Emily M. Enders
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One of my fellow IT friends was showing off his new projector at work (this exact model), and it immediately became the new gadget that I didnt technically need, but could suddenly think of a bajillion really cool uses for. I could do backyard movie nights with friends! I would be able to watch YouTube videos -- really big -- anywhere (which would be fun for kitten videos, but particularly useful for all the DIY videos that seem futile trying to watch on a phone). I could use it in my rec room setup to play retro video games. I could lazily lay back and watch Netflix on my ceiling. The list goes on. When it arrived, as I was inspecting the contents of the box, I was very impressed with the packaging, the organization of all the accessories, and the overall "sleekness" of the box. Normally I dont care about such things, so long as the product works. That being said, I do notice the small touches. The projector was packaged very professionally, with all the accessories I needed out of the box, and a useful manual to boot! I know I ordered it for me, but it struck me as very gift-worthy had I not. The other thing that I noticed, even before I turned it on, is that all the accessories that you need to connect it to something with an HDMI output, such as a Roku, laptop, Blue Ray player, etc. were included. (This meant no rummaging through drawers to look for charging or HDMI cables!) There was even a handy mount! There are some applications that the HDMI cable might not be long enough for, but for most connecting to a laptop, it was perfect. I tried it out initially hooking it up to my laptop in my spare bedroom, just to play with the settings. I tried this during normal daylight, and was impressed that I could see a clear picture even during the day. (I tried it later in the evening, and discovered the picture absolutely dazzles at night.) There was a dial to focus the picture, and buttons to control the sound. Though this may sound a bit on the minimalist side, I think it is a credit to the genuinely plug-and-play design. I know there are a few schools of thought on this one, because I know some people prefer devices that have their own operating systems and more on-board settings that allow finer adjustments from the device itself. Personally, even though as an IT person Im supposed to be more of a gadget geek, I appreciate devices like this projector that are truly plug-and-play, and can be operated by anyone in the house, without having to be familiarized to the different features. Later, I dropped the projector and my daughter to my Moms house for a sleepover, and she was equally impressed with the ease of use. Literally, the only setup required is hooking up the HDMI cable and turning it on, making it an ideal device for even the non-tech savvy. I will say that the on-board sound may not be loud enough for some applications, but there is an audio output that can easily connect to a soundbar or extrenal speakers (or headphones), as well as a USB out and cable for charging may sound devices. For me this isnt an issue, as I use the device in rooms its well-suited to. If I were using it outdoors, I would probably attach it to some external speakers for extra ooomph. Also, the only video input is the HDMI or MHL, so out of the box, it is ready to use with any device that has an HDMI output, or MHL output with the cord. If you would like to connect it to your phone, or your old-school gaming system, there are many readily available, inexpensive HDMI-to-whatever cables and converters out there. It would be ideal if there were a few more inputs, particularly a USB input, but I am fine working off of the HDMI input. Overall, I feel like this was a solid buy. The projectors picture is impressive, and its portability and versatility make it a home run.