Dangbei Mars Professional 2 overview: Huge and brilliant

I cherished Dangbei’s small Atom projector — giving it a close to excellent overview because the tiny however mighty system efficiently supplied sharp, brilliant, and colourful photos at a sub-$1K worth level. Nevertheless spectacular, it compromised on some extra “premium” projector options like a full setting suite and lacked a stand.

So, with summer time across the nook and desirous to curate outdoor movie nights, I have been trying to find the perfect 4K projector and determined to check Dangbei’s larger, costlier, flagship mannequin: the DBOXO2 — additionally dubbed the Mars Professional 2.

Learn on for my full overview.

Dangbei DBOX02

Really helpful

The Dangbei DBOX02 is a premium 4K laser projector which gives as much as 2450 ISO lumens in brightness and built-in audio system, plus Google TV performance. It delivers nice image high quality, attractiveness and versatile efficiency for a worth that undercuts a few of the competitors, significantly from XGIMI and Anker.  

Execs

• Vibrant, colourful picture
• Premium design
• Google TV

Cons

• Half-baked software program options
• Not the perfect audio system
• Very huge

Value, availability and specs

The Dangbei DBOX2 is offered now for costs beginning at $1499.99, direct from Amazon, and it is solely provided in black.

From the beginning, when unboxing the DBOX02, I used to be abundantly conscious of 1 factor: its measurement. Now measurement is a commerce off when going premium, fancy projectors want cooling followers and loads of area inside for audio system, however the DBOX02 is a big system.

Completed in metallic all throughout and in matte black, it appears good, and has an ample number of ports on the rear. I used to be additionally despatched a stand with my overview unit and extremely advocate it because it helps with a number of viewing angles and steadiness.

The scale and weight grow to be a bit little bit of a problem in the case of simply positioning the system. Once more, not an issue when you have a stand. If, nevertheless you’re shopping for this as a primary projector, do not count on it to be simple to maneuver and reposition. It is actually meant to take a seat in a single spot, or on a tripod.

That apart, it is a elegant and properly constructed projector. The port choice is comparatively beneficiant, with two HDMI inputs, two USB-A ports, and an ethernet jack.

Fortunately, the DBOX02 additionally comes with a Bluetooth distant, which linked simply and labored shortly and precisely.

What I appreciated concerning the Dangbei Mars Professional 2

Vibrant, daring and delightful

Transferring to image high quality, to begin, it is a laser projector which crucially signifies that it’s brilliant. That stated, once I stared straight at it I believed my eyeballs would possibly soften. In almost all situations, other than a brilliant sunny day, it was ample to make use of indoors with the curtains open. It might probably attain as much as 2450 ISO lumens of brightness, which is spectacular, although I would take this with a bit pinch of salt. Lumens are the measure of brightness in a projector, however totally different locations have totally different takes on how they work.

The trade customary measure is ANSI, whereas ISO is lesser identified. One ISO lumen equals roughly 0.8 ANSI lumens, so 2450 ISO lumens interprets to 1960 ANSI lumens, much less horny however nonetheless spectacular. Dangbei has additionally been in a bit of hot water over allegedly cooking its figures a bit. Regardless, in the actual world and away from geeky numbers, it is a brilliant projector.

Associated

The Texas summer sun is no match for my bright, new Samsung 8K TV

Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K QN900D TV has the eye-searing show I have been ready 12 years to see.

And oh boy, is it sharp too. From 80 inches as much as its full projection width, content material appeared very crisp and naturally detailed. In fact 4K video appeared finest, however for those who like probably the most element you’ll be able to fairly get, it is a good choice. The colours too, true to basic lazer efficiency, are nice. They’re saturated and nice with out being overbearing and there’s barely any noise within the shadows. As a complete, the image high quality provided right here is superb for the worth.

Moreover, the projector gives HDR10 compatibility, which means that supported content material is further brilliant and clear, and properly price utilizing the place it is accessible.

Watching Eurovision 2024 with a white display was a deal with, the colours of the loopy performers had been introduced properly to life whereas the audio system stored up with the daft vocals with no subject.

Full fats Google TV with most of your favourite apps

Google TV

Ease of use

Excessive

Sensible assistants

Google Assistant

Advert presence

Average

App availability

Very extensive

Notable options

AI-curated content material; Chromecast built-in

Transferring onto software program, the image is equally constructive with some massive caveats. Somewhat than run its personal customized Android pores and skin because it has carried out at instances prior to now, Dangbei has loaded up the DBOX02 with Google TV.

Associated

7 smart TV operating systems, ranked worst to best

For a ‘good’ platform, most TV working techniques are surprisingly dumb.

Meaning entry to the Play Retailer and almost any streaming app you’ll be able to consider. Downloading an app is a straightforward course of, and after getting it, supplied you utilize your Google account to log in, shortly accessing every app turns into a simple ask. Moreover, the projector has Netflix accessible and totally licensed which is, one thing which may’t be stated for a few of the competitors.

What I did not like concerning the Dangbei Mars Professional 2

Software program caveats

Whereas the Dangbei is an achieved projector by most metrics, it has some primarily software-based flaws which are nonetheless a big drawback.

First of those is software program reliability. I used to be capable of outright crash the projector on events by deciding on a single software program choice. In a single case deciding on ‘3D projection’ merely induced the display to show purple and jagged. Solely a tough reset resolved the difficulty. When the outlay is above $1K, on the very least you expect rock strong stability.

One other subject was app availvility. So, whereas Google TV gives extensive entry to almost any service in existence, there is not any assure that they will have the ability to set up on the projector.

0:38

Associated

This little Kodak projector is my secret to the best movie nights and presentations

Regardless of restricted decision, I can see myself utilizing the light-weight Kodak Luma 150 moveable projector all summer time lengthy.

Then there’s accessing projector options. The clue is within the identify, Google TV is designed for TVs at the beginning. Accessing a operate like keystoning, one thing you may be doing often for those who change your projection floor, requires a comparatively deep dive into system settings so as to entry it, which is unquestionably extra difficult than vital.

Perhaps too huge?

Whereas the DBOX02 is a premium projector and sized accordingly, it is vitally, very huge. You will not wish to transfer it round the home, as soon as you’ve got chosen a place it is going to probably stay stationary. For that cause, in case you are shopping for this both as a primary projector or a primary premium projector, the difficulty is then of whether or not it is likely to be merely too a lot in your dwelling state of affairs.

Associated

Why this older Bose speaker has become my new portable go-to

After a month with the BoseSoundLink Flex, I spotted it walked so the latest SoundLink Max Moveable Speaker may run.

Regardless of the dimensions, the audio system fail to make a lot of an impression. Whereas bass is highly effective, mids and trebles are inclined to grow to be drowned considerably in motion pictures, which means that speech will be more durable to listen to than would possibly in any other case be anticipated. That is once more not sensible given the worth level.

Ought to I purchase the Dangbei DBOX02?

In order for you a robust, premium choice that works properly, has implausible image high quality and which has a simple interface, the DBOX02 is a superb choice.

The true query is whether or not you want it. There are projectors which have comparable mainstream enchantment for lower than $1K, and there are additionally many TVs which obtain the identical. At almost $2K it’s approaching luxurious territory, and it is likely to be greater than many discover they really need.

Dangbei DBOX02

Really helpful

Furthermore, it is also massive and heavy. If you’re a primary time projector purchaser or need one thing you’ll be able to simply transfer all through the house, this is not it. The DBOX02 is not petite, it is not moveable, and it makes no pretense of being both.

There is a cause it has a bit junk within the trunk, and that is image high quality. Boasting a 4K decision, with brightness to spare and colours that pop, it makes motion pictures sing. The included audio system do a good job of bringing a bit stereo sound to your setup. Final however not least, there’s Google TV integration too, which means your whole favourite apps are current and proper, the interface is simple to navigate and discovering your favourite motion pictures and TV exhibits is a cinch.