My dream projector delivers the brightest and sharpest symbol. However it additionally needs to be simple to transport round and arrange anyplace — particularly outdoor. Anker’s Nebular X1 long-throw projector guarantees all of that with a three-laser engine that beams out a category-leading 3,500 ANSI lumens at 4K answer. It additionally has options by no means noticed sooner than on a house projector, like liquid cooling to cut back fan noise and a motorized lens gimbal that automates setup. Plus, it gives just right sound that may be upgraded with not obligatory satellite tv for pc audio system.
The rub is the associated fee. At $3,000 ($3,298 with the satellite tv for pc audio system for a restricted time) it’s one of the crucial costlier shopper projectors, proper up there with fashions like Epson’s LS11000 or the Valerion VisionMaster Pro2. After checking out it, I will be able to say that it gives the clearest, maximum vibrant symbol high quality I’ve noticed and has the most simple setup as well. Then again, the excessive value places it a long way out of achieve for many transportable projector patrons.
Engadget/Anker
Anker’s Nebula X1 is advertised as a transportable projector nevertheless it’s just right sufficient for use indoors too. Then again, it’s very dear.
- Remarkable symbol high quality
- Easy computerized setup
- Crisp and loud sound
- Strangely transportable
- Pricey
- Google TV can once in a while lag
- No Dolby Atmos
Options and design
The Nebula X1 follows within the footsteps of different Anker projectors, like the unique Nebula and Cosmos, with a tall oblong design and take care of that smartly retracts with a press. Whilst that makes it simple to hold, it additionally way the Nebula X1 hangs down greater than maximum indoor projectors when ceiling-mounted.
To get rid of the tedious setup that generally plagues projectors, Anker did a suave factor: it positioned the lens mechanism on a gimbal that may tilt as much as 25 levels. When mixed with a 1.67x zoom, autofocus, keystone correction and ambient gentle detection, the projector totally automates setup. First, you’ve to make a choice a display screen or wall location and place the projector at a prescribed distance between 8 and 35 ft, relying at the display screen or wall dimension. You must middle the projector in addition to you’ll to keep away from any virtual (keystone) correction that may adversely impact symbol high quality. Then the magic occurs on the press of a button.
The Nebula X1 makes use of a serve as it calls Spatial Adaptation to scan the world in entrance of it. The lens tilts up and down, sooner than exhibiting a checkerboard trend after which beaming the overall symbol just about exactly the place it must be. It’s now not best possible, as some hindrances like small vegetation or positive wires can throw it off, nevertheless it labored properly for me on each a wall and devoted display screen. The projector can adapt to ambient gentle or even the wall coloration, and every other serve as referred to as Spatial Recall means that you can save the ones settings for often used places.
Laser engines get scorching and are typically cooled with enthusiasts that may generate distracting noise. Then again, the Nebula X1 is the primary shopper type with liquid cooling which reduces fan noise to a slightly audible 26dB whisper. Due to this cooling device, the projector can even have a smaller footprint. That’s a large quality-of-life development in comparison to a lot of the contest.
As for inputs, the X1 comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports, together with one with Enhanced Audio Go back Channel (eARC) capability. That ordinary helps rapid refresh charges of as much as 240Hz at 4K, although the X1 tops out at 4K 60Hz so it’s now not ideally suited as a gaming projector. It additionally gives USB Kind-A and USB Kind-C ports, along side a S/PDIF optical audio port.
Google TV is inbuilt for streaming and projector regulate. It supplies a big library of apps by way of Google Play along side a well-known interface. You additionally get Netflix’s reputable software with strengthen for 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient with out the want to plug in a streaming tool, plus Chromecast strengthen and Google Assistant for voice regulate. The drawback is that it could actually once in a while be slow, specifically with menu settings like projector symbol regulate.
Symbol high quality
Anker makes use of what it calls “cinema-grade glass” within the Nebula’s 14-element lens to extend brightness, coloration accuracy and lens sturdiness. The 4K triple laser engine is rated at as much as 3,500 ANSI lumens with a 5,000:1 distinction ratio. On the similar time, it gives coloration accuracy with a Delta E worth of lower than 0.8 and an excellent 110 % of the Rec.2020 coloration spectrum, matching high-end extremely brief throw (UST) fashions from Samsung, LG and Formovie. That 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient strengthen I discussed could also be uncommon a number of the festival.
The result’s the sharpest and brightest symbol I’ve noticed on any projector on this value vary. It used to be vibrant sufficient for me to with ease watch a football fit on a sunny day with out the sunglasses decreased. And in case you transfer it to Convention mode, you’ll ramp the brightness up additional for a viewable symbol even with lighting fixtures on, however there’s the disadvantage of a slight blue coloration solid.
When utilized in a darkened room or outdoor at night time, the Nebula’s symbol high quality is the most productive of any projector I’ve examined. Even supposing it makes use of the similar Texas Tools 0.47-inch DMD (virtual reflect tool) as many different 4K fashions, the picture is clearer and sharper due to the glass detail lens. Distinction and black ranges also are tops on this value vary and now not a long way off high-end projectors from JVC and Sony that price two times as a lot. As soon as once more, that’s because of the optics along side Anker’s 6-blade dynamic iris — every other characteristic in most cases simplest discovered on high-end projectors — and the corporate’s “NebulaMaster 2.0” image high quality set of rules.
Colour accuracy is phenomenal out of the field in each HDR and non-HDR modes due to the ISF (Symbol Science Basis) certification typically reserved for costlier projectors. In reality, I discovered the colour calibration just about best possible on my unit in “ISF Evening” mode. That intended pictures have been with reference to how they have been calibrated through the filmmakers for TV sequence and flicks like As soon as Upon a Time in Hollywood, Andor, Dune 2 and Spider-Guy: No Manner House. If the colours aren’t moderately for your liking, you’ll make positive changes manually. Like many different 4K projectors of this kind, the X1 has a slight quantity of sunshine spill across the fringe of the picture. Then again, it’s well-controlled and simplest noticeable when the projected symbol is especially darkish.
Sound
Anker put some further paintings into the sound as effectively. Audio high quality is forged due to the 4 integrated audio system with 40 watts overall output. The loss of fan noise is a large lend a hand right here. On its own, the X1 gives first rate high-end and bass, however extra importantly, conversation is straightforward to listen to and perceive.
For a large sonic improve, you’ll upload a couple of Anker’s not obligatory Nebula-branded satellite tv for pc audio system that connect with the projector robotically by way of Wi-Fi. Each and every one has a couple of 40-watt entrance drivers, a 20-watt upward-firing driving force and a 20-watt side-firing driving force that mix to create a encompass impact. In conjunction with the projector, they ship an excellent 200 watts of sound with Dolby Audio strengthen (although now not Dolby Atmos sadly). They’re additionally battery-powered with as much as 8 hours of use, which is particularly at hand for out of doors viewing. Then again, that still way you wish to have to stay them charged.
To check those audio system, I decided on a number of music-oriented motion pictures together with A Whole Unknown, Maestro and Rocketman, along side an motion film that has an excellent rating and sound results, Dune 2. Despite their small dimension, the satellite tv for pc audio system stored components like song, conversation and sound results crisp, transparent and flippantly balanced with tough dynamic bass. You have to indisputably do higher with a devoted 5.1 or 7.1 encompass sound device, however those audio system be offering very first rate audio high quality, are simple to arrange and robotically sync with the image. The X1 additionally helps different exterior Bluetooth audio system, however you might have to regulate the timing within the menus to verify best possible sync for image and sound.
Anker additionally gives a $4,000 bundle that features a pair of its Soundcore microphones along side the audio system. The ones additionally connect with the X1 robotically and permit you to use it as an overly dear karaoke gadget. They supply transparent sound however you don’t get the standard advantages of a karaoke setup like AI vocal elimination and vocal enhancement.
Wrap-up
The Nebula X1 is an peculiar proposition. It’s advertised as a transportable out of doors projector, nevertheless it additionally occurs to be the most productive indoor projector I’ve ever examined. With an impeccably sharp, high-contrast and color-accurate symbol, the video high quality is irreproachable. The benefit of setup and total dimension additionally makes it an excellent selection if you wish to transfer the X1 round. With the not obligatory satellite tv for pc audio system, it’s the most productive transportable projector you’ll get, arms down.
The Nebula X1 doesn’t have numerous festival within the transportable class, with the exception of Valerion’s $3,000 VisionMaster Professional 2, which additionally has a 4K triple laser engine. Then again, the X1 beats that type on symbol high quality, portability and straightforwardness of setup.
The article is, most of the people on the lookout for a transportable projector gained’t spend greater than $500, let by myself $3,000. So who is that this for? I believe it’s ideally suited for patrons taking a look at a UST or high-end long-throw projector who need somewhat extra versatility. Some will even use it as a standalone indoor projector as it may be fastened at the ceiling or on a stand. In different phrases, when you’ve got the way, use it any manner you wish to have — it’s that flexible.
