The Xming brand is marketing a new video projector whose particularity lies in the fact that it embeds the Google TV operating system and therefore provides access to Netflix, Prime Video, Spotify or even Youtube without having to use a multimedia box.
Sold for €299 in stores and on the web, the accessory stands out from other video projectors due to its size. It was designed to be accessible and above all easily transportable. It weighs only 1.25 kilos and is barely larger than a tablet. Despite its size and its price (remember, we are at the entry level here) the video projector is capable of projecting an image of impressive quality in 1920×1080 with a 1.2:1 ratio. Concretely, this allows you to display a screen with a size of 40 to 120″ depending on the distance at which you place it from your wall. Its size and lightness are a real plus because it’s really very easy to take it anywhere with you for a movie evening with friends, a presentation of projects between students, a “return from vacation” evening with a photo projection at the screen…
What is also interesting with it is that each time it is started, the box will calculate the distance at which it is positioned in relation to the wall which will act as a display surface and will automatically resize the projection size and the projection angle, so that everything appears flat. It works terribly well, to the point that one wonders how the company achieved such a miracle in this price range. The autofocus is generally quite good even if from an angle, the rendering will not always be uniform in the four corners of the screen. That being said, it is possible to adjust the keystone manually as well. So of course, in ideal conditions we will preferably position it 2.30 meters from a projection screen, placing it in the center. In practice this is not always possible, but the Xming will do well enough to adapt to the situation.
Another advantage of this model: as we said, it includes Google TV and its excellent interface. In other words, you don’t have to connect a Chromecast or a game console to access the services you need… By default there is Netflix, Prime Video, Spotify, Youtube and the whole gang. The small remote control that comes with the device makes it very easy to navigate through the interface menus, all with surprising fluidity.
In terms of user experience, it’s hard not to be impressed as it’s plug & play. The configuration takes no more than ten seconds, the projector only produces a very slight hiss, you arrive directly in the Google TV menu and everything works with disconcerting fluidity. Better: the audio is very decent, even if it only relies on two 3W mini speakers. It is possible to connect it to a more powerful device via jack for example, or via USB.
Given the price, you will of course have to make some small concessions. Starting with the brightness of the image, which is limited to 150 lumens here. It’s not much to use it in broad daylight. It will therefore be better to use it in a completely sealed room. Provided you don’t increase the number of light sources, it will also work during the day, but with a less convincing result.
Another small flaw of the video projector: its power cable is not very long, so you will almost necessarily have to use an extension or a power strip.
The +:
- A really affordable price (less than €299)
- A successful design
- The remote control supplied with
- Built-in Google TV
- A plug & play experience
- Integrated audio
- Good autofocus
THE – :
- A somewhat short power cable
- Fairly light brightness: it should preferably be used at night, or with the shutters closed
So, are we cracking?
Priced at less than €299, the Episode One from Xming is an excellent video projector that offers an extremely satisfactory “plug & play” solution. So for this price, you will of course not have the equivalent of a Home Video system – you will have to be satisfied with a light sound and a fairly low brightness – but given the price, we really have very little things to criticize about this product, very light and practical to transport, autonomous in terms of use thanks to Google TV, easy to configure and really very practical. It is the ideal accessory to equip a teenager’s bedroom or to be sure to always have your audio system with you on vacation… The quality/price ratio is in any case excellent.
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