Dangbei DBOX02 4K Laser Lifestyle Projector Review

The Dangbei DBOX02 is 13% smaller and 11% lighter than its predecessor, while maintaining the same elegant and thoughtful design.

The Dangbei DBOX02 (Mars Pro 2) is a 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160p) Digital Light Processing (DLP) that retails for an MSRP of $1,899. It is a lifestyle projector featuring the traditional square shape that defines this display category. This projector's upgraded ALPD light source provides a manufacturer-rated 2,450 ISO lumens of brightness and displays 10-bit color depth and 1.07 billion colors. Dangbei supports a range of HDR-encoded content, including HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+, which supports the reading of dynamic metadata.

Dangbei has provided its customers with a range of smart features designed to make the user experience simple but powerful. For instance, the company offers a range of easy setup features such as both auto and manual keystone correction, intelligent screen fit, and intelligent obstacle avoidance. The DBOX02 also uses a fully integrated version of the newest Google TV smart OS, providing users with a familiar and robust software interface that offers the latest convenience features from Google, including a curated content experience across all your favorite applications. Full access to the Google Play app store with its 5,000 native applications, including popular streaming applications like Netflix, MAX, Apple TV, and more, is also included.

Dangbei makes a huge point that the sound performance of the DBOX02 is as much about what you do hear as what you don't with a big 12-watt x2 Dolby Digital sound system designed to be loud and dynamic when you want it to be and a state-of-the-art cooling system that is "whisper" quiet when you need it to be.

Over the past year, we've seen some amazing projectors from non-traditional brands that push the feature and price envelope, offering great value at competitive prices. Could the Dangbei DBOX02 be a triple threat, offering powerful features, a great price, and a class-leading performance to boot? Let's find out.

buy now on amazon button grey - Projector Reviews - Image

Dangbei DBOX02 Specs
Price	$1,899 MSRP
Technology	DLP
Displayed Resolution	4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160)
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim	2450 ISO Lumens
Light Source	Blue Laser Phosphor
Contrast	Not Published
Smart OS	Google TV
Zoom Lens Ratio	Fixed
Sound System	12 watts x 2 Dolby Audio, DTS: X
Dimensions	9.29" W × 6.43" H x 7.93" D
Weight	8.8 lbs (3.9 kg)

Overview

A small but elegant lifestyle projector packing a powerful punch.

The Danbei DBOX02 is the second projector we have reviewed from Dengbei. Our Lead Technical Editor, Philip Jones, recently reviewed the Dengbei Atom Smart 1080p Portable Laser Projector and awarded it a Highly Recommended award. Click on the link to read the full review of the Dangbei Atom Smart 1080p.

The Danbei DBOX02 is the follow-up to the company's well-received Mars Pro projector. Curiously, the company chose not to name this projector the Mars Pro 2, only adding the name as an afterthought following the DBOX02 model number in parenthesis.

Dangbei is new to the US market but has a significant following in Asia. It focuses on affordable projectors that offer technological innovation with user-friendly features. Dangbei has built a loyal following of over 200 million users in Asia by providing innovative designs and features, including smart projectors that dominate the large-screen market in China.

While earlier Dangbei models sold in the US were targeted at entry-level projector customers, Dangbei believes it is the perfect time to promote their technological prowess by offering new higher-end models such as this 4K DBOX02.

Dangbei_DBOX02_Features - Projector Reviews Images

The DBOX02 is a feature-packed projector

The Danbei DBOX02 is powered by the highly popular single-chip 0.47-inch Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) image sensor from Texas Instruments. This single-chip DLP projector offers significant benefits, including XPR technology that shifts the DMD's pixels four times in four directions to display a 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160p) image of 8.3 million individual pixels on the screen.

The DLP DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) is sealed to prevent dirt and dust from damaging the sensor's delicate microscopic components. A sealed light engine ensures that a projector's DLP imager remains clean and produces a sharp image at any point during its lifespan while offering an almost perfectly aligned image from the factory.

For more information about DLP, check out our short article, which provides an overview of the benefits of various DLP technologies.

ALPD blue laser phosphor light source.

The Dangbei DBOX02 features an upgraded ALPD blue laser phosphor light source. This light source offers a range of benefits, including a long life lasting up to 30,000 hours without needing replacement, fast startup, achieving full brightness almost instantly, and high color accuracy.

The projector's Advanced Laser Phosphor Display (ALPD) light source ensures a bright, speckle-free, and color-fringe-free image. The projector comes with multiple color temperature presets and RGB gain adjustments in a single custom mode designed to enhance customization and allow the projector to be calibrated to the user's personal preferences.

The Dangbei DBOX02 is a smart projector. It is the company's second projector to use the Google TV operating system, a significant upgrade over the Android TV OS. Google TV uses a new intuitive interface with a clean layout that is easy to navigate and enhances the user experience. Unlike Android TV, which sometimes feels cluttered, Google TV focuses on simplicity and ease of use.

Another significant benefit is improved content discovery. Google TV integrates all streaming services in one place, making access to streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+ easy. It also suggests content based on the content users watch and the specific apps they watch the most. It helps users discover new content to enjoy without spending too much time searching or getting random recommendations that have nothing to do with topics they like watching.

Google TV offers enhanced voice control integration. While Android TV did support voice commands, Google TV takes it a step further with the deeper integration of Google Assistant. This means users can control more aspects of their smart home devices, search for content, and get answers to questions just by using their voice.

Performance-wise, Google TV runs smoother and faster than Android TV. The underlying software enhancements reduce lag and improve overall responsiveness, ensuring a seamless viewing experience without frustrating delays.

Lastly, Google TV offers a more personalized experience. It tailor’s recommendations to individual users, making it easier for everyone in the household to find content they enjoy. This level of personalization wasn't as advanced in Android TV, making Google TV a clear upgrade in this regard. Overall, Google TV OS is superior, providing a more streamlined, efficient, and enjoyable user experience.

Emphasizing user-friendliness, Google TV also incorporates features like Watchlist, Multiple Profiles, Google Assistant, and Chromecast built-in, so there is access to a wide range of streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+. Compared to the Android TV platform utilized on many smart projectors, Google TV offers a step up in features and functionality.

The Dangbei DBOX02 also includes several built-in smart hardware features designed to simplify the initial projector setup. These features cater to customers who prefer to avoid manually aligning the projector's image to the screen. While these conveniences are undoubtedly attractive and function effectively, it's important to note that they can impact picture quality, particularly brightness. If you can handle the loss of a little brightness, the suite of easy setup features Dangbei offers is impressive and performs well.

The Dangbei DBOX02's laser autofocus system works exceptionally well, quickly locking in and maintaining focus even after the projector has been bumped. This feature also supports manual adjustment, allowing users to set the projector's focus point to their own preference.

Another standout feature is its intelligent obstacle avoidance, also known as curtain or picture avoidance. This feature allows the projector to automatically fill the largest available space on the wall without projecting over pictures or objects that might be in or near the projector's light path.

The DBOX02 provides manual and automatic keystone correction that allows the projector to be mounted off-axis to the wall while displaying a perfectly squared image. This is particularly useful for users who cannot position the projector directly in the middle of the screen. It enables the projector to be set up at extreme angles in the room to the left or right of the screen while still projecting a squared image. This feature includes a SCREEN FIT mode, which uses built-in sensors to detect the edges of the projection screen and perfectly fit the image. However, be aware that in low-light conditions, you may notice some light spilling outside the edges of the screen, albeit at a much lower brightness.

I will provide more detail about how these features work in the HARDWARE LENS section of the review.

The DBOX02 provides its customers with an immersive audio experience that complements their projector's big-screen experience. It uses a 12-watt x2 stereo sound system designed to provide a theater sound experience in the home. Dangbei uses a 600 ml sound chamber design that boosts the projector's mid-bass combined with Dolby Digital sound processing to surround users with a lifelike 3D audio experience.

Precise sound placement maximizes in-game sound, so everything from explosive blasts on the battlefield to tranquil, quiet moments improves the overall gaming experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

$1,899 MSRP
Single Chip 0.47" DLP Texas Instruments DMD with XPR shifting technology
4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160p) displayed resolution
Blue laser phosphor light source rated for up to 30,000 hours (10+ years) estimated life
2,450 ISO (International Organization for Standardization) lumens of manufacturer-rated brightness
Projects a 16:9 aspect ratio image between 60" to 200" diagonally
Easy setup with InstaPro AI for Auto Focus, Auto Keystone, Screen Fit, Obstacle Avoidance, Eye Protection, and AI Brightness control.
Google TV OS with Play Store access and an officially licensed native Netflix app
Dolby Audio (12 watts x2) and DTS: X sound with preset sound modes
Multiple HDR content support, including HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+ with dynamic metadata support
MEMC Smooth Motion reduces motion blur for fast-moving content like sports and games
Multiple 3D modes supported, including 3D Blu-ray movies
HDMI 2.1, HDMI 2.0 w eARC x 1, and two USB 2.0 connections
Wi-Fi 6 Dual-band 2.4/5GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Dimensions: (WxHxD) 9.29 × 6.43 x 7.93 inches (235 x 163 x 201 mm)
Weight: 8.8 lbs (3.9 kg)

HARDWARE

CHASSIS

The Dangbei DBOX02 shares the square-ish shape of other lifestyle projectors like the Hisense C1 and the XGIMI Horizon Ultra, which we have reviewed in detail. The DBOX02 measures (WxHxD) 9.29 × 6.43 x 7.93 inches (235 x 163 x 201 mm) and weighs 8.8 lbs (3.9 kg). The projector's gray and black exterior comprises durable molded PVC components. This projector features multiple colors and textures, giving it a modern design look but not so far out there that it won't fit in most living or home theater rooms, regardless of style. This is a very good-looking projector; my only complaint is that the glossy black front and top are fingerprint magnets.

Dangbei_DBOX02_Inputs - Projector Reviews Images

All the connections and inputs are located on the rear of the DBOX02. The rear of the chassis has dual HDMI ports, with input #1 supporting HDMI 2.1 and input#2 supporting HDMI 2.0b with enhanced Audio Return Channel functionality. The DBOX02 provides even more HDMI-related features that make using the projector easy and intuitive, including powering on and off each connected device (via the CEC protocol) and controlling the volume, all directly from the DBOX02.

In addition, the DBOX02 has a single SPDIF port, two (2) USB Type-A ports, and an RJ45 wired network connection. The power on and off control is a capacitive button located in the center of the projector's top panel. The DBOX02 does not offer any control panel on the projector.

The Dangbei DBOX02 remote offers limited buttons, making it one of the smallest control options I have seen on a projector remote. One of the most irritating things about this remote is the lack of a direct-rooted Google TV menu button. Anytime I wanted to adjust the projector's picture or sound, I was forced to enter the projector's AI setup menu and, from there, launch advanced features to make basic AV setting adjustments. This took multiple button clicks and, most annoyingly, stopped my content and did not allow me to see the picture or hear the sound that I was trying to adjust.

Also, the remote buttons are not backlit.

The remote control has the typical D-pad with an "OK" button, a Back button, a Settings Menu button, and Volume Up/Down buttons. In addition, the DBOX02 remote control has three dedicated shortcut buttons for YouTube, Prime Video, and Netflix applications.

Features like the autofocus and AI setup have buttons on the remote's side.

THE LENS

The DBOX02 uses a 1.27:1 standard-throw lens with no optical zoom, but the projector offers digital zoom functions. The Dangbei DBOX02 lens is fixed but enables users to project an image anywhere from 60 to 200 inches diagonally. However, Dangbei does recommend projecting an image between 80 and 120 inches for optimal performance and the least chance of chromatic aberrations.

Most projectors display increased chromatic aberration and some reduction in focus uniformity toward the edges of the image. The DBOX02 maintains excellent image uniformity with practically no chromatic aberration until you get to the largest projection screen sizes, and even then, only at the extreme edges of the projected image.

Dangb ei_DBOX02_ScreenSize - Projector Reviews Images

Dangbei offers an auto horizontal and vertical keystone function that is turned on out-of-the-box. This feature is incredibly convenient for users who don't want to spend time squaring the projector to the screen and just want to be up and running as quickly as possible, watching a movie or playing a game. At Projector Reviews, we strongly urge users to take the time to set up the projector manually and avoid using these convenience features as they can result in a reduction of image quality, specifically in projector brightness. Another thing users should be aware of, especially gamers, is that games cannot be played in low-latency mode when any keystone correction, either auto or manual, is being used.

When activated, the projector's auto-setup features, InstanPro AI Image Setup, are very responsive. They react quickly and accurately to changes in projector orientation, autofocus, and ambient room brightness, keeping the image sharp and in the correct orientation.

MENUS

The Dangbei DBOX02 offers the new Google TV OS, providing users seamless access to premium streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Max, Hulu, etc. One of the standout features of Google TV is its ability to organize all content in one place, showing both live TV and on-demand streaming options based on subscriptions. This means no longer having to switch between apps to find content to watch, making the viewing experience much more convenient and enjoyable. Certainly, all these benefits are part of the Google TV OS experience on the DBOX02. But, this is hampered at times by the projector menu's lack of speed. This shows up in the middle of moving through the menus. It acts like a buffering issue.
The Dangbei DBOX02 also features multiple smart picture adjustments, including a comprehensive suite of picture calibration tools, such as multi-point White Balance and CMS controls. These tools allow users to fine-tune the image quality to match the exact conditions of the room. This level of customization ensures the best possible picture tailored to the specific environment.

PERFORMANCE

COLOR REPRODUCTION

The projector's out-of-the-box picture quality was very good. I would say it is one of the most accurate sub $2000 projectors that we have measured. The DBOX02 includes several picture modes tuned for various viewing environments. The Movie Mode is highly accurate in both SDR and HDR.

While the images I've included in the slideshow above give a general idea of color accuracy, the true vibrancy and precision of the colors can only be fully appreciated in person. They surpass the out-of-the-box performance of many competitive Lifestyle projectors I have reviewed.

The projector includes a wide range of picture adjustment settings, including 2-point white balance, 11-point white balance, and CMS controls. However, it would be unrealistic to think that anyone in the market for a sub $2000 projector would spend several hundred dollars to professionally calibrate the unit. However, there are some things you can do to further improve its picture quality.

The DBOX02's MOVIE mode’s color reproduction and grayscale were outstanding. The grayscale had an average delta E of just 1.6, and the average color temperature was 6679k, which is very close to the target of 6500k. Many projectors struggle to be this accurate even after they’ve been adjusted, so this performance out of the box is remarkable for its price point.

While the best picture preset out of the box is the MOVIE mode, this preset does not allow you to make basic picture adjustments such as Contrast, Saturation, and Brightness.

Switching the projector to CUSTOM mode allows you to adjust things like Brightness and Contrast, but the default color reproduction isn’t as good. Switching the Color Temperature to WARM and the GAMMA to Dark delivers an accurate-looking image with a Gamma closer to 2.2.

You can then use the free test patterns are available on the Murideo website and their YouTube channel to finetune Brightness and Contrast for your space. Murideo also has written instructions in the resource section of its website. Also, check out our YouTube video on utilizing several test patterns called Optimize The Image of a Projector or TV Using Free Murideo Test Patterns. Just doing those things results in an outstanding picture for the price point.

The HDR MOVIE mode is also very accurate, with a Delta E average of 1.5. However, just like an SDR, you cannot adjust Brightness, Contrast, etc., unless you switch it to HDR Custom. In HDR CUSTOM, switching the Color Temp to Warm results in a picture that looks identical to HDR MOVIE, but you can now make final adjustments to Brightness and Contrast.

BRIGHTNESS

Typically, we talk about measured brightness because it is one of the most common and perhaps one of the best metrics that can be used to compare one projector to another. With the rise of high-output LED light sources in recent years, we have been throwing around the term "perceived brightness" because sometimes projectors that use LED light sources look brighter out-of-the-box than their actual measured brightness. This is a topic that Philip Jones and I discussed in a recent video. “All Lumens are not the same!” Click on this link to see the video.

At Projector Reviews, we measure a projector's brightness in ANSI lumens. The ANSI (American National Standards Institute) lumen measurement is an older standard that measures a projector's white light output. However, the newer ISO 21118 standard measures both white light and color brightness. This measurement can be better for environments where color and even light are key, such as cinemas and high-end home theaters. The ISO 21118 is a rule set by the International Organization for Standardization.

The Dangbei DBOX02 has a rated brightness of 2,450 lumens based on the ISO standard. To find the DBOX02's top brightness, I switched the projector to its brightest picture preset, VIVID, and set the LASER LIGHT source to High-Performance mode. I checked the brightness of several screen areas and averaged them together. The fan noise in the projector's high-performance mode is incredibly loud, and I only used this mode to get the brightest measurement.

The Dangbei DBOX02 measured 2,760 lumens, which is 310 lumens brighter than the maker's claim. I also checked the brightness of the other preset picture modes.

Dangbei DBOX02 4K Preset Mode's Brightness
Picture Modes	Brightness Measured (ANSI Lumens)
STANDARD	1683 ANSI Lumens
VIVID	2760 ANSI Lumens
MOVIE	1402 ANSI Lumens
GAME	1596 ANSI Lumens
CUSTOM	1655 ANSI Lumens
STANDARD (HDR)	878 ANSI Lumens

BLACK LEVEL AND SHADOW DETAIL

Dangbei does not publish a manufacturer's rated contrast ratio number. The projector's black levels are pretty much dark gray. The Dangbei DBOX02 delivered darker blackd than many projectors in its class but still not anywhere near the deeper blacks possible with DLP projectors that use a larger 0.65-inch imager or the inky blacks found on much more expensive LCOS projectors like DiLA or SXRD.

The DBOX02 shines in dark area detail, which looks exceptional in the projector's HDR preset picture modes and even the SDR modes. As I said above, the black levels of Dangbei archives are noticeably deeper charcoal gray than similar projectors in its class. Combined with the excellent dark-area detail, the picture displayed by the DBOX02 is incredibly pleasant to watch.

Many projectors at this price point can't provide this level of performance and candidly crush the blacks. I've had more expensive projectors on my test bench that could not provide such excellent dark area detail. Excellent job Dangbei!

The DBOX02's excellent dark area detail also makes playing games with First-Person Shooters (FPS) an overall better experience. I understand that this projector's primary focus is not gaming, where seeing opponents hiding in dark areas is critical. Nonetheless, Dangbei does a fantastic job balancing deeper blacks by providing gamers with details in darker picture areas.

HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE

The DBOX02 supports three HDR formats: HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+. However, the projector does not support Dolby Vision. Still, plenty of HDR10+ encoded content is available on 4K UHD Blu-ray discs and streaming content, especially on platforms like Amazon Prime Video. HDR10+ uses dynamic metadata to optimize the picture quality on a scene-by-scene basis.

The HDR MOVIE mode produced the best-looking image when viewing HDR10 and HDR10+ content. Usually, on projectors of this type, price, and brightness range, I prefer the look of content in SDR. However, I cannot help but see how the DBOX02's HDR tone mapping did an excellent job balancing onscreen brightness, highlight visibility, and color saturation.

Along with the HDR shots, I've included some Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) shots above to give you an idea of what they look like on the DBOX02. These photos are not adjusted for color.

I've also included some upscaled standard definition content since most live broadcast content and TV shows will continue to be produced in HD for years, and there is still a significant amount of content only available in high definition and standard definition. All of the 720p and 1080 content I played through the projector in my testing looked excellent. The standard definition content did not look as good, but the DBOX02 still did a decent job of upscaling SD content to 4K UHD.

Standard-definition games, with content originally designed for early Nintendo, Sega, and PlayStation systems, also looked acceptable when displayed on the DBOX02.

SOUND QUALITY

The DBOX02's audio performance is impressive. The improved bass performance is likely a direct result of the projector's 600 ml sound chamber. This large chamber allows the projector to produce a wide range of frequencies with a deep mid-bass that I have never experienced on another lifestyle projector.

The DBOX02's 2 x 12-watt speaker system creates a decent output while producing impressive stereo imaging. Sounds seem to come from different parts of the room rather than only from the projector. The DBOX02 has the following preset sounds: MOVIE, MUSIC, SPORTS, and CUSTOM modes.

The projector is one of only a few that offers an audio performance level close to that of an ultra-short throw projector. My only complaint with the DBOX02's audio performance is that it should be about 10% louder than its maximum volume setting. Fortunately, the Dangbei DBOX02's HDMI 2.0 (input #2) supports eARC, which enables higher-quality audio to be sent from the projector to an external audio device such as a soundbar or home theater audio system.

The DBOX02 also features a built-in Bluetooth speaker mode, which allows users to connect a compatible Bluetooth-enabled device like a phone or a tablet to the projector. This effectively turns the DBOX02 into a very impressive Bluetooth speaker.

SUMMARY

With an MSRP of $1,899 and a street price of up to $400 less, the Dangbei DBOX02 is an incredibly compelling Lifestyle projector. The DBOX02 offers one of its class's best-looking blue laser phosphor light sources. It provides users with 2,450 ISO lumens of brightness, which is more than enough to use the projector in a living room with a moderate amount of uncontrolled ambient light. This amazing little projector shines in a light-controlled space, providing a picture far brighter than its published lumens rating would indicate.

Dangbei lists the projectors' optimum screen sizes as between 80 and 120 inches diagonally. Still, if push comes to shove, the projector can project an image as large as 200 inches diagonally. Being able to bump up to such a large screen size means that the DBOX02 is a great home theater projector and can work well on larger outdoor screens for backyard movie nights or gaming with friends and family.

The Dangbei DBX02 is amazing in terms of overall picture quality. It provides excellent performance in almost all aspects of picture quality. The out-of-the-box color performance on the DBOX02 is dialed in from the factory, with each preset picture mode seemingly tuned by engineers with a keen understanding of the various environments in which this projector could be used. Colors in each preset mode are dynamic enough to stand out without being oversaturated into nuclear greens and glowing reds but not in any way flat or muting. This projector has some of the best out-of-the-box color performance I've seen from a lifestyle projector in its price range or even a little higher.

The black floor on the DBOX02 is in the range of most 0.47-inch DLP projectors at this price point, which means blacks are more gray-black than deep black. However, the DBOX02 excels in its dark area detail in every single preset mode in the projector. Even putting the projector's light source into ECO mode, where the brightness drops to allow the black floor to improve, does not remove many dark area details in the projected image.

The DBOX02 HDR performance is quite good, providing a bump in overall picture quality compared to SDR content. The projector does not support Dolby Vision HDR. Still, it does support HDR10+ to decode the huge library of HDR10+ content on streaming services like Amazon Prime Video or 4K UHD Blu-ray discs. You can see the advantage of this in the screenshots above from Amazon's Reacher and Jack Ryan shows. For any other content encoded in Dolby Vision, the DBOX02 will apply HDR10 to the displayed content.

The Dangbei DBOX02 is an extremely affordable 4K gaming projector that is more than good enough for casual and home gamers. It supports 4K 60Hz, 1080p 60, and 120 Hz gameplay on consoles and 1080p 240 Hz gaming on PCs. The Dangbei recently received a firmware update that fully supports 3D playback, including 3D Blu-ray, so make sure to update the projector's firmware to the latest version.

Dangbei continues to offer improved sound performance on the DBOX02 with customized sound modes, like the picture preset modes, designed to provide a sound experience that closely matches the type of game you are playing and an excellent MOVIE sound experience. The only issue with the DBOX02's sound is that the projector should be slightly louder than its top output. This may not be an issue, depending on your preferences or room.

The DBOX02 is a very quiet projector in all modes except BRIGHT. The difference is pretty jarring because the projector has QUIET and JET ENGINE modes. To be clear, turning the projector brightness up to full causes the projector's very noisy fans to kick on, and I found the amount of noise they generate unacceptable. They sound almost like a small handheld vacuum running.

The Dangbei is a very compelling projector in terms of both features and picture quality. It offers performance and features found on much more expensive lifestyle and gaming projectors with only a few downsides, none of which will stop me from giving the Dangbei DBOX02 a strong recommendation. This bright projector has excellent out-of-the-box color and black-level detail. While not as loud as I prefer, the onboard audio system offers excellent bass response and immersive Dolby Digital sound.

The DBOX02 has AI setup features that make it incredibly easy to take out of the box and watch movies regardless of where you place the projector. If you are looking for an all-around great movie and gaming projector that is smart and easy to use, then the Dangbei is an amazing lifestyle projector you should consider.

COMPETITION

NOMVDIC P1000 $1,599 MSRP

The NOMVDIC P1000 is a compelling option in the growing category of dedicated gaming projectors. At 2,300 ANSI lumens, the P1000 is slightly less bright than the Dangbei DBOX02, and the picture is just as good with great color depth because of its RGB LED light source. It is an excellent solution for gamers who demand immersive visuals and lightning-fast responsiveness. Replacing traditional lamps with a very bright LED light source means this projector provides users with vibrant colors up to 125% of the Rec.709 color gamut and an extended lifespan of 30,000 hours. Both projectors sell for a similar price, so it comes down to what you want the most from your gaming projector.

The NOMVDIC P1000 features a large 0.65-inch DMD, which delivers crisp 4K UHD resolution displaying the most intricate details in movies and 4K games. NOMVDIC's decision to use a 0.65-inch DMD offers multiple benefits depending on the content and preset mode the projector is set to. SDR content displays a noticeable improvement in overall black levels, allowing the P1000 to display some of the best blacks I've seen in its class and price point. This is a key advantage that the NOMVDIC has over the Dangbei. As I said in the performance section of this review, if blacks are critical, then the P1000 is one of those 0.65-inch DLP projectors I mentioned that excels at displaying black levels that the DBOX02 cannot.

The P1000, with its Harmon Kardon Dolby and DTS sound system, sounds good but offers nowhere near the level of bass performance and stereo imaging that the DBOX02 offers.

The P1000 is a bright, dynamic projector ideal for high-intensity gaming and enjoying movies or TV shows at home or on the go. Both the P1000 and the DBOX02 offer more than enough color capability, but on paper, the P1000 goes higher with 125% or the Rec.709 color space, big sound, and competitive blacks that make it a worthy alternative you should at least consider.

PROS

The blue laser phosphor light source delivers high brightness and amazing color that could very well be class-leading.
Built-in Google TV OS provides curated content recommendations across all your most watched streaming applications.
Native Netflix support provides the best overall Netflix experience compared to projectors that require sideloading the application or other workarounds.
The projector is actually one of a few lifestyle projectors that decodes and displays HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+ content better than SDR content.
Fast and accurate autofocus.
AI setup features, such as auto keystone correction, object avoidance, and screen fit, make for a quick and easy installation experience.
3D capability includes the recent addition of support for 3D Blu-ray via a firmware update.
Excellent 12-watt x2 sound system with big bass and great stereo imaging, making the sound seem to come from all around you.

CONS

When the laser is set to High Performance, the fan noise is very loud
No remote control backlight and limited remote options.
There is no dedicated AV settings menu button on the remote, so the user must start at projector setup options whenever they want to adjust audio and video settings.
Average black-level performance.

DANGBEI DBOX02 – SPECIFICATIONS

DANGBEI DBOX02 Full Specifications
Projector Model	DBOX02
Price	$1,899 MSRP
Imager Type	DLP (0.47" DMD)
Displayed Resolution	3,840 x 2,160 pixels (4K UHD)
Native Resolution	1920 x 1080
Brightness	2450 ISO Lumens
Light Source Type	Blue Laser Phosphor
Light Source Life	30,000 hours (Normal)
Contrast Ratio	Unlisted
Zoom Lens Ratio	Fixed
Power Zoom/Focus	Yes Digital Zoom & Focus
Lens Shift	No
Interchangeable Lens	No
Ultra-Short Throw	No
Native Aspect Ratio	16:9
Built-in Rechargeable Battery	No
DVI or HDMI	HDMI
3D	Yes
Blu-Ray 3D	Yes
Sound System	12 watts x2
Noise Level (-dB)	Unlisted
Low Lag Gaming	Yes
Smart Functionality	Yes
Business	No
Classroom	No
Portable	No
Special Features	HDR10+, 2450 ANSI Lumens, Low input lag
Networking	Yes Wireless
Dimensions (HxWxD)	(WxHxD) 9.29 × 6.43 x 7.93 Inches (235 x 163 x 201 mm)
Weight	8.8 lbs (3.9 kg)
Warranty	1 Year parts and labor