Dangbei Atom Review: Small projector with big capabilities
Dangbei, a renowned company in the home projector industry, recently introduced its latest innovation: the Dangbei Atom. This groundbreaking release marks the company’s foray into the realm of laser projectors integrated with Google TV, an impressive feat that sets it apart from its competitors.
The Dangbei Atom stands out with its slim profile, enhanced brightness and smart features, making it a standout option in today’s crowded home projector market. Let’s dive deeper into its features and performance in our detailed review.
Dangbei Atom: Video Review
| Specs | Dangbei Atom |
| Native resolution | 1080P (1920x1080 FHD) |
| Display Technology | DLP |
| Light Source | Laser(ALPD® Laser Technology) |
| Brightness | 1200 ISO Lumens |
| Speaker | 2 x 5W |
| Noise | <24dB @25°C |
| Lamp life | 30000 hours |
| Image Size | 40"-180" (Recommended 60”-100”) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1/BLE |
| WiFi | 2.4/5GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Operating System | Google TV |
| Connectivity | USB2.0, HDMI IN (ARC), DC-IN, 3.5mm Audio |
| Keystone Correction | Yes, ±30° |
| Auto Focus | Yes, dToF+Camera Auto Focus |
| Dimensions | 7.68 x 7.68 x 1.87 Inches / 19.5 x 19.5 x 4.75 cm |
| Weight | 2.82 lbs / 1.28kg |
Dangbei Atom: Design
Dangbei Atom impresses with its slim profile, measuring a mere 4.75 centimeters in thickness and boasting an almost square shape with dimensions of 19.5 centimeters per side—smaller than your average book. This sleek form factor makes it incredibly portable, a rarity in home projectors. Transporting the device is a breeze; one can effortlessly slip it into a backpack or even a computer pocket, thanks to its lightweight build of around 1.28 kg.
Despite predominantly using plastic materials, Dangbei has managed to imbue Atom projector with a premium feel, both to the touch and visually. The product exudes durability, devoid of any creaks, and blends seamlessly into both modern and traditional settings.
A closer inspection reveals a matte/metallic finish adorning a significant portion of the projector’s surface, resistant to fingerprints and easy to maintain.
On the front, a shiny band adds a touch of elegance, although it’s prone to smudging. Within this band lies the laser system and dTFOD sensor, enhancing the projector’s functionality.
The Dangbei brand sits proudly atop the device, while a metal grille on the left conceals the speakers, accompanied by the Dolby Audio insignia. The rear panel houses all physical connectivity options and ventilation grills, while the circular base features an exhaust and screw connection at its center, ideal for mounting on a tripod.
The package includes essential accessories for operation, such as a remote control (with standard features and conveniently placed buttons for easy access), a power supply, and a wall socket connection cable.
Specs
Dangbei Atom embodies the quintessential features of a classic projector, requiring a constant power connection due to the absence of an internal battery. It employs DLP technology alongside a 0.33-inch DMD display. The projector utilizes a laser as its light source, boasting a remarkable lifespan of 30,000 hours and achieving a maximum brightness of 1200 lumens. Its native resolution stands at Full HD, precisely 1920 x 1080 pixels (commonly referred to as 1080p), with support for HDR10 and HLG for enhanced visual experience, along with built-in eye protection features.
Operating on the Google TV platform, previously known as Android TV, the device features a standard configuration boasting 2GB of DDR3 RAM and 32GB of eMMC 5.1 internal memory. This storage capacity proves essential for installing applications directly from the integrated Play Store, offering access to popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube. The projector integrates two 5W physical speakers on the left side, supporting Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus for immersive audio experiences.
Connectivity options are abundant, rendering Dangbei Atom highly versatile. Rear connections include a USB-A 2.0 port and an HDMI-IN (ARC), facilitating seamless connection with various sources such as notebooks, smartphones, and consoles. Output options include a 3.5mm audio jack for headphone connectivity, bypassing the integrated speakers. Wireless connectivity features dual-band WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.1/BLE. Power consumption is capped at 80W, with operational temperatures ranging between 5 and 35 degrees Celsius and a noise level of less than 24dB, ensuring a quiet and efficient performance.
OS and user experience
Setting up Dangbei Atom is a breeze; simply plug it into a power socket, power it on using the physical button or remote control, and follow the on-screen prompts. With its Google TV operating system, users can expedite the setup process even further by completing it with their Android smartphone. The projector’s greatest asset lies in its remarkable versatility, made possible by the Google OS. It features integrated virtual assistant functionality through Google Assistant, enabling users to control it effortlessly with voice commands. Additionally, it benefits from access to the Play Store and built-in Google Chromecast.
The Play Store grants users the ability to install various streaming applications directly onto the projector, providing access to a plethora of services from the comfort of their sofa. Meanwhile, Google Chromecast facilitates wireless projection, allowing users to mirror their Android device screen or stream content from YouTube and more with a simple button press—a remarkably simplified process accessible to all users. The projector operates on the classic Google TV interface, offering a fluid user experience devoid of significant bugs or slowdowns.
Image
Dangbei Atom distinguishes itself with a throw ratio of 1.2:1, offering versatile positioning for large-scale projections ranging from 40 to 60 inches, with 100 – 50% zoom (ideally recommended between 60 and 100 inches). Equipped with a dTOF sensor adjacent to the light source, the projector facilitates automatic focusing, enhancing user convenience, particularly during relocation owing to its portability. Moreover, automatic keystone correction, spanning +- 30°, and intelligent software adjustments, including obstacle detection and dynamic projection width alterations, cater to various installation configurations.
During our testing across different surfaces, we discovered that Dangbei Atom delivers impressive performance even without a traditional white wall. Projecting onto a dull, brown wall, the colors remained vibrant, and the picture quality remained superb. The projector proved capable of projecting onto a smaller section of a black wall, albeit requiring its full 1,200-lumen capacity. Black walls significantly enhance contrast, enhancing the viewing experience. This brightness feature alone justifies investing in a projector with over 1,000 lumens.
In terms of overall brightness, Dangbei Atom’s 1,200 ANSI lumens are sufficient for decent image projection in most lighting conditions. Only direct sunlight flooding through a nearby window poses a challenge to visibility. However, in moderately lit rooms, such as those with closed curtains, the projector performs admirably. For content set outdoors or in well-lit environments, viewing remains enjoyable even in brightly lit rooms, without significant image quality degradation, provided curtains are drawn.
Dangbei Atom ensures sharp focus across the entire projection, distinguishing itself from cheaper alternatives that often prioritize the center of the image. While investing in a quality screen, especially an ambient light rejecting one, can further enhance the viewing experience.
Audio
In terms of audio performance, the integrated 5W physical speakers deliver excellent sound quality, boasting a maximum volume more than adequate for a 25 square meter space. The speakers produce rich bass and crisp definition across all frequencies, further enhanced by the availability of five usage modes (standard, movie, music, sports, and personalized).
Moreover, the speakers can function as Bluetooth speakers, enabling users to stream music from smartphones, tablets, or notebooks via a direct Bluetooth connection. Notably, Dangbei Atom’s versatility extends to its compatibility with various operating systems, including Windows, iOS, Linux, Android, MacOS, and more.
Dangbei Atom: Conclusion
Dangbei Atom stands out as a projector that I wholeheartedly recommend to users seeking a comprehensive and versatile product. It boasts compact dimensions, significantly enhancing its portability without compromising on elegance. The projector’s standout features include its exceptional audio and video reproduction quality, alongside the inclusion of Google TV—an operating system that elevates its versatility to new heights, catering to the diverse needs of users.
Notably, keystone and focus corrections are entirely automatic, highlighting the device’s user-friendly design and suitability for users who frequently relocate it to different spaces, thereby fully capitalizing on its exceptional portability.
Overall, Dangbei Atom emerges as a standout choice, seamlessly blending performance, portability, and versatility into a single, elegant package. Whether you’re seeking top-notch audiovisual experiences or seamless integration with your digital ecosystem, this projector delivers on all fronts, making it a compelling option for a wide range of users.
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