Projection specialist Anker has unveiled a couple of new and very different projector models in the shape of the Nebula Cosmos 4K SE and the Nebula Capsule Air. The former is a fairly beefy and powerful device that can throw up 4K images of up to 200-inches, while the latter is about the same size as a can of coke, clearly aimed at those looking for something portable.
The Nebula Cosmos 4K SE features Anker’s NebulaMaster image processing for improved contrast and colour accuracy, and it’s capable of outputting 1,800 lumens images in Dolby Vision HDR, making it reasonably bright but perhaps not quite enough to view with the curtains undrawn. The brightness and colour reproduction is delivered through a hybrid lighting system that combines laser and LED lights. According to the company, in normal lighting conditions it’s able to throw up a 120-inch image, while in dark conditions it can expand this to a hefty 200-inches without any real impact on image quality.
It’s powered by the Google TV operating system so buyers can expect easy access to streaming apps, and it comes with two 15-watt speakers built in, with support for Dolby Audio.
Features include obstacle avoidance, screen fitting and wall colour adaptation, and although its clearly much bigger than Anker’s traditional portable projectors, it’s not quite as hefty as some of the more professional devices we’ve seen recently, so it can still be carried around in a bag without too much trouble.
Anker said the Nebula Cosmos 4K SE costs $1,299 in the U.S. and is on sale there now, with additional markets to come soon.
For true portability meanwhile, look no further than the Anker Nebula Capsule Air, which clearly gets its inspiration from the design of coca-cola cans, being just a tad taller. It’s said to be the smallest project in the world that's running Google TV, and it can easily be fitted into the pocket of a pair of cargo shorts or something similar. Despite that diminutive stature, it can still deliver 150 lumens of brightness for at least two hours of playback via its built-in battery. While that’s not super bright by any means, it’s still enough to get a decent picture at night.
The images are beamed in 720p resolution and can go up to 100-inches in the dark, with 60-inches recommended for daytime viewing with the curtains drawn. There’s a USB-C port for power delivery, so it can be plugged into an electrical socket or a battery pack.
It costs $399, which makes it competitive with other portable projectors we’ve seen, such as Samsung’s second-gen Freestyle, which notably comes without a battery built in. As such it offers a bit more versatility for your buck.
What’s also interesting is the available accessories. The company offers three of them, including a snap-on base that’s included with the device, enabling users to tilt it by up to 30-degrees when it’s on the floor, and 90-degrees when wall mounted. In addition, there’s a gimbal stand selling for $49.99 that enables more comprehensive 360-degree adjustment, and finally, there's a tripod with a power bank inside that ensures better viewing angles and double the playback time, selling for an additional $129.99.
Anker said the Nebula Capsule Air is also available to buy in the U.S. now, and it’s offering a serious incentive for those who order the device right now via its retail partner Cosmos, slashing a whopping $200 off the price tag.
