When it comes to portable projects there’s a dizzying array of different options on the table, and many of them are among the most affordable big-screen viewing devices that money can buy. However, the lower cost comes with a caveat, in that most portable projectors are somewhat limited in terms of picture quality.
Looking to change that is the Shenzhen-based outfit JMGO, which has just announced a very capable-looking but still very portable model called the JMGO N1S 4K, and as you can guess from the name, it delivers high-quality 4K resolution pictures. Best of all, it’s not massively expensive.
The JMGO N1S 4K looks like the company’s answer to LG Electronics Cinebeam Q, which is another high-end portable projector that delivers 120-inch 4K pictures with a price tag of around £1,299, and it seems to have some significant advantages.
For one thing, it’s able to generate a massive, 200-inch picture on any surface, which is way bigger than the Cinebeam Q model, and very impressive for a device that measures just 18.5 x 16.5 x 19.1 cm. On the downside, like the Cinebeam, it’s not a truly portable projector as it lacks an internal battery, so it can’t be used outside while camping etc unless you also bring a hefty portable battery along with you.
However, the fact it plugs into the mains gives it some serious oomph in terms of brightness. JMGO quotes around 1,100 ISO lumens, which compares to just 500 ANSI lumens on the LG Cinebeam Q model.
Sharp-eyed readers will note the difference - ISO lumens and ANSI lumens - but what they may not realize is that ISO lumens ratings are generally brighter than their ANSI lumens equivalents, so the difference in brightness is likely to be even bigger than those numbers suggest.
In terms of sound, both the JMGO N1S 4K and the LG Cinebeam Q are more or less the same. Like the Korean model, the JMGO N1S 4K boasts a pair of 10-watt speakers and a small bass unit, with support for Dolby Audio and DTS-HD.
The design of the JMGO N1S 4K allows the projection angle to be adjusted by 127-degrees, while the stand doubles as a handle for easy carrying. According to JMGO, it offers 110% coverage of the BT.2020 colour gamut, HDR10 picture quality, a 1,600:1 contrast ratio (notably less than the LG Cinebeam Q) and MEMC motion smoothing.
Video gamers are well catered for too, with a HDMI 2.1 port on the back that supports enhanced Audio Return Channel or eARC, plus 1080p/60Hz refresh rates with a decent 17 milliseconds input lag.
The device is powered by the Google TV operating system, which provides access to Google Assistant for voice control and Google Cast for streaming content from an Android smartphone or tablet.
JMGO said the N1S 4K is on sale in the U.S. and in Europe now, where it will cost $1,299 and €1,399 respectively. The company promised it will go on sale in the U.K. “soon”, but we won’t know the official price until it does. However, if we go by the current exchange rate, you can expect to pay around £1,000.
