I examined this projector and it made my TV out of date

Projectors may be excellent for watching sports activities and movie nights, however I normally desire my LG smart TV for every day use and gaming. That is as a result of most projectors cannot match its stellar image high quality, excessive distinction, and quick refresh fee. Even the brighter fashions I’ve tried that work in important ambient lighting are both too dear to be sensible or lack sure smart TV features I take without any consideration. Nonetheless, Dangbei’s new DBOX02 Professional challenged my philosophy and blew me away with its all-around skills and life like price ticket.

Dangbei is not any stranger to the projector recreation and impressed me with its moveable Freedo and Atom fashions, that are glorious for on-the-go use. As its title suggests, the Dangbei DBOX02 Professional is an evolution of the 4K DBOX02 projector with upgraded {hardware} and options. I spent every week testing its capabilities to see what it may do and that is the way it went.

4.5/5

Model

Dangbei

Native Decision

4K UHD (3840×2160)

ANSI Lumens

2,500

Projection Know-how

Laser

Execs & Cons

• Brilliant sufficient for daytime use
• Native 4K decision
• 120Hz HDMI ports

• Requires third-party app to entry USB information
• Black end picks up fingerprints

Value, availability, and specs

Ticks all containers

The DBOX02 Professional is filled with trendy options and contains an built-in gimbal stand, making the set-up a breeze. It is a real rival to big-screen good TVs because of its 4K decision, large show, and excellent connectivity choices that help most gadgets.

On the skin, it retains the all-black, boxy design of its predecessor, with the built-in gimbal stand the principle distinction. The stand is sturdy sufficient to double as a carrying deal with. It presents 120 levels of tilt adjustability and a handy 360-degree horizontal rotation in order that I can level it in my most well-liked route in seconds. Alternatively, you need to use the screw on the backside to connect an adjustable projector flooring stand or ceiling mount, that are each obtainable from the Dangbei website.

Cooling is not a difficulty because of the in depth perforations alongside the perimeters, which possible contribute to the booming sound high quality from the 2 built-in 12W audio system. The rear homes an intensive port choice, which rivals many good TVs and impressed me with its usefulness.

These embody a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, together with one with eARC functionality. Moreover, there are a pair of USB 2.0 ports for connecting exterior drives and reminiscence sticks, and a LAN port for wired networks. Attaching soundbars or exterior audio system is a cinch with a 3.5mm port and S/PDIF optical port, or you possibly can attempt Bluetooth 5.2 should you desire the wi-fi route.

Beneath the hood is a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A55 with 2GB of RAM and an honest 32GB of cupboard space for apps. Talking of apps, Google TV gives a easy person expertise and contains shortcuts to standard streaming platforms, like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube.

The DBOX02 Professional presents glorious picture high quality in each darkish and lightweight settings, with native 4K (3840×2160) decision and a couple of,000 ISO lumens, equal to round 2,500 ANSI lumens. It delivers a real cinematic expertise with a picture measurement of 40 to 300 inches, although you may want a distance of 28 toes to take pleasure in its full potential. Dangbei recommends a 100-inch show because the candy spot for measurement and picture high quality, which requires 9.2 toes of house.

You could find the DBOX02 Professional on the official Dangbei web site or Amazon for $1,600.

What I appreciated in regards to the Dangbei DBOX02 Professional

Day and night time versatility

The Dangbei DBOX02 Professional is without doubt one of the greatest projectors I’ve examined due to its all-around efficiency and practicality. I am over projectors that take ages to arrange and love that the DBOX02 Professional makes life simple with no guide settings required.

I did not require a separate mount as a result of it took me a number of seconds to regulate the gimbal to the right angle. It was simply as quick on the software program aspect, and the autofocus and keystone correction kicked in mechanically to show crisp visuals in an ideal rectangle. Organising Google TV is as simple because it will get, and it requires me to scan a QR code after getting into my Wi-Fi particulars.

Nonetheless, I used to be most impressed by the DBOX02 Professional’s excellent image high quality and daytime efficiency. I attempted motion pictures, like The Fifth Aspect, The Lego Batman, and Ballerina through the day with my curtains closed, and was amazed on the vivid colours and visibility, even through the darker scenes.

I’ve tried comparable checks with lesser projectors, and the films had been unwatchable and blurry with washed-out colours. The expertise carried over to gaming, and the large display screen measurement enhanced the dazzling maps in Apex Legends and ensured I had no bother navigating the gloomy alleys of Robocop: Rogue Metropolis.

The DBOX02 Professional is sweet sufficient for daytime viewing, however like all projectors, it actually shines at night time or in darkish rooms. Attempting it at night time was a unbelievable expertise, and the mixture of 4K decision and a large show blew me away whereas watching anime battles in Cyberpunk: Edge Runners and a Kaiju tearing up Tokyo in Godzilla: Minus One.

Sound is simply as necessary as visuals for creating an immersive expertise, and the DBOX02 Professional delivers in spades, not like many different projectors I’ve examined. Its pair of 12W audio system does not have the thump of a devoted subwoofer, however presents excessive quantity ranges with excellent readability and minimal distortion. They’re much better than any good TV and may simply be enhanced with a soundbar or dwelling theater system.

I additionally appreciated the DBOX02 Professional’s all-around practicality and port choice. The pair of HDMI 2.1 ports was supreme for connecting my laptop computer and PS5 to the projector and helps a 120Hz refresh fee for smoother gaming. I additionally appreciated having an optical port to connect my speaker system and the liberty to forged music and movies from my telephone.

Most shopping for selections come right down to worth. I feel the DBOX02 Professional’s $1,600 tag earlier than reductions is a candy deal contemplating all its options, and makes it value contemplating in opposition to similarly-priced TVs.

What I did not like in regards to the Dangbei DBOXO2 Professional

Minor quirks

No projector’s excellent, and I really feel the DBOX02 Professional may very well be higher in sure areas. The outside’s all-black end has a businesslike look, nevertheless it’s a fingerprint magnet and feels plastic-y in comparison with the gunmetal grey on the Freedo.

Connecting USB storage was extra sophisticated than I anticipated as a result of there is no plug-and-play compatibility. I wanted to obtain the File Supervisor+ app from the Google Play Retailer to view the information, nevertheless it wasn’t a deal-breaker as a result of it solely took a couple of minutes and labored with none points.

Do you have to purchase the Dangbei DBOX02 Professional?

You get what you pay for

Dangbei’s DBOX02 Professional exceeded my expectations and made me query the viability of shopping for a large good TV. It is across the identical value as an entry-level 100-inch TV, however presents nearly triple the display screen measurement and much better sound.

Sensible TVs will normally have the sting in lighter situations, however the DBOX02 Professional is not any slouch and delivers comparable image high quality because of its excessive brightness, 4K decision, and 120Hz refresh charges. Its in depth port choice and wi-fi connectivity choices full the bundle, making it value contemplating when you’ve got the house — which might be the deciding issue.

The DBOX02 Professional has all of the bells and whistles you may ask for at an affordable value and is a possible TV various when you’ve got sufficient room for its cinematic capabilities. These with smaller flats and restricted house will not be capable to take pleasure in its full potential and might be higher off with a wise TV or cheaper, extra compact alternate options, just like the Dangbei Atom or Yaber K3.

This gadget was offered to Pocket-lint by Dangbei.

4.5/5

Model

Dangbei

Native Decision

4K UHD (3840×2160)

ANSI Lumens

2,500

Projection Know-how

Laser

The Dangbei DBOX02 Professional is a laser projector choices 4K decision and as much as 300-inches of show space.