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Projectors used to cost $1,500 or more and pico projectors were dim. Today’s little LED projectors are cheap and surprisingly good.
I unboxed the DR.J HI-04 mini projector, set it up in real time, and played a movie from my iPad. The DR.J listing I had is gone, so the box below links a current mini projector in the same style.
- Sharp picture once focused
- Good color, even in a not-fully-dark room
- Lots of inputs and cables included
- Nice-feeling remote
- Built-in speaker
- Speaker is weak; use external speakers
- Keystone has limited range at steep angles
- No lens cap
- Color a little saturated
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
Why mini LED projectors are worth a look
I used to do a lot of presentations, and a projector like this used to cost thousands. The pico projector I once had for about $400 was so dim you needed complete darkness.
These little LED projectors are super portable and super inexpensive, great for presentations, volunteering, or traveling with kids.
What’s in the box
You get the manual, an AV/RCA-to-3.5 mm cable, a laptop-style power cable, a fairly long HDMI cable in a bag, and a remote. The remote is plastic with a brushed-metal look and rubberized buttons with solid clicks.
Ports, controls and setup
One side has a headphone jack, AV, TF card, HDMI, USB and VGA. The power plug is on the other side, with a speaker and IR receiver at the back.
Up top are keystone and focus dials and a keypad. A front foot screws out for height.
Real-time test with an iPad
Tilted up about 30 degrees with keystone at max, it was still not perfectly square, so I brought it down a bit. I connected my iPad over HDMI with an AV adapter, pressed Menu, and picked HDMI.
In a room that wasn’t fully dark, the picture was sharp once I dialed in focus. The left and right arrows control the projector volume. Switching my iPad to fill the screen instead of widescreen used the whole panel.
Dark-room results
With the lights off (80-90% dark), the picture looks pretty good. It’s much brighter than my old $400 pico projector.
Color is a little saturated compared with my iPad, which you’d expect at this price. The speaker works in a pinch, but external speakers are better.
Verdict
I’m impressed. It’s a great companion for road warriors and families, a kids’ playroom, or a backyard movie night if you blow the picture up.
FAQ
Can you connect an iPad to the DR.J projector?
Yes. I used HDMI with an AV adapter and picked HDMI from the menu.
Does it have a speaker?
Yes, built in, but external speakers will sound better.
Does it need a dark room?
It looked good in a partly lit room and better in a mostly dark one.
What inputs does it have?
HDMI, USB, VGA, AV, a TF card slot and a headphone jack.
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