Dangbei Mars Pro 2 (DBOX02) test: an ultra-bright and complete 4K laser video projector under Google TV

The Dangbei Mars Pro 2 4K video projector is the worthy successor to the first Mars Pro 4K, but it is also found under the nickname DB0X02. Not much changes from the previous model on a technical level, but the interface migrates from Android to Google TV, which is excellent news since we can now install many apps from the PlayStore, in particular Netflix.

The Mars Pro 2 is a short-throw video projector equipped with a Texas Instruments 0.47-inch DLP DLP chip, like the previous generation with 4K Ultra HD definition (3840 x 2160 pixels). As with all models of the genre, we are obviously not talking about native 4K, because the video projector uses a wobulation technique which quickly displays several Full HD images offset from each other at 240 Hz. This makes it possible to project four Full HD images. HD side-by-side, resulting in a native 60Hz Ultra HD image.

Dangbei claims a maximum brightness of 2450 ISO lumens and a laser lifespan of 30,000 hours, or more than 10 years of projection at a rate of 6 hours per day. In short, something to see coming. The video projector also offers a projection ratio of 1.27:1 and is also 3D compatible.

The Mars Pro 2 4K is sold for around €1,600 at the time of writing this test, which places it a little above the Hisense C1 which saw its price drop drastically after the arrival of the new C2s.

All brightness and colorimetry measurements mentioned in this article were carried out with a SpectraCal C6-HDR probe and CalMAN Ultimate software.

Image quality

On paper, the Mars Pro 2 4K can project an image from 60 to 200 inches, but Dangbei recommends a diagonal of between 80 and 120 inches instead. To obtain a basic 2m image, the size we always use in our tests, we placed the projector 2.5m from our canvas.

What is striking at first glance when projecting a film with the Dangbei is the level of detail and brightness it delivers, even more so when we compare the image to the small Full HD picoprojectors that we have tested recently (the Formovie Xming Episode One or the excellent Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro in particular). We will still find a little speckle due to laser technology, but the untrained eye shouldn't notice it that much unless you sit too close to the projection surface.

The video projector benefits from several image processing technologies, in particular noise reduction, local contrast management, but also a very effective motion compensation engine (MEMC). We advise you to set this last setting to Low or deactivate it to avoid the “soap opera” effect. The DB0X02 also offers a host of settings for adjusting saturation, hues and other white balance. Enough to carry out an in-depth calibration if necessary, but time for measurements!

We carried out our tests based on Film mode, the best calibrated out of the box. The video projector is far from perfect from a colorimetric point of view, but the results are already very correct compared to the models that pass through our lab. We measured an average delta E of 4.4 in SDR, which exceeds the limit of 3 that we consider fair, but not by much. Shades of blue and red are responsible for most drift.

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1. Delta E moyen 4.4 2. Average temperature 7230 K 3. Average gamma 2.25

The gamma is very correct with good stability and an average of 2.2. Gray levels are therefore rather well reproduced on the screen. The white balance is often too cold and is far from the reference 6500 K, but this is not catastrophic with this model since it stands at 7230 K on average.

It is to the side of contrast that we must turn to see the Mars Pro 2 falter. We measured a dynamic contrast of 800:1 and the blacks unfortunately lack depth. This is obviously better than entry-level models which generally top out around 300:1, but it does much worse than some trilaser models which can exceed 2000:1. This is unfortunately a limitation of the 0.47 inch DMD chips, which certainly make it possible to contain the price of the video projector, but at the expense of contrast.

HDR

The Dangbei DBOX02 supports HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+ signals, but not Dolby Vision which remains reserved for a handful of models.

The brightness of the video projector immediately impressed us and the measurements confirm it: we measured a peak light of 190 cd/m², which places it among the best models in our current comparison. Note, however, that many video projectors have been released at the end of 2024, and others could well equal or even surpass the Dangbei. In any case, we appreciate this brightness which really enhances the scenes with very present luminous objects (explosions, laser, stars, etc.).

The EOTF curve is a little above the reference curve from about 0 to 20%, which means that dark scenes are brighter than they should be. The video projector catches up well afterwards and smoothes the curve in the highlights in order to retain detail and not burn the whites.

The delta E in HDR is also contained at an average of 4.7, which is quite rare with video projectors. Finally, we measured coverage of the Rec color space. 2020 by only 53.3%, but this is rarely used in cinema. DCI-P3 is only 73.1% covered and Rec 709 is 88.5% covered. It is true that trilaser models do better in this area.

The Dangbei Mars Pro 2 is a little more compact than its predecessor, but has its almost cubic design, classic for current video projectors (Xgimi Horizon Ultra, Hisense C1 and C2, etc.). It weighs 4.4 kg and measures 21 cm deep, 24.6 cm wide and 21 cm high. It is intended to be placed on a piece of furniture a few meters from the projection surface, but can be stored or even transported quite easily.

The trend at the end of 2024 is for models benefiting from an orientation foot, but the Mars Pro 2 unfortunately does not have one. The manufacturer offers an optional support (see photos below), sometimes sold in packs.

If the balance supports are ideal, you can definitely use the video projector as is. Dangbei includes automatic keystone correction in its latest models and this allows the projector to be placed in different locations in the room without having to reframe manually. A welcome option, but be careful, it doesn't work very well without the proper update. We have had this problem with several manufacturers this year…

The automatic focus is also very practical and will be done each time you turn it on or when you move the video projector. A simple long click on the red button located on the edge of the remote control allows you to restart focusing, if necessary.

The connectivity at the back of the case is very complete since there are two HDMI 2.1 ports, including one eArc compatible, two USB-A ports, an Ethernet port, an SPDIF optical audio input and a mini-jack input. Wifi 6 is included, as well as Bluetooth 5.2 which can be used to use the projector as a connected speaker.

Google TV has recently established itself as the reference interface on the video projector market, here integrated into the Mars Pro. Good news since more apps are compatible, including Netflix, the most used streaming service which was nevertheless absent from Android OS from many manufacturers. You will also be able to watch content on other popular apps of the moment, such as Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+, Arte, Molotov and others.

The remote control remains quite basic and offers a few shortcuts to YouTube and Netflix in particular, as well as the home page and the settings menu. On the edge there is a red button dedicated to autofocus and another which provides access to the general settings of the projector. We would have appreciated a shortcut to the live picture settings without having to go through the menus again, but that's a detail. The backlight is also missing…

Finally, the Mars Pro 2 operates in stony silence. We measured just 32.3 dB and the hiss is barely audible. It will be covered by the sound of your favorite film or series anyway.

Game

If some models are starting to integrate more features dedicated to video games, you will have to settle for a refresh rate at 60 Hz (or 240 Hz in 1080p). To take advantage of theinput lag (display delay) the lowest, you should deactivate the keystone correction. Once adjusted, it still remains quite notable since it reaches 31 ms in Game mode and there will therefore be several images of delay between an action carried out on the controller and its repercussion on the screen. The Dangbei is however one of the good students in our comparison on this point, most exceeding 40 ms, even 50 ms. We can therefore play locally with friends at FIFA, Mario Kart or two solo games, but you will have to give up on competitive multiplayer.