Welcome to the March 2025 edition of the Blu-ray Bounty, where we’ll be looking at three 4K discs released in March 2025 that you could add to your (hopefully) growing collection. If this is your first time here, you can read past entries of the Blu-ray Bounty here. This is where we at TechRadar get to indulge in our love of 4K Blu-ray by exploring the latest releases in the 4K world. 4K Blu-ray is the best way to experience movies on your home theater, as combining one of the best 4K Blu-ray players, best TVs and best soundbars into one entertainment powerhouse package can give you the cinema experience at home. Plus, it’s our favorite way to test TVs and soundbars here at TechRadar! In our last Blu-ray Bounty in February 2025, we looked at The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Winchester 73’ and Punch Drunk Love as three titles that could make great additions to any collection. This month, I’ve picked Wicked, Constantine and Gladiator II. I’m sticking with my trusty setup of the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player, Panasonic MZ1500 OLED TV and Samsung HW-Q990C Dolby Atmos soundbar to put these discs through their paces. As always, I’m not reviewing the movies themselves; I’m just highlighting new options with some visual and/or audio qualities to show off the power of 4K Blu-ray. Wicked Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) The movie adaptation of one of the world’s most popular stage musicals, Wicked is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. It follows the story of how Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) (the wicked witch and good witch respectively in The Wizard of Oz) came to meet one another and forge an unlikely friendship. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Wicked is of course a musical so sound is critical. Thankfully, it uses every ounce of its Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Soaring, powerful vocals from both Grande and Erivo are crystal clear, and balanced well with the uplifting score, which when given a proper soundbar or sound system to play through will be a real showcase. Interesting movement in the sound is presented in every musical number with excellent accuracy. It’s a seriously engaging Atmos soundtrack that even manages to capture the surround effects with serious detail. Musical fans with a home theater system; take note. Visually, Wicked is a veritable feast for the eyes. With Dolby Vision HDR support, it’s a visually striking movie with gorgeous, bright and dynamic colors that really benefit from that Dolby Vision touch. Pink and green play a critical role in the movie and thankfully, are presented in a stunning manner. From Glinda’s sickly-sweet pink outfits to Elphaba’s green skin and the dazzling greens of the Emerald City, colors somehow are both accurate and shockingly punchy. Even in darker scenes, however, black levels and contrast are authentic and balanced. Put this movie on one of the best OLED TVs or one of the best mini-LED TVs. Constantine Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) Somewhat of a cult ‘comic book’ movie, 2005’s Constantine follows the exploits of John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), based on the DC Comics character of the same name, who is a demon-hunting exorcist with otherworldly powers, finds himself tasked by Detective Angela (Rachel Weisz) to investigate her twin sister’s mysterious death. There’s no getting around the fact that Constantine has a very distinct color palette, with the grimy browns and reds of hell and the pale, beige whites in the skies being the predominant colors. Still, this 4K HDR release presents these colors with real accuracy and plenty of detail. It’s also a high-contrast movie, with plenty of dark scenes, blending with minimal light. Black levels, contrast and shadow detail are all excellent throughout the movie and textures, especially skin tones, are presented with a true-to-source look. Audio-wise, Constantine’s Dolby Atmos soundtrack captures all the gusto you could hope for in an action movie. The often pounding score is suitably tense and immersive, but speech and other effects aren’t lost in the mix. Any shootouts or fight sequences carry plenty of heft, with bass giving thumping sound effects a nice boost and the direction of sound is connected well with the action on screen. Gladiator II Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) The sequel to Ridley Scott’s action-blockbuster epic, Gladiator II is the story of Lucius (Paul Mescal), son of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Gladiator’s protagonist), who after years of life in exile is captured to fight in the Colosseum in Rome. The movie also features Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and more. Gladiator II’s greatest strength lies in its Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Engaging, immersive and downright meaty, every combat sequence has real punch. Slicing swords are presented with superb detail and the action and sound are always working in tandem. In the chaotic opening battle, arrows whistle through the air and feel like they’re either raining down or swooping past. The rousing score is nicely mixed with the other elements of the soundtrack, never overpowering speech or other effects. In terms of visuals, Gladiator II has a very brown-and-beige heavy color scheme. While these are presented accurately, it’s moments when the gold of the throne and outfits of the emperors or the reds of the Roman headpieces add that extra visual punch. Scenes in dark rooms with torchlight show great contrast and black levels and textures are realistic, with every bit of sweat, blood and mud on characters’ faces looking authentic. Looking to get a similar setup to ours? Below, we’ve listed the closest available models to what we use (our TV and soundbar are a couple of years old). You might also like
Sony UBP-X700K is a stripped back version of the UBP-X700 No Wi-Fi and no streaming features Japanese pricing suggests a price hike We think that the Sony UBP-X700 is the best cheap 4K Blu-Ray player. And now there’s a new version – the first new Sony Blu-Ray player since 2019 – with some changes that make total sense to me, and potentially some that don’t. Based on its product listings (via FlatpanelsHD.com), the new UBP-X700K drops some of the features from the current model – but the price, in Japan at least, is 25% higher than the street price of the current one. More money, fewer features? That seems strange, so we’ve put in a request to Sony asking for pricing and availability details. We’ll let you know if we get confirmation. You may like (Image credit: Sony) Sony UBP-X700K: what’s different to the UBP-X700 According to the Japanese publication Monohika, the new player is effectively a scaled-down eversion of the UBP-X700 and there are a few key differences. The big difference is that there are no wireless networking features, and that in turn means no video streaming apps, no Spotify Connect and no screen mirroring. The Video & TV SideView app is also gone, Monohika reports. Removing streaming features to make a more streamlined budget Blu-ray player sounds like a smart move to me in the age of smart TVs – it’s just not something that too many buyers today will want from their disc player. But you’d expect it to come with a lower price made to attract people to the world of physical media, and 4K Blu-ray’s benefits over streaming. The player is a typically black Sony block, and round the back there’s an Ethernet port, two HDMI ports (one audio-only) and a coaxial digital out. There’s support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision (no HDR10+, as with the regular model), Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio, and it works with UHD Blu-Ray, standard Blu-Ray and DVDs. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. The new Blu-Ray player will be available from April or May 2025, hopefully for an attractive price. The current model can be found for under $199 / £199 / AU$369. You might also like
Some Warner Bros DVDs won’t play due to material problems Affected discs were made between 2006 and 2008 Warner Bros is replacing discs, but not all movies are still available Of all the advantages of physical media – picture and sound quality, extra features, impressing visitors to your home with your excellent and eclectic taste – one of the most important ones is permanence. Unlike movies on the best streaming services, movies won’t suddenly disappear from your shelves overnight because of licensing issues or cost-cutting. Unless… they rot. A new plague of disc rot has been discovered, and it’s affecting Warner Bros Home Entertainment movies manufactured between 2006 and 2008. The rot renders the discs unplayable, and while Warner Bros is offering replacements, it can’t replace them all. You may like Why isn’t Warner Bros replacing every rotted disc? The short answer is that it can’t. As the firm explained in a statement, “Where possible, the defective discs have been replaced with the same title. However, as some of the affected titles are no longer in print or the rights have expired, consumers have been offered an exchange for a title of like-value.” Disc rot isn’t new – it affected laserdiscs, and CDs, and every other shiny disc format since. But this particular outbreak is happening very early in the discs’ lifespan. Disc rot is oxidization, and it’s very unusual to have that happen on discs that are still relatively young. In ideal conditions and with careful storage and handling a DVD could last as long as 100 years, and even the lowest lifespan expectation is around 30 years. However, if the manufacturing isn’t perfect, then the lifespan can be much shorter: for example, the phenomenon of disc bronzing, a form of disc rot affecting compact discs in the early 1990s, was largely found in discs made at a specific UK factory between 1988 and 1993. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. There’s no cure for disc rot, so if you think you might have some of the affected titles it’s a good idea to check them now: disc rot is often visible on the disc itself, usually as a cloudy area, but it’s most apparent when you actually play the disc: rot means it doesn’t work properly. As for prevention, other than careful handling and storage there’s not a great deal you can do to prevent something that’s mostly the result of manufacturing issues. And it’s all especially frustrating in this case, where collectors of physical media may be keeping these discs because a particular movie – or feature, or commentary – is hard to find or not available now. That’s not a problem if Warner Bros can really replace the disc, but when it can’t we’re facing the question of how can we secure access to art for the future? People who rip discs to make a backup aren’t necessarily immune either: rewritable Blu-Rays and DVD discs may only have a lifespan of five to 10 years. But it’s more understandable than ever that people want a backup of the things they want to keep most – even the physical object isn’t safe from change. You might also like
We’re on the cusp of a few interesting breakthroughs in home theater that could make it much more tempting for people to get on board with more serious setups. I’m talking about the huge screens and separate speakers that hardcore home theater fans champion over even the best TVs and best soundbars – but without the inconveniences that stop people from going for these options currently. In five years, I think the potential for more people to have a serious home theater setup without needing a dedicated room will look very different from now, based on new releases, demos I’ve seen at trade shows, or what I’ve been shown by companies. There’s some great emerging tech that will make the difference – but at the moment, it’s all very disparate, full of proprietary tech from companies that don’t tend to work together. Bringing it all together will be a big ask… but if it happens, it’s going to be glorious for those who want the home theater experience without the hassle. Here are the changes coming that could turn the tide. 1. Wireless and flexible sound (Image credit: Future) One of the biggest changes will be the explosion of wireless sound options. Right now, we’re seeing the infancy of this: Samsung and LG TVs offer wireless connectivity with their soundbars; Sony’s Bravia Theater Quad system offers easy real surround sound from a wireless HDMI adapter; Dolby Atmos FlexConnect and the new version of DTS Play-Fi promise wireless sound beamed to any compatible speaker system; and Sonos is set to launch a streaming box that will enable you to use Sonos speakers as wireless separates in surround system. Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is an especially interesting one because the idea of this system is that it doesn’t require you to have speakers in traditional home theater positions, or even in matching pairs – the system will map your room and adjust the sound to give the best experience based on what’s available to you in reality, not in an ideal world of speaker placement. Perhaps Sonos could do the same for its system using its Trueplay room-tuning tech. Any home theater fan knows that sound is the biggest upgrade when you switch to dedicated gear, but the idea of working out an AV receiver and cabling system means it’s always going to remain of interest to only the most dedicated. Going wireless and convenient could unlock a whole new world of home theater fans, and the tech is more than capable of handling uncompressed DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD. However, you might have noticed the thing that could hold it back from taking off, implied in what I’ve written above… lock-in. Right now, all the big wireless sound options are company-specific. Samsung works with Samsung, and LG with LG. Sonos will need an expensive Sonos streamer to work. Even Sony’s option that’s theoretically more neutral, thanks to its HDMI adapter, works better with Sony TVs, which it treats as the center channel. Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is a TCL-exclusive option for the foreseeable future (and hasn’t launched yet). Play-Fi won’t be locked in, but interest in it from companies seems minimal to date. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. 2. Smaller ultra short throw projectors (Image credit: Future) The best ultra short throw projectors will be key to home theater taking off in mixed-use rooms because people can get images up to 150 inches without the expense (and delivery logistics…) of a TV that size, or the need to find a home and uninterrupted beaming corridor for a traditional long or short-throw projector. UST projectors just sit right near the wall, projecting the image upwards perfectly. But even UST projectors are still hefty and require a larger surface than people want to devote in their living room. Thankfully, a new wave of tiny UST projectors is arriving that could make all the difference as they develop. The most real-world option right now is an absolutely tiny new UST projector from Optoma that takes up barely any room but can project images up to 100 inches in 1080p HD. Meanwhile, a small 4K JMGO option can hit the same size and promises up to 2,500 ANSO lumens of brightness, which is impressive. Hisense has shown a prototype of a small UST projector with next-gen laser tech that’s the same level of quality and brightness as the fantastic Hisense PX3-Pro projector (meaning brightness of up to 3,500 ANSI lumens) but is a fraction of the size. It’s a real working unit now, though it’s not planned for release this year – but in the next few years, if today’s best picture quality can be shown at 120-150 inches and sticks just a handful of inches out from the wall, projection becomes a lot more tempting. 3. Wireless connection boxes (Image credit: Future) Okay, your tiny projector sits tidily on the edge of your room beaming big images, and it connects wirelessly to your speakers, keeping everything neat and tidy. You don’t then want your games console/set-up box/Blu-ray player all running ugly cables to it, do you? A TV is good at hiding these things behind it, a tiny projector will not be. 2025 is the year that wireless connection boxes for TVs have really landed. LG has had this tech for a couple of years in its M-series of OLED TVs, but this year there will be several models that can receive full-quality 4K HDR 144Hz images from an external box wirelessly. They include the LG M5 OLED TV, LG’s new high-end QNED mini-LED TV, Samsung’s Frame Pro art TV, Samsung’s QN990F 8K TV, and Samsung’s 8K The Premiere projector. The convenience is that you can shut all the boxes you want to connect to your TV or projector away in a cupboard separate from your screen, giving you way more flexibility over the design and layout of your room. Obviously, the tech is still cutting-edge right now, so is only in the most expensive models. Over time, hopefully, this will change – perhaps every projector or TV will have the option of using a separately purchased wireless box instead of the built-in connections, so you only need to pay for it if you want it. 4. Better projector screens (Image credit: Future) Realistically, my hope of having smaller projectors means we can’t expect them to be any brighter than today’s, and if you have a bright room, this may be a problem – so projector screens with ambient light rejection will be essential. I discussed the advantages of ALR projector screens in this article, so I won’t go into all the details here, but here’s the short version: an ALR screen reflects light from the projector’s particular angle toward your eyes, and avoids reflecting light from other angles towards you, meaning that the image you see is brighter, colors are richer, and black tones look deeper. Hisense says that its newest generation of screen can raise the real-world brightness of the PX3-Pro’s projector to 700 nits, putting it in line with mid-range TVs… but obviously, at a much larger size than mid-range TVs. ALR screens are, however, really quite expensive at the moment. If more companies can do what Hisense does, and bundle them with projectors for a great overall price, then that will be a key part of making sure projectors can fully serve as TV replacements. It’s all got to come together, though… As I mentioned at the top, this might all come to nothing if we can’t get the ecosystem right. But these days, tech companies are leaning so hard into ecosystems being a way to sell a second product of their own, rather than to launch something new and expansive, that it’s far from certain that the big companies will support the interoperability needed bring this all together. It’s not impossible (if I were Sonos, trying to regain good word-of-mouth after my app debacle, maybe I’d try working with other companies to offer something new; if I were Hisense, maybe I’d try being open to working with others as a way to get one over on Samsung and LG), but we’re going to need this to develop just as quickly as the tech itself to achieve the easy home theater dream. You might also like…
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
3-LCD short throw laser projectors with 4K UHD and HDR10/10+ Available in the UK; no details of US or Australian availability £4,500 Epson has launched two new “4K Pro-UHD” short-throw laser projectors, the EH-QS100W and the EH-QS100B. Similar to the Epson LS12000, our top pick among the best 4K projectors, the new projectors use Epson’s triple-LCD laser technology, which has separate red, green and blue panels. Epson says that delivers better colour brightness compared to one-chip DLP projectors, and both projectors are definitely bright: they’re capable of up to 4,500 lumens and can project images up to 160 inches in size. The models are identical apart from their colors: the W is white and the B is black. (Image credit: Epson) Epson EH-QS100W and EH-QS100B: key features and pricing The projectors are powered by Epson’s 4K Pro-UHD processing system and have a 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for deep blacks and better shadow detail. The processing also includes frame interpolation and the projectors support HDR10/10+ and have dynamic tone mapping. The laser source has a claimed lifetime of 20,000 hours and Epson says it delivers “near-instant” warm-up and cool-down times to reduce energy use. One of the key features here is full IP control, which enables you to control the projector with related systems such as lighting and sound setups for a seamless home entertainment experience. It is compatible with systems including Crestron and Control4, and there are RS232 and Ethernet connectors. Both models are available now in the UK for £4,500 (about $5,601 / AU$8,958) but there’s no word of a US or Australian launch date. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. You might also like
One of the coolest things I saw at CES 2025 was Hisense’s mini laser TV projector, which is an interesting prototype that’s not like the many other mini options among the best portable projectors we’ve seen recently. I got to see it away from the CES show floor during a trip to Hisense’s headquarters recently, and to speak to the team about it – and it’s winning me over to the idea of having a laser TV in my home instead of a regular TV. I’m a huge fan of seeing movies at the theater, and so obviously I’m a big home theater advocate – but my own home doesn’t have the space to go all out on a huge screen and speakers, and I’m far from alone there. It’s one reason why Hisense has been pushing the idea of its laser TVs, which are basically ultra-short throw projectors with streaming tech built in, that come with a matching ambient light-rejecting screen packaged. But I haven’t been convinced that this will work for me because they’re big units that still need to sit some distance from the wall – it just didn’t seem like enough of a trade up. @techradar ♬ original sound – TechRadar The Hisense mini projector is so much smaller, and so the surface it needs to sit on can be much smaller, making the UST projector-and-screen combo way more tempting as something that won’t stick a way out into the room. Now I can imagine not only going for a laser TV as my main way of watching, but it’s also making me think I can swap one of the best soundbars for something more meaty at the same time. The Hisense mini laser TV is basically the specs of a Hisense PX3-Pro UST projector packed into a way smaller body, thanks to a next-gen laser projection tech platform, but still hits over 100 inches. We rate this model as the best ultra-short throw projector, and you can read our Hisense PX3-Pro review for why – but the main things are that it’s bright, colorful and natural. Hisense says that this projector beamed onto the company’s new-gen ambient light rejection screen should be capable of creating an image that can hit around 750 nits of peak brightness at 100 inches when you’re actually watching, putting it in line with budget options among the best OLED TVs for brightness. When I originally saw the mini projector at Hisense’s HQ, it was listed as projecting 2,100 lumens, though at CES Hisense said it should match the PX3-Pro’s specs, putting it at 3,000 lumens. Either one is far beyond the small 4K projector competition – the LG CineBeam Q is 500 lumens, for example… And not only is it bright, but it’s 4K and it’s ultra short throw, which other small projectors generally are not. (Image credit: Future) The small size doesn’t just tempt me because the whole setup can stick less far out from the wall (which is essential for me), but the much smaller design leaves more space for other things… such as proper speakers. I can far more easily imagine connecting a pair of Kanto Ren speakers, or Technics’ very cool new active speakers, in a setup like this – the small projector leaves more space and a gap between it and the screen that the speakers would fit in perfectly. It is ideal for moving away from the limited acoustic of the best soundbars and into big, meaty left and right power. What are the downsides? Well, as you might have guessed from the fact that I haven’t mentioned this thing’s name, it’s really a prototype right now, so there’s no price or release date – though the tech inside fully exists, so it’s probably just a matter of time. (Image credit: Future) However, I can tell you that the current version is also notably loud. Those who saw it on the CES show floor would have no idea, but seeing it in a separate showcase, that fan was really working hard. It’s not a surprise – that’s a lot of heat for a small box, and if I commit to my beefy speakers next to it, they’ll probably manage to drown it out. But I would definitely need to see how any real product handles that before I committed to going for something like this. Still, this is the first projector that got me thinking excitedly about the idea of switching to a projector in my current home, rather than the best projectors being just something for something closer to real home theater that I want one day. It feels like a small game-changer, in that way. You might also like…
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22: One minute review Epson’s smaller, portable EpiqVision home projector models were long overdue for an update, and that’s just what it has done with the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22. This introduces the tilting, swiveling stand design that’s proven so popular with many other recent projectors, and it packs in Google TV for streaming, which helps bring the EpiqVision Mini EF22 closer to parity with its competition. Add in a pair of stereo speakers and the EpiqVision Mini EF22 proves an effective all-in-one system. The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 beams a laser through its 3LCD projection system, providing respectable brightness near 1,000 lumens. It makes for a decent picture, though it doesn’t manage quite the exciting color gamut of triple-laser options like the JMGO N1S Pro. Its 1080p resolution will also have you sticking to smaller projection sizes than you might otherwise opt for with the best 4K projectors like the BenQ X300G or even the older Xgimi Horizon Pro.While the EpiqVision Mini EF22 is a simple and effective little home theater projector selling for a reasonable $999, it struggles to contend with the market it’s entering. Not only are there many great new projectors in the $1000-$2000 range but there’s also a sea of slightly older models that have come down in price. It’s a good projector, but I’m hard-pressed to find a reason to choose it over the alternatives. I’d snag myself a BenQ X300G or Xgimi Horizon Pro instead, both of which have been seeing some impossible-to-ignore discounts. (Image credit: Future) Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Screen sizes supported: 30-150 inches Brightness (specified): 1,000 ISO lumens HDR support: HDR10, HLG Optical technology: 3LCD Laser Smart TV: Google TV Connections: HDMI, 3.5mm audio out, USB-A, Mini USB (service) Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches Weight: 6.6 pounds / 3 kg The JMGO N1S Pro 4K delivered strong picture quality across the board (Image credit: Future) Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: Prices & release date Release date: October 2024 Price: $999 The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 launched in late 2024 with a starting price of $999 (£799, AU$1,599). It has seen some discounts since then, though these tend to come and go. The EpiqVision Mini EF22 comes in a variety of colors, giving you more options. You can find it in Stone Blue, Opal Green, Quartz Rose, Onyx Black, and Diamond White. (Image credit: Future) Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: Design & features Built-in stand makes setup easy Google TV and automatic image adjustments Built-in 2x 5W stereo speakers Like many of the new consumer projectors in 2024, the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 comes with a stand built in. This makes it easy to adjust the vertical tilt and horizontal angle of the projector, even supporting vertical projection up toward the ceiling. This provides a simpler setup, though anything but a perfectly lined-up projection will result in some digital corrections that detract from the usable image. The EpiqVision Mini EF22 makes automatic vertical and horizontal keystone adjustments very quickly, letting you shift the projector around and see the image change shape in real time. It’s also quick to focus automatically. It has an optional setting to avoid obstacles when projecting, and this proves effective, but it is a slower process than the other automatic corrections, taking a few seconds. The EpiqVision Mini EF22 rounds out its smart projection features with eye protection that dims the projector when it detects someone in front of it. The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 is plenty compact, proving not dramatically different in size from the JGMO N1S I recently tested. That said, projectors can certainly come smaller, as LG showed with the LG CineBeam Q. It’s hard to have small projectors get very bright or offer solid audio, though, and those aren’t sacrifices the EpiqVision Mini EF22 made. It features stereo speakers and is rated to hit 1,000 ISO lumens. It also comes with Google TV. Unfortunately, Epson didn’t make the most of the projector’s size, as it opted to include just one HDMI port (with ARC), a USB-A port, and a 3.5mm audio output jack. It’s providing options, but not many. The focus of the EpiqVision Mini EF22 really is on being a standalone device that doesn’t call for external connections. The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 comes with a simple remote. It’s all plastic with rubber buttons and nothing too elegant, but it’s effective. It has simple navigation controls, a Google Assistant button, a shortcut to the HDMI input (making the input selection button a bit redundant), dedicated volume and brightness controls, and shortcuts for projection settings, auto-focus, as well as YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Video. None of the buttons have backlighting, making it a bit hard to use in the dark, but at least some of the buttons are white, and it’s easy enough to feel out the volume buttons. Design & features score: 4/5 The JMGO N1S Pro 4K’s picture is at its best with bright and colorful images (Image credit: Future) Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: Picture & sound quality Decent brightness No unsightly motion smoothing Color could use a boost The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 provides an overall good-looking image, but it’s not the most impressive I’ve seen in this projector category. While natural content looks solid, with the projector offering a great presentation for Dune, it can struggle elsewhere. In the extremely colorful Mind Game, it didn’t keep up with some of the triple-laser options on the market, like the JMGO N1S, and I noticed some banding in color gradients. That said, the 3LCD technology avoids some of the unsightly swimming-pixel artifacts I’ve seen from DLP projectors displaying large monotone regions, as well as DLP rainbow artifacts. The EpiqVision Mini EF22 doesn’t keep up with some of its 4K competition either. BenQ’s X300G may have originally been much more expensive, but it’s come down considerably in price, and it has the chops to really threaten the EpiqVision Mini EF22. I took a rough measurement to overall brightness in the Dynamic profile, which achieved 959 lumens with an ANSI test pattern and a matte white screen. There again, it’s just decent. Competitors like the Dangbei Atom and JGMO N1S offer as much, and slightly more expensive options from BenQ and JMGO take it to another level. Gaming on the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22, I found the projector added considerable latency if it had any sort of processing going on (i.e., keystone correction or digital zoom). With these disabled, the projector still had a tangible delay between actions and on-screen effects, but it wasn’t significant enough to slow me down as I worked my way through numerous encounters in Hades. Oddly enough, there’s no specific picture profile for gaming that would disable the projector’s processing automatically, so you’ll have to manage these settings on your own. With two speakers on the rear of the EpiqVision Mini EF22, it works reasonably well whether you set the projector up in front of you or at the back of the room. They provide a bit of stereo separation, which adds a touch of depth, though they’re no substitute for a dedicated audio system. They get reasonably loud for a small, quiet room, but the sound gets a bit muddled at higher volumes, making it hard to pick out everything that’s going on in a song, for example. You’ll get clear enough mids and a bit of bass, but higher frequencies tend to suffer when the volume is cranked. To the EF22’s credit, it doesn’t mess around with any unsightly motion smoothing. Right from the jump, it provides good, clear motion. Picture and sound quality score: 3/5 (Image credit: Future) Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: Value Effective all-in-one package Comes up short next to the competition The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 puts plenty into one package. It’s a decent projector, providing a bright image that can handle impromptu movie nights or let you settle in to binge the next hot series, as long as you turn the lights off. With Google TV, it’s ready to stream a great variety of content with no external sources. And it packs in a good enough set of speakers to make do in quiet, intimate viewing conditions. The built-in stand also proves helpful, making it that much easier to set up in various places without the need to stack up a pile of books or go buy a separate stand. The biggest thing holding the EpiqVision Mini EF22 back in the value department is the competition it faces. You can get much brighter projectors and ones that offer 4K or provide more vivid color for the same price or just a little more. Compared to these, the EpiqVision Mini EF22 ends up feeling lacking. Value score: 3/5 The JMGO N1S Pro 4K comes in a styrofoam carry case. Although portable, it is on the weightier side (Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22? Swipe to scroll horizontally Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Attributes Notes Rating Design and features Combines everything you need into one device and even builds in a stand that allows for easy setup 4/5 Picture and sound quality Reasonably bright, modestly sharp, and avoids some of the artifacts that affect DLP projectors. But it’s not 4K, and not bright enough to use in well-lit rooms 3/5 Value Not too shabby for a $1,000 projector, but you can get brighter, 4K projectors for the money, and that alone is enough to sink Epson’s value 3/5 Buy it if… Don’t buy it if… Also consider Swipe to scroll horizontally Comparison: portable projectors Header Cell – Column 0 Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 JMGO N1S Pro LG CineBeam Q BenQ X300G Price: $999 $1,999 $1,299 $1,799 Screen sizes supported: 30 to 150 inches 85-180 inches 50-120 inches 30 to 150 inches Brightness (specified): 1,000 ISO lumens 2,400 ANSI lumens 500 ANSI lumens 2,000 lumens HDR support HDR10, HLG HDR10, HLG HDR10, HLG HDR10, HLG Optical technology: 3LCD, Laser RGB laser DLP RGB laser DLP LED DLP Smart TV: Google TV Google TV WebOS Android TV Connections: 1HDMI ( with ARC), 1x 3.5mm audio 2x HDMI ( 1with eARC), 3.5mm HDMI, USB type-C (display, power) 2x HDMI 2.0 (1 with eARC) USB-C DP Alt Mode (Image credit: Future) How I tested the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions Presented the display with a variety of media and formats I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade I tested the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed content, HDR and non-HDR, and PC gameplay. My testing evaluates the projector’s performance concerning its price and competition from other models that I and my colleagues at TechRadar have tested. I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.
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