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Top 10 projectors to amp up your home entertainment game for the ultimate viewing experience

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Did you get the memo? Televisions are officially no longer the coolest thing to watch the game or your favorite movie on. Over the past few years, smart projectors have increasingly become more advanced and more affordable, allowing you to own a slice of the cinema experience without breaking the bank. A good projector costs about as much as a large TV, while casting a display that’s anywhere up to 200 inches wide! Projectors also provide the benefit of not occupying massive wall-space, which means you don’t need to worry about a large black square cannibalizing your interior decor when it’s off (unlike a TV). This list takes a look at a vast range of projectors, including budget-friendly portable options starting at $249, to incredible 4K beasts with a high color gamut and brightness, and even a few projector concepts that we wish were real because of how gorgeous they look!

1. XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K Projector

If you’ve got wiggle room in your budget, we recommend upgrading to the Horizon Ultra, XGIMI’s flagship 4K UHD projector. Launched just this year, the Horizon Ultra has the appeal of a gorgeous speaker, but power it on and a flap descends downwards, revealing its powerful 4K projection lens with Dolby Vision, capable of casting a massive 200-inch screen on your wall with an upgraded brightness of 2300 ISO Lumens that makes it even easier to watch media during the day without needing to turn the lights and draw the curtains. The Ultra does so by using both Laser and LED technology (Dual Light) to deliver unparalleled clarity and brightness while relying on Dolby Vision for that great high dynamic range. The Ultra shares the same intelligent focus, keystone, and adjustment features as the Pro, but now also packs optical zooming, allowing you to shrink or expand your projection in a lossless manner without cutting or shaving off any pixels. It also packs an upgraded 12W dual-speaker setup thanks to its partnership with Harman Kardon, giving you studio-grade surround sound to match the Horizon Ultra’s great visuals. The Ultra now has Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6, along with two HDMI, two USB, one Ethernet, and one 3.5mm audio out. You’ve also got Android TV 11 built-in.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1529 $1699 ($170 off with coupon code “XGIMIYANKO1”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The ultimate color accuracy, brightness, and color gamut of any projector on XGIMI’s catalog, with stunning sound to match… all combined in a design that looks like the ultimate package.

What we like

  • That gorgeous design
  • Remarkable 2300 ISO Lumens Brightness
  • Low-latency mode makes it perfect for gaming

What we dislike

  • The absence of a native Netflix app feels palpable at that price tag

2. XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector

Now at its lowest price ever, the Horizon Pro from XGIMI might just be the most affordable true 4K projector money can buy. At its discounted price of $1099, it’s just about as expensive as an iPhone, and half the price of any other smart 4K projector on the market. However, it seals the deal with its stunning 200-inch 4K UHD display that can go up to an impressive 1500 ISO lumens for watching movies even in a moderately lit room. Like any leading projector, the Horizon Pro comes with all the bells and whistles including auto-focus, auto keystone, intelligent screen alignment, and even an impressive intelligent obstacle avoidance system that allows the projector to cast a screen without projecting on paintings, switchboards, or furniture. The impressive video capabilities are backed by the Horizon Pro’s whopping dual 8W 45mm full-range speakers, engineered by Harman Kardon. The speakers give the Horizon Pro its audio oomph, although you do have Bluetooth 5.0 and a 3.5mm audio out for connecting other speakers. The Horizon Pro comes with Android TV built-in, along with 2 HDMI and 2 USB ports in the back for connecting drives, gaming consoles, laptops, and whatever else you’ve got.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1099 $1899 ($800 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

Watch the Superbowl or the Eras Movie in the comfort of your own home, knowing that you’ve got the best projector setup in its budget.

What we like

  • That incredibly attractive price tag
  • The Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance feature is a clever addition

What we dislike

  • The projector lacks a bundled Netflix app, which you’ll have to run using a TV stick

3. PHOS Projector

PHOS merges the aesthetics of a telescope and artistic sculpture seamlessly into your decor. Its captivating capsule-shaped frame, sleek rotating cylindrical projector, matte metallic gradients, frosted glass, and a luxurious marble base make it a true visual delight.

This vertical projector takes up minimal space and elegantly rotates to project at the perfect angle for your environment. Included with PHOS is a stylish remote controller for seamless operation, and a smart base that connects via Wi-Fi. The smart base not only facilitates remote control but also houses high-quality speakers to elevate your audio experience. Meanwhile, the DLP projector delivers stunning visuals, making PHOS a treat for both the eyes and ears.

Why is it noteworthy?

The PHOS is literal eye-candy with its minimalist form factor and the use of matte black and magenta coupled with a hint of marble. Its telescope-inspired aesthetic lends rather well to the projector itself, making this design a gorgeous all-rounder.

What we like

  • Adjustable design with a slick form factor
  • Minimal remote control to match

What we dislike

  • Feels a little unstable/fragile

4. XGIMI Halo+ Portable 1080p Projector

While none of the previous projectors were portable, the Halo+ from XGIMI is. Sure, it isn’t your 4K-pumping beast, but it more than makes up for it with a FullHD 1080p projection that goes up to 200 inches in diagonal, giving you a veritable cinematic experience for a holiday-special $649 price tag. For that price, you get 700 ISO Lumens of brightness, which is definitely on the higher side by portable projector standards. The Halo+ stands at 6.7 inches tall, weighing 3.5 lbs (1.6 kilograms) thanks to its 59.454Wh battery that gives it 2.5 hours of usage on a full charge (or alternatively, you can keep it connected for longer run-times). The 1080p projection has XGIMI’s intelligent screen adaptation features like autofocus, auto keystone, screen alignment, and object avoidance. The base of the Halo+ also contains its 10W Harman Kardon speaker system that pulls no punches with its loud, clear, distortion-free audio. The Halo+ has Android TV built-in, along with 16GB of internal storage, Bluetooth 5.0, and dual-band WiFi. For external connectivity, it packs an HDMI, USB, and 3.5mm audio out.

Click Here to Buy Now: $549 $849 ($200 off. Additional $100 off with coupon code “XGIMIYANKO2”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

A great portable projector for your movie and game nights. Have them indoors, outdoors, or at a friend’s place. Setup takes under a minute, thanks to intelligent screen adaptation features, and 10W Harman Kardon speakers are more than sufficient for a great movie experience.

What we like

  • Perfect portability
  • Support for 4K input (which gets downsampled to 1080p but still looks incredible)

What we dislike

  • Still no native Netflix app

5. XGIMI AURA 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector

We’re venturing into new territory with the AURA, XGIMI’s best-in-class ultra short throw projectors. Unlike conventional projectors that need to be placed far away from a flat surface to project a large screen on it, UST projectors use a unique lens setup that allows them to be placed just a few feet away from a wall or screen, still allowing them to cast a crisp, perfectly rectangular image without perspective or parallax. The AURA’s sleek build makes it relatively inconspicuous, and all you need to do is place it 11.7 inches away from any surface to get a crisp 4K UHD screen that’s a massive 180 inches diagonally. With an 1800 Lumens output, the AURA works well in moderately lit settings too, and a quad-setup of 15W Harman Kardon speakers (2 tweeters and 2 woofers) gives you cinematic sound to match your video! The AURA packs Android TV along with support for Chromecast and Airscreen. It’s also got Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band WiFi, and 32GB of internal storage. As far as ports go, the AURA sports three HDMI ports, three USB ports (and one MiniUSB for debugging), an ethernet port, a 3.5mm audio out, and an optical out for connecting a whole host of external devices.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1599 $2799 ($1200 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

If there’s one thing I’d like you to take away from this article, it’s that televisions will eventually make an exit and UST projectors will take their place. A good UST projector casts a massive screen on any surface without needing to be multiple feet away from it. Audio emanating from the projector also feels more immersive since the sound comes from the same relative direction as the screen. The AURA is a compact, high-quality choice with great specs.

What we like

  • Ultra Short Throw eliminates the distance between the projector and screen
  • Rather affordable for a 4K UST projector.

What we dislike

  • Limited options for adjusting image quality
  • No native Netflix app

6. SILO Projector + Wireless Charger

1

Meet SILO, a unique device that seamlessly integrates a wireless charger with a laser beam projector. With the proliferation of mobile entertainment, from music to gaming and videos, the demand for a larger screen experience at home is growing. SILO steps in by not only projecting content from your phone but also wirelessly charging it simultaneously, eliminating the need for complex casting or investing in a smart TV. Imagine the convenience – no more worrying about draining your phone’s battery while streaming. SILO simplifies the process by serving as both the projector and charger. Plus, it encourages you to take a break from your smartphone, allowing you to fully enjoy videos on a bigger projected screen that’s less harmful to the eyes!

Why is it noteworthy?

Wait, a projector that also docks and wirelessly charges your phone?! That sounds like an absolute no-brainer! Almost reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch Dock (which charges your console while projecting it to a larger display, the SILO makes the case for technology to be more multi-functional rather than specialist.

What we like

  • The dual function of charging and projection
  • A relatively compact projector with a low footprint

What we dislike

  • Its plain, fragrance-diffuser aesthetic
  • Might be a little pricey for someone with wireless charging as a priority

7. XGIMI MoGo 2 Portable 720p Projector

XGIMI’s true range can be visible with the MoGo 2, its lowest-tier budget projector. While its other projectors like the AURA rack up a nearly $2k price tag, the MoGo 2 costs a paltry $249. However, you still get a projection that goes up to 200 inches in size (although XGIMI recommends sticking to 100” to maintain quality). Unlike its Pro sibling, the MoGo 2 outputs only 720p HD, but matches the Pro variant with the same 400 Lumens of brightness, dual 8W speakers with Dolby Audio, and the same intelligent screen adjustment features that make setting up an absolute breeze. You’ve even got Android TV 11, Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band WiFi 5, and ports at the back, namely a USB-C port for power delivery, along with an HDMI port, a USB-A port, and 3.5mm audio out for external connectivity.

Click Here to Buy Now: $249 $399 ($150 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

At its discounted $249 price tag, the MoGo 2 might just be the real winner here, given that it’s cheaper than a pair of AirPods Pro! It’s difficult to be critical of a projector that costs as much as a smartwatch, but even for a straw-man case, the MoGo 2 is peak ‘value for money’.

What we like

  • A no-brainer price-tag for the budget consumer
  • Screen adjustability at that price point is just a pleasant surprise
  • Great audio

What we dislike

  • No internal battery
  • No native Netflix app
  • It’s no high-end projector

8. XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro Portable 1080p Projector

A smaller sibling to the Halo+, the MoGo 2 Pro stands at 6.3 inches tall, and outputs a 1080p projection that goes as wide as 100 inches diagonally (XGIMI says you can stretch it to 200 inches, but you may notice a slight dip in clarity and brightness. The projection maxes at 400 Lumens of brightness, which is still on the higher end of the portable projector spectrum, but feels a little limiting compared to the Halo+. It does still retain all of XGIMI’s intelligent screen adaptation features, allowing you to set the projector up in seconds without spending time focusing, composing, aligning, etc. The MoGo 2 Pro packs dual 8W speakers (not from Harman Kardon this time) with Dolby Audio, and has Android TV 11 built-in, along with Bluetooth 5.0, and dual-band WiFi 5. The MoGo 2 Pro notably lacks an internal battery, although it can be powered by an external power supply like a cable or even a power bank thanks to a USB-C port. There’s even a USB-A port and an HDMI port on the back, along with a 3.5mm jack that bolsters external connectivity.

Click Here to Buy Now: $509 $599 ($90 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The MoGo 2 Pro sports a rather compelling $509 discounted price, making it perfect for the budget-conscious buyer. While most projectors don’t sport any intelligent screen alignment and adjustment features at that price, it’s comforting to know that you can power the MoGo 2 Pro instantly and have it automatically adjust the visuals, so you don’t spend half an hour flicking through the settings.

What we like

  • Ease-of-setup
  • The attractive price lowers the barrier to entry
  • Surprisingly good audio

What we dislike

  • No internal battery
  • No native Netflix app
  • Just a couple of bucks more gets you the Halo+ which feels like a better deal

9. FUFU Beak Projector

FUFU electronics 1

Unlike the standard boxy appearance of most projectors (or some that look like smart speakers), the Beak projector from FUFU draws its inspiration from birds, specifically the toucan. The toucan’s ability to tuck its head and beak neatly against its neck served as a unique source of inspiration for the Beak projector’s design. This innovative approach not only enhances usability but also makes storage a breeze. With its sleek cylinder shape, the Beak projector takes up minimal space, fitting perfectly on my desk or nightstand. While other projectors may have similar dimensions and weight, the Beak’s narrow and tall frame sets it apart, making it a must-have for those seeking both intriguing design and innovative inspiration.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Beak Projector’s refreshing design adds fun to your home appliances in a way that most don’t. The bird’s nodding head transforms into a powerful projection experience, while speakers in its base provide audio to complement the video.

What we like

  • Adorable anthropomorphic design
  • Vertical structure occupies less counter space

What we dislike

  • A lot of hollow space in between
  • Can only pan vertically, not horizontally

10. Stuart the Minion Projector

This creative design turns a mundane projector into a universally beloved character from the Despicable Me franchise! Minion Stuart’s monocle perfectly integrates with the projector’s lens, and the geometric cylinder blends IP’s signature elements with the product’s core functions. The upper and lower ends feature plastic and metal aluminum mesh, complemented by a black silicone headwear that matches the optical lens’s metal paint effect. A vibrant yellow adds a playful Minion touch, and a yellow dust-proof layer is nestled between the hardware aluminum net and the shell. Equipped with a single camera, a ToF sensor, and an automatic focusing motor, it ensures crystal-clear images at all times. The addition of smart eye protection enhances user experience, utilizing a four-point cantilever design for improved sound quality. Some even playfully note that Stuart appears to have a beard with that stubble-like grill on the projector’s base – proof that we’re all growing up! The design and emotion seamlessly transition from the product to its equally playful, bright, and compact packaging.

Why is it noteworthy?

That fun and playful design is sure to be a hit with the entire family. Perfect for homes with children, the Minion Projector really makes gadgets endearing in a clever way!

What we like

  • That playful design!
  • Portability

What we dislike

  • Currently conceptual
  • Could possibly infringe on copyright!

The post Top 10 projectors to amp up your home entertainment game for the ultimate viewing experience first appeared on Yanko Design.

XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K Long Throw Projector Review: Power and Elegance Come Together

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PROS:


  • Beautiful, luxurious design

  • First Long-Throw 4K projector with Dolby Vision

  • Smart adjustments offer easy, hands-free operation

  • Android TV 11 brings a wide range of sources and apps

CONS:


  • A bit bulky and heavy, but compact compared to most 4K projectors

  • Requires adequate distance from projection surface

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

With advanced smart features and Dolby Vision, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra not only pushes the envelope of what long throw projectors can do but also how elegant they can look.

With more and more people banishing TV sets from their homes, home projectors have become more popular and also more varied. There are plenty of designs available, differing in throw ratio and performance, to the point that choosing which one to invest in can become an overwhelming and daunting challenge. While short throw projectors are gaining popularity for their space-saving qualities, they’re hardly the perfect solution for all circumstances, especially considering their cost and noise. Long throw projectors, on the other hand, are powerful and convenient but still have plenty of room for growth. Fortunately, brands like XGIMI are continuously challenging the status quo to address those flaws, so we take the new XGIMI Horizon Ultra long throw projector for a spin to see what new experience it is putting in the middle of your home.

Designer: XGIMI

Click Here to Buy Now: $1699

Aesthetics

Although home projectors are becoming more common these days, many of them haven’t diverged that much from the designs of earlier models used in business and commercial settings. There are some that are finally trying to adapt to home interior designs, but there are still far and few in between. Right out of the box, you can already tell which category the XGIMI Horizon Ultra belongs to, bearing an exquisite and elegant design that reflects the attention to detail that the company paid in making its newest flagship.

The predominantly white box comes taller than your average projector, but that shape works to give it more presence in a room. Not that it needs to do that, given how its predominantly white body will easily make it stand out anywhere. Misty gold accents help further highlight the XGIMI Horizon Ultra’s luxurious character, making sure everyone understands that this is no mere consumer electronics product. To ensure visual consistency, even the adapter and cord that power the projector come in a white hue, unlike the predominantly black motif of most power bricks.

XGIMI didn’t just stop at painting the Horizon Ultra white, however. Taking a page from smart home speakers, it also layered fabrics on the projector’s sides, further enhancing its elegance and cementing its place in your home. It gives the projector an almost natural vibe despite its purely artificial construction. XGIMI also aimed for simplicity and minimalism, even hiding the projector lens behind an electrical sliding cover, making the Horizon Ultra a viable piece of decoration for any room. Considering how it will most likely stand in the middle of the room anyway, that’s definitely a much-needed feature.

Ergonomics

Unlike a handheld tool or mobile device, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is not something that will see a lot of manual operation and holding. In fact, given its 11.5lb (5.2kg) weight, it’s not something you will want to hold a lot. It’s still portable in the sense that you can move it around the house and place it in an optimal position, but chances are, once you’ve found the perfect spot for it, it’s staying there for a very long period of time. That perfect spot would be determined not just by the desired distance from a wall or projection screen but, more importantly, by the availability of a wall socket. Thankfully, the projector’s auto keystone correction and other smart features make it possible to set it up at an angle from that projection target.

Using the XGIMI Horizon Ultra itself is as simple as its appearance would imply. The absence of physical buttons on the device itself presents a streamlined and unbroken appearance, but it also means you will be controlling the projector using a remote. The remote looks as luxurious as the projector, though we would have preferred if it followed the same white color scheme rather than a combination of black and sandblasted gray, almost like some brand’s minimalist remote control. The complete reliance on a remote control also means you have to be careful not to lose the accessory, which is often what happens with this kind of device. But since it does run Android TV 11 and uses Bluetooth, there might also be an option to use other wireless methods of controlling it, not plugging in a mouse and keyboard.

As for plugging in things, all the Horizon Ultra’s ports are at the back, making cable management a lot easier, depending on your setup. You only have one place to go to for connecting external devices, and only one side of the projector to hide from plain sight. All-in-all, XGIMI aimed for a simple and minimalist design that is both easy on the eyes as well as easy to use.

Performance

Of course, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is more than just a piece of home decoration, and its real test is in its output. Compared to their short throw cousins, long throw projectors are often criticized for being easily affected by ambient light and obscured by objects and people nearby. XGIMI manages to address practically all these flaws, delivering a long throw projector that can deliver bright, color-accurate, and high-quality images under any condition.

The Horizon Ultra’s primary selling point is being the industry’s first 4K long throw projector that proudly bears Dolby Vision support, a feat that’s difficult to achieve on traditional display panels, let alone a long-throw projector. What this means in practice is that the XGIMI Horizon Ultra guarantees ultra-high brightness, an ultra-wide color gamut, ultra-high color accuracy, and ultra-high viewing comfort, in any setting, without compromise.

On a technological level, this is made possible by an innovative Dual Light engine that combines the best of both worlds of Laser and LED sources. Laser light is known for its brightness and color range but is criticized for tiring the eyes. LED, in contrast, is comfortable and power efficient but often lacks the brightness needed by long throw projectors. In the XGIMI Horizon Ultra, these two technologies complement each other and make up for the other’s weaknesses using a novel five-channel laser LED hybrid optical path to seamlessly combine these two sources into one breathtaking image that can reach up to 2300 ISO lumens of brightness, without color fringing, speckles, and other artifacts that ruin the visual immersion.

Image quality, however, won’t matter much if the projected image is distorted, misaligned, washed out by ambient light, or blocked. In the old days, it was up to the operator to make all the adjustments on the projector to have a straight rectangle on a wall or screen. Fortunately, those old days are long gone, and the Horizon Ultra offers the most intelligent automatic adjustment capabilities that let you just sit back and relax while the projector does the precision work. This Intelligent Screen Adaptation or ISA 3.0 can adjust almost all aspects of the projector to deliver the correct image, no matter the external environment.

It can, for example, adjust the brightness depending on the time of day or ambient light by adjusting the Iris and the optical zoom. The Horizon Ultra can even automatically adjust the colors so that your wall’s color doesn’t affect the image quality. Automatic keystone is no sweat either, so you can practically place the projector anywhere that’s convenient. And when it detects someone or something in front of it, Eye Protection kicks in to stop direct light beams from blinding your loved ones. You almost don’t even have to lift a finger except to select the videos you want, truly making it an effortless and enjoyable experience.

Sustainability

Like many consumer electronics, home projectors are filled with a combination of materials ranging from metal to glass to plastic. The XGIMI Horizon Ultra is not that different from the rest of the herd, but, to its credit, it does do a few things differently that deserve some applause, both in terms of aesthetics as well as sustainability.

While it doesn’t exactly exclude the use of plastics, using fabric masks at least reduced the reliance on synthetic materials to give the product a sense of style. More importantly, using eco-friendly PU leather gives the projector a sustainability angle that few of its peers can boast of. It doesn’t hurt that it also delivers a pleasant tactile experience by putting something that feels organic and soft to the touch on the surface of the projector, almost making you want to caress the device as often as you can.

Value

There are plenty of home projectors popping left and right these days, and even XGIMI has a roster of choices from both sides of the throw ratio fence. Choosing the right combination of performance and price is already difficult, but if you add requirements for aesthetics and convenience, the choice becomes even more difficult to make. Fortunately, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra seems to check all the right boxes, at least for people who don’t mind having a projector take up space somewhere in the room away from a wall. For those who prefer a tighter placement and can live with the cost and generated heat, a short throw projector might still be a better solution.

Compared to other long throw projectors, the Horizon Ultra manages to address some of the biggest complaints, particularly with how environmental factors can affect performance. Bearing the Dolby Vision badge is no small feat, and it brings with it the promise of excellent picture quality, no matter the lighting situation. The projector looks incredible as well, clearly fitting the home rather than standing out like a sore thumb. It also comes with optical zoom for lossless scaling and sensory brightness enhancement, a feature that is usually only found in projectors costing $2,000 or more. But with a price tag of $1,699, it significantly undercuts other brands that promise the same performance with a higher figure and wrapped in a lackluster design.

Verdict

People’s lifestyles have changed drastically in the past several years alone. The Internet and streaming have replaced traditional cable subscriptions, and people have become more glued to their mobile devices to the point that large TVs have become less used and less practical to own. At the same time, however, people are also rediscovering the lost art of enjoying content together, whether it’s a film or a video game, gathering in a single physical location to share the energy and as well as the feels.

Home projectors try to bring the best of both worlds, providing freedom without completely locking people out from those social activities. As they become more common in homes, these entertainment devices also start to take on smarter designs that blend better with their surroundings. With its latest long throw projector, XGIMI is raising the bar not just in performance but also in design, acknowledging that projectors are no longer just a machine just for tech-savvy users but also for homeowners with aesthetic tastes and requirements. With Dolby Vision image quality, super-intelligent features that remove the grunt work from setting up the projector, and a wide variety of content sources from devices and the Internet, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra takes long throw projectors to the next level in providing an immersive entertainment experience, without the cord or even a TV.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1699

The post XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K Long Throw Projector Review: Power and Elegance Come Together first appeared on Yanko Design.

PANO Beam Projector is yet another portable projector ideal for home or camping use

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Concept PANO Beam Projector Details

Projector technology continues to improve, and we believe there will be no end to it. Even if display technology advances, people will still want projectors, whether for home or business use.

Some households are even switching to getting home projectors. Instead of getting more giant TVs, they prefer projectors to achieve that cozy, home movie theater feel. We have seen and tried several projectors already. Most of them are just concept designs, but there are a few we really want to turn into reality, like the PANO.

Designer: BK Hwang

PANO Beam Projector Design

Concept PANO Beam Projector Details

The PANO Beam Projector is a portable version that is great for the home and for outdoor adventures. For example, if you’re into camping and are looking for evening entertainment, you can quickly bring your Pano projector and be ready to play your favorite movie or TV show. This portable beam projector doesn’t look complicated to operate. The design is a simple rectangular prism inspired by an SUV. On one side is the projecting lens and what appears to be a fabric speaker grille. On the top surface is a button and what we’re assuming is a zoom ring.

Concept PANO Beam Projector Details

PANO Beam Projector Design

PANO Beam Projector Details

PANO Beam Projector Details

On the rear are some more buttons and ports like the power button, Bluetooth connectivity button, DC IN, AUX, USB 2.0, and an HDMI port. There is some vent for heat to go out. We’re assuming this thing is lightweight compared to older projector models.

PANO Beam Projector Details

PANO Beam Projector Details

The name Pano is from the word “panorama.” The designer BK Hwang meant the projector to be used in storytelling, allowing you and me to go an emotional trip down memory lane. You can use the projector to watch movies and view your videos or photos.

This PANO Beam Projector joins our list of exciting concept projects. We remember that Video Bubble Projector that uniquely shows images. Then, there is the Togic One home projector designed for Gen Z TikTokers. The swivel projector brings function and elegance together.

We also can’t forget that Smart Minion Projector that looks like a yellow minion. Of course, that Projectable is still making us wish it would turn into reality. But if you really need to buy a home projector, you may want to consider The Freestyle from Samsung. It’s the tech giant’s first entry into the smart projector game as an easy-to-use projector you can use on its own or with a phone. It’s remarkable as it can replace your lamp, speaker, and TV—all at the same time.

Concept PANO Beam Projector Demo

Concept PANO Beam Projector Details

The post PANO Beam Projector is yet another portable projector ideal for home or camping use first appeared on Yanko Design.

Bring the movie theater home with this portable Alexa-enabled smart projector

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There’s been a pretty visible gap between the movie theater experience and the experience smart televisions can provide. Sure, the Smart TV can link to all your streaming apps, but it definitely doesn’t satisfy the joy of watching a storyline unfold on a large screen… and sure, movie theaters are great, but you can’t watch the match or an episode of the Mandalorian in them… also they’re effectively dead as of March 2020 with no clear sign of being revived. Nestling beautifully within that experiential gap is the WooBloo SMASH, a smart-projector that takes you on a cinematic journey while allowing you to summon movies, series, and matches across all your streaming platforms by simply asking Alexa.

The all-in-one smart projector comes with the ability to stream content across 30 platforms, all in 1080p high-definition. It even supports casting from your phone or tablet (in case you want to play content you’ve recorded or stuff from social media), and has an HDMI port for connecting your laptop, making it great for presentations or if you’re a bit of a cord-cutter. The SMASH’s patent-pending design comes with built-in 360° speakers that push out booming audio to match the 10-foot screen being cast by SMASH’s 300 ANSI HD LED projector. There’s even a miniature display on the SMASH’s body and an integrated remote for easy navigation, although they simply play the second fiddle to the fact that the projector has Alexa built right into it. If that wasn’t enough, SMASH even has its own human concierge service that’s always available for support… just in case you’ve got questions that are above Alexa’s pay-grade.

Just set the SMASH up at a strategic location and the auto-focus and auto-keystone correcting feature kicks in to give you clear, un-distorted video, while the full-range speakers and passive radiators turn your room into a makeshift home-theater. If you intend to use the SMASH for work, support for AirPlay and Chromecast make it easy to share content from your phone or tablet with the projector. Echo Noise Cancellation even makes conference calls easier, allowing the projector to serve more purposes than being just a movie-streaming device. Plus, with a 3-hour battery life (and a charging dock for wired usage), the SMASH should get you through it all… movies, meetings, matches, and even series bingeing sessions!

Designer: WooBloo

Click Here to Buy Now: $399 $699 (42% off). Hurry, only 5 left!

WooBloo SMASH: Portable 300 Lumens Smart Projector

The SMASH is the first smart projector that comes with Alexa compatibility and Bluetooth connectivity so you can project movies and TV shows in your living room, bedroom, or backyard.

Watch All Your Shows On a Big Screen

Bright colors and vibrant contrasts, as it’s powered by DLP technology and offers a 4-inch LED display. This display is complemented by a 360-degree surround sound and passive radiators to provide a rich sound. SMASH also offers an extensive 30-hour battery life for listening to music and three hours for video streaming, so you won’t experience any low-battery interruptions.

The secondary display can play and showcase song details (current as well as the next in the queue) when you connect it to a smartphone. On the other hand, it displays a typical wallpaper with the date and time when no smartphone is connected to it.

Alexa Built-in

If you’re an Alexa user or would like to experience the power of smart home connectivity, you can easily do so with the Woobloo SMASH.

Picture Quality

Places You Can Use SMASH

Click Here to Buy Now: $399 $699 (42% off). Hurry, only 5 left!

This smart Minion projector is a movie night essential for people of all ages!

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The design creatively transforms a mundane projector into a character loved by people of all ages from all over the world. The projector’s lens is perfect for Stuart’s monocle and the geometric cylinder combines the characteristic elements of IP with the core functions of the product. The upper and lower ends are sprayed with plastic material and metal aluminum mesh. The black silicone headwear is matched with the plastic metal paint effect of the optical machine lens. Yellow brings the bright pop needed to projects in true minion fashion complete with a yellow dust-proof that is added between the hardware aluminum net and the shell. The smart projector is a compact and cute upgrade from the otherwise dull black box!

The projector’s single camera, TOF feature face recognition, and an automatic focusing motor keep the picture clear at all times. Relying on the current hardware solutions for autofocus, the smart eye protection function has been added. “The internal use of independent BOX design uses a four-point cantilever to make the sound effect more perfect. 5020 blower, heat conduction system, intelligent control of fan speed, effective control of wind noise and internal temperature,” elaborates the team. An Instagram follower also pointed out that the perforations make it seem like Stuart has a beard…I guess we are all growing up! The design and emotion are also very well translated from the product to the packaging, it is equally playful, bright, and compact as the projector itself.

Are you a minion fan or do you have another character in mind that can be turned into a cool projector? Either way, it is only fair to quote Agnes herself to describe the collective emotion we felt when we saw the minion projects – “It’s so fluffy I’m gonna die!”

Designer: Jerry C, Season Jia, and Bowen Yang

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The Tmall Genie projector and remote design is all about visual continuity

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I don’t believe I’ve ever called a projector gorgeous, but with Tmall Genie’s smart projector, it may be a first. Bringing a fresh design language to the projector category, this portable projector comes in an eye-catching glossy lipstick red, with a relatively minimal form. The most clever detail, however, lies in the way the projector’s remote docks right into the front of the projector, achieving three things… A. the job of a lens cap, B. a great way to charge your remote when you’re not using it, and C. visual continuity that just looks and feels great!

The Tmall Genie Smart Projector is a winner of the iF Design Award for the year 2020.

Designer: Zhejiang Tmall Technology

Beam Portable Projector Is a Smart Replacement for Light Bulbs

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Projectors don’t often make the news, and if they do, it’s because they’re getting more portable. Beam is a smart projector with an unusual form factor that’s meant to change the way we’re using such devices.

There are two things that seem ubiquitous in our lives: mobile devices and sources of artificial light. Beam is a smart projector that merely acts as a bridge between the two, while focusing on new surfaces to project pictures and videos on.

Developed by Beam Labs, this patent pending projector was designed to screw in light bulb sockets and project images on tables or other nearby surfaces. When used for this purpose, the Beam also doubles as an LED light, so the functionality of the lamp you’d install it on is not lost.

The light socket compatible smart projector itself is running Android, but the companion app is available for both Android and iOS devices. Once installed, it can be used for projecting pictures or videos using Airplay or Miracast. Its applications are numerous, including projecting movies on the ceiling, displaying Powerpoint presentations, projecting menus on a restaurant’s wall, and so on.

Besides Wi-Fi, Beam also uses Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to various devices, and since most (if not all) modern day smartphones and tablets feature these connectivity options, there will be no issues establishing a connection.

Apart from the broadcasting technologies that are implemented into it, you might think that this projector doesn’t differ that much from its counterparts. However, the “if this then that” approach would prove you wrong right away. Beam can be scheduled to trigger certain actions when specific events take place. For example, if your significant other comes home from work and connects to the local Wi-Fi network, the projector starts playing a video message you left for him or her.

Beam is currently featured on Kickstarter, where its developers are looking to raise $200,000 by March 24, so that the smart projector enters mass production. According to Kicktraq, the goal will not only be reached, but also surpassed many times, if the current trend continues. In that scenario, anyone who has pledged $369 or more as an early bird, or $399 as a regular backer will get the Beam smart projector with the fabric cable in October 2015.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Keecker video projector robot that’s the future of home entertainment systems, or the HP Sprout 3D scanning AIO PC.

ZTE launches First Portable Android Projector ‘Spro 2’ at CES 2015

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ZTE has launched its next-gen smart projector at CES 2015. Titled 'Spro 2,' this smart projector has an Android touch screen interface with full access to the Google Play store. ZTE USA is the...