’ll find a small selection of ports. You get two HDMI 2.0 inputs, including one with eARC, a USB port, a 3.5mm audio output, and RJ-45 and RS-232 ports. Given the projector only has a single speaker, an optical audio output would have also been good to see for more options and compatibility with different home theater setups given that HDMI eARC has a length limit and a 3.5mm port won’t carry a surround signal.

The remote included with the UHZ66 is not meant for much. It's a flat little thing about the size of a few stacked credit cards. It has three columns of buttons with no way to physically discern between them, which makes navigating it a pain. It also lacks backlighting, so it's hard to see in the dark conditions of a home theater. It does the job, but it has a long way to go to be user-friendly. It at least provides quick access to a few of the more important settings, such as input selection, picture mode, and keystone controls.

  • Design and features score: 2.5/5

Optoma UHZ66 projector on table

The UHZ66's included remote isn't particularly user-friendly (Image credit: Future)

Optoma UHZ66 4K laser projector review: picture quality

  • Bright, high-contrast 4K picture
  • Low latency, especially in 240Hz mode
  • System stutters during setting adjustments and signal switches

Let’s start with the good. The Optoma UHZ66 offers a respectably bright image and is easy to get exceptionally sharp with the focus dial. The 4K picture goes a long way at the sizes the projector is ready to display at. The contrast achieved by the projector is also commendable. Many projectors struggle with elevated black levels, but the UHZ66 can dim down quite low for blacks.

As bright as the UHZ66 may get, it doesn't appear to want to get as bright as it's rated for. Instead of hitting its rated 4,000 lumens, it comes closer to 2200 lumens, and even that requires a cooler color temperature setting to achieve. With the default warmer color, it falls toward 2100 lumens. I fiddled with a bunch of settings to see if I couldn’t figure out which might achieve Optoma’s lofty 4,000-lumen mark, but none quite got there.

Running the projector at its brightest settings requires opting for a cooler color temperature which makes the fans kick in. They can be fairly noisy if you're close to them, though they're not shrill or very loud in a larger room. Different settings also don't require the fans to run as hard, such as the dimmer Reference mode.

The color output of the UHZ66 is impressive. ALPD laser projectors haven’t always had the most impressive color gamut coverage in my experience testing, but the UHZ66 blasts out impactful color for something like the opening credits of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. One catch, though: it doesn’t seem to want to display its full color gamut when HDR is enabled. Everything turns rather mellow when HDR comes on. This is pretty much the opposite of what you’d expect from HDR content, so if you prefer a vibrant look, you’re better off setting your source devices to SDR output. Now, movies and TV don’t look bad in this condition, but they just lack some of the pop that they could have.

Trying to find ideal settings on the Optoma UHZ66 can be a real headache. The projector offers plenty of settings for tweaking the image, but navigating the menus is tedious thanks to the remote. And even just changing the volume on the Optoma UHZ66 is enough demand for the processor to actually cause the image to stutter. Switching picture modes or major settings can see blips where the projector goes out and comes back after a couple of seconds. And this happens not only when you’re changing settings yourself but also when you’re watching content and then back out to a menu.

A boon for gamers is the Optoma UHZ66’s ability to switch between 4K 60Hz and 1080p 240Hz modes. In its gaming mode, latency is minimal. It’s hard to detect input lag at 60Hz on the UHZ66 and it's practically imperceptible at the 240Hz mode. DLP projection systems are rather fast as well, providing quick pixel response times to avoid ghosting.

The UHZ66’s single speaker sounds boxed in and rather awful. It's nowhere near loud enough to match the kind of picture you can get from the UHZ66, and really shouldn't be relied on for anything.

  • Picture quality score: 3.5/5

Optoma UHZ66 projector on table

The UHZ66 has manual zoom and focus controls, but no lens shift (Image credit: Future)

Optoma UHZ66 4K laser projector review: value

  • Limited utility for the price
  • Calls for streaming devices and external speakers

The Optoma UHZ66 is just one piece of a home theater setup. While it does include a speaker, it’s poorly matched for the theater capabilities of the projector. The lack of an onboard smart TV system also means you’ll need a source device no matter what setup you go for. While there are certainly some nice extras, like the 240Hz mode, it’s still largely filling just one role. If it came with more flexibility, such as an adjustable lens offset or hardware keystone, it would offer more value. But as it is, it’s fairly expensive to leave so much out, especially when competing projectors don’t make such omissions.

  • Value score: 2.5/5

Should I buy the Optoma UHZ66 4K laser projector?

Optoma UHZ66 projector on table

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You’ve got a good ceiling mount already: Between its longer throw and vertical offset, the Optoma UHZ66 will serve well mounted to a ceiling at the back of a room and wired into an existing home theater setup.

You’re looking for responsive gaming: The gaming mode on the UHZ66 offers minimal input lag, and that lag drops to imperceptible levels in the 1080p 240Hz mode.

Don’t buy it if… 

You want the best picture: The Optoma UHZ66 is good, but not amazing. The color from the JMGO N1S Ultra is more impressive and less finicky with HDR content.

You want an all-in-one package: Though the UHZ66 includes a speaker, it’s not up to the task for home theater audio. And the lack of a smart TV interface means you’ll need at least a streaming stick to get going.

You have aesthetic concerns: Not many projectors have what I’d call stunning aesthetics, but the UHZ66 makes little attempt at being pretty or subtle. The bland white hunk of plastic isn’t going to lend much to your decor.

Also consider...

BenQ X3100i
The BenQ X3100i offers several upgrades over the UHZ66. It may not be as bright, but it’s geared up for gaming, is flexible, and offers an Android TV streaming stick for the money.

Here's our full BenQ X3100i review

BenQ X300G
The BenQ X300G is cheaper, but still reasonably bright and ready to shine a 4K 60Hz picture or 1080p 240Hz picture. It’s competent competition and a little better looking, too.

Here's our full BenQ X300G review

JMGO N1S Ultra
The JMGO N1S Ultra is an all-in-one package with stunning visuals, excellent color, Google TV built-in, impactful speakers, and easy projection adjustments (even if many of them are digital).

Here's our full JMGO N1S Ultra review.

How I tested the Optoma UHZ66 4K laser projector

  • Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
  • Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
  • I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade

I tested the Optoma UHZ66 at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed content, HDR and non-HDR, and PC gameplay.

My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models I and colleagues at TechRadar have tested.

I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.

First reviewed: January, 2024

Kaleidescape Strato V Movie Player review: 4K Blu-ray video and audio quality minus the discs
3:00 pm | December 8, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Theater Televisions | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V: One-minute review

The Kaleidescape Strato V is the latest Movie Player from Kaleidescape, and it represents a definite shift for the company. Kaleidescape is synonymous with a premium movie experience at home, offering a proprietary ecosystem based around its own hardware and servers. While no one questions the quality of Kaleidescape’s products, the price of admission has been steep and the lack of Dolby Vision support has been a glaring omission given the brand’s pursuit of high-end video and audio performance.

The new Kaleidescape Strato V addresses both of these issues by offering Dolby Vision support and lowering the cost of entry. To achieve this, the Strato V integrates a 960GB solid-state hard drive, and while that means it can only store around ten 4K movies downloaded from the company’s Movie Store at any one time, at least it combines the movie player and movie server into a single, more affordable device that's an excellent alternative to the best 4k Blu-ray players.

With Kaleidescape, you can immediately access a huge library of films, TV shows, and concert videos, with new titles often available months before any disc release. The picture and sound quality are exceptional, with stunning 4K HDR10 and Dolby Vision images and full lossless audio that includes Dolby Atmos and DTS:X – something you don’t get from the best streaming services, which only provide compressed soundtracks. The result is a performance that’s at least equal to a disc but without taking up all your shelf space. So if you want convenience without any compromise look no further than the Strato V.

Kaleidescape Strato V on glass table

The new Strato V combines a movie player with built-in 960GB SSD storage – enough to hold 10 movies at a time (Image credit: Future)

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Price & release

  • Price: $3,995 / £5,379
  • Release date: September 2024

The Kaleidescape Strato V is available now through registered dealers and online sellers like Best Buy in the US and retails for $3,995 / £5,379. While this certainly isn’t cheap it’s definitely more affordable than the alternative of buying the Kaleidescape Strato C Movie Player. The latter costs about the same but doesn’t support Dolby Vision and requires you to buy one of Kaleidescape’s Terra Prime servers, which are very pricey. Of course, if you want to expand the storage of the Strato V you can add a Terra Prime server, although the extra cost does rather defeat the whole point of buying one.

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Specs

Kaleidescape Strato V rear panel ports

The Strato V uses wired Ethernet for a network connection; it has no Wi-Fi option (Image credit: Future)

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Design

  • Great build quality
  • Kaleidescape remote app
  • Control over Ethernet

The Kaleidescape Strato V certainly looks like a premium product with a sleek, stylish and very well-made cabinet that uses a combination of a 3mm-thick black anodised aluminium chassis combined with a 3mm-thick black glass front with an illuminated Kaleidescape logo. The unit is silent in operation and includes a 960GB solid-state drive, along with a powerful system-on-chip (SoC).

The unit is only 20cm wide, which might disappoint those who like their AV equipment full width, but there’s an optional faceplate for mounting in an equipment rack. There’s also a dual faceplate for use with a compact Terra Prime server, along with a wall bracket for mounting behind a TV.

The connectivity is at the rear, with a gold-plated HDMI 2.1 output, a coaxial digital audio output using a gold-plated RCA phono connector, and an optical digital output. There’s also a gigabit Ethernet port, a USB 3.0 port, an IR input, a service port, and a 12V input for the included power adapter brick. There is no Wi-Fi connectivity, so you will need a wired Ethernet connection for downloading movies, accessing the web interface, updating firmware and using the control app.

The included remote is small and simple but gets the job done. There’s no backlight, which can be annoying in a pitch-black home cinema, but given Kaleidescape’s target market, chances are you’ll be using a third-party control system over Ethernet like Crestron, AMX, Savant or Control4. There’s also the Kaleidescape app (iOS or Android) which makes an effective controller, providing an alternative to the remote with its handy swipe function and access to the Kaleidescape Movie Store.

  • Design score: 5/5

Kaleidescape Strato V Movie store interface

The Kaleidescape Movie Store features new releases that aren't yet available on VOD services (Image credit: Future)

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Features

  • Scalable storage options
  • Highest quality video
  • Fully lossless audio

The Kaleidescape Strato V’s primary function is as a high-end movie player that offers the best video and audio compared to any device on the market. To achieve this it supports every resolution up to 4K (3840 x 2160), and frame rates up to 60p. It also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision high dynamic range, plus lossless audio up to and including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Crucially, it isn’t limited to certain file sizes as with a 4K disc, nor is it restricted to lower bit rates like streaming services – supporting file sizes of over 100GB and speeds up to 100Mbps. As a result, when you buy or rent movies, TV shows or concerts from the Kaleidescape Movie Store you’re guaranteed the best picture and sound possible from a home entertainment product.

The Strato V is primarily designed to operate as a standalone unit, which is why it has a built-in solid-state hard drive. The downside is that the number of movies you can store at any one time is limited to around 10, and if you want to watch something else you have to download it. Once you purchase a title from the Kaleidescape Movie Store it remains accessible in your collection for download, even if it isn’t stored locally on the Strato V.

If you would rather store your entire collection on a drive for instant access you can connect to one of Kaleidescape’s Terra Prime servers. While doing so is obviously more expensive, and the built-in SSD is no longer available, the process is simple and won’t affect the Strato V’s performance in any way. It’s great to have the option to scale up the storage, even if you never actually need to.

  • Features score: 5/5

Kaleidescape Strato V web setup interface

A Strato V setup menu page (Image credit: Future)

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Setup

  • Web-based interface
  • Selectable aspect ratios
  • Cataloging your discs

The Kaleidescape Strato V is incredibly easy to set up, and all you need to do is plug in the power brick, attach an Ethernet cable and connect to your display, or in my case an AV processor. Kaleidescape even includes a THX Certified HDMI cable, which is a nice touch. Once powered up, just follow the onscreen instructions and you’ll be up and running in no time.

The initial options allow you to set up the Strato V as a standalone player, configure it as a new system with a Terra movie server, or add it as a new zone to an existing Kaleidescape system. When set up as a standalone player it operates independently, only playing movies stored locally on its internal drive, and can’t be grouped with other Strato V units for additional storage.

After I selected standalone mode, the activation page appeared. You then either enter your email address if you already have a Kaleidescape account or create a new one. Once you’ve entered your email address you’ll receive a confirmation email to activate the player. You’ll obviously need to add your credit card details as well for making purchases from the Kaleidescape Movie Store.

The web-based interface offers access to all of the Strato V’s setup options and is my preferred choice for the initial installation, although once completed the remote is fine for accessing your movies on the player (Ready to Play), and navigating the Kaleidescape Movie Store and general settings.

In terms of the initial settings you can leave most at their defaults because the Strato V will read the EDID from your display, receiver or processor and optimise accordingly. The one area you may need to adjust manually is the aspect ratio, especially if like me you use a 2.35:1 projector screen. This feature works brilliantly, not only formatting the screens and menus for the wider aspect ratio, but also automatically rescaling 1.85:1 content within the ‘Scope ratio screen.

The main reason for buying a Strato V is access to the Kaleidescape Movie Store, and here your experience will really depend on on where you live. In the US the choice is huge and new films are added months before they’re released on disc, whereas elsewhere the choice isn’t as impressive, and films take longer to be added. I appreciate that studio agreements will differ from territory to territory, but given the store is the main feature it’s a bit frustrating if you live outside the States.

One final feature that Kaleidescape offers is the option to catalog your physical Blu-ray and DVD collections into a digital format. You’ll need to connect an external disc drive via USB, but once connected, the Strato V enters Recognition Mode. Insert a disc into the drive, and the Strato begins cataloging it. The process only takes a few seconds, and you can then see the title in the Store under Digital Offers – sometimes with a discount for the digital version.

Kaleidescape Strato V playback of Top Gun: Maverick

The Strato V provides detailed info on video and audio formats during playback (Image credit: Future)

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Performance

  • Well-designed and intuitive interface
  • Exceptional picture and sound quality
  • Excellent upscaling of lower resolutions

The Kaleidescape Strato V is a rock-solid media player thanks to its intuitive user interface, and is also very responsive in operation. The Ready to Play page has titles from the Store along the top, a second layer showing the unwatched titles currently on the internal drive, followed by a layer of paused movies, then the played movies, and finally any movies you’ve marked as favourites.

Unlike the Strato C, the Strato V doesn’t show you all the films you’ve bought on the home page, only those on the internal drive. If you want to see the complete collection you’ll need to go to your account on the Movie Store, but this keeps things neat and tidy. The system automatically deletes the oldest played content to free up space, unless you mark a title as a favourite.

When you click on a title you get information about it, along with options to play, pause or choose a specific scene. When something is playing you can also press the up button on the remote and see additional information such as audio options and subtitles. The entire process is completely seamless, and I never had any issues with playing, pausing or stopping movies. It’s also worth pointing out that the Strato V runs completely silent and cool in operation.

The process of buying titles from the Movie Store couldn’t be easier, and you can access it via the Kaleidescape website, through the player’s interface or even using the app. There are thousands of titles available for purchase or rental, many of which haven’t even been released on 4K disc yet.

I found deleting existing films off the internal drive and downloading new ones onto it to be straightforward. If you decide to rent rather than purchase a title, it will remain on your system for 30 days, and once you begin watching it there’s a 48-hour window. If you like the film and decide to buy it within the 30-day rental period, half the rental price is credited towards the purchase.

The speed of download will depend on your internet connection – if you’re lucky enough to have gigabit speeds you can download movies in around 10 to 15 minutes. Unfortunately, I live in the countryside and only have speeds of 50Mbps, so it took about two hours to download a movie.

When you buy a title it might offer 4K Dolby Vision and 4K HDR10 versions, but even if your display doesn’t support Dolby Vision you still download the former. The Strato V will automatically output whatever your display is capable of handling, while the 4K HDR10 version is only intended for the Strato C because that player doesn’t support Dolby Vision at all.

Kaleidescape’s use of larger file sizes and higher bit rates results in stunning images that are at least as good as the equivalent 4K Ultra HD disc, if not better. I watched a number titles, including Top Gun: Maverick, Dune Part 2, and Furiosa, and the picture quality is simply stunning. The 4K images are sharp and detailed, the HDR10 or Dolby Vision is delivered precisely, and the overall presentation is free of any compression artefacts or other issues.

While you can obviously watch movies on streamers, or via VOD services like iTunes and Prime Video, Kaleidescape offers a quantum leap in quality. In fact, the larger file sizes mean it can even surpass 4K Blu-rays at times. A good example is Once Upon a Time in the West, which is a three-hour movie that gets crammed onto a 66GB 4K Blu-ray disc. Kaleidescape’s file is significantly larger, providing more space and a higher bit rate, which results in a better-defined image when directly comparing this film on both formats.

The audio is equally impressive, with full lossless support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. While streaming services may offer Atmos, it is usually delivered via lossy Dolby Digital Plus, but with Kaleidescape you’re enjoying the same full lossless experience you get with Blu-rays. Hans Zimmer Live in Prague sounds amazing in Atmos, while Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban benefits from a DTS:X soundtrack that really brings the wizarding world to life. The scene where the dementors search the Hogwarts Express is doubly scary thanks to the genuine scale and really deep bass.

While I expected the 4K images to look superb, I was equally impressed by the quality of the Strato V’s upscaling. When watching lower-resolution content the picture is clean and well-defined, with no obvious scaling artefacts. The same is true when the player automatically re-scales 1.85:1 content within the 2.35:1 aspect ratio – the process is seamless and the results are free of any scaling artefacts.

  • Performance score: 5/5

Kaleidescape Strato V Movie store interface

(Image credit: Future)

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Value

  • It’s a significant investment
  • There’s no direct competitor

The idea of value for money is always relative, and there’s no denying the Kaleidescape Strato V represents a significant investment. However, once purchased the ability to buy new movies months before they arrive on 4K disc in quality that’s at least as good, if not better, and without taking up shelf space is very appealing. This is especially true if you live in the United States, where the Movie Store library is genuinely impressive.

If on the other hand you’re the kind of person who prefers owning physical media, just to be on the safe side, and you don’t mind waiting for the disc to come out, then you could simply buy a media player and storage, rip your own discs and create a custom server for significantly less. The beauty of Kaleidescape’s unique ecosystem is that they do everything for you, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy your favourite movies.

  • Value score: 5/5

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Should I buy it?

Buy it if…

You want the best video and audio quality:
The larger file sizes offered by Kaleidescape, along with bit rates up to 100Mbps, ensure that 4K and HDR10/Dolby Vision performance is the best of any device on the market.

You want a slick and intuitive user interface: The Strato V’s intuitive user interface and high-powered processing ensure that downloading and watching content is a seamless, responsive and enjoyable experience.

You want early access to the latest movies: In the US in particular the Movie Store offers films months before they are released on UHD disc, and there are even 4K titles available that aren’t currently on physical media.View Deal

Don't buy it if…

You want to collect physical media: Kaleidescape’s system is based on a download model with titles accessed from an online account and stored on built-in drives. If you prefer physically owning content, discs are still your best bet.

You want to rip your disc collection: The cataloguing feature aside, the Strato V is designed to access Kaleidescape’s Movie Store and download content. if you want to rip discs you’re better off buying a media player and storage.

You want a streaming service: This is not a subscription streaming service like Netflix. Instead, you buy titles as very large files that, depending on your internet, can take a long time to download, but the picture and sound quality is significantly better.View Deal

Kaleidescape Strato V on glass table

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V

  • Reviewed in a dedicated home cinema
  • Video evaluated using 4K, HDR10 and Dolby Vision
  • Audio evaluated using Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

I tested the Kaleidescape Strato V in my reference home cinema where the video is handled by a JVC DLA-NZ900 projector, and the audio is configured in a 9.4.6-channel configuration using a Trinnov Altitude16 AV processor and 16-channel power amplifier.

I extensively tested 4K and HDR10 video, along with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X lossless spatial audio in the home cinema, although for completeness I also used an LG G4 OLED TV in my living room to test the Kaleidescape Strato V’s Dolby Vision capabilities.

Kaleidescape was kind enough to include a number of films pre-loaded, as well as more in the account, along with a credit for additional purchases and rentals. This provided me with an opportunity to test every aspect of the store and overall ecosystem.

Formovie Cinema Edge review: a compact 4K projector that gives you big pictures on a budget
8:17 pm | December 4, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Theater Projectors Televisions | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Formovie Cinema Edge: one-minute review

The Formovie Cinema Edge is a follow-up on the well-regarded Formovie Theater, a projector that gained fame upon release for its Dolby Vision high dynamic range support – a rare feature among the best 4K projectors. Rather than being a shiny, new upgrade, the Cinema Edge is a pared-down model with a lower price. While it launched at around $2,199 (about £1,420 / AU$2,775), it has since settled at $1,799, making it a true budget ultra short throw (UST) projector offering.

The Formovie Cinema Edge's ALPD ((Advanced Laser Phosphor Display) laser light engine delivers a reasonably bright and sharp 4K image that looks great in the dark, and decent in well-lit environments. It has Google TV for streaming and a pair of 15-watt speakers, giving you a complete package, though both elements could perform better.

While it’s relatively cheap compared to other examples of the best ultra short throw projectors, the Formovie Cinema Edge has serious competition. I recently reviewed the Hisense PX3-Pro ($3,500), and the difference in image quality between the two is stark, with the dazzling brightness, color, and contrast of the PX3-Pro’s picture beating the Formovie Cinema Edge hands-down. The PX3-Pro is considerably more expensive, but even the older but still available Hisense PX2-Pro (around $2,000) has a better-looking picture.

Formovie Cinema Edge review: price and release date

  • Release date: September 2024
  • MSRP: $2,499

The Formovie Cinema Edge’s pricing is a bit all over the place. It launched at a $2,199 (about £1,650 / AU$3,250) pre-order price, though Formovie lists the retail price at $2499. Meanwhile, both Amazon and ProjectorScreen.com in the US now have the price listed at $1,799 – a steep decrease.

Formovie Cinema Edge on table shown from above

The Cinema Edge's laser light engine viewed from top (Image credit: Future)

Formovie Cinema Edge review: Specs

Formovie Cinema Edge rear panel ports

Connections include 3 HDMI 2.1 ports (1 with eARC) (Image credit: Future)

Formovie Cinema Edge review: design and features

  • All-in-one design for a simple theater setup
  • Front adjustable feet limit angle corrections
  • Google TV cumbersome to navigate

The Formovie Cinema Edge is a compact UST projector standing just over 3.5 inches tall. Width is 17.95 inches and it’s a little over a foot deep. With a 0.22:1 throw ratio, it can sit extra close to the wall, with only a 33 cm distance needed to project a 120-inch picture.

The Formovie Cinema Edge sits on three feet with only the front two offering height adjustments. This means unless you’ve got a stand and wall that sit perfectly perpendicular (or at just over a 90-degree angle) to each other, you’ll need an adjustable console underneath the projector. The projector does support digital keystone adjustments, but these should be used only after making physical adjustments, as digital keystone processing increases latency and reduces picture resolution.

The Cinema Edge packs in the Google TV smart TV interface and 30-watt speakers, letting you quickly get up and running with all your cinema needs. That said, all-in-one packages can struggle to do everything well.

The processor running Google TV on the Formovie Cinema Edge is fairly weak. It stumbles when opening settings while content is playing, and that can be trouble if you’re trying to tweak picture settings while evaluating the impact of your adjustments on the picture. Navigating the operating system can prove a little tedious as well. Sluggishness is a common ailment for projectors running Android or Google TV, and the Cinema Edge falls prey to it.

It’s small fries, but if you’re hoping to take the Formovie Cinema Edge out of the box, set it down, and experience its magic right away, you’ll need to temper your expectations. The configuration, regardless of whether you’re going for the full Google TV streaming experience or just basic HDMI input setup, takes a long time.

Around the back, you’ll find enough HDMI 2.1 ports for a solid home theater setup, including support for eARC on one of them. Optical digital audio output is also available. A pair of USB ports are located on the back, providing power for a streaming stick or external storage for local media playback.

Like many laser projectors, the Formovie Cinema Edge has a feature that detects when someone gets too close to the laser output and automatically dims the display. It promptly activates, though oddly doesn’t go as black as on some others.

  • Design and features score: 4/5

Formovie Cinema Edge showing cartoon on screen

The Cinema Edge's picture quality shines in a dark viewing environment (Image credit: Future)

Formovie Cinema Edge review: picture quality

  • 1900 ISO lumens plenty for dim and dark environments
  • Not as color-rich as RGB laser competitors
  • Motion smoothing by default, but picture controls to compensate

The Formovie Cinema Edge readily projects a 100-inch picture with crisp 4K detail. It looks best in a very dim or dark room, though it’s also bright enough to watch some content during the daytime. RuPauls’ Drag Race, for instance, is typically bright, and it’s easy to watch even in a well-lit room, though sunlight can still be a bit much.

Contrast is also fairly strong. Alien was a joy to watch, with the intricate, H.R. Giger-designed mechanical details of the ship shining brightly while the nooks and crannies sank effectively into darkness.

Alas, the Formovie Cinema Edge is a simple ALPD projector that doesn’t deliver the same color richness of the Formovie Theater or Hisense’s PX3-Pro, both of which are specced to achieve around 100% of BT.2020 color gamut coverage. Watching Avatar 2, it was painfully apparent how much more drab the visuals were by comparison, with the many blue hues looking dull and the flora and fauna throughout failing to exude their characteristic vibrance. This isn’t to say the Formovie Cinema Edge looks bad, but there are better options on the market for picture quality.

I also noticed plenty of blown-out highlights in the earlier scenes after the Sully family joins the water tribe in Avatar 2. The Formovie Theater had some tone mapping issues in our hands-on testing, and it appears that’s the case again here. HDR is also limited to HDR10 and HLG on the Cinema Edge – there’s no Dolby Vision or HDR10+.

The Formovie Cinema Edge has a fairly aggressive motion smoothing feature (called MJC) enabled in most of its picture settings by default. It’s not the worst-looking implementation of motion smoothing I’ve seen, but it looks better set to Low or disabled outright. Either way, the projector can struggle a bit with motion. Fight sequences looked choppy at times with or without MJC enabled. At Low, it subtly smooths out camera motion, though action can still look a little overdone.

For what it’s worth, the Formovie Cinema Edge includes a veritable trove of picture settings to adjust. It does little to explain what any of them are, though, so it may be difficult to dial in things to your liking. Thankfully, the picture generally looks good without getting into the weeds.

The sound put out by the Formovie Cinema Edge’s modest built-in speakers isn’t explosive, but they deliver a half-decent volume level for a small living room. The soundstage isn’t very wide, and there’s no deep bass, but it’s fine for casual viewing. For a more serious movie-viewing setup, external speakers will be an obvious upgrade.

  • Picture quality score: 3.5/5

Formovie Cinema Edge remote control on table

The Cinema Edge comes with a basic remote control to operate its Google TV interface (Image credit: Future)

Formovie Cinema Edge review: value

  • Good value at the current reduced price
  • Older UST projectors pose a competitive threat

The Formovie Cinema Edge has a suggested retail price of $2,499, but that has since been reduced to $1,799. This discounted price is essential to the value of the projector, as it goes up against the Hisense PX2-Pro, which is now cheaper thanks to the launch of the PX3-Pro. It also faces off against Formovie’s higher-end projector, the Formovie Theater, which has also fallen in price since its launch, now seeing discounts as low as $2,299.

  • Value score: 3/5

Formovie Cinema Edge on table

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Formovie Cinema Edge?

Formovie Cinema Edge on table shown from top

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want a compact projector: The Formovie Cinema Edge is small and sits close to the wall, giving you a big picture without taking up much space.

You want advanced picture customization: If you know just how you like images to look and don’t mind fiddling with settings, the Formovie Cinema Edge has plenty for you to dig through to adjust the picture to your liking.

Don’t buy it if… 

You want comprehensive HDR support: The Cinema Edge doesn't have extended color gamut coverage and it lacks HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR support.

You want the best all-in-one projector: While the Cinema Edge has a good picture, decent speakers, and okay streaming capabilities, demanding viewers may end up wanting an external streamer and speakers, which will add to the price.

Also consider...

Hisense PX2-Pro
The Hisense PX2-Pro has better picture quality and features but costs at least $200 more. It also uses the Google TV smart interface for streaming. It's a less compact option than the Formovie, and its built-in speakers don't offer any better sound quality.

Here's our full Hisense PX2-Pro review

Epson LS650
The Epson LS650 uses a 3LCD laser light source to beam a bright 3,600 lumens image, though its color isn't any better than the Formovie and the built-in Android TV system is worse than Formovie's Google TV platform. Both projectors are currently priced at the same level.

Here's our full Epson LS650 review

Hisense PX3-Pro
The Hisense PX3-Pro is our choice as the best ultra short throw projector for most people. It has a brighter, more color-rich picture than the Formovie and more comprehensive HDR support. At just over $3,000, it’s somewhat on the pricey side, though it’s much less so than other UST projectors from Samsung and LG.

Here's our full Hisense PX3-Pro review.

Formovie Cinema Edge rear panel ports

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Formovie Cinema Edge

  • Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
  • Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
  • I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade

I tested the Formovie Cinema Edge at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with both SDR and 4K HDR streamed content.

My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models that I and my colleagues at TechRadar have tested.

I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.

First reviewed: December, 2024

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