Portable projectors are fun, as they let you enjoy your favorite movies and shows while chilling in patios and backyards. It’s just like having an outdoor TV. Problem is, portable models rarely offer the best video and audio quality, leading to a less than stellar viewing experience. The Nebula X1 is looking to change that.
By the way, this isn’t the kind of portable projector that you can use to watch movies off the grid. Instead, it’s the kind that you’ll still need to plug in to an available outlet, but it’s clad in a form factor that’s easy to move around from one room to another. What makes it special, though, is that the outfit specifically designed it to deliver exceptional quality for outdoor viewing, even calling it a “cinema-grade outdoor entertainment system” when paired with optional satellite speakers.
The Nebula X1 houses a triple-laser optical engine that’s paired with a 14-element glass lens for superior clarity and thermal stability. It produces 4K images up to 200 inches in size, with an adjustable throw ratio of 0.9:1 to 1.5:1. How is the throw ratio adjustable? Apparently, it has motorized optical zoom, so you can beam a big picture without having to move too far away from the projection surface. For reference, this feature allows it to project a 200-inch from as short as 13 inches away. Without using the zoom, by the way, you will need to place it at a 22 feet distance.
It boasts a peak brightness of 3,500 ANSI lumens, so it should be able to project a clear picture even in brighter outdoor settings, with a native contrast of 5,000:1, so you can see fine details even in darker scenes. The projector also gets 110 percent coverage of the REC 2020 color space, as well as 3D content compatibility.
The Nebula X1 has built-in 40W speaker system consisting of dual tweeters, a full-range speaker, and a passive radiator. Of course, it’s much harder to get good audio outdoors, so the outfit is actually offering a pair of 80W satellite speakers that are meant to further reinforce the projector’s audio for outdoor viewing, allowing it to deliver an immersive 200W of 4.1.2 surround sound. Each of the 80W satellite units connect to the projector over Wi-Fi to ensure there’s no cable mess, while allowing you to move the additional speakers closer for fuller, clearer sound. The speakers each house rechargeable batteries rated at up to eight hours of playback between charges.
According to the outfit, this is their first portable projector to have a liquid cooling system, which allowed them to lower the fan noise down to a barely audible 26 decibels. Other features include a built-in gimbal that can raise the lens 25 degrees for projecting to the ceiling, your usual set of picture correction systems, a pop-up carrying handle, and a generous selection of ports (including one HDMI with eARC) for hooking it up to your living room setup. It runs Google TV with Google Cast mirroring and the official Netlfix app preinstalled.
The Nebula X1 comes out May 21st, priced at $2,999.
