This cheap smart projector gave me the giant screen I always wanted

In lieu of a secondary smart TV in the home and as a way to complement your central entertainment setup, a mid-range smart projector is worth consideration. This often convenient alternative to a TV is a slightly different proposition but still one that provides a quality image with many of the features you want for watching and streaming.

Aurzen makes a line of such mid-range projectors that offer Full HD resolution and allow you to connect devices and stream from your favorite apps. The EAZZE D1R model is a simple and effective model that best serves consumers when set up in a larger, dark room. It tested out this model for a few weeks to see its limits and find out how it best works in the home.

4/5

Brand

Aurzen

Native Resolution

1920 × 1080 (FHD)

ANSI Lumens

280

FHD projector with built-in Roku TV allows for convenient streaming and a sharp, colorful picture in darker settings. The lightweight design suits easy installation, while the reasonable price makes for an enticing investment.

Pros & Cons

• Colorful, sharp, detailed FHD image
• Built-in Roku TV
• Lightweight and inexpensive

• Audible hum
• Ideal for indoor, static use

Price, availability, and specs

The D1R smart projector is part of Aurzen’s EAZZE line of models. It boasts the typically rectangular shape of a static projector, offering an alternative to the Cube model offered, which stands taller and allows for more portability. The model is lightweight and can be affixed to the ceiling and allows for different orientations depending on setup.

The D1R features FHD resolution backed by 280 ANSI lumens. This long throw projector allows a screen up to 200 inches in size. Notably, it features Roku TV, allowing you to stream from apps and cast from your devices. It connects via Wi-Fi and can connect to Bluetooth speakers; it also supports Dolby Audio. The unit includes an HDMI 1.4, USB 2.0, and audio port as well.

The Aurzen D1R retails for $200, though it can occasionally be found on sale. It can be purchased directly from Aurzen or from Amazon.

What I liked about the Aurzen EAZZE D1R Roku TV Smart Projector

Convenient streaming and colorful image

For a reasonable price, this D1R is a solid projector that provides a satisfactory viewing experience for a variety of shows and genres. In general, I like that everything I put on looked relatively good in low light, especially shows and movies that have a lot of color. Animated titles, Marvel movies, reality TV, and live sports provided plenty of color and sharpness on screen, with contrast holding up in these genres that were shot with a little more light. Provided you set yourself up in a dark space, you can get a sizable screen that’s still plenty bright.

I watched, and took pictures, of a bunch of shows with some ambient light in the room. I used a light-rejecting screen that was beneficial for daytime viewing in a room with the curtains closed. I appreciate not everyone has one available, so I also cast the image on a white wall and played it in a dark room, and was impressed all around. I would avoid letting sunlight come right into a space, but it still holds up for casual viewing.

This big draw here is the large image you can achieve. It boasts a maximum image size of 200 inches, and you can get there provided you have the space and ensure a completely dark room. As you increase the size, you’ll need to be mindful of the brightness. Even half the size makes for a terrific home viewing experience.

It’s fairly quick to get going. The first time you turn on the unit, you’ll have to sign in to a Roku account and download all your apps and then log into all those apps, but after that, it’s smooth operation. The projector takes less than 30 seconds to turn on and employs its auto-focus and auto-keystone, which are generally solid, and then you’re ready to stream. There is an alignment screen that pops up every time you start, and every time you move the unit, you may or may not get used to it.

I was happy with control options as well. In addition to the Roku remote, which, for its size and layout, is better than most, there are buttons on the unit itself that allow for easy operation.

While the unit isn’t designed to be portable, its lightweight construction means you can move it around with ease. Still, I would recommend setting this device up in a static location; it can receive a mounting screw so that you can set it up on the ceiling and out of the way. Since its only about three pounds, you don’t have to worry much about the weight being held.

It’s worth giving some slack for the contrast. For most projectors outside the top flight, expensive options are going to suffer a bit when it comes to contrast. I found this model held well with some dark scenes, particularly titles within the horror and thriller genre. You’ll want to really make sure the room is dark when attempting to watch anything in that realm.

What I didn’t like about the Aurzen EAZZE D1R Roku TV Smart Projector

Noisy fans and threshold for image quality

There are some drawbacks that I feel like to come with the solid price. It’s worth noting that the unit can be a bit nosy depending on how close you are sitting to it. There is an audible hum when you turn the unit on, and it seems to get louder when you’re streaming as opposed to simply navigating between apps. For this reason, I’d recommend ceiling installation. You can get a pretty big screen when you set it up far from a wall, but I don’t think you want to be sitting too close to it. You’ll want to find a good location either in front of you or up above.

I did find that while generally the auto-keystone worked well, there were definitely times there were issues. It seems like if you move it around too often within a short amount of time, the system can get a bit wonky. There were a few occasions where I manually adjusted the frame; it’s an easy process but just one to be aware of.

I’ve also stated before that I’m not a huge fan of Roku TV. It’s not a system I prefer, from the navigation to the design and the layout of apps. I don’t love that you need to create a Roku TV account either. Still, I’m happy with any smart system rather than no smart system when it comes to my projectors.

As mentioned, it’s not really designed to be moved around even though it is quite light. You’ll want to be mindful of its location as it can attract dust and will need to be regularly cleaned and maintained. I’d avoid bringing this outside or putting it in a stuffy basement.

Should you buy the Aurzen EAZZE D1R Roku TV Smart Projector?

A solid investment for a good price

Considering the price of this projector and what you get in return, I think it makes a solid investment for someone seeking out a big screen for casual viewing experiences. It’s not something for those seeking cinematic fidelity or those who want to play the most detailed and vibrant of video games, but instead for those a bit of versatility and an alternative to the TV screen.

4/5

Brand

Aurzen

Native Resolution

1920 × 1080 (FHD)

ANSI Lumens

280

Projection Technology

LCD

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

FHD projector with built-in Roku TV allows for convenient streaming and a sharp, colorful picture in darker settings. The lightweight design suits easy installation, while the reasonable price makes for an enticing investment.