While most of the apps run perfectly fine, Netflix is the most glaring exception. He's a confirmed generalist, with writing credits on subjects as varied as ape language experiments, politics, quantum physics, and an overview of a top company in the gaming industry. It actually starts like that upon waking, which is surprising considering its size and, therefore, space inside for effective cooling. Thanks to its shape, four elongated rubber feet, and weight, wobble is never going to be an issue here. Color Temperature Thousands of apps are available for download through the Google Play store and it runs smoothly. Something that plagues a lot of 4K projectors in this price range is the use of the Aptoide web-streaming interface. However, as with most inexpensive projectors, it didn't handle HDR well in my tests. Very much on the plus side, I saw almost no rainbow artifacts (red-green-blue flashes),even though I see them easily. Settings are shared across all picture modes, both SDR and HDR, so you can't do dedicated settings for HDR. In most cases, that gives them a close to cubical shape, as with theMiroir M1200S and the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12, our current top pick for the category. The high end is a bit cut off, and so is the low end, which means it doesnt have that deep low end youd get from an actual sub. Also included is fully integrated Android TV 9. 
Living mainly in California with her adorable cats, she splits her time between Los Angeles, London and the rest of the world. David has significant expertise in imaging technologies (including printers, monitors, large-screen displays, projectors, scanners, and digital cameras), storage (both magnetic and optical), and word processing. A color temperature of Normal, Cool, and Warm can be selected within each picture mode. But, bringing it back to the basics also has its perks, By Michelle Rae Uy 
To be honest, Im not seeing a massive difference in picture quality between HDR on and HDR off. 
However, Standard and Movie differ in tone mapping. Many of the darker interior shots in Doctor Strange required me to make sure curtains were closed and lights were off to be able to see most of what was going on. The Android TV-based EF12 doesn't offer 3D support, but it's brighter than the Cosmos and it delivers better color accuracy, a combination that makes it our Editors' Choice pick for the category. Anker Nebulas Cosmos Max (opens in new tab) and Xgimis Horizon Pro (opens in new tab) are both worth considering. The original movie was always one of my favorites and I had been intrigued by the TV adaptation but never found the time. If youve got your favorite movies on an SSD drive, for example, you can simply plug it in and rewatch them using this projector. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. 
SDR Viewing. Here are my first impressions, Great as TV alternatives, these mini and portable projectors are space-saving and travel-friendly, By Michelle Rae Uy They also reduced the price from $1,899 MSRP/$1,699 street to a MSRP/street price of $1,599. The brightest collection of settings was Standard picture mode with Normal color temperature, Brightness set to 100, and gamma set to Maxbright. A built-in microphone is there for Google Assistant at the press of a button. Although this is a smart projector with the user-friendly Android TV powering it, these ports should give you other opportunities for connecting your media devices. Its portable and lightweight enough to be stuffed in a big gear backpack and taken with you on your daily commute. Plus, the quadrilateral manual correction is basic at best. This smart projector is very slow to wake so much so that you might find yourself pressing the power button again because you start to think it didnt register the first press. To begin with, the Anker Nebula Cosmos is a fairly affordable mid-range smart projector, setting you back $799.99/799.99. Just bear in mind that its speakers are not very powerful and its brightness tops at 800 lumens. The Cosmos also supports 4K (3,840 by 2,160 pixels)input, which it down-converts to its native 1080p resolution, and it supports HDR. The Nebula Cosmos projector, therefore, feels like its sitting at a crossroads. online, or get a price quote by email direct from Projector Central authorized dealers using our E-Z Quote tool. Pre-calibrated color was oversaturated, particularly with red, blue, and magenta Cyan and (especially) magenta were too blue. Of course, it also makes for an excellent travel companion when youre going on a road or camping trip with loved ones or for outdoor movie screenings. Wood tones of the mansion's interior look warm and soothing. Even though we perceive higher brightness from LED light sources compared to lamps, I'd still recommend using as much light control as you can. G-Gain: 46 The 3D support for the Cosmos is for DLP-Link glasses and for top-bottom and side-by-side formats only. 
There's a slight high-pitched whine from the fans, but it can only be heard if you're sitting closer than the three feet. The Cosmos offers three predefined picture modes. Theres never any issue or delay in responses. With a Leo Bodnar 1080p lag tester, I measured 1080p/60 input lag on the Nebula Cosmos Max at 96.5 ms. It boasts built-in 20W speakers that are designed to deliver a 360-degree sound experience. The version available for download is similar in at least one respect to the Aptoide version, in that the interface requires a cursor to easily sign in. 
All the controls youll find on the included remote, which comes with all the essential buttons, as well as the Google Assistant button and one for focus correction to fix the projectors focus on-the-fly if, for some reason, the projector doesnt automatically do it though that only ever happened to me once during the course of my testing. Subscribe in print, digital, or a great-value bundle. But, you can hardly tell from its performance. It's a bit clunky, but gets the job done. 
Last updated 27 July 22, Smart portable projectors are a dime a dozen, but the Xgimi Halo+ manages to set itself apart from the rest, By Michelle Rae Uy With some very tough competition out there for the best projector, its tricky reviewing something like the Anker Nebula Cosmos, which sits in the mid-range segment of this new but growing market. When the HDR toggle is turned on and activated by an HDR program, the HDR performance can be a bit of a mixed bag (not all that uncommon for projectors in this price range). Subscribe now to never miss a thing from ProjectorCentral.com! 
Both tout largely similar features, but if you want something thats smaller, delivers a bigger image projection, and comes with slightly better executed features, the Xgimi Elfin might be more ideal. I have the cosmos 4k and have no brightness problem at all, I had to lower the brightness to below 50% to make it bearable in the dark. Overall I found myself enjoying the colors far more than being distracted by them. Light output in Movie mode dropped by 11% to 838 ANSI lumens and by 27% to 684 ANSI lumens in Office picture mode. The grayscale luminance curve was a little high, meaning grays were all brighter than they should be. It also improves your viewing experience at night. Buttons are where I expect them to be without looking down at it, and the design keeps it to the necessary minimum for easy use. During preorder, the Cosmos Max was available for as low as $1,099 if you got in fast enough. (See ProjectorCentral's Anker Cosmos Max Throw Distance Calculator to check the necessary distance for your screen size.) But the colors can also look beautiful with the right content. Anker again used the crowdfunding model to step into the 4K market with the Nebula Cosmos Maxa LED projector that uses Texas Instrument's pixel-shifting 4K DLP technology. To buy this projector, use Where to Buy
The star ratings and Pros/Cons above, as well as the review that follows, have been updated by our original reviewer John Higgins to reflect the latest version of the projector and supersede any earlier comments.Rob Sabin. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury Bath BA1 1UA All rights reserved. At the beginning of the pandemic I finally took the time to sit down and watch the entirety of the 12 Monkeys series on Hulu. The dark metallic oval shaped chassis isn't one you immediately want to hide away in its own room. Skin tones have a slightly reddish hue, but not distractingly so. As mentioned, there are no settings to adjust light source power output such as an Eco mode. If you want better audio, theres always the optical cable as well as its Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, which should more than suffice if you want to use a set of Bluetooth speakers or your Bluetooth headphones for all your late-night viewings. It's been 35 years since Clue flopped in the theaters before turning into a cult phenomenon. And although it doesn't offer enough to replace the EF12 as our top pick for room-to-room portables, it's a credible contender. And, while there is a tripod mount point for temporary setup locations, the size and lack of carrying accessories makes the Cosmos a better fit for a permanent place on a shelf or ceiling mount. As a general rule, projectors are white or black boxes that don't lend themselves to effusive, lyrical praise on their aesthetics, but Anker has really outdone themselves with the visual design of the Cosmos. Speakers are plenty loud and delivers a 360-degree sound, Has a remote app so you can control it on your phone, All the best features, news, tips and great deals to help you live a better life through technology. And, there would be the occasional moment of lag when youre scrolling. The remote uses both IR and Bluetooth to ensure the signal can reach the Nebula Cosmos from just about any position. Especially because it is also slightly cheaper. However, there are more compact projectors out there that deliver a snappier performance at the same resolution and a much larger display without being too loud or hot. The Cosmos Max supports both HDR10 and HLG. In Movie picture mode, the brightness drops by 11% to 838 ANSI lumens and by 27% to 684 lumens in Office mode. I bought one on Kickstarter when they were first offered. What is unusual or more accurately, unexpected is how loud and warm the Anker Nebula Cosmos can get. Aside from the small power button in the back, there are no other controls on the projector itself. Overall, the Anker Nebula Cosmos is what youd expect from a mid-range smart projector. The purples, greens, and blues of the multiverse that swirl around Doctor Strange in that character's first Marvel movie look stunning. Excellent detail is shown in the air bubbles in dripping honey and the close barbs of a peacock feather. But, overall, the Anker Cosmos Max now offers a good theatrical experience, especially if you can keep any extra light from coming into your room. Theres 8GB of storage space included here, but it doesnt look like any of the available streaming services on the device offer the option to download shows and movies so it is a bit moot. Available for Android and iOS, this app allows you to connect your Anker Nebula projector in this case, the Cosmos to your smartphone so you have another option to control it. This is well short of the 80% minimum that is considered within tolerance for ANSI/ISO21118 measurements. I found it easy to pick up securely with one hand. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, These limited edition Beats Studio Buds will help you stand out from the crowd, Are Pixel Buds Pro worth it? Unfortunately for Australia-based consumers, its not on offer in that region at the time of writing although a couple of Anker Nebulas mini projectors, the Apollo and the Capsule, are on hand as alternatives if youre just looking for something portable. A trained eye might notice a slight blue shift, but most people don't find minor blue shifts annoying. Movie mode with a Warm color temperature was closest to the target 6,500K (in both Enhanced and Maxbright gamma) with a color temperature reading of 6,802K, a completely reasonable out-of-the-box measurement.. Set this projector up in the middle of the group, and everyone will pretty much have a largely similar audio experience, whether theyre behind it, in front of it, or at its sides. But since then 3D support has been removed from the Cosmos Max and all promotional materials. In Standard picture mode and Normal color temperature with Brightness set to 100 and Maxbright gamma selected, the Anker Nebula Cosmos Max measured 943 ANSI lumens, which is 62.8% of the published spec. The projector itself can serve as a speaker for other Bluetooth devices. For more detailed specifications and connections, check
Beyond the games, gadgets, films, and headphones that have secured their funding through Kickstarter and Indiegogo, companies have used the crowdfunding platforms as a way to drum up interest for new projectors and allow us all to preorder the products. You can also use digital zoom, but it's best avoided as with any projector, since it lowers brightness and can introduce artifacts. 
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/anker-nebula-cosmos-d2140, Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. 1996-2022 Ziff Davis. Anker advertises a Dynamic Smoothing feature on the Cosmos that presumably does some form of frame interpolation, but there's no way to turn it on or off. 
The same can be said of Shelob's lair in Return of the King. Editor's Note: Our initial review of the Anker Cosmos Max 4K projector was published in January 2021, nearly a year ago. I unboxed it, set it up, turned it on and promptly put it back in the box putting it on eBay. Its max brightness level is great, though, especially for daytime usage. So, as is true for many inexpensive models that claim HDR support, you'll probably want to stay with SDR input when possible. Refer to the Performance section for some context for each calibration. The color red plays a prominent role in the series, and whenever imagery of a red forest comes up it looks vibrant and rich. And the top panel has two LED light options that can be toggled on and offthe red Nebula logo and, fittingly, a field of stars that fade in and out. Yes, there are times when youd find yourself wishing for a snappier performance. 
Measuring those settings with a light meter, the Nebula Cosmos Max generated 943 ANSI lumens, or 62.8% of the advertised 1,500 ANSI lumens. Its great the way it is. Nonetheless, the image quality has improved noticeably and the projector's value quotient has gone up thanks to lower pricing. However, 120 inches is plenty for small- to medium-sized spaces. That is, the auto keystone correction isnt really accurate, especially if youre projecting it on a wall thats not level. To say I loved it would be an understatement and have since acquired the Blu-ray boxed set. You would not mistake the Nebula Cosmos for a mini projector. Greens of trees (in normally colored forests) look realistic as do flesh tones on the characters. While the brightness still isn't up to the number Anker claims, it's definitely an improvement, and out-of-the-box the Movie picture mode performs well enough to be acceptable for a projector of this type (although I'd still recommend a calibration). I'm looking to set this up in an RV and am wondering if it can be tied directly into the 12v feed. If you want the best stereo image possible, the projector would have to be placed above your head. The Xgimi Elfin is a good example of this. T3 is supported by its audience. Gamers will have to choose between Movie's better shadow detail and Game mode's shorter lag, which I measured using a Bodnar meter at 31.4ms for 1080p at 60Hz. In my formal standard dynamic range (SDR) tests I spotted occasional colors, particularly reds and oranges, that were a little off in scenes I'm familiar with, but they never wandered outside the realm of realistic. 
Theres a reason for the Anker Nebula Cosmos oval design. Published 3 June 22, Going for the more minimalist approach, HPs CC200 Citizen Cinema projector isnt feature-rich. However, the immediate space around it does. On the back are two HDMI 2.0 (one with ARC), two USB ports each capable of data and power, and an optical port. Included is a digital zoom and keystone correction to get the fit just right (although, as always, you should be judicious about engaging these extra adjustments as they can affect image quality and overall brightness). I'm not very susceptible to the DLP rainbow effect and I didn't experience any. To assess the grayscale and color accuracy of the Cosmos Max, I used Calman software from Portrait Displays, a Murideo Six-G 4K/HDR signal generator, and an X-rite i1 Pro 3 spectrophotometer. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. 
Visit our corporate site. I had written in the conclusion to that earlier review that, even with the flaws, I wouldn't write off the Cosmos Max as it sounded like Anker was dedicated to improving its projector. Beyond that sluggish wake, its generally quick to respond, whether youre browsing the Android TV homepage, using Google Assistant to search for titles, or opening streaming apps. Alongside its 4K counterpart, the Anker Nebula Cosmos Max, it hit the shelves in late 2020 and is currently available in the US and the UK. These speakers sound boxy, like the audio is coming from a small box. The Cosmos's brightness rating is 900 ANSI lumens. Brightness uniformity measured at 84%, with the left center and right bottom being the brightest and dimmest sections of the screen, respectively. 
These last controls are useful to calibrators with instruments and allowed me to accurately calibrate the color and 100% white points. This device is as stable as you can get, and as long as its mounted on something solid and steady whether thats a flat surface or a tripod you wont have to constantly worry about the auto-focus having to constantly readjust. As with many Android TV projectors, the Cosmos tries to make up for the lack of an Android TV-compatible Netflix app with a downloadable Netflix app designed for mobile devices with touchscreens. However, if you want to save some cash while still getting all the vital features youd want from a projector, you should hit that buy button next to the Anker Nebula Cosmos now. And if you plan to set up for backyard movies more than occasionally, or want a room-to-room portable that you can also take on camping trips, you might want to consider the BenQ GS50, which offers ratings for water resistance and for surviving 2.3-foot falls. Published 29 April 22, The Xgimi MoGo Pro Plus offers a feature-packed and portable projector that actually lives up to its spec list, By Michelle Rae Uy I had to repeat the pairing process for the remote several times before it paired, but the Android TV setup is standard otherwise, offering Wi-Fi as the only choice for connecting to your network. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. Our normal disclaimer for any DLP projector applies, though: If you are susceptible to seeing them, make sure you purchase the projector from a vendor that will allow for returns just in case. Its flat oval shape measures 3.6 by 11.4 by 7.8 inches (HWD), using the longest diameter for the width and shortest for the depth, and it weighs only 3.3 pounds. I almost backed the crowdfunding campaign since I've had good experiences with Anker's audio products and the discounted price was enticing, but am now glad I decided not to take the chance. There is also an excellent 3-second auto focus, which is usually relegated to the portable projector set. The size of the projection might disappoint as well, as there are more compact options out there offering a bigger display. Instead, most room-to-room portables get the extra space for the robust sound systems that partly define the category by adding extra height. The same oversaturated red can be seen in the field of roses or the pile of strawberries on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark Disc, although it isn't as unnatural as it was in The Force Awakens. In my tests using Movie mode, the brightness was close to what I expect to see from about 500 lumens. 
R-Gain: 49 Having the ability to download content from the likes of Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video would have made this device a lot more compelling. Please refresh the page and try again. One feature that does give Anker Nebula projectors an edge is the Anker Nebula Connect app. The Cosmos passes all of these tests. It does, however, have a few rivals out there that are designed to truly impress, touting features that are missing here. Once the Kickstarter ended, its MSRP was $1,800, though now it's MSRP is $1,599 and it has been promoted as low as $1,199. Thankfully, the Cosmos Max is free of Aptoide and instead runs on the Android TV 9.0 platform. However, theres still room for improvement. All offer essentially identical color accuracy at full saturation, and many people will consider any of them acceptable for casual viewing. (Anker says that new firmware now offers two settings for Game mode, one of which does not turn off keystone, and presumably has a longer lag.) PCMag Digital Group. And, while it doesnt necessarily have that one marquee feature that sets it apart from the rest, its a great value option for those who are unwilling to splurge on a projector. The soundstage also isnt bad, although its not particularly wide, likely due to the fact the goal here is to let every viewer hear everything wherever they are in relation to the projector. However, its good enough to make the projected image sufficiently straight, even for someone as particular as I am. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. If you're looking for still higher brightness, also consider the Epson EF-100, which offers a native resolution of only 1,280 by 800 pixels, but is rated at 2,000 lumens. B-Gain: 43. However, it does give you a mouse pointer option and, more importantly, a text input with a keyboard section, which honestly makes searching for content a lot easier since youre simply typing in your searches as opposed to painstakingly scrolling through a bunch of letters just to spell out the title you want.
Position the Cosmos, connect the power cord, andoptionally connect video sources to either or both HDMI ports. There is no optical zoom. I was able to correct the color discrepancies with the CMS controls and fine-tune the color temperature with the RGB gain adjustments to get them all under a DeltaE of 2.0 (a value under 3.0 is considered excellent).