I examined this projector and it made my TV out of date

Projectors could be excellent for watching sports activities and movie nights, however I often favor 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 price. Even the brighter fashions I’ve tried that work in vital ambient lighting are both too dear to be sensible or lack sure smart TV features I take with no consideration. Nevertheless, 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 transportable Freedo and Atom fashions, that are wonderful 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 per 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 Expertise

Laser

Execs & Cons

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

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

Worth, availability, and specs

Ticks all containers

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

On the surface, 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 gives 120 levels of tilt adjustability and a handy 360-degree horizontal rotation in order that I can level it in my most popular route in seconds. Alternatively, you should use the screw on the backside to connect an adjustable projector flooring stand or ceiling mount, that are each obtainable from the Dangbei web site.

Cooling is not a difficulty because of the intensive perforations alongside the edges, which doubtless contribute to the booming sound high quality from the 2 built-in 12W audio system. The rear homes an in depth port choice, which rivals many sensible 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’ll be able to attempt Bluetooth 5.2 in the event you favor the wi-fi route.

Below the hood is a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A55 with 2GB of RAM and a good 32GB of space for storing for apps. Talking of apps, Google TV supplies a easy person expertise and contains shortcuts to in style streaming platforms, like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube.

The DBOX02 Professional gives wonderful picture high quality in each darkish and lightweight settings, with native 4K (3840×2160) decision and a pair of,000 ISO lumens, equal to round 2,500 ANSI lumens. It delivers a real cinematic expertise with a picture dimension 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 dimension and picture high quality, which requires 9.2 toes of area.

You will discover 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 evening versatility

The Dangbei DBOX02 Professional is without doubt one of the finest 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 handbook settings required.

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

Nevertheless, I used to be most impressed by the DBOX02 Professional’s excellent image high quality and daytime efficiency. I attempted films, like The Fifth Factor, The Lego Batman, and Ballerina in the course of the day with my curtains closed, and was amazed on the vivid colours and visibility, even in the course of the darker scenes.

I’ve tried comparable checks with lesser projectors, and the flicks have been unwatchable and blurry with washed-out colours. The expertise carried over to gaming, and the huge display dimension 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 evening or in darkish rooms. Attempting it at evening was a unbelievable expertise, and the mixture of 4K decision and an enormous 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 vital 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 would not have the thump of a devoted subwoofer, however gives excessive quantity ranges with excellent readability and minimal distortion. They’re much better than any sensible 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 price 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 cellphone.

Most shopping for choices 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 towards 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, but it surely’s a fingerprint magnet and feels plastic-y in comparison with the gunmetal grey on the Freedo.

Connecting USB storage was extra difficult than I anticipated as a result of there isn’t any plug-and-play compatibility. I wanted to obtain the File Supervisor+ app from the Google Play Retailer to view the information, but it surely wasn’t a deal-breaker as a result of it solely took a couple of minutes and labored with none points.

Must you 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 an enormous sensible TV. It is across the similar value as an entry-level 100-inch TV, however gives virtually triple the display dimension and much better sound.

Sensible TVs will often 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 intensive port choice and wi-fi connectivity choices full the package deal, making it value contemplating you probably have the area — 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 you probably have sufficient room for its cinematic capabilities. These with smaller flats and restricted area will not have the ability to take pleasure in its full potential and will probably be higher off with a sensible TV or cheaper, extra compact options, just like the Dangbei Atom or Yaber K3.

This machine was offered to Pocket-lint by Dangbei.

4.5/5

Model

Dangbei

Native Decision

4K UHD (3840×2160)

ANSI Lumens

2,500

Projection Expertise

Laser

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