Author: DA Gadgets

The Yaber K3 is a budget smart projector that offers 1080p resolution, 1600 ANSI lumens brightness and built-in access to streaming services such as Netflix and Disney Plus. While it delivers good sound and a Google TV smart interface for cheap, its picture quality is inconsistent and there are several other issues with it as well. A smart projector such as the Yaber K3 for $599 / £569 is a tempting prospect, especially when it can light up 40-200-inch screens. And while it’s not as well featured as the best projectors, built-in Wi-Fi and decent built-in speakers are hard to find at this price range. But some of the K3’s other main features such as its auto keystone correction and processing are sluggish and often frustrating to use. Gamers will also be better off looking elsewhere. The K3’s picture quality is a very mixed bag. It displays natural colors and solid enough detail at times and puts in a decent showing with sports. But contrast is weak and black levels are washed out. The K3’s picture quality was never going to compete with the best 4K projectors, but even compared with some of the best portable projectors, such as the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2, the K3’s picture struggles. Where the K3 excels is its sound, as the built-in JBL speakers are punchy and powerful, especially at this budget price range. While one of the best soundbars is still recommended, some won’t find the need to add one, especially for casual viewing. Fundamentally, the Yaber K3 is for those who are looking for a smart projector at an affordable price for the occasional movie night. While it packs as much as it can into its budget-friendly frame, it’s not quite the bargain budget gem it could have been. Yaber K3 projector review: Price & release date The Yaber K3 has natural enough colors but they appear washed out in some instances (Image credit: Future) Price: $599 / £569 (roughly AU$942) First available: September 2024 The Yaber K3 is a 1080p smart projector that follows on from Yaber’s K2 series. The K3 is priced at $599 / £569 (roughly AU$942 with direct exchange), putting it at the budget end of the projector spectrum in direct competition with portable projectors such as the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 (also a 1080p smart projector) which has a standard price of $749 / £649. Since its release in September 2024, there have been some discounts on the Yaber K3, with prices falling to $499 / £465 during sales events. This is similar to the discounts the Samsung Freestyle receives, as it’s regularly priced at $549 / £499 during sales events. Yaber K3 projector review: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Screen sizes supported: 40-200-inches Brightness (specified): 1600 ANSI Lumens HDR support: N/A Optical technology: LED, DLP Smart TV: Google TV Connections: HDMI x2, 3.5mm, USB Dimensions: 11.4 x 12.7 x 6.1 inches (290 x 3232 x 154mm) Weight: 11.2 pounds (5kg) Yaber K3 projector review: Design & features 1600 ANSI lumens Google TV smart interface Nice fabric grill but bulky elsewhere The Yaber K3 offers access to smart features and streaming via Google TV at a budget price (Image credit: Future) The Yaber K3’s fabric front grill gives it a slightly more premium appearance than its budget price would suggest, but elsewhere it appears a little plain and oddly bulky looking. It measures 11.4 x 12.7 x 6.1 inches (290 x 3232 x 154mm) and requires a mains power supply with no battery options. There’s also a noticeable amount of fan noise after extended viewing periods. The K3 has a specified 1080p resolution and 1600 ANSI lumens brightness. It has a 1.2:1 throw ratio and fits screens from 40-200 inches. Auto and manual keystone adjustment and object detection count among its features, but I generally found that auto keystone was frustrating and often didn’t calibrate correctly to the Optoma 80-inch portable screen I was using for my tests. Manual keystone correction can only be done via the Yaber homepage and not while watching content – another aspect I found frustrating. Despite its budget price, it uses Google TV as a smart TV interface. This provides access to some of the best streaming services including Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus. For connections, it has two HDMI ports, one USB-A port, a 3.5mm audio output and Bluetooth wireless. The K3 has a surprisingly robust built-in speaker system for such a budget projector, with dual 15W JBL speakers totaling 30W of power. No gaming features are included on the K3. For those looking for a gaming projector, you’re better off with something like the BenQ X300G. Design & features: 3/5 Yaber K3 projector review: Picture & sound quality The Yaber K3 displays details well on occasion, but textures and contrast are often inconsistent and unbalanced (Image credit: Future) Inconsistent picture quality Decent enough colors Surprisingly punchy sound For my testing, I used an Optoma 80-inch, 1.0 gain matte white projection screen. I first began by taking brightness measurements using a colorimeter, and the K3 yielded results of 109 nits and 93 nits in Standard and Natural picture modes respectively, putting it above 4K portable projectors such as the LG CineBeam Q (which yielded 60 nits in Filmmaker Mode). Moving on to critical viewing, I first looked at an HD stream of Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Disney Plus, focusing on the throne room fight scene. Colors were natural enough, but they lacked any sort of dynamic punch. Characters’ skin tones also appeared washed out, even in the most accurate Natural picture mode (though there wasn’t a great deal of difference between the various picture modes). The same was true for La La Land on Blu-ray, which showed natural colors but also inaccurate textures, although in some scenes details were more refined than I’d anticipated. Next, I watched a Blu-ray of The Batman to test black levels and contrast. While mostly acceptable, I found some scenes difficult to watch due to limited brightness (namely the opening crime scene investigation) even in blacked-out viewing conditions. In brighter scenes, details were clear and accurate enough, but there was a gray wash over the screen and textures still appeared fuzzy. One area where the K3 did well was with sports. Watching soccer matches in Sports mode, the action was smooth and accurate enough that the games were watchable, though it won’t beat more premium projectors. While the K3’s picture is average, its built-in sound is surprisingly good. Equipped with a JBL speaker system totaling 30W of power, the K3’s sound is punchy, detailed and clear. Watching the Batmobile chase sequence in The Batman, the sound of swerving cars was accurately presented, with a strong sense of direction. The rumble of the Batmobile’s engine had a hefty amount of bass and plenty of power, especially for small built-in projector speakers. Even La La Land’s dynamic, jazzy score was presented with real clarity, with a good balance between the horns, strings and vocals throughout. While the JBL speaker’s soundstage is limited by its size, it’s still surprisingly effective for a built-in speaker at this price range. Picture and sound quality: 3/5 Yaber K3 projector review: Value The Yaber K3’s remote is cheap-feeling but has the buttons you need (Image credit: Future) Smart projector for a budget price Cheaper than most portable projectors Overall performance is frustrating The $599 / £569 Yaber K3 is good value for those looking for an affordable projector that provides access to streaming services via the Google TV smart platform. It isn’t going to beat more premium projectors and may even struggle against some of the best portable projectors, but for those looking for a casual projector, the K3 is a budget-friendly option. Unfortunately, shortcomings in the K3’s picture quality and some frustrations with setup such as keystone correction hold it back from being a budget gem. You’ll have to make some sacrifices, particularly with sound, on other portable projectors such as the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2, but the Freestyle is likely to give you a more consistent experience for a similar price. Value score: 3.5/5 Should I buy the Yaber K3 projector? Black levels are one of the K3’s weakest areas, with pictures appearing washed out at most times (Image credit: Future) Swipe to scroll horizontally Yaber K3 projector Attributes Notes Rating Design and features Google TV smart interface and fabric grille, but problematic keystone features and sluggish software 3/5 Picture quality & sound quality Punchy built-in sound plus good brightness and natural colors but inconsistent in every aspect with picture 3/5 Value A smart projector at an affordable price, but similarly priced protable projectors probably a better alternative 3.5/5 Buy it if… Don’t buy it if… Also consider Swipe to scroll horizontally Comparison: portable projectors Header Cell – Column 0 Yaber K3 Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro LG CineBeam Q Price: $599/£569 $799/£549 $449 / £429 / AU$1,099 $799/£749 Screen sizes supported: 40 to 200 inches 30 to 130 inches 40 to 200 inches 50-120 inches Brightness (specified): 1600 ANSI lumens 230 ANSI lumens 450 ANSI lumens 500 ANSI lumens HDR support N/A HDR10+, HDR10, HLG HDR10, HLG HDR10, HLG Optical technology: LED LED, DLP LED, DLP RGB laser DLP Smart TV: Google TV Tizen Google TV webOS Connections: HDMI 2.0 x2, 3.5mm x1, Ethernet x1 Micro-HDMI, USB-C (power) Micro-HDMI, USB-A, USB-C (power), Bluetooth 5.1 HDMI, USB-C (display, power) How I tested the Yaber K3 projector (Image credit: Future) Tested with an Optoma 1.0 gain, matte white 80-inch screen Tested using Blu-ray, streaming sources Measurements taken using Portrait Displays’ Calman calibration software To test the Yaber K3 projector, I first used high definition and standard definition sources including Blu-ray and streaming. I tested the K3’s picture quality, analyzing color, contrast, black levels, detail and motion. I also evaluated its built-in JBL sound using the same reference scenes from movies and TV shows. I used a colorimeter, test pattern generator and Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software to record measurements for brightness, contrast ratio and color and grayscale accuracy. The projector was primarily tested in pitch-black conditions in our testing room at TechRadar and also in full ambient light settings to see how it handled brighter viewing environments.

Sony Bravia Projector 8: two-minute review The Sony Bravia Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) is the latest addition to the company’s lineup of native 4K projectors, all of which use the Z-Phosphor laser light source. This new beamer, along with the flagship Bravia Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES), adds several key features that bring the brand’s higher-end models in line with their chief competitors among the best 4K projectors, the JVC DLA-NZ800 and JVC DLA-NZ900. Brightness for the Sony Projector 8 has been increased to 2,700 lumens and both models now use Sony’s professional-grade XR Processor. One of the key benefits is genuine dynamic tone mapping for a superior HDR experience. The Projector 8 and 9 retain the same chassis and Advanced Crisp-Focus (ACF) lens, motorised lens controls and lens memories as the previous generation, but unlike the JVC projectors, they don’t support HDR10+ high dynamic range or 3D. The Projector 8’s design is the same as previous generations, but the compact chassis remains well-built. The menu system is easy to navigate, installation is flexible, and the backlit remote control makes this beamer a pleasure to operate. The connectivity has been upgraded and now includes two HDMI 2.1 inputs, which means the Projector 8 accepts signals with higher frame rates up to 4K 120p – great news for next-generation console and high-end PC rig gamers. The inclusion of 4K 120p isn’t the only good news for gamers, with the Projector 8 supporting ALLM. As a result, it automatically goes into the game mode when a console is detected, and the input lag is an incredibly low 10ms. All of this finally makes this beamer the ideal companion to the brand’s own PlayStation 5 game console, as well as other consoles and PC gaming rigs. It’s not perfect of course. There’s no HDR10+ or 3D support, the colour gamut could go wider, the black levels dig a little deeper, and shadows retain more detail, but overall this high-end beamer delivers the big screen goods. In fact, its smooth motion, superior processing, fast responses, and improved HDR are sure to please even the most demanding cinephile or competitive gamer. Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: price and release date First available: October 2024 Price: £15,999 / $15,999 / around AU$21,170 The Sony Bravia Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) is the new mid-range model in the brand’s line-up of home cinema projectors and is available now in a choice of matte black or white finishes. The Projector 8 currently retails for £15,999 in the UK or $15,999 in the US. The Sony Projector 8 has a specified 2,700 lumens light output, and its laser light engine has a 20,000-hour lifespan (Image credit: Future) Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Screen sizes supported: Up to 150 inches Brightness (specified): 2,700 lumens HDR support: HDR10, HLG Optical technology: Z-Phosphor laser, SXRD Smart TV: NA Connections: 2 x HDMI 2.1 , 2x USB-A (powered), IR, RS-232C, Ethernet Dimensions (W x H x D): 460 x 210 x 517mm (18.1 x 8.2 x 20.3 inches Weight: 14kg/30.8 pounds The Projector 8 is available with either a white or black casing (Image credit: Future) Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: design Advanced Crisp-Focus (ACF) lens Motorised lens controls and memories Backlit remote control The Sony Projector 8 looks identical to the brand’s previous generations, with the same angled design and centrally-mounted lens. There are air intake grilles at the front, exhaust vents at the rear, and some basic controls on the left-hand side as you face the lens. The Projector 8 measures 460 x 210 x 517mm (WxHxD), and weighs in at 14kg. Sony offers a choice of matte black or matte white, and you can also choose between a stand or ceiling mount. The build quality is good, although it feels less substantial when compared to the JVC NZ800. The Projector 8 uses the Advanced Crisp-Focus (ACF) 70mm lens introduced on earlier models, which is designed to resolve more detail. The lens controls are also motorised, making setup easier, and there are lens memories to create different aspect ratios if you use a 2.35:1 screen. The connections are all located in a recess along the bottom left-hand side as you face the projector. Here you’ll find two HDMI 2.1 inputs, which is a welcome addition, along with an Ethernet port and RS-232C connector, a 12V trigger, an IR input jack, and a USB port for power. The provided remote is the same large and backlit zapper included with previous generations of Sony beamers. The buttons are laid out sensibly, it’s comfortable to hold and use with one hand, and includes all the controls you’ll need to set up and operate the Projector 8. Design score: 5/5 Ports include 2 HDMI 2.1 connections with 4K 120Hz support for gaming (Image credit: Future) Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: features Z-Phosphor laser light source Dynamic HDR Tone Mapping Support for 4K 120Hz high frame rate The Sony Projector 8 uses the brand’s current 0.61-inch SXRD chip to deliver native 4K (3840 x 2160) images. The projector has a refresh rate of 120Hz, and thanks to the addition of the two HDMI 2.1 inputs it can now support higher frame rates up to 4K 120p. The Projector 8 also uses a Z-Phosphor laser light source, with an increased claimed brightness of 2,700 lumens and a claimed lifespan of up to 20,000 hours. That basically means you could watch a film a day for the next ten years without worrying about the image dimming like a lamp or bulb. The inclusion of wide dynamic range optics and Sony’s XR Triluminos Pro technology promises deeper blacks, more saturated colours and improved contrast ratios. Sony’s professional-grade XR Processor also promises advanced image processing and real-time optimisation of the picture. Thanks to the addition of the XR Processor the Projector 8 has XR Clear Image processing for intelligent upscaling and noise reduction, along with improved HDR thanks to image cross-analysis, depth mapping and focal point recognition. There’s also XR Deep Black laser dimming and XR Dynamic Tone Mapping for optimised HDR10 based on analysis of the incoming signal. There’s Motionflow frame interpolation for fast-paced sports action and a low-latency mode for gaming. In addition to the support for 4K 120p high frame-rate gaming, the Projector 8 also has ALLM (auto low latency mode) that puts it into game mode when a games console is detected. Features score: 4 The Sony’s Reference picture mode proved very accurate out of the box (Image credit: Future) Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: picture quality Bright and detailed pictures Impressive HDR tone mapping Very low input lag for gaming The Sony Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) delivers awesome big-screen pictures thanks to its native 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution and Advanced Crisp-Focused (ACF) 70mm lens. This results in detailed and distortion-free images, along with wider dynamic range optics. All of this means you’ll get pin-sharp resolution across the entire screen – no matter how big that screen is. If you have a really large screen, there’s no need to worry, because this beamer has a Z-Phosphor laser light source that can reach an extremely bright 2,700 lumens. It also has a claimed lifespan of 20,000 hours, so you’ll never have to worry about changing a lamp, plus the laser itself delivers a consistent colour performance and doesn’t dim significantly over its long average lifespan. The Reference picture mode proves very accurate out of the box, and the extensive calibration controls can be used to dial in a near-perfect picture. The black levels are not as good as the JVC NZ800, and I measured the Projector 8’s contrast ratio at 12,000:1. Sony only quotes a dynamic contrast ratio of infinity to one, but this is achieved by turning the laser off, which doesn’t represent mixed content. The big selling point of a Sony projector is its image processing, and the XR Processor doesn’t disappoint. When watching a high quality 1080p source, you’ll be rewarded with an upscaled picture that makes full use of the projector’s more than eight million pixels, producing images that are expertly rendered so they appear clean, detailed and free of unwanted artefacts or noise. Sony’s Reality Creation detail enhancement applies sharpening to any resolution, including 4K, but is so sophisticated that it achieves this without introducing distracting artefacts. Motion handling is class-leading, appearing fluid and free of judder or other issues, even without engaging Motionflow. Although for fast sports the frame interpolation feature can be beneficial. The Projector 8 supports HDR10 and HLG, but not HDR10+. The addition of dynamic tone mapping is most welcome, performing frame-by-frame analysis of incoming HDR signals, and adjusting the tone mapping dynamically through pixel processing and the laser power. The results are impressive for a projector, bringing out details in the darkest and brightest parts of the picture. While I was generally impressed by the picture quality, I do feel that to get the most out of this beamer you need to use all the processing. The Reference mode, which bypasses a lot of the processing, often appeared flat and lifeless, but when switched to Film 1 or Film 2 it was a different story. The images burst into life with detail, depth and colour that really add to SDR and HDR. Watching Passengers reveals a detailed native 4K image with well rendered HDR and rich colours that retain plenty of depth. The same is true with the saturated primaries in The Greatest Showman, which the Projector 8 handles with skill. It’s only when watching a darker film like The Batman that the weaker blacks of the Projector 8 are laid bare, but at least the shadows are free of crush and the peak highlights don’t suffer from loss of detail or clipping. The Projector 8 is a great choice for gamers thanks to its bright and detailed images, as well as its peerless motion handling. The performance with SDR is superb, while HDR gaming is exceptional due to the laser light source and HDR enhancements. The overall gaming experience is smooth and responsive thanks to a dedicated game mode that delivers an input lag of 18ms with 4K 60p, and just 10ms with 4K 120p. Both these latency measurements are lightning-fast for a projector, and better than many TVs. Picture quality score: 4.5/5 The Sony’s fully backlit remote control makes it easy to adjust settings in a dark room and has all of the adjustments you’ll need (Image credit: Future) Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: value Priced to directly compete with superior JVC NZ800 Expensive when compared to very similar JVC NZ700 The Sony Bravia Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) is priced to compete directly with the JVC DLA-NZ800, which also costs £15,999/$15,999. However, the NZ800 does have the edge due to its all-glass lens, deeper blacks, superior dynamic tone mapping, and support for both HDR10+ and 3D. The Projector will also face serious competition from JVC’s DLA-NZ700, which currently retails for £9,499/$8,999. The NZ700 isn’t as bright at 2,300 lumens, but it delivers better contrast and HDR tone mapping, and it supports HDR10+. However, the Sony still has the edge with gaming thanks to its lower input lag and support for 4K 120p compared to the JVC, which is limited to 4K 60p. Value score: 4/5 The Projector 8’s surface controls (Image credit: Future) Swipe to scroll horizontally Sony Bravia Projector 8 Header Cell – Column 0 Notes Rating Features Long-life laser light source, dynamic HDR tone mapping, advanced frame interpolation, and superior image processing 4/5 Design Compact chassis, backlit remote, excellent build quality, easy setup and motorised lens controls with memories 5/5 Picture quality Good out-of-the-box accuracy and super-bright pictures produce enjoyable HDR, although the black levels aren’t great 4.5/5 Value Faces stiff competition from JVC NZ700, which has better HDR support and 3D, but lower brightness 4/5 Should I buy the Sony Bravia Projector 8? (Image credit: Future) Buy it if… Don’t buy it if…  Also consider… Swipe to scroll horizontally Comparison: 4K UST projectors Header Cell – Column 0 Sony Projector 8 Epson QB1000 Epson LS1200 JVC DLA-NZ800 Price: £15,999 / $15,999 £4,799 / $7,999 £4,399 / $4,999 £15,999 / $15,999 Screen sizes supported: up to 150 inches 50 to 300 inches 50 to 130 inches 30-150 inches Brightness (specified): 2,700 lumens 3,300 lumens 2,700 lumens 2,700 lumens HDR support HDR10, HLG HDR10+, HDR10, HLG HDR10+, HDR10, HLG HDR10+, HDR10, HLG Optical technology: Z-Phosphor laser, SXRD Laser 3LCD Laser 3LCD Laser D-ILA Smart TV: N/A N/A N/A N/A Connections: 2 x HDMI 2.1 , 2x USB-A (powered), IR, RS-232C, Ethernet 2 x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 2xUSB-A (powered), RS-232C, Ethernet 2xHDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 1 x powered USB, Ethernet, RS232-C, 12-volt trigger output 2x HDMI 2.1 (Image credit: Future) How I tested the Sony Bravia Projector 8 Measured with Calman calibration software Evaluated using SDR and HDR content Reviewed in a dedicated home cinema As with all my TV and projector reviews I use a combination of subjective viewing and objective measurements against the industry standards. For projectors, I also do all my testing in a dedicated home cinema with a completely blacked-out environment and high-quality screen. The subjective testing is based around watching a variety of familiar scenes, primarily sourced from 4K and 1080p Blu-rays, plus the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K disc. Any test scenes have been specifically chosen to evaluate a display’s black levels, contrast performance, colour accuracy, upscaling, image processing, motion handling, and HDR tone mapping. For the objective testing, I measured the Projector 8’s brightness, greyscale and colour gamut in SDR, before doing the same in HDR. I also evaluated the accuracy of the HDR tone mapping, along with the colour gamut coverage for DCI-P3. To do this I used a pattern generator and colour meter combined with Portrait Display’s Calman calibration software. I measured the Projector 8’s input lag in milliseconds using a specialised Leo Bodnar tester. First reviewed: February, 2025