Verdict
The Dangbei Atom is a lowly premium projector that perforate well above its sizing class , with honorable image quality , a manageable weight and mostly nonrational Google TV package . But for some more ports and options tweaks it would be the right small projector in its price category .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The right projector for the right someone is a decent idea . You have a need and there ’s a gadget out there that incisively fits it for a price point that ’s genial to the wallet .
Coming across said twist is another matter altogether however . You ’ll find big options , small option , expensive options , bright options , portable options , budget options , but never something that meld every feature film you might need . flawlessness get along at a price , or at least it used to .
With the Atom , Formosan firm Dangbei is attempt to be all thing to all arriver , though with the provision that it is focussed on indoor use . It call to be small enough to correspond into any frame-up , brilliant enough to be used in a change of lighting status and mere enough that it can be used by anyone .
That last point is key , this is the first projector from Dangbei which runs Google TV as opposed to its own custom flavour of Android . That means it has access to almost every streaming service and an port focussed on curated content rather than specific apps .
There is of class competition and plenty of it , from the likes ofAnker , XGIMIandSamsungin particular . Beyond that , there ’s also peril in stress to be all things to all arrival . So the inquiry is , does the Dangbei Atom do enough to earn a position in your home frame-up ?
Design
There ’s no shortage of premium projector on the market that deliver excellent ikon character , but there ’s usually a trade - off in term of sizing . Those which produce a vivid image are often bigger , and those few which deal to be bright and modest are typically so expensive that they rival the cost of a used car .
With the Atom , Dangbei is render to right that billet , to create something powerful and dry pint - sized that ’s still premium without also being pricy .
On first glance it certainly micturate for an interesting stamp . A small Charles Grey box with rounded corner , it looked like an inflated Apple TV rather than a projector . At 195 x 195 x 47 millimeter , it is small , surprisingly so , and as a upshot should fit into any home apparatus easily .
The belittled size and weight ( 1.3 kilo ) arrest another with child advantage , if you need to put this on a tripod you ’ll discover a larger range of options available . Many tripod that can support a clear camera will also be able to support this .
prompt around the sides , there ’s anHDMI expansion slot , a cask - pin tumbler connector for power , a USB - A slot and a 3.5 mm audio out . It is n’t the most various array of ports available , but it does the conjuring trick . It would have been skillful to have another HDMI connector , and/or a USB - C port . The latter is n’t far-flung among projectors , but would have been a nice bit of futureproofing , and especially for charging .
One matter to note , although this is a minor projector , it is n’t necessarily portable , mean if you want to travel with it , it does n’t have a battery large number . If you want to keep an eye on in the garden , you ’ll need to daisy - string reference cords or bring in a electric battery pack capable of demand a three prong plug .
The Atom is construct whole from calamitous charge plate and has a premium heave to it , feeling worth the price of debut . conceal within are two 5W speakers too , which do a becoming chore of filling a modest elbow room but which wo n’t distract a dedicated soundbar .
There ’s a tripod climb on the bottom , and a series of fan vents all around , which in surgical procedure were never too forte .
So although the Atom does n’t have the crying wow prayer of the likes of the Samsung Freestyle , it is a sensible , attractively design projector with a visibility that earn it supremely adaptable within the plate , with the caveat that you wo n’t be study it out of doors .
Features
So beyond intent , what makes the Atom special ? Two words : Google TV . That is to say , this is the first projector from Dangbei that does n’t come with the firm ’s own version of Android broil in . or else , it has an interface and software direct from Google . That means direct memory access to all apps uncommitted on the Google store , with all of the richness that entails .
Whereas before you were stuck withPrime VideoandNetflixon Dangbei projectors , with the Atom there ’s no demarcation line to the streaming services that you’re able to add . Disney , Apple TV , Paramount , everything which was once impossible is now bonnie secret plan . There ’s also certain game that can be put up , and even an internet web browser app .
What ’s good however is that capacity is put front and heart and soul . rather of the mental gymnastics of “ I want to watch X , which of the 13 streaming services is that on ? ” , Google TV puts the display and movies first , make them much easy to get at . There are some limitations , but on the whole it is a better agency to structure a user interface than some provide .
Where issue come is in get at crucial setting . Google TV , as the name suggests , is built around the construct of a television . So when accessing functions specific to a projector , you get to take on topic . Take keystoning and focussing , an significant part of projector sic up . Instead of being available easy through the main interface , they are a buried option in ‘ Advanced options ’ . They are n’t impossible to access , but the comparative difficultness in doing so shows they were n’t a first priority .
As might be anticipate , give that it is Google TV , cast to the Atom is a dim-witted outgrowth and efficacious .
Performance
With a consistence as slim as the Dangbei Atom , usually compromises fare in towage . The most typical is brightness , most often a modest projector , no matter the Mary Leontyne Price , ca n’t compete with direct sunlight .
The Dangbei Atom can pass on a maximum theoretical brightness of 1200 ISO lumens , however I have to take this title with a pinch of salt . ISO lumens are n’t the same as ANSI lumens , translating to about 0.8 ANSI lumens . So where we see 1200 , we should read 960 ANSI lumens . This is still a strong showing for a minor and relatively budget projector .
Though it wo n’t compete with verbatim sunlight well , it puts in a good showing than most portable selection . With the curtains depict , it shinny bright and produces a clear impression that is mostly devoid of shadow noise . It produces nicely saturated colours which do n’t go overboard , and the resolution of 1080p is great up to 80 column inch in particular .
Keystoning and focal point , once you have find them in the requisite sub - menu , are quick and confident . The buff work quietly for the most part , and input lag was mostly keep to a minimum , but with the proviso this is n’t a gaming projector .
One matter to note , though the Atom is portable , it does n’t have a kickstand like theEmotn N1 . As such , to put it to your like it’s advised to utilize a tripod .
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Should you buy it?
The Atom is small enough to match into most house setups with ease and offers great figure quality .
Though the Atom offers a lot of brightness for its consistence size , there ’s others which extend a pot more , and sometimes for a smaller price .
Final Thoughts
There ’s no one projector which is the gross package , everything to everyone , but the Dangbei Atom come nearer than many . Its portable proportionality make it easy to move around the habitation and fit to a large smorgasbord of tripod , and it has enough brightness to tackle even more hard lighting conditions . With Google TV installed it has access to a panoply of apps and for the most part performance is profligate enough not to do issues .
Sure , it could use more port and the option of even using an external stamp battery would have been appreciated , but for the price of entry this is a resoundingly completed projector that should in all likelihood be a nonremittal choice for many , and as such earns our recommendation .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every projector we review thoroughly over an extensive period of time . We use manufacture standard tests to equate features properly . We ’ll always secern you what we find . We never , ever , take money to retrospect a product .
obtain out more about how we test in ourethics policy .
FAQs
fit in to Dangbei , the laser source can last for up to 30,000 hour of use .
