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The Dangbei Neo is widely known as the most recent celebrity amongst compact projectors — in accordance with the net neighborhood. The DLP projector will function a number of sensible capabilities, high-quality audio system, in addition to autofocus and auto keystone correction. Nevertheless, is the Dangbei Neo adequate in on a regular basis use? We discover out in our NextPit assessment.
Good
Good image high quality with auto-lock
Surprisingly good sound
Quiet operation
Many connectivity choices
Dangerous
Essential streaming providers are lacking
No optical zoom
No built-in battery
No 3.5 mm audio jack output
The Dangbei Neo in a nutshell
With an MSRP of $699, the Dangbei Neo is a succesful (albeit overpriced in accordance with sure quarters) DLP projector. It presents excellent image high quality, strong sound, and easy efficiency. Aside from having native Netflix and different apps (Amazon Prime, YouTube, and different streaming suppliers), there are nonetheless different points of video streaming that stay lacking.
As well as, there are different shortcomings, like being unable to regulate the projector’s angle on a flat floor. That is actually an oversight that shouldn’t be present in such an costly projector.
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Should you nonetheless need to get your arms on the Dangbei Neo, it’s also possible to achieve this through Amazon. You may discover the hyperlink above.
Design & Processing
Arriving in a tiny grey field, the Dangbei Neo doesn’t seem like a lot at first look. Nevertheless, the DLP projector is surprisingly compact with dimensions measuring 20 x 15.7 x 10 cm and tipping the scales at lower than 2 kg. Connectivity choices are first rate for a compact projector, however the Neo works finest through WLAN and Bluetooth. Additionally, you will have the ability to discover built-in audio system within the tiny chassis.
What I favored:
Compact case.
Surprisingly quiet operation.
Stable connectivity choices.
What I disliked:
No approach to management the projector immediately.
The projector just isn’t height-adjustable.
The Dangbei Neo is a very inconspicuous projector and seems to be far an excessive amount of of a Plain Jane at first look. The producer didn’t embody a guide focus ring and a zoom slider. As an alternative, you can find solely a single button on high. You possibly can flip the projector on and off utilizing this button, and management all different capabilities through the included distant management or your Sensible House.
The design of the Neo is fairly, however sadly low-cost as solely plastic is used. / © NextPit
In comparison with different compact projectors with DLP expertise just like the Samsung Freestyle (assessment) or the Anker Capsule Max, the Dangbei Neo is comparatively massive.
For a compact projector, the Neo is not precisely small with its dimensions measuring 20 x 15.7 x 10 cm, but it surely nonetheless suits in a backpack for film nights out with buddies. The truth that the Neo weighs about 2 kg makes it appropriate to be positioned on tables, even flimsy ones.
In spite of everything, many moveable projectors are typically too light-weight to deal with extra taut cables when related, making it difficult to acquire a very good viewing angle. Dangbei ensures that the projector and video picture stays in place with its added heft and non-slip rubber toes.
Nevertheless, there’s criticism in retailer for the Dangbei because it doesn’t include retractable toes. When you can unscrew the rubber toes, they go for just some millimeters earlier than falling out. That is undoubtedly not sufficient to tilt the projector sufficient. Alternatively, there’s a typical tripod thread on the backside of the projector — leading to me utilizing the projector on a digicam tripod in the lounge as an alternative.
The projector itself solely has one On/Off button. / © NextPit
The workmanship of the Dangbei Neo is fairly first rate total. At $699, the moveable projector is constructed solidly, albeit with none steel parts or protecting rubber for that upmarket look. The identical applies to the distant management, which appears very nicely put collectively. Extra importantly, it really works reliably, regardless of which path you level it when utilizing it.
The button task can be wise and well-structured — apart from the quite outstanding focus button. That is not often required in any respect, particularly because the projector has glorious focus with every motion.
Picture high quality and auto-lock
The Dangbei Neo presents a most decision of Full HD. In line with the producer, the utmost display measurement stands at 120 inches, however particular person pixels could be seen at that measurement. The projector’s lifespan is meant to be as much as 30,000 hours, and the built-in DLP projector can be HDR10-certified. What’s notably cool concerning the Dangbei Neo? It has built-in sensors to make changes for one of the best picture high quality always.
What I favored:
Good image high quality always.
Dependable auto-lock.
Lengthy service lifetime of 30,000 hours.
What I disliked:
Most 1,920 x 1,080 pixel decision.
No optical zoom…
…and digital zoom is on the expense of decision.
The Dangbei Neo has brought about a stir on-line for having native Netflix preinstalled regardless of that includes DLP expertise. In actuality, this interprets to benefits like an extended 30,000-hour lifespan within the tiny chassis case, though it does include disadvantages of its personal akin to having to dwell with out optical zoom. This isn’t unusual for DLP projectors, however Dangbei at the least made up for this shortcoming with digital zoom functionality. You possibly can scale back the picture measurement within the settings, however high quality may also lower by a bit. Principally, you’ll solely scale back the video window measurement, which suggests fewer pixels are displayed.
Sadly, it’s important to dwell with out an optical zoom. / © NextPit
What the Dangbei Neo does robotically, nonetheless, is to lock the video picture. To do that, Dangbei positioned a ToF sensor on the entrance, amongst different issues, as could be discovered in lots of digicam smartphones. On the press of a button, the projector measures the angle which it’s aligned to the wall, units the right (auto)focus, and robotically applies keystone correction. This labored flawlessly inside a couple of seconds of the assessment. That is the place the Dangbei Neo fared nicely, particularly because the image hardly reveals any blurry areas even at indirect angles.
Equally convincing is the video picture, which is surprisingly shiny at 540 ISO lumens. Though this doesn’t fairly make the projector appropriate to be used throughout the day, the brightness is adequate sufficient for twilight or barely darkened rooms. Nevertheless, footage look finest in utterly darkish rooms — and look nice with wealthy colours, excessive distinction, and cheap sharpness regardless of the less-than-optimal decision of 1080p.
Due to the ToF sensor, the Auto Keystone labored reliably. / © NextPit
You possibly can regulate the picture to your preferences through the quite a few settings. You’ll all the time have the ability to see a preview earlier than you resolve on an choice. General, the Dangbei Neo scored notably nicely when it comes to image high quality regardless of its Full HD decision. The machine made a wonderful case for itself when watching films within the night — the place even my film buff group who could be extraordinarily specific accredited.
Sensible capabilities & efficiency
Dangbei doesn’t run on Android for the Neo. As an alternative, the projector’s software program is predicated on Linux. This resulted in very easy efficiency, but it surely additionally results in extra restrictions within the accessible apps. In contrast to its quite a few rivals, you can not entry the Google Play Retailer.
What I favored:
Very easy efficiency.
Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube arrive preinstalled.
Quite a few connectivity choices (wired and wi-fi).
What I disliked:
No entry to Google Play Retailer.
Essential apps are lacking (Spotify, DAZN, Sky, and others).
No AirPlay compatibility.
After unpacking comes the setup bit, and it’s right here the place the Dangbei Neo proved to be surprisingly easy. Principally, you connect with your Wi-Fi community earlier than you begin to stream the very first content material. The explanation why that is totally different from the competitors is that this: Dangbei depends on Linux and doesn’t require an account to be created earlier than utilizing it. You would need to log in individually for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and the ilk.
Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime arrive preinstalled and could be accessed through separate buttons on the distant. If you wish to use one other video streaming service, you may entry the app retailer dubbed “Netrange”. At first look, this app retailer seems to be well-stocked, however take a more in-depth look and you will notice its weaknesses.
For individuals who like to look at soccer will miss DAZN and “Wow”, which was as soon as often known as Sky. The inclusion of PLEX for streaming video content material inside your community is a pleasant contact, but it surely doesn’t provide too many leisure choices total. Extra details about the accessible apps could be discovered on Netrange’s homepage.
The distant management labored nicely with good button suggestions and dependable connectivity within the assessment. / © NextPit
The Dangbei Neo falls behind by a mile in comparison with its friends on this class. Nevertheless, it presents the likelihood so that you can join exterior {hardware} through cable or wirelessly. Notebooks could be related through HDMI, and there are two USB ports for exterior storage media or peripherals like a mouse and keyboard. For a extra everlasting set up, you may even use wired Web and join it to your private home theater system through S/PDIF.
Moreover, Dangbei built-in Bluetooth connectivity, together with its personal Bluetooth speaker mode and WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, which works in 2.4 Ghz in addition to 5 Ghz spectrums. If you wish to pull out your iPad and stream Apple TV Plus, I’ve dangerous information for you: Sadly, Dangbei depends on the Android app “Screencast” for display mirroring and streaming. There may be an app known as “HomeCast” that’s imagined to play good with iOS units, however I couldn’t find it on the Mac or iPhone.
You possibly can see that I used to be very ambivalent concerning the person interface within the assessment: Whereas it’s nice to lastly have a conveyable projector with many ports, you find yourself lacking the benefits present in different working methods that arrive preinstalled on sensible projectors.
Loudspeaker
The Dangbei Neo has two audio system at 6 W of energy every, which surprisingly supplies good sound in a house theater setting. Though this doesn’t imply mind-blowing audio, the Neo does sound like a strong Bluetooth speaker. That is excessive reward, particularly when it’s on a stand within the room and has no actual contact with its environment. The Neo can be helps Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus requirements.
What I favored:
Surprisingly good sound high quality from the 2 6 W audio system.
Quite a few personalised choices for the sound picture.
Bluetooth speaker mode.
What I disliked:
No 3.5 mm audio jack output.
Each audio system are positioned on one aspect of the case.
As with the picture high quality, the Dangbei Neo stunned me with strong sound high quality after I first tried it out. Taking the audio system into consideration which aren’t overly highly effective at 6 W, voices stay intelligible and music is accompanied by the required bass. How precisely do the bass and treble combine? These could be adjusted through a couple of button presses within the fast menu.
Connectivity choices are quite a few for a DLP projector – an audio jack is lacking although. / © NextPit
Dangbei licensed the Neo with each Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus requirements. Nevertheless, you should not count on encompass sound whereas watching films. In reality, your expectations shouldn’t be that prime as a result of Dangbei positioned each audio system on one aspect of the case, translating to a sparsely discernible stereo impact.
If you wish to join the Dangbei Neo to exterior audio system, you are able to do so solely through S/PDIF. The machine regrettably lacks a 3.5 mm jack. Alternatively, you may join headphones and audio system to it through Bluetooth, however the latencies are much less appropriate in the case of watching films. By the way in which, the Neo can double up as a Bluetooth speaker in the event you so need. It is a sensible function that I loved utilizing within the assessment as a result of strong sound high quality.
Battery & energy provide
The Dangbei Neo doesn’t have an built-in battery. As an alternative, you all the time need to hold it powered through an exterior energy provide.
Conclusion
As talked about, the Dangbei Neo is showered with reward on the net. It’s certainly deserved, because the projector presents first rate image high quality, stays surprisingly quiet regardless of its compact measurement, and presents loads of enjoyable sound out of its two 6-watt audio system. Nevertheless, additionally, you will come throughout a couple of quirks whenever you spend extra time with the Dangbei Neo.
It’s because many video streaming companions do appear to be lacking from the lineup, though the apps provided are specifically curated by an organization. Right here, having Android TV as a substitute for a proprietary Linux distribution would have executed the projector an entire world of excellent. On the identical time, there are curious omissions, such because the lacking 3.5 mm audio jack and the lack of the projector to regulate its top on a flat floor with out exterior assist.
Affiliate provide
Contemplating the quite excessive entry value of $699.99, the Neo is an thrilling, compact sensible projector. Nevertheless, you need to undoubtedly additionally search for options based mostly in your wants. At this value level, there are extra highly effective options with optical zoom, extra connectivity choices, and sensible working methods which can be truly appropriate with the apps you want.
Final however not least: As with the Samsung Freestyle, the idea of a conveyable and versatile projector with out an built-in battery would not fairly make sense to me within the assessment. What are your views on this?
Dangbei Neo
To machine database
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