Dangbei Mars Professional 2 evaluate: Large and vivid

I liked Dangbei’s small Atom projector — giving it a close to good evaluate because the tiny however mighty system efficiently offered sharp, vivid, and colourful photos at a sub-$1K value level. Nonetheless spectacular, it compromised on some extra “premium” projector options like a full setting suite and lacked a stand.

So, with summer season across the nook and eager to curate outdoor movie nights, I have been trying to find the perfect 4K projector and determined to check Dangbei’s larger, dearer, flagship mannequin: the DBOXO2 — additionally dubbed the Mars Professional 2.

Learn on for my full evaluate.

Dangbei DBOX02

Really helpful

The Dangbei DBOX02 is a premium 4K laser projector which gives as much as 2450 ISO lumens in brightness and built-in audio system, plus Google TV performance. It delivers nice image high quality, attractiveness and versatile efficiency for a value that undercuts a number of the competitors, notably from XGIMI and Anker.  

Professionals

• Vivid, colourful picture
• Premium design
• Google TV

Cons

• Half-baked software program options
• Not the very best audio system
• Very large

Worth, availability and specs

The Dangbei DBOX2 is accessible now for costs beginning at $1499.99, direct from Amazon, and it is solely provided in black.

From the beginning, when unboxing the DBOX02, I used to be abundantly conscious of 1 factor: its measurement. Now measurement is a commerce off when going premium, fancy projectors want cooling followers and loads of house inside for audio system, however the DBOX02 is a big system.

Completed in steel all throughout and in matte black, it seems to be good, and has an ample choice of ports on the rear. I used to be additionally despatched a stand with my evaluate unit and extremely advocate it because it helps with a number of viewing angles and stability.

The scale and weight turn out to be just a little little bit of a problem in relation to simply positioning the system. Once more, not an issue when you have a stand. If, nevertheless you’re shopping for this as a primary projector, do not anticipate it to be straightforward to maneuver and reposition. It is actually supposed to take a seat in a single spot, or on a tripod.

That apart, this can be a stylish and properly constructed projector. The port choice is comparatively beneficiant, with two HDMI inputs, two USB-A ports, and an ethernet jack.

Fortunately, the DBOX02 additionally comes with a Bluetooth distant, which linked simply and labored shortly and precisely.

What I favored concerning the Dangbei Mars Professional 2

Vivid, daring and delightful

Shifting to image high quality, to begin, this can be a laser projector which crucially signifies that it’s vivid. That stated, after I stared instantly at it I believed my eyeballs would possibly soften. In practically all circumstances, aside from a vivid sunny day, it was adequate to make use of indoors with the curtains open. It may attain as much as 2450 ISO lumens of brightness, which is spectacular, although I would take this with just a little pinch of salt. Lumens are the measure of brightness in a projector, however totally different locations have totally different takes on how they work.

The trade commonplace measure is ANSI, whereas ISO is lesser identified. One ISO lumen equals roughly 0.8 ANSI lumens, so 2450 ISO lumens interprets to 1960 ANSI lumens, much less attractive however nonetheless spectacular. Dangbei has additionally been in a bit of hot water over allegedly cooking its figures just a little. Regardless, in the actual world and away from geeky numbers, this can be a vivid projector.

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And oh boy, is it sharp too. From 80 inches as much as its full projection width, content material regarded very crisp and naturally detailed. After all 4K video regarded greatest, however in the event you like probably the most element you’ll be able to moderately get, this can be a good possibility. The colours too, true to basic lazer efficiency, are nice. They’re saturated and nice with out being overbearing and there’s barely any noise within the shadows. As an entire, the image high quality provided right here is great for the worth.

Moreover, the projector gives HDR10 compatibility, which means that supported content material is further vivid and clear, and properly value utilizing the place it is accessible.

Watching Eurovision 2024 with a white display was a deal with, the colours of the loopy performers have been introduced properly to life whereas the audio system stored up with the daft vocals with no problem.

Full fats Google TV with most of your favourite apps

Google TV

Ease of use

Excessive

Good assistants

Google Assistant

Advert presence

Average

App availability

Very extensive

Notable options

AI-curated content material; Chromecast built-in

Shifting onto software program, the image is equally optimistic with some giant caveats. Somewhat than run its personal customized Android pores and skin because it has finished at occasions previously, Dangbei has loaded up the DBOX02 with Google TV.

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Meaning entry to the Play Retailer and practically any streaming app you’ll be able to consider. Downloading an app is a straightforward course of, and after getting it, offered you employ your Google account to log in, shortly accessing every app turns into a simple ask. Moreover, the projector has Netflix accessible and totally licensed which is, one thing which may’t be stated for a number of the competitors.

What I did not like concerning the Dangbei Mars Professional 2

Software program caveats

Whereas the Dangbei is an achieved projector by most metrics, it has some primarily software-based flaws which are nonetheless a big drawback.

First of those is software program reliability. I used to be in a position to outright crash the projector on events by choosing a single software program possibility. In a single case choosing ‘3D projection’ merely brought on the display to show purple and jagged. Solely a tough reset resolved the problem. When the outlay is above $1K, on the very least you expect rock stable stability.

One other problem was app availvility. So, whereas Google TV gives extensive entry to just about any service in existence, there is not any assure that they will be capable to set up on the projector.

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Then there’s accessing projector options. The clue is within the identify, Google TV is designed for TVs before everything. Accessing a perform like keystoning, one thing you may be doing recurrently in the event you change your projection floor, requires a comparatively deep dive into system settings with a purpose to entry it, which is unquestionably extra difficult than mandatory.

Possibly too large?

Whereas the DBOX02 is a premium projector and sized accordingly, it is extremely, very large. You will not need to transfer it round the home, as soon as you have chosen a place it can seemingly stay stationary. For that cause, if you’re shopping for this both as a primary projector or a primary premium projector, the problem is then of whether or not it may be merely too a lot on your dwelling state of affairs.

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Regardless of the dimensions, the audio system fail to make a lot of an impression. Whereas bass is highly effective, mids and trebles are inclined to turn out to be drowned considerably in films, which means that speech may be tougher to listen to than would possibly in any other case be anticipated. That is once more not sensible given the worth level.

Ought to I purchase the Dangbei DBOX02?

If you would like a robust, premium possibility that works properly, has incredible image high quality and which has a simple interface, the DBOX02 is a wonderful possibility.

The actual query is whether or not you want it. There are projectors which have comparable mainstream enchantment for lower than $1K, and there are additionally many TVs which obtain the identical. At practically $2K it’s approaching luxurious territory, and it may be greater than many discover they really need.

Dangbei DBOX02

Really helpful

Furthermore, it is also giant and heavy. In case you are a primary time projector purchaser or need one thing you’ll be able to simply transfer all through the house, this is not it. The DBOX02 is not petite, it is not moveable, and it makes no pretense of being both.

There is a cause it has just a little junk within the trunk, and that is image high quality. Boasting a 4K decision, with brightness to spare and colours that pop, it makes films sing. The included audio system do an honest job of bringing just a little stereo sound to your setup. Final however not least, there’s Google TV integration too, which means all your favourite apps are current and proper, the interface is straightforward to navigate and discovering your favourite films and TV reveals is a cinch.