Dangbei Atom: Portable projection with Google TV integration and stunning performance
Dangbei Atom laser projector. Picture: Dangbei.
The Dangbei Atom, a recently released laser projector, has a unique compact design and impressive built-in streaming hardware, making it one of the most fully featured projectors for its size and price point. The Atom is the first Google TV laser projector designed by Dangbei, and that’s a big deal for those looking to get a compact projector that can do it all without the need for additional hardware. It streamlines the search for favourite shows by integrating various app content and personalised suggestions with Google TV's content-first user interface. Features of Google TV, such as built-in Chromecast, Google Assistant, Multiple Profiles, and Watchlist, are all present so that you can expect a full-blown version of the popular streaming platform.
Upon unboxing, the Dangbei Atom impresses with its sleek and compact design, which resembles a Mac Mini. The package includes the projector and essential accessories such as a remote, power cable, and instructions.
The build quality exudes premium craftsmanship, a hallmark of Dangbei's products. The Atom feels incredibly portable and durable, with dimensions of less than 47.5mm thick and weighing 1.28 kg. Two 5-watt speakers and a light source with a brightness of 1200 ISO lumens, powered by ALPD laser technology, round out its appealing features. The latter has an expected lifespan of over 30,000 hours, nearly a lifetime for the average user.
The Atom's compact size makes it highly portable, fitting easily into any backpack for on-the-go use. It does come with a power brick, which is always required since it doesn’t have a built-in battery.
The included remote has a bit of weight to it, which I like, and the buttons are nice and tactile. It adds to its convenience with dedicated buttons for quick access to popular streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Video. While a backlit remote would have been a nice addition, the existing setup still offers impressive functionality. Moreover, the standard tripod mount underneath the projector adds versatility, allowing for easy setup in various environments.
Equipped with smart technology features like fit-to-screen, manual and auto keystone correction, and obstacle avoidance, the Atom ensures an optimal viewing experience.
The projector displayed commendable performance during screen tests, though slight adjustments were needed for perfect alignment. The ability to place the Atom off-centre from your screen or wall is important for a compact project like this, as it’s most likely to be used in a temporary setup often. I found the auto keystone correction worked great, although if you’re really picky about getting the image perfectly square, you can manually tweak it. The auto fit-to-screen function worked great on my 100-inch projector screen, but you can manually zoom, too, if you prefer.
The Atom is quiet for such a bright and compact device, which is especially convenient if you need to place it near you. Unlike projectors with standard lamps, the Atom doesn’t operate like a blow heater with loud fans.
With full Google TV integration, including Netflix support, the Atom delivers seamless entertainment options. All of the apps that work on my standalone Google TV work here, too, including RTE Player, Virgin Media Player, TG4, Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney +, Paramount and more. The RTÉ Player is a strange one as it’s not available on gaming consoles or FireTV. However, you can cast to the latter. While the RTÉ Player is available on other smart TV platforms, I know from experience that the app doesn’t allow you to watch live TV on LG TVs, yet it works on Samsung and Apple TVs.
Strangely enough, my LG C2 received an upgrade from OS 22 to OS 23 while I was writing this article. This update also brought an update for the RTÉ Player software, which now lets it watch live TV. My LG C1 is still running an older software version, which prevents it from using the RTÉ Player to watch live TV.
The Atom shines in picture quality, offering sharp detail and vibrant colours. Despite its compact size, it delivers impressive brightness and clarity, even in well-lit environments.
The projector's ability to project screen sizes ranging from 40 to 180 inches ensures flexibility in various viewing scenarios. While the contrast may feel slightly heavy at times, overall image quality remains exceptional, especially considering its 1080P resolution and HDR10 and HLG support.
I was delighted with the Atom’s performance as a gaming projector. I plugged in my Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch, and although you’re limited to 1080P at 60FPS, the image clarity is exceptional. I didn’t notice any lag, ghosting, or colour fringing, which often plagues other projectors.
I tested the Atom on a 100-inch screen, and I was impressed at how bright it was for such a compact device. However, although you could project up to a 180-inch screen, I’m not sure it would be bright enough unless you had the perfect setup with black walls and total darkness. Dangbei recommends a 100-inch screen as the optimum size for the Atom.
DPL projectors are frequently susceptible to the rainbow effect, yet throughout extensive viewing sessions with the Atom, I have not encountered this phenomenon.
With two five-watt speakers and Dolby audio support, including Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus but not Dolby Atmos, the Atom delivers exceptional sound quality for its size, including a rich bass that makes dialogue sound rich and clear. However, it may not fill larger rooms. Additionally, the projector produces the sound rather than the screen that displays the image. The simple solution is connecting to a separate sound system via Bluetooth, 3.5mm lineout or HDMI, which can vastly enhance the cinematic experience.
The projector's support for 3D content via HDMI adds an extra dimension to its versatility. Although I have a Bluray player that supports 3D and a few 3D discs, I could not test the feature because I did not have the necessary 3D glasses.
The Dangbei Atom is a versatile and feature-packed projector suitable for various applications. Its compact size, impressive picture quality, and smart features make it a compelling choice for those seeking portability without compromising performance. For anyone seeking to enhance their mobile entertainment experience or seeking a space-saving small projector, the Atom presents a great option.
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