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Dangbei Atom ALPD Laser Projector

Darksaber

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The Dangbei Atom is a compact Full HD Laser projector that manages to include the full Google TV experience with integrated streaming services, all while weighing in at far less than traditional projectors. With that compactness you do sacrifice brightness with the same price segment, but still get a fun and capable unit for casual viewing environments

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I cannot phantom why you even care to put recommended stamp on it.

Discarding HDR is understandable, because it most obviously does not work, but you have to mention it.

TVs in 2024 are venturing into standard 85-100inch area even in mainstream entry pricing, people into PJs are aiming over 135-200inch screens, if you do PJ reviews, you should aim for that.

WTH with that noise spec? Spec table says under 25, you mention ~36db? You also do not mention that into conclusion, the part most people read, why?

Is it the camera or the device that cast very bluish hues?
 
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IMHO projectors (client ones, not professional/business) are either for people that want really big screen, so stationary and probably top specs all around, or for people who want something portable, small and light to be able to take it to gatherings (photos for friends, presentation for a client or boss), parties, maybe camping movie night or casual games with friends wherever. I'm in the second group and I don't require top specs, but good brightness (like here) is a must for not-so-ideal environment, small size and weight to pack light is important (here not so much, 1.28 + 0.4 kg for PSU). I would prefer either internal battery and/or at least PD power input, as even 100 W PD wall warts are much smaller and lighter AND PD in makes it possible to use a good powerbank.

Years ago there was ASUS P3B, which I recommended to a friend. Only 1280x800 and predating PD, but it had 800 ANSI lumens (500 on battery), 65 W power supply, HDMI in, all in 750 g and 154x131x43 mm (~0,87 l). 8 years later, I can't find anything remotely comparable - similar weight/size/brightness, Full HD, HDMI in, PD in, possibly battery. Bluetooth audio out would be nice to use a portable speaker (better sound, better positioning). Close matches include Optoma ML1080ST (+30% weight, +70% volume, bad bluetooth, comparatively high price) and Xgimi Elfin (+20% weight, +100% volume, app compatibility problems, no PD in).
 

Darksaber

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I cannot phantom why you even care to put recommended stamp on it.

Discarding HDR is understandable, because it most obviously does not work, but you have to mention it.

TVs in 2024 are venturing into standard 85-100inch area even in mainstream entry pricing, people into PJs are aiming over 135-200inch screens, if you do PJ reviews, you should aim for that.

WTH with that noise spec? Spec table says under 25, you mention ~36db? You also do not mention that into conclusion, the part most people read, why?

Is it the camera or the device that cast very bluish hues?
- TV size/price are very different across the world. in Europe people tend to buy much smaller TVs than say the US. And people buying projectors going for 135+ screens: I don't think you have ever seen the size of these ALR screens in person? We are talking "build your house around it" territory, which is not your average user. And the way ANSI Lumens testing works, size is relativized.
- Regards large TVs, absolutely, but at 85"+ you are already paying roughly the same price for your mainstream SmartTV vs. this projectors at 100", so you have your rough baseline as that. The Projector goes on sale pretty often for 650ish USD in turn. A quick and superficial search on Amazon.com right now during the holiday sales season shows 85" TVs starting at $700. Again, pretty rough equal on sale pricing.
- Our noise testing says at 1 foot away, projector brands may measure in a super ideal scenario and from further away etc. Show me one gadget (even actual fans), that gives you more details on how they achieved their advertised noise level - you will be hard pressed to find it.
- Blue = cold color which is mentioned in the review, that can be adjusted in the projector settings adequately.

Last, but not least: If you find a Laser projector of 1080P with full Google TV integration for 900 USD, let me know. Yes, you will find ones in the 900-1000 range that are much brighter & long lasting Laser and FullHD, but are bulky, lack the smarts, remote, setup. So it really depends on what you want - if you never plan to move it, and want a permanent mounting: those traditional ones are probably a better overall choice in combination with a google TV stick or equivalent. But that doesn't suddenly make them the creme de la creme "Editor's choice" either.

But, for the huge bulk of people living in compact apartments etc, this could very well be the right choice and it manages to be functional all in one, compact, transportable (not portable) - so much so, you currently can get the unit on sale + a free carrying case.
 
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@Darksaber

From where did you pull out that EU tend to buy smaller TVs? Why do you even bother to put us all in one bag? My suggestion is to refrain if doing such comparison, statistics will say that EU buying habits wildly differ across countries, we do have broad differences here, including languages, culture and taste.

I started with Benq 1070w in 2012 using Elitescreens 150inch screen more seriously, I had older Canon PJs even before, but that's prehistoric dino age. I don't even bother with TVs, I hate television personally, as I started my carreer as TV repair tech, CRT based then, as those were the only ones, I do service LCD/OLED TVs on the other hand as RMA is my daily job, so get to see those at pretty much larger amounts and variations than average people do, servicing them means also checking them as manufacturer has stated. And I do some rare movie watching only at night, living in the Nordics it is always dark either way, you wake up to the job, it is dark, and you come back from the job, and it is dark as we have fewer daylight hours, reflections are not an issue for me if you are smart. I just roll the screen down when needed, and the PJ is ceiling mounted, pretty much you forget it is there on a daily basis once you set it up.

Noise measurement by standard should be one meter away, as they claim themselves in their spec, what's even the point? You don't even state your ambient level to do the math. Either way, noise is the biggest issue on this device, as mentioned everywhere else, you don't even bother to mention it in the summary points, which are the most important place. It has no zoom optics, so it whines just where you sit around 3m, nothing is mentioned about the throw ratio.

Blue? Adjust? I just rechecked your pictures, those are just inconsistent, the first ones are warm, then heavily blue tinted. You should up your camera skills, especially when doing reviews, not all brave enough to express their opinion, nor even have accounts here.

If you are into budget and less known makers from China really and bring up that topic about price, people pick up same slowpoke, RAM anemic MT9630 CPU based projectors on Aliexpress, they have different names, like Everycom Full HD RD829 whatever, they cost 300-400$, same AF capabilities, same china Android OS, basically they are same base source devices, funny enough, they state honest noise level at 35ish dB. Brightness I've seen ~700 ANSI claims, that would make sense. So what's the fuss? Not apples to apples? You can buy the same Dangbei on Aliexpress too, reading some real product reviews makes you reconsider thing or two about it.
 
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Old time user here. This popped up in my google feed which is a nice coincidence.

I bought this projector. It's great for portability. It works well on just a plain wall, very portable. I also bought a usb-c to DC adaptor, and a power bank for usage where there no power, so there are options to help with portability.. it's very small, quiet and impressive. Average draw I'm getting is 45watts at approx level 5 brightness.
Adaptor I bought on Amazon below.

USB Type C to DC Adapter 4.0 x 1.35 mm, 100W PD USB C Female to 19V 20V DC Male, Type PD USB C to 4.0 x 1.35 mm Adapter Made for Asus Laptop Series​

 
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