Portable projectors continue to get better in terms of both price and performance, with Blackview’s new PV1000 Max the latest big-screen beamer to grab our attention.
The device is a new, all-in-one “smart projector” that offers decent brightness plus flexible projection and immersive audio within a single device. The company positions it as a value-focused home entertainment solution that spans a range of use cases, from home cinema to gaming to outdoor movie nights.
It used to be the case that in order to have portability at a reasonable price tag, you needed to make big sacrifices in terms of performance, but Blackview's latest offering suggests that those days really are finished. Specifications-wise, it’s pretty impressive, pumping out 1,000 ANSI lumens of brightness and a 1,500:1 contrast ratio, together with HDR10/HLG support and 4K at 60 frames-per-second decoding. You also get a flexible projection range of between 40-inches and 150-inches – all squeezed into a compact, easily carriable box that can be moved from the living room to the bedroom or even taken on your travels.
The Blackview PV1000 Max runs a licensed version of Hisense’s VIDAA OS, which means it can access a library of more than 1,800 applications, including all of the big streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and YouTube. It also offers a low-latency gaming mode and can be used as a Bluetooth speaker, further expanding the entertainment possibilities.
Flexible positioning is enabled thanks to the PV1000 Max’s integrated 360-degree rotating gimbal stand, which also serves as a handy handle when it needs to be picked up. The gimbal is paired with a 6-in-1 TOF intelligent vision system, which provides autofocus, auto-keystone correction, obstacle avoidance and auto screen alignment. With all of that on board, you should have little trouble in getting a perfectly aligned picture on any surface, including walls and ceilings, with no need for manual adjustments. This makes it ideal for multiple scenarios, including watching movies in bed, hosting family get-togethers and early evening barbecues.
Audio output comes from the dual 6-watt Dolby Audio speakers that are built into the device. The projector is powered by a MediaTek MT9660 chipset and there are HDMI 2.0, dual USB 2.0 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack. Bluetooth 5.1 is there too, along with Wi-Fi 5, AirPlay 2, Miracast and DLNA support – meaning you have literally tons of connectivity options. The company says its running noise clocks in at less than 30 decibels, so you won’t notice anything at a reasonable volume level. And optics are sealed to prevent dust buildup over time, which is a common problem with portable projectors.
All told, the Blackview PV1000 Max is a pretty powerful little package with its high brightness, comprehensive streaming and gaming options and immersive audio, and the best thing is it’s pretty affordable too. It’s on sale now via Walmart and eBay and directly from Blackview (with global shipping), priced at $269.99, which translates to just £201 at the current exchange rate.
That's a truly excellent low price for a portable projector capable of outputting 1,000 ANSI lumens, with similary specced models such as JMGO's N1S 4K and Anker's Soundcore Nebula P1i Smart Projector both priced at almost double that amount.
