The Nebula Cosmos 4K SE is a surprisingly low cost native 4K projector which may put a picture on a display or, realistically, most likely a white wall far bigger than the type of TV you’d get for a similar cash and it backs it up with respectable built-in audio system.
Basically we’re a tool which brings again a number of the joys of moveable projectors from the times of viewing slides and residential films, however does so with the constancy to look at 4K films at a top quality which is genuinely putting, even perhaps sufficient to make you assume “Why hassle going to the cinema?”
For content material creators who wish to see their very own creations on a Dolby Imaginative and prescient grade display earlier than they really get cinematic distribution, that is additionally the reply. In addition to having a Google TV (so all of the streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, Prime and the like), it may well additionally, after all, simply introduce itself to your laptop computer over HDMI as one other monitor!
The projection tech is known as ‘Hybrid Beam’ which Anker/Nebula say combines DLP and laser. That is fascinating, as laser projectors could be very, very dear however are usually brighter and extra contrasty. Can this actually be ok?
Specs
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Native Decision
4K
Row 0 – Cell 2
Connectivity
HDMI 2.1 x 2 (1 is eARC), USB, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm AUX
Row 1 – Cell 2
Throw
1.2:1
Row 2 – Cell 2
Brightness
1800 ANSI Lumens
Row 3 – Cell 2
Sound
15W x 2 / Dolby Audio, Dolby Digital Plus
Row 4 – Cell 2
Weight
4.4Kg / 9.9 kilos
Row 5 – Cell 2
Dimension
263×165×265 mm / 10.4×8.7×6.5 inches
Row 6 – Cell 2
Pricing
The Nebula Cosmos 4K SE – which tasks at 1,800 ANSI lumens, is priced at $1,299 or £1,299 (in comparison with $1,999 for the two,200 lumen model seen just a few months prior).
Utilizing the projector on a tripod mount. (Picture credit score: Future)
Construct and dealing with
The gadget’s construct screams high quality, particularly in comparison with the era of plasticky white containers which have served up PowerPoint displays. It is not small and lightweight although, not like some Nebulas designed for tenting.
That comes throughout within the distant, too, which is (largely) backlit so the buttons are straightforward to see in a darkened room. That is a pleasant contact. It’s, after all, Bluetooth – pretty widespread on projectors, however nonetheless appreciated – so that you needn’t level it on the gadget both. There’s additionally an app for Android and iOS.
Setup is easy because of the built-in sensors. These embrace a movement sensor so if (to make use of an instance I managed a few times myself) in the event you nudge the desk or tripod you are utilizing, the system simply kinds itself out focus-wise and (in comparison with others) it is superb at this. That is good, too, as discovering the handbook choices is a little bit additional into the menus than you might need anticipated just a few years in the past.
The buttons glow (Picture credit score: Future)
Efficiency
I used to be actually a little bit shocked how significantly better the image was on this than different lower-cost projectors I’ve used, then once more it is not that low-cost It is simply cheaper than a variety of 4K ones, and since I’ve examined a variety of moveable projectors, I do not at all times get to take pleasure in 4K.
I am unsure of the precise mechanics of the “NebulaMaster” engine, however it appears to do an excellent job of making wealthy colour and distinction, no less than in low-light environments – extra so than you may think from the 400:1 distinction ratio said.
Setup could be very nicely guided (Picture credit score: Future)
I examined the projector by having fun with some images, then watching just a few films I’ve discovered are likely to trigger projectors bother, together with the Starvation Video games (searching with transferring cameras and the entire Sing 2 finale which is simply super-busy. I did catch just a few glimpses of the traditional stroboscopic impact that’s the tell-tale signal of DLP tech as my eyes began darting round to comply with the motion, however I’ve seen a lot worse examples. We (my household) additionally tried some main streaming exhibits like Rings of Energy, which regarded spectacular. After some time, I opted to decide on the ‘Film mode’.
The projector places out surprisingly few decibels of noise, too, which inspired all of us. Others I’ve tried have been distractingly noisy the place as on this case I solely actually seen the standard of the sound from the audio system, that are no less than pretty much as good as an honest TV.
(Picture credit score: Future)
General Verdict
If I had limitless wealth and sufficient area for a house cinema then I’d look elsewhere, however, personally, the picture high quality right here is sufficient for me to really feel like I am actually engaged and the gadget is not as distracting or troublesome to make use of as different projectors. Nebula appeared to have discovered loads from their quite a few moveable – some which embrace batteries like the wonderful Mars Air 3 – and crammed that into the bodily bigger gadget which is required for an optical 4K imaging system.
I additionally needed to say that the snappiness of the Google TV menus is up there with an excellent trendy TV (and comfortably extra modern-feeling than my admittedly 8-year previous Sony Bravia TV), so the Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A55 is to be appreciated.
The consequence is smart to me as a result of I like 4K picture high quality and if I will transfer a projector round I would like it to be easy. There are brighter gadgets round, however none fairly so handy that I’ve tried on the subject of balancing portability with this stage of high quality, and definitely not so fairly priced, so in the event you do not thoughts plugging in, it is a very spectacular piece of tech which may not fairly have the perfect distinction ratios within the enterprise, however comes surprisingly shut, particularly given the worth, within the circumstances the place a projector is most fulfilling.
Do you have to purchase the Nebula Cosmos 4K SE
✅ Purchase this if…
You desire a high-resolution moveable projector
You need good high quality built-in audio system
You just like the comfort of Google TV system with apps and voice controls
🚫 Do not buy this if…
You need the distinction and constancy of laser-projection
You wish to show 4K
You count on to want it in vivid rooms
How I take a look at projectors
When testing projectors, I at all times attempt the gadget on a devoted projection display, a painted white wall and a the identical gentle gray painted wall to see how nicely it copes with imperfect situations.
I at all times do the ‘espresso desk take a look at’, to see how good an image I can simply get by inserting the gadget at a espresso desk in my lounge – this assessments the off-angle keystone correction and the gadget’s skill to help in aiming.
I select to connect with a MacBook to show work and verify the looks of kind (black on white, white on black and so on.) and typical samples images in addition to normal assessments like the colour bars, in addition to a collection of video clips with darkish backgrounds, quick movement, and different key standards.
Lastly I additionally prefer to declare it “film night time” and see whether or not the gadget works in a household movie-watching setting; my household’s enter is at all times fascinating – this time we have been most impressed with Rings of Energy.
