LGs smart projector is the square cousin of Samsungs cool The Freestyle

Date:
Fri, 20 Jan 2023 22:03:19 +0000

Description:
Portable projectors are being used more than ever for entertainment, and with its new compact offering LG is getting in on the game.

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Previously confined to the corporate boardroom, compact portable projectors are becoming a popular option for those who want to temporarily set up a big-screen display either inside or outside their home for a movie night or gaming. And with many new models featuring built-in streaming, its now easier than ever to get things up and running once you find a blank wall to beam images at.

We saw a number of innovative new projectors at CES 2023 , including models from Xgimi, Formovie, and of course Samsung, which was showing a new and improved version of its The Freestyle , the top model on our list of the best portable projectors . Following in the wake of the Las Vegas tech-fest, LG
has announced its own new portable, the PF510Q, and while the new LG isnt as attention-grabbing as Samsungs offering, it nonetheless looks to be a substantial addition to the compact on-the-go projector scene.

To be honest, the PF510Q actually looks like it just stumbled out of the IT department. But beyond its basic square white case, there are a number of compelling features that should make using this 1080p HD-resolution projector a fun ride.

First up is LGs webOS 22 smart TV interface, which provides built-in
streaming from apps such as Disney Plus, PrimeVideo, YouTube, and AppleTV Plus. AirPlay support is also onboard, letting you stream directly to the projector from your iPhone or iPad. If youre not an Apple person, you can use the Screenshare feature to wirelessly cast content from an Android device.

LGs projector features a 2 x 5-watt built-in speaker system, but more interesting is its dual Bluetooth audio output. This will let you stream
sound to a pair of Bluetooth speakers for improved audio, or to two separate Bluetooth headsets for private listening while watching.

On the hardware side, the PF510Qs LED light source is specced for 450 ANSI Lumens output, and will last for 30,000 hours. You can beam an image from 30 inches up to 120 inches, and theres automatic keystone adjustment to make the picture perfectly rectangular after setup plus a manual focus adjustment. Two HDMI inputs are provided for connecting sources like a game console or
Blu-ray player. Analysis: Compact projectors are the new bedroom TV

While we were surprised by the number of cool compact projectors shown at
CES, in some ways we shouldnt have been this category has been gaining traction for some time, and manufacturers are jumping at the opportunity to put their unique tech spin on it.

I gave my daughter a portable projector to use at university, and when shes not playing games from Xbox Game Pass on the Xbox Series S with it, shes streaming movies directly from one the best streaming services . (And also studying and doing well in classes, I hope.)

Being a video and movie geek, I of course made sure she had a 4K projector , though thats probably overkill for dorm room use. But the gaming angle is the important one to discuss here, since gaming seems like the more obvious and better use for compact portable projectors.

At CES 2023, Samsung announced that the new version of The Freestyle would gain the same Gaming Hub found on the best Samsung TVs for cloud-based gaming via apps such as Microsoft Xbox, Utomik, and Amazon Luna. Two Freestyles can also be paired to create an ultrawide 21.9 display, a picture aspect ratio that works best for immersive gaming.

LGs new PF510Q doesnt appear to be similarly equipped with gaming features, though its 2023 TV lineup announced at CES does feature a Game Optimizer menu that lets users easily select and switch between gaming-related features. Maybe well see the same thing introduced on the companys portable projectors, but in the meantime the PF510Q, which is priced at $599 and available now, looks like a good, affordable option for console-based gaming.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/lgs-smart-projector-is-the-square-cousin-of-sam sungs-cool-the-freestyle


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