Anker Nebula X1 projector assessment: The king of out of doors films, when you can afford it
My dream projector delivers the brightest and sharpest picture. However it additionally needs to be simple to maneuver round and arrange anyplace — particularly outdoor. Anker’s Nebula X1 long-throw projector guarantees all of that with a three-laser engine that beams out a category-leading 3,500 ANSI lumens at 4K decision. It additionally has options by no means seen earlier than on a house projector, like liquid cooling to scale back fan noise and a motorized lens gimbal that automates setup. Plus, it presents good sound that may be upgraded with non-compulsory satellite tv for pc audio system.
The rub is the worth. At $3,000 ($3,298 with the satellite tv for pc audio system for a restricted time) it’s one of many costlier client projectors, proper up there with fashions like Epson’s LS11000 or the Valerion VisionMaster Pro2. After testing it, I can say that it presents the clearest, most vivid picture high quality I’ve seen and has the best setup besides. Nevertheless, the excessive worth places it far out of attain for many moveable projector consumers.
Engadget/Anker
Anker’s Nebula X1 is marketed as a conveyable projector however it’s adequate for use indoors too. Nevertheless, it’s very costly.
- Excellent picture high quality
- Easy computerized setup
- Crisp and loud sound
- Surprisingly moveable
- Costly
- Google TV can sometimes lag
- No Dolby Atmos
Options and design
The Nebula X1 follows within the footsteps of different Anker projectors, like the unique Nebula and Cosmos, with a tall rectangular design and deal with that neatly retracts with a press. Whereas that makes it simple to hold, it additionally means the Nebula X1 hangs down greater than most indoor projectors when ceiling-mounted.
To get rid of the tedious setup that usually plagues projectors, Anker did a intelligent factor: it positioned the lens mechanism on a gimbal that may tilt as much as 25 levels. When mixed with a 1.67x zoom, autofocus, keystone correction and ambient mild detection, the projector totally automates setup. First, it’s a must to select a display or wall location and place the projector at a prescribed distance between 8 and 35 toes, relying on the display or wall measurement. You need to middle the projector in addition to you possibly can to keep away from any digital (keystone) correction that may adversely have an effect on picture high quality. Then the magic occurs on the press of a button.
The Nebula X1 makes use of a operate it calls Spatial Adaptation to scan the realm in entrance of it. The lens tilts up and down, earlier than displaying a checkerboard sample after which beaming the ultimate picture just about exactly the place it must be. It’s not good, as some obstacles like small vegetation or effective wires can throw it off, however it labored properly for me on each a wall and devoted display. The projector can adapt to ambient mild and even the wall coloration, and one other operate referred to as Spatial Recall allows you to save these settings for steadily used places.
Laser engines get scorching and are usually cooled with followers that may generate distracting noise. Nevertheless, the Nebula X1 is the primary client mannequin with liquid cooling which reduces fan noise to a barely audible 26dB whisper. Due to this cooling system, the projector also can have a smaller footprint. That’s an enormous quality-of-life enchancment in comparison with a lot of the competitors.
As for inputs, the X1 comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports, together with one with Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) performance. That normal helps quick refresh charges of as much as 240Hz at 4K, although the X1 tops out at 4K 60Hz so it’s not ideally suited as a gaming projector. It additionally presents USB Kind-A and USB Kind-C ports, together with a S/PDIF optical audio port.
Google TV is inbuilt for streaming and projector management. It gives a big library of apps through Google Play together with a well-recognized interface. You additionally get Netflix’s official utility with help for 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient with out the necessity to plug in a streaming machine, plus Chromecast help and Google Assistant for voice management. The draw back is that it might probably sometimes be sluggish, notably with menu settings like projector picture management.
Picture high quality
Anker makes use of what it calls “cinema-grade glass” within the Nebula’s 14-element lens to extend brightness, coloration accuracy and lens sturdiness. The 4K triple laser engine is rated at as much as 3,500 ANSI lumens with a 5,000:1 distinction ratio. On the identical time, it presents coloration accuracy with a Delta E worth of lower than 0.8 and a formidable 110 p.c of the Rec.2020 coloration spectrum, matching high-end extremely quick throw (UST) fashions from Samsung, LG and Formovie. That 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient help I discussed can be uncommon among the many competitors.
The result’s the sharpest and brightest picture I’ve seen on any projector on this worth vary. It was brilliant sufficient for me to comfortably watch a soccer match on a sunny day with out the shades lowered. And when you change it to Convention mode, you possibly can ramp the brightness up additional for a viewable picture even with lights on, however there’s the draw back of a slight blue coloration forged.
When utilized in a darkened room or exterior at evening, the Nebula’s picture high quality is one of the best of any projector I’ve examined. Despite the fact that it makes use of the identical Texas Devices 0.47-inch DMD (digital mirror machine) as many different 4K fashions, the picture is clearer and sharper due to the glass aspect lens. Distinction and black ranges are additionally tops on this worth vary and never far off high-end projectors from JVC and Sony that price twice as a lot. As soon as once more, that’s because of the optics together with Anker’s 6-blade dynamic iris — one other characteristic often solely discovered on high-end projectors — and the corporate’s “NebulaMaster 2.0” image high quality algorithm.
Colour accuracy is excellent out of the field in each HDR and non-HDR modes due to the ISF (Picture Science Basis) certification usually reserved for costlier projectors. In reality, I discovered the colour calibration almost good on my unit in “ISF Evening” mode. That meant photographs have been near how they have been calibrated by the filmmakers for TV collection and films like As soon as Upon a Time in Hollywood, Andor, Dune 2 and Spider-Man: No Approach Residence. If the colours aren’t fairly to your liking, you can also make effective changes manually. Like many different 4K projectors of this sort, the X1 has a slight quantity of sunshine spill across the fringe of the picture. Nevertheless, it’s well-controlled and solely noticeable when the projected picture is especially darkish.
Sound
Anker put some additional work into the sound as nicely. Audio high quality is strong due to the 4 built-in audio system with 40 watts whole output. The dearth of fan noise is an enormous assist right here. By itself, the X1 presents first rate high-end and bass, however extra importantly, dialog is simple to listen to and perceive.
For an enormous sonic improve, you possibly can add a pair of Anker’s non-compulsory Nebula-branded satellite tv for pc audio system that hook up with the projector robotically through Wi-Fi. Each has a pair of 40-watt entrance drivers, a 20-watt upward-firing driver and a 20-watt side-firing driver that mix to create a encompass impact. Along with the projector, they ship a formidable 200 watts of sound with Dolby Audio help (although not Dolby Atmos sadly). They’re additionally battery-powered with as much as eight hours of use, which is very helpful for outside viewing. Nevertheless, that additionally means you should maintain them charged.
To check these audio system, I chosen a number of music-oriented films together with A Full Unknown, Maestro and Rocketman, together with an motion film that has a formidable rating and sound results, Dune 2. Regardless of their small measurement, the satellite tv for pc audio system stored components like music, dialog and sound results crisp, clear and evenly balanced with highly effective dynamic bass. You could possibly definitely do higher with a devoted 5.1 or 7.1 encompass sound system, however these audio system supply very respectable audio high quality, are simple to arrange and robotically sync with the image. The X1 additionally helps different exterior Bluetooth audio system, however you will have to regulate the timing within the menus to make sure good sync for image and sound.
Anker additionally presents a $4,000 package deal that features a pair of its Soundcore microphones together with the audio system. These additionally hook up with the X1 robotically and allow you to use it as a really costly karaoke machine. They supply clear sound however you don’t get the standard advantages of a karaoke setup like AI vocal elimination and vocal enhancement.
Wrap-up
The Nebula X1 is an odd proposition. It’s marketed as a conveyable outside projector, however it additionally occurs to be one of the best indoor projector I’ve ever examined. With an impeccably sharp, high-contrast and color-accurate picture, the video high quality is irreproachable. The convenience of setup and total measurement additionally makes it an excellent alternative if you wish to transfer the X1 round. With the non-compulsory satellite tv for pc audio system, it’s one of the best moveable projector you may get, palms down.
The Nebula X1 doesn’t have a number of competitors within the moveable class, other than Valerion’s $3,000 VisionMaster Professional 2, which additionally has a 4K triple laser engine. Nevertheless, the X1 beats that mannequin on picture high quality, portability and ease of setup.
The factor is, most individuals searching for a conveyable projector received’t spend greater than $500, not to mention $3,000. So who is that this for? I feel it’s ideally suited for consumers taking a look at a UST or high-end long-throw projector who desire a bit extra versatility. Some could even use it as a standalone indoor projector as it may be mounted on the ceiling or on a stand. In different phrases, if in case you have the means, use it any means you need — it’s that versatile.