JMGO PicoFlix projector review – finally a portable projector that can actually play long movies! Leave a comment

REVIEW – I’ve reviewed a handful of moveable projectors now, however up to now none of them have handed the “watching a Lord of the Rings Prolonged Version on battery take a look at”, of which motion pictures the Return of the King runs a whopping 4 hours and one minute! I do know most individuals aren’t watching 4 hours of film in a single sitting, however a few of the moveable projectors I’ve reviewed have struggled to even make it 90 minutes earlier than dying, so having an extended working battery is essential to me for a very moveable projector. JMGO’s new PicoFlix projector boasts a 4.5 hours runtime, so I needed to give it a attempt!

What’s it?

The JMGO PicoFlix projector is a conveyable projector with a built-in battery and audio system. It additionally sports activities an inside gimbal, permitting it to rotate and challenge onto screens increased than itself (and even ceilings). 

What’s included?

• JMGO PicoFlix projector
• Bluetooth Distant Management
• Energy provide
• Guide
• Protecting carrying case

Tech specs

Click on to increase

• Decision: 1080P FHD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
• Brightness: 450 ANSI Lumens
• Throw Ratio: 1.2:1
• Show Expertise: DLP
• Lamp Life: 25,000 hours
• HDR help: HDR 10
• 3D Playback/BluRay help: Sure
• Projector modes: Entrance, Rear, Ceiling, Rear Ceiling
• Projection Angle: 127° Diploma adjustment
• Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 with eARC, 2x USB-A 2.0, 1x USB Kind-C PD 3.0
• Energy Consumption: 65 W
• Battery life: as much as 4.5 hours in energy save mode
• OS: Google TV with Netflix native help
• Dimensions: 3.15 x 3.15 x 9.45″ (80 x 80 x 240 mm)
• Audio system: Twin 5W (10W whole)
• Weight: 3.3 lb (1.5 kg)
• Bluetooth: 5.4
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6
• Noise degree: <28dB
• Ram/ROM: 2GB/16GB

 

Design and options

The JMGO PicoFlix projector ships in an excellent protecting foam case with cutouts for the projector, energy provide, and distant. I like that they embrace this and don’t merely supply it as an costly add-on. 

As soon as out of the case, you may see that the projector is roughly the identical form and measurement because the very talked-about cylindrical bluetooth audio system that everybody appears to have. On the entrance is the projector lens and cameras (for computerized focus and framing). One finish of the cylinder is designed to stay flat towards a horizontal floor whereas the remainder of the projector can rotate 127 levels in case your display/floor is increased than the projector. 

On one facet of the projector we’ve got HDMI 2.1 in (with ARC supported), in addition to a USB-A port for taking part in media off a storage drive. 

On the again is a few air flow slits and never a lot else. Discover on the left facet of the above image although, the rubber “foot” on one finish of the projector wraps round fairly a little bit of it to permit for rotation whereas nonetheless having a rubber “foot” to grip the floor it’s sitting on. 

Round to the opposite facet we’ve got a USB-C port and the facility button, in addition to a pinhole reset swap. Each ends have openings to permit the audio system to play (in addition to cooling fins seen on the higher portion. 

The DLP LED projector lens sports activities auto and guide focus choices (although guide focus is completed by way of a settings menu, not through dial or knob on the projector itself. 

The underside of the projector has a tripod mounting level, which is useful for tripods or ceiling/wall mounts as effectively. 

The above GIF exhibits the projector being rotated. 

Meeting, Set up, Setup

Setup of the JMGO PicoFlix projector is so simple as plugging it in and turning it on, then going by way of the on-screen steps to setup the Google TV working system. There’s an non-obligatory app that permits some controls out of your telephone, screenshots beneath:

I didn’t discover any bloatware exterior the default Google TV setup, and Netflix is supported natively (with some projectors that aren’t Netflix-certified, you must sideload the app). 

Efficiency

The image and audio high quality of the JMGO PicoFlix projector didn’t blow me away, however that could possibly be on account of me beforehand reviewing the outstanding NEBULA Cosmos 4K SE projector, which is far bigger (and costlier, and missing a battery), so it’s in all probability not a good comparability. The JMGO PicoFlix projector has an excellent image for a very moveable projector, particularly for those who preserve it to ~60 inches or smaller. Similar to 1080P/FHD flatscreen TVs, you’ll see the pixels if the projected show is over round 60 inches (relying on how far you might be from the display, in fact). Right here’s some testing footage shot in a darkish room on a projector display:

Subsequent, battery life. I began watching the Fellowship of the Rings theatrical version, which runs 3 hours and 48 minutes. Not one of many moveable projectors I’ve examined up to now have been in a position to get previous 3 hours (with some below 2), so I figured this was the proper take a look at. I streamed it from my Plex server, which might use a bit of additional battery versus taking part in from an area flash drive. I set the projector to Eco mode, lowest brightness, and quantity round 33%. I used to be impressed by the image high quality and brightness on this mode, it’s positively darker than the max brightness in my footage above, however I had it on a closet door round 40 inches diagonal and it regarded actually good! I stored checking the battery each hour or so, and like clockwork it dropped just below 25% per hour, ending your entire film with 10% remaining. I used to be past impressed with this battery life, this projector can be the proper tenting companion: you may select to both watch an extended drama/thriller film or a pair of ~90 minute comedy motion pictures with out worrying about battery life. 

The interface is a bit laggy at occasions, identical to our 2023 TCL TV in our lounge with Google TV inbuilt. It’s not unusable, however there are occasions the place you positively want it was a bit extra responsive. I’ve used far worse, however I do choose a smoother interface. 

The autofocus and auto keyframe features labored effectively, placing an honest image onto quite a lot of surfaces, even when the projector is decrease than you’d usually have one (like for those who have been putting it on a flooring to challenge up onto a wall). The inner gimbal appears to do an excellent job, particularly in comparison with different projectors I’ve examined the place the image would have been fairly distorted at extra excessive angles. I like how one can merely rotate the physique of the projector up and down, and every time you do this or transfer it to a brand new location it mechanically adjusts focus and keystone. I did discover a couple occasions the place it was barely out of focus, and I merely picked it up and set it again down a couple of times and obtained a greater end result. You’ll be able to manually regulate by way of the settings menu as effectively. 

What I like in regards to the JMGO PicoFlix projector

• Nice battery life, can truly recover from 4 hours on minimal brightness
• First rate brightness and movie high quality
• Adequate audio system for on a regular basis use or tenting journeys
• Love that it ships in a foam carry case with deal with and latch

What must be improved?

• Typically the picture was blurry after autofocus, I needed to reset it by jostling it a bit to set off a re-focus. 
• Autofocus and keystone often labored effectively, but when it didn’t the guide controls aren’t fast and straightforward to entry
• Barely quicker {hardware} (possibly extra RAM?) to get a extra responsive interface can be appreciated

Ultimate ideas

The JMGO PicoFlix moveable projector is the most effective moveable projector I’ve used or reviewed up to now, no less than primarily based on battery life (which I might argue is crucial side of a conveyable projector).  The Wemax Dice portable projector has a greater image, however barely made it over 2 hours on battery which limits your film decisions. Going ahead, if we’re watching yard or indoor motion pictures the place I’ve entry to AC energy, I’ll go along with a brighter 4K projector just like the NEBULA Cosmos 4K SE projector. But when I’m going tenting or I’m uncertain about dependable AC energy choices, I might seize the JMGO PicoFlix projector in a heartbeat, it has an excellent image and sound mixed with that improbable battery life that make it a no brainer for me. 

Value: $599 ($449 sale at time of overview)
The place to purchase: JMGO and Amazon
Supply: The pattern of this product was supplied free of charge by JMGO. JMGO didn’t have a ultimate say on the overview and didn’t preview the overview earlier than it was revealed.