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One of the most remarkable aspects of projectors is their ability to transform blank walls or small spaces into fully-fledged mini theaters. The challenge lies in the fact that not all projectors are capable of producing captivating, vibrant, and crisp image quality, especially within the $400 price range. However, the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro sets itself apart with its exceptional build quality and performance.
Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro is an entry-level projector in the brand’s new range of home cinema projectors. Its compact design looks incredible and is capable of producing images up to 4k at an image size of up to 180 inches. Wanbo’s PixelPro 5.0 projection technology with a 4Pcs pure glass lens delivers stunningly vibrant and crystal clear images.
I’ve been using the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro projector for the last two weeks, and my initial impression of this projector is excellent. In fact, it’s safe to say that I have finally found the ideal projector that sets the bar in its price range. Keep reading to find out why.
Pros
Superb silver-finished sturdy build
Bright and punchy images
Great sound quality
Quick to turn on
Autofocus and keystone correction
Excellent detail
Access to all streaming services (including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, and more)
Long light source life
Cons
No HDR support
No Dolby Vision support
Limited ports
Pricing and availability
Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro retails at $399, but right now Wanbo is celebrating its 8th anniversary and offering a 30% discount on its latest DaVinci 1 Pro, bringing the price down to just $293. This offer is valid until June 20th, after which the projector will return to its original price.
Furthermore, the brand offers a free replacement service for any hardware-related issues occurring within one year. However, please note that this one-year free replacement service is available only to customers who purchase the projector during the event period, from May 20th to June 20th.
Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro – Unboxing
Design and Features
At first glance, I was taken aback by its elegant, curvy look. The harmonious fusion of woolen textile and leather-finished front texture adds intrigue, making it feel like it is crafted for home artistry. Its compact, boxy design easily fits into any corner of your house without taking up much space. On the sides, there are custom-designed ‘X’ shaped heat dissipation vents which also double as speaker grills.
The Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro measures 8.7 inches deep, 7.7 inches wide, and 6.8 inches high and weighs just 2.8kg, which is equivalent to a high-end gaming laptop. It does not feel heavy or bulky, and one can easily carry it anywhere, thanks to its portability factor.
The Wanbo DaVinici 1 Pro is available in a single premium silver finish, which sets it apart from more common colors like black and gray. The smooth CNC precision-cut pattern on the front is mesmerizing, and the entire body is infused with cutting-edge vacuum coating and 3D sandblasted surface treatment, making it sturdy and eye-catching.
Image – Abhinav Fating | AndroidGuys
As for the ports, Wanbo offers a limited set including HDMI 2.0, two USB-A ports, a power port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. This allows you to easily connect your entertainment devices, such as a gaming console or soundbar, to the projector effortlessly. Wanbo has also incorporated a small kickstand at the bottom of the projector, lifting it at 7 degrees to provide a proper projection angle for an optimal viewing experience.
It also comes with a dedicated remote control that boasts a sturdy and premium build. The remote is very compact, responsive, and feels good in the hand. In terms of functionality, it has dedicated streaming service buttons for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and YouTube, allowing quick access to the apps with just a tap. Additionally, it includes a Google Assistant and a dedicated focus button.
Wanbo claims the DaVinci 1 Pro projector has a light source life of 20,000 hours, which translates to around twelve years with four hours of daily usage or 10 years with six hours of daily usage. This longevity is truly remarkable, making the projector a worthy investment that can last for a decade or even longer.
The DaVinci 1 Pro utilizes PixelPro 5.0 full closed optical projection technology to project a 1080P native resolution screen, and is also 4K compatible, allowing for seamless streaming of 4K content. The projector is equipped with a 4PCs pure glass lens that emits 600 ANSI lumens of brightness, resulting in bright and crisp images. However, in bright light conditions, the projector’s 180-inch massive screen becomes barely visible; in a dark room, however, the projector performs exceptionally well.
Overall, Wanbo did a great job with the design of the DaVinci 1 Pro, which is very unique and sets it apart from the competition.
Setup and Software
Setting up the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro is a straightforward task that can be completed within minutes. Upon unpacking the DaVinci 1 Pro, simply power it on, log in with your Gmail, and let Google handle the rest. It’s as simple as that.
Unlike other projectors, the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro uses All-Scene Smart Algorithm 3.0 technology, which automatically adjusts focus, keystone correction, and obstacle avoidance. This ensures a perfect screen projection on your wall without the need for any manual adjustment. Additionally, there is a manual zoom adjustment button for enhancing screen visibility. While you can manually adjust the screen projection from the settings > image correction, it’s recommended to utilize the auto functions for image correction due to their convenience and time-saving nature.
Coming to the software part, the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro runs on Google TV’s “Newest” OS, which is based on Android 11 out of the box. The Google TV OS is an evolved and enhanced version of Android TV, offering a content-centric interface that showcases trending content and personalized recommendations on the home screen.
When you power on the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro projector, the Google TV OS provides access to a wide array of streaming apps, from Netflix and Amazon Prime to Hulu, YouTube, and Disney+. Additionally, you can easily install various other streaming platforms such as Crunchyroll, HBO Max, and Apple TV directly from the Google Play store. This setup allows for a seamless streaming experience, as it enables direct access to Netflix on the projector, eliminating the need for additional devices such as the Fire Stick. Consequently, you can enjoy your favorite shows without any complications.
Keep in mind that Google TV doesn’t support screen casting from iOS devices. To enable screen casting on iOS devices, you can download the AirScreen app from the Google Play store. You can also connect a Chromecast with Google TV to the projector.
Picture and Gaming performance
Wanbo DaVinici 1 Pro features PixelPro 5.0 full closed optical projection technology. The 4PCs pure glass lens emits a 1080p native resolution with a maximum brightness of 600 lumens.
Wanbo suggests an ideal 5m distance (~16ft) to achieve the largest possible image. I placed the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro projector approximately 14 feet from the wall, from which I managed to achieve a 180-inch big screen that gives me full cinema theater vibes. On the flip side, the minimum screen size you can achieve on the Davinci 1 Pro is 40 inches at about 1.2m (~3.9ft) distance.
I begin my tests of the Davinci 1 Pro’s picture quality with my favorite 1080p anime and movies. Surprisingly, the projector impresses with all of my anime and movie choices. It also offers 4K support, allowing you to effortlessly stream your favorite shows at a maximum of 4K quality.
First, let me clarify something about projectors. Whether you have an expensive projector or an entry-level one, they both require a proper dark space or optimal lighting conditions for better results. For example, if you run a projector in a room with any amount of ambient light, you will immediately notice less than perfect image quality.
The DaVinci 1 Pro’s 600 lumens of brightness may not seem like much, but it delivers bright SDR scenes even in well-lit environments, which is impressive. Despite lacking native HDR and Dolby Vision support, it doesn’t bother me, as its upscaled SDR content looks very similar to HDR.
During testing, the DaVinci 1 Pro performed fantastically under optimal lighting conditions. The picture quality is crisp, vibrant, bright, and crystal clear with balanced contrast. Additionally, the black levels are decent, but they tend to appear somewhat grey, particularly during dark shots.
There are several picture mode options to choose from: Standard, User, Soft, and Vivid, which you can experiment with to achieve the perfect color and image quality. During testing, I set the picture mode to Vivid, which resulted in significantly better image quality. I also watched some 4K shows, and my experience with them was just decent. I noticed some minor freezes while streaming the 4K content.
Overall, I’m impressed by the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro’s incredible image quality with vibrant and crisp details.
While I don’t have experience testing projectors with games, I became very intrigued when I found out that the projector had dedicated game mode support. I played CODM, PUBG, and some casual games like Clash Royale and Whiteout Survival on the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro, and my experience with all titles was quite enjoyable. However, I did notice some minor lags and sound delays, but that wasn’t a major issue. During gameplay, the color saturation, game details, and brightness were just perfect.
Sound
The DaVinci 1 Pro’s two internal HiFi stereo speakers (8W each) deliver exceptional sound quality. The digital signal processing technology, 16-paragraph Equalizer adjustment, and sound cavity optimization enhance the sound experience. It also offers six sound presets, including Standard, News, Music, Sports, Movies, and User. Depending on your streaming content, you can easily switch to different sound profiles from the settings.
While watching anime and movies, I never felt the need for an external Bluetooth speaker. The Davinci 1 Pro’s 16W speaker produces ample sound with deep bass, clear vocals, and crisp trebles. Even at higher volumes during testing, the speakers did not distort or lose clarity.
Should you buy the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro?
You should buy this if:
You want a projector at an affordable price point
You need a compact projector that will be easy to carry
You want a refined software
You need up to 180 inches of screen projection
You want a game mode support
You need access to all streaming services
You shouldn’t buy this if:
You want a 4K native resolution
You need HDR support
You want a slim projector like LG Cinebeam Q or Samsung Freestyle 2
Verdict
Earned for achieving an overage average star rating of at least 3.75 stars, this product is an AndroidGuys Smart Pick, signifying a perfect blend of quality, performance, and value. It excels in key areas like design, innovation, and user experience, offering top-notch functionality at a great price.
Overall, Wanbo did an excellent job with its entry-level DaVinci 1 Pro home cinema projector. Wanbo offered so much in the DaVinci 1 Pro that one couldn’t expect, particularly at this price point. The projector boasts an out-of-the-box compact portable design, a bright 1080p native screen with 4K support, powerful 16W HiFi stereo speakers, a massive 180-inch image size, Google TV OS, a responsive remote with dedicated streaming apps buttons, built-in Chromecast support, and much more.
Its superb image quality, great audio system, and responsive gaming performance set the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro apart from its competitors.
So, if your budget is $400 and you’ve been searching for a projector that delivers fantastic image quality, offers the largest possible image, streams content seamlessly, and allows you to enjoy casual gaming, I feel the Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro is the best projector to consider.
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