Anker and Aurzen this week unveiled new portable projectors for watching big screen movies on the go, increasing the brightness a tad compared to similarly priced models.
The new devices include the Anker Soundcore Nebula P1i Smart Projector, which is launching in the U.K. and across Europe, and the Aurzen Eazze D1 Air, available online in the U.S., U.K., Germany and France.
The Anker Soundcore Nebula P1i Smart Projector has been available in the U.S. since February and it seems like a pretty decently-specced device for its price range. It’s more expensive than Aurzen’s new model, with a price tag of £369.99, but you’re getting a fairly good picture and sound capabilities that some may decide makes it a worthy purchase.
For instance, the Nebula P1i Smart Projector throws up a 1,080p Full HDD picture of up to 150-inches wide with a 1.25:1 throw ratio. Its LED light source puts out around 380 ANSI lumens of brightness and 1,500:1 native contrast. In addition, it offers some easy setup tools such as autofocus, auto keystone correction and auto obstacle avoidance.
It runs the Google TV operating system, which means access to all of the major streaming apps, while connectivity options including Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1 and HDMI, USB-A and AUX ports. For sound, it offers a pair of 10-watt Dolby Audio speakers, which can open up at a 90-degree angle to put out something approaching surround sound effects.
It’s available to buy through Anker’s official website now, and the company is currently offering a discounted price of just £314.50.
As for the Aurzen Eazze D1 Air projector, this delivers brightness of 300 ANSI lumens, making it slightly less powerful but still better than similar models in its class, such as the Samsung Freestyle 2, which offers less than 200 lumens. Pictures are 1,080p resolution.
Although it’s not as bright, the advantage of the Eazze D1 Air is that it comes with an integrated battery, which means it can be used in locations without a power supply, with around 2.5 hours of juice. Of course, you can use a power bank to extend this further. The LED light source is said to be good for up to 30,000 hours, and it’s HDR10 rated, with a contrast ratio of 1,500:1. Another neat touch is that, when it’s placed on the ground, it can rotate to project images onto the wall or the ceiling directly above, with auto keystone correction and autofocus on hand to simplify picture control. The maximum image size is 120-inches.
Strangely, Aurzen doesn’t say what operating system software is used, but it mentions that Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube are all available through the device. In addition, it’s possible to download additional services (it doesn’t say what), so our best guess is that it’s probably some kind of Android clone, but we can’t be certain. The Eazze D1 Air also has HDMI and USB ports for connecting physical media devices such as streaming sticks and games consoles.
The sound is provided by two 8-watt Dolby Audio speakers, and Bluetooth 5.2 is available for connecting wireless speakers, smartphones and laptops. There’s a remote control, or if you prefer, you can also download the Aurzen smartphone app and use that to control it instead.
Intriguingly, Aurzen notes that users can also connect the projector to a solar device instead of a power bank and essentially have unlimited power should they decide to take it out camping for days on end.
Best of all, the Aurzen Eazze D1 Air is priced at just £179.99 on Amazon.
