Dangbei MP1 MAX review – a bright 4K projector to challenge the industry

The Dangbei 4K is one of a growing number of portable projectors with built-in gimbals that make it easy to set up and direct at a screen or wall. The addition of an automatic screen edge detection system means you can get the perfect image rapidly, especially if you have a screen to aim at.

That makes sense as it describes itself as a home cinema projector and, in keeping with the modern home cinema age, the device is built around the dominant Google TV system and is ready for the wireless world. In other words, so long as you just want to watch one of the more than 700,000 movies and TV shows available online via a streaming service, then the only cable you’ll ever need is the power lead.

In essence, then, this projector is designed to bring premium cinema quality, also ideal for any creators shooting video and wanting to review it, and is built for simple set up and re-positioning, branded "InstanPro" by Dangbei. Is it the right device for your home or to travel with you? That’s what I set out to find out…

Dangbei MP1 MAX: Price

At $1,999 / £1,699, it delivers a lot of light for the price, and is competitive with other high-end 4K gimbal projectors.

This is the kind of pricing that puts mainstream brands to shame because of the higher ANSI lumens brightness, and it's fair to say that Dangbei is not a fly-by-night operation; I have tested their devices before and was impressed then too.

Dangbei MP1 MAX: Specs

Dangbei MP1 MAX: Build and handling

The gimbal approach is simple but effective, there is a dampened circular grip on the base on which the supporting arm can rotate, while the main projector can also be tilted – the device can then detect the movement and make adjustments. It’s very efficient. Admittedly Dangbei haven’t quite managed the most elegant approach I’ve encountered because the external power brick connects to the back, which means the protruding cable pushes the device further from a wall than would otherwise be needed. Otherwise, though, all is very much as you’d expect from the product category.

It is possible to project straight onto a ceiling, however.

The projector is based around the Google TV system, meaning the ease of setup will depend on whether you’ve already got a Google Home device or installed the Google Home app on your phone or not (don’t worry, Apple users – you can get the app for the iPhone too!)

The remote control is similar to that you’d find on most modern TV’s built around this kind of technology. It has some shortcut buttons for Netflix, but not others so fans of Foundation on AppleTV+, for example, will still have to scan through the menus. A side button provides access.

The projector’s own settings are a little harder to access than I’m used to, with some of the controls seemingly only appearing automatically when the device sensed motion, and others being available through the settings menu. This is, frankly, a little confusing.

On the other hand, once you find the keystone correction system, it’s very effective. I was especially impressed with the projector’s ability to detect the edges of my pull-down screen, fit the image to it perfectly, and be ready to watch in moments. Because a pull-down screen won’t be in the same place every time this is something you need to do a lot, so it’s a feature that needs to be easy to find.

Dangbei Performance: Performance

In optimal conditions – i.e. in a dark room – the picture quality struck me as fully cinematic. The speakers overcame the initially relatively loud fan (whether I became used to it or it dropped off a bit after a while I wasn’t sure).

Detail was very rich and crisp, while I was able to make out detail in darker and lighter areas of the image. Nor was there evidence of strobing as I moved my eyes around the screen.

The one aspect of the device that did strike me was that, on occasion, there was a slight lag to the menu pages, especially shortly after startup. There were never any issues with the video, but just a few times a little more responsiveness would have been appreciated with the menus.

There were also a couple of occasions when I thought I noticed the video playback over wifi lag a little, though obviously there are potential causes beyond the projector itself that could have affected the signal (probably not my gigabit internet though). It serves as a reminder, though, that watching 4K video wirelessly (which is an option here, not essential) isn't always practical.

Dangbei Performance: Overall Verdict

The Dangbei MP1 Max 4K delivers an excellent package in terms of image, portability, and quality, especially for users looking mostly for a device to use wirelessly. It still requires mains power, as you’d expect with this level of brightness, but isn't too heavy to move, especially given the supplied carry case.

My only frustrations with the device's design were the positioning of the power socket and some very occasional and very fleeting hesitations in the menus. I did think, at first, the fan could have been quieter but – to be fair to the machine – it did back off as soon as I used it in an unlit room. The fact the brightness is there to compete with daylight (though not really for video – perhaps only for a presentation) is impressive, and a fan is just the price you have to pay.)

In short, then, I’m certainly prepared to recommend this, especially as a home cinema projector. It might not be the most beautiful device but it's very practical and achieves both a very good picture and surprisingly convenient levels of portability given the quality on offer. In other words, "Dang! Baby, I'm impressed!"

Alternatives

How I test

I test projectors on both a dedicated projection screen – a 100-inch pull-down – and on a white-painted wall. Reflected light, after all, is what cinema is all about. Where possible, I also test on an imperfectly colored wall, and in this case a ceiling, to see how it copes with less-than-ideal conditions (to be honest, life is a lot easier, especially with a portable projector, if you can use a wall!)

I also conduct what I call the 'coffee table test' – to see what the effect of putting the projector on a table at an awkward angle from the wall is. This is important because many projectors have automated keystone corrections.

I also always test by connecting to a MacBook to see how typical monitor images look – after all, this is a photography & video site! The appearance of type (black on white, white on black, etc.) and typical sample photos as well as standard tests like the color bars, and a selection of video clips with dark backgrounds, fast motion, and other key criteria are all important.

Finally, I also like to declare it "movie night" and see whether the device works with friends and family. My fiancée's offers a different pairs of eyes and I make sure her feelings are included.