Introduction

I would like to thank Dangbei for supplying the sample.


The Dangbei Atom projector manages to combine a few very interesting and core features into a compact enclosure which includes an ALPD Laser source, a fully integrated Google TV experience and plenty of smarts to make setup of the unit easy. While it is not meant to be portable as it does not have a built-in battery, its form factor also makes is easy to store away or transport to your friends house for movie night. Dangbei as a brand has been around for a while and is also the brand behind the Emotn N1, one of the first projectors that managed to offer the full Google TV and Google App Store experience inside a projector. The Dangbei Atom Laser Projector we are reviewing today manages to output Full HD, squarely aiming it at the mainstream user.

Packaging

The Dangbei Atom Laser Projector ships in a full-color, white package which mimics that of cellphones and other similar gadgets. You will find an image of the unit on the top with plenty of Google based branding to let you know that the unit functions exactly the same way you would expect from something like a Smart TV.

A Closer Look

Interestingly enough, the Dangbei Atom is similar ins size and shape to the XGIMI Elfin, but it does have its own design details as well as very different internals. As such you will also find a circular stand on the underside with a mounting possibility in the center so that you may secure it to ceiling or unto a tripod. The housing feels quite sturdy, and the dark gray color does look quite nice as well.


Dangbei lists the unit as being 2.8 lbs, which equals to 1.28 kg, which our weigh-in confirms almost down to the gram. That weight is not the lightest, but is still on the lower end, adding to the general portability of the Atom.


The entire front of the Dangbei Atom is framed in a thin strip of dark chrome which houses both the projection element and sensors. In the rear, you will find an air vent, power button and connections.


Both sides of the Dangbei Atom look identical with fine speaker grilles. The unit is Dolby Audio certified, as such, you will also find that logo on both sides.


In the rear, to the right of the vent, you will find four unlabeled I/O components. The unit sports an HDMI input with ARC capability, a USB 2.0 port as well as one DC-IN for power. Lastly, there is also the audio port which will allow you to output to speakers a home theater system. On the other end of the rear, there is the large power button which also features an embedded white LED that gives you some insights into the status by pulsating or being solid.


The lens assembly of the Dangbei Atom comes with two sensors - one being a dTOF and the other a CMOs one - to aid in calibration. There is also a label that reads "Deep-Learning Calibration." That marketing focused label feels a bit unnecessary and while these sensors may speed things up and make things more reliable, the calibration is really no different from any other modern smart projector as we will see later on. Lastly, the Dolby Audio logo on both sides is at opposite ends meaning the cover on both is the same, so placing them also means that such branding is in that slightly different layout.


While some brands offer their own power bricks, Dangbei has tapped a well known manufacturer Huntkey to pair with the Atom Projector. It can output 6.32 Amps at 19 Volts, or 120 Watt. In the corner, you will find an indicator LED so you have clarity if the PSU is receiving and delivering power properly. Due to the 120 Watt capacity, it is also rather bulky and at essentially 400 grams also a noticeable additional weight you will have to consider when moving the projector as a whole. That is especially odd, as the unit is advertised to only draw 80 Watts, so having 50% more power feels like overkill and could have instead been reduced to provide a more compact PSU instead.


You will find a pretty traditionally shaped remote with the buttons in the top half of the unit. It is made of completely of plastic, which is fine by today's standards. The use of metals used to be great to see, but nowadays even the newest, costly OLED TVs come with compact plastic remotes so it should not come as a surprise that the one for the Dangbei Atom is no different. Even so, it still weighs in a very solid 66 grams without batteries, which is quite good for a remote of this material.


You may slide the whole back of the unit to reveal the two AAA battery compartments. In terms of controls, you will find all the usual smart TV buttons and the navigational ring. Dangbei also includes direct buttons for YouTube, Netflix and Prime Video. On top of that, the side of the remote sports two additional buttons. The one at the top is red and allows for either manual or autofocus, while the bottom opens up the projector settings in Android or can be held down to toggle volume mute.