I tested the world’s smallest projector with Google TV, and it blew me away

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The most recent Nebula Capsule 3 Pocket Projector is right for individuals who need to take the cinema expertise on the go whereas reaping the software program advantages of Google TV. 

• Regardless of its small kind issue, the Capsule 3 delivers top-quality visuals and sound.

• On battery energy, the projector will run for about 2.5 hours, which can be too brief for some customers.

I’ve all the time most well-liked watching my favourite motion pictures and reveals on an enormous display; the immersion and engulfing expertise is bar none. Nonetheless, this expertise is often restricted to the movie show attributable to area constraints in locations like my dwelling. The most recent Nebula Capsule 3, the primary projector to be powered by Google TV, is right here to resolve that drawback. 

Anker calls the Capsule 3 a “Pocket Cinema,” and the outline couldn’t be extra correct. With its small kind issue, only a tad bigger than a soda can, and weight of simply 2.1 kilos, the projector is as simple to hold round as a transportable speaker. And you will get much more than audio with this gadget.

Regardless of its small dimension, the Capsule 3 can present big-screen leisure of as much as 120 inches. That is fairly beneficiant in comparison with the 45, 55, and even 85-inch sizes usually displayed by TVs. The projector’s image high quality does not disappoint both. 

The Capsule 3 initiatives at 1080p, which isn’t as crisp or clear as a 4K projector, however very a lot adequate for a $500 projector. In dimmer settings, it produces vibrant colours, element, and distinction, with a peak brightness of 200 ANSI Lumens. Anker sells a Laser variant that initiatives as much as 300 ANSI Lumens if you take care of one thing even brighter. 

I examined the Capsule 3 by binge-watching The Crown on Netflix, and as you may see within the photograph under, the image appeared implausible, nearly simply pretty much as good as similarly-priced TVs.

The built-in 52Wh battery permits for two.5 hours of playtime, which isn’t essentially the most dependable in the event you’re watching open air however simply ok in the event you’re at dwelling and/or close to an outlet.

The projector options an 8W Dolby Audio Speaker, offering a surprisingly cinematic sound, sufficient to make my companion say, “The sound on this factor is insane.” I am going to even admit that I loved the sound from it greater than my on a regular basis TV.

Establishing the projector was a reasonably seamless expertise. All it’s important to do is energy the projector and use the included distant or the distant within the Nebula cell app to comply with the setup directions, resembling connecting it to Wi-Fi and signing into Google TV. 

The UI has the identical really feel as a normal good TV working on Google’s platform and, in consequence, is extraordinarily simple to navigate, together with discovering your favourite streaming providers and syncing accounts. Working Google TV additionally signifies that the projector helps Netflix proper out of the field. The identical cannot be mentioned about different mid-range projectors.

However one among my favourite projector options is its clever atmosphere adaption, together with Autofocus and Auto Keystone Correction. Collectively, you may place the projector wherever is essentially the most handy for you, and the projection will robotically modify its angle and dimension to the world you’re casting to. See the way it works under.

This comfort was an enormous improve from a budget $100 projector I used again in school, which needed to be completely centered in entrance of a wall, or the image can be warped. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

If in case you have sufficient use circumstances for a transportable projector, whether or not that is taking it on trip, watching motion pictures in your yard, or simply having fun with a cinema-like expertise within the consolation of your own home, then the Capsule 3, powered by Google TV, is a wonderful selection.

You will not be dissatisfied within the sound or video high quality, and the atmosphere adaptation know-how makes the projector extraordinarily versatile when it comes to placement. Simply do not anticipate the longest-lasting battery life (except you retain it plugged in) and the brightest show throughout the daytime.