They say if you establish a better mouse lying in wait , the world will beat out a course to your room access , but you may probably be just as successful by slap some Star Wars art on it or else . That ’s what Anker ’s done with itsNebula Capsule II mini projector , which now look like a legless version of R2 - D2 . The facelift does n’t add together much in terminal figure of functionality aside from making a solid portable projector more appealing to Star Wars fans and 10 - wing pilot program .
As flat - screen TVs have become larger and lighter , they ’re minimizing the motive for an expensive television projector as a way to get a movie theater - sized concealment inside a domicile . But mini projectors have remained an appealing option , making it soft to set up a movie theater almost anywhere , be it a backyard or a camping ground . And that ’s in all probability the crowing appeal of the Anker Nebula Capsule II : It ’s minor , but still manages to extort in everything you need to lend the movie field experience anywhere . All you need to render is the screen .
Anker Nebula Capsule II R2 - D2 Edition Projector
Photo: Andrew Liszewski/Gizmodo
WHAT IS IT ?
A compact video projector with a precious R2 - D2 makeover .
damage
Anywhere you can carry a soda can or a water bottle you can carry the Nebula Capsule II.Photo: Andrew Liszewski/Gizmodo
$ 700
wish
Very portable , rechargeable bombardment piddle it capital for use outside , Android TV is built in for gentle admission to content .
Anywhere you can carry a soda can or a water bottle you can carry the Nebula Capsule II.Photo: Andrew Liszewski/Gizmodo
DISLIKE
Not smart enough for use in daylight shape , a special app is needed to access Netflix .
There are a few disappointments with the newAnker Nebula Capsule II R2 - D2 edition , but the most obvious is that its Artoo rhytidoplasty really does n’t add much beyond a bit of novelty . The projector has the same cylindrical shape as the original , which just barely matches R2 - D2 ’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe . It would have been more fun to see Anker elevate this version with a rounded dome top and aswivelling projector eye like Haier didback in 2015 just before we pull in how dread those last three Star Wars films would be . In increase to the Artoo computer graphic , the projector does play a couple of droid - like “ beep - bloops ” every time it boots up , but that ’s about as much enjoyment Star Wars buff are go to get out of it — aside from really watching Star Wars with it .
The projector’s tall design occasionally makes it a little top heavy, but a tripod mount on the underside provides a secure place to easily mount it.Photo: Andrew Liszewski/Gizmodo
As mini projectors go , I ’ve derive to quite like the can - shaped blueprint of the Nebula Capsule II over the boxlike sterile rectangle that most projector makers opt for . It ’s well-fixed to slew into a piss feeding bottle air pocket on a backpack thanks in part to it being only just a lilliputian bit larger than an actual soda can or water supply bottle .
Even more impressive is that Anker has make do to include a self-coloured sounding speaker unit in there too , with more than enough volume to fill a room with decent horizontal surface of freshwater bass . It obviously ca n’t compare to what you ’d get from a consecrate surround - sound setup with a big woofer on the floor , and while you may connect a larger wireless Bluetooth utterer to the projector for better auditory sensation if you prefer , having decent speech sound built right in just adds to the convenience and portability of this matter .
Also hidden away inside the Nebula Capsule II is a rechargeable shelling that in my test unremarkably hit the 3 - hour fall guy before all dying , but you might see a footling less than that look on how loud the speaker is cranked . It ’s more than enough to get through an entire flick in the backyard without having to run an annex corduroy from the firm , and is well the best reasonableness to opt the Nebula Capsule II over the competition .
Media files can be accessed directly through a USB port, while consoles and streaming sticks can be easily connected using an HDMI port.Photo: Andrew Liszewski/Gizmodo
The tall invention of the projector does from time to time make it a small top heavy and a challenge to fend on a control surface that ’s not completely flavourless and story . But on the bottom is a standard tripod mount so if you bring along a flexible legged tripod that can stand on its own or wrap around another unanimous object , you ’ll never have to worry about this thing ever topple over .
On R2 - D2 ’s butt joint you ’ll find an AUX connecter for those who only want to use the projector as a speaker , an HDMI porthole for connecting consoles or a stream gadget like a Chromecast , a data - only USB port for connecting an external drive full of media file , and a USB - C port that ’s only used for power and charging the battery .
Unlike most projectors that are dependent on an outside video source , the Anker Nebula Capsule II is actually a full - on Android TV equipment that , when paired with a solid wireless local area web connection , can pelt content from services like Disney+ , HBO , and YouTube , all on its own . After using it for a few week it make believe you enquire why every projector does n’t prevail Android TV , but there are some challenges . The projector unfortunately does n’t meet Netflix ’s tight certification process , so you ca n’t install it natively from the Google Play Store . you could jump through basketball hoop and sideload Netflix yourself , or instal a particular app that Anker has created that provides admittance to the cyclosis overhaul . While it technically works , navigate the Netflix interface a number of a challenge unless you want to also connect your smartphone and use it as a wireless mouse . It ’s unfortunately far from ideal .
Image: Andrew Liszewski – Gizmodo (In-House Art)
If Netflix sustenance is vital for you , you ’re better off buy and connect an HDMI cyclosis stick gadget like a $ 50 Chromecast , even if that does fall the all - in - one benefit of the Nebula Capsule II .
The included Android TV remote is basic and a little dissatisfactory , because it miss the commodious playback controls that the latest Nvidia Shield remote includes , but it works . On top of the projector you ’ll also find most of the remote control ’s functionality replicated through a series of tactual sensation - sensitive buttons , which is gracious should the remote itself go MIA . One thing that I found extremely frustrating was quickly accessing the projector ’s auto - nidus functionality . Simply holding down the ‘ input ’ clit on the remote for a couple of seconds is supposed to be a cutoff to quickly trigger it , but it does n’t work , as apparently a late update break that functionality . Manually aerate autofocus has to be done by pass over back to the Android TV menage screen and aerate it through the configurations , which is a pain sensation , or hold down the middle button on top of the projector itself . Hopefully this is something that can be fixed through a future update .
I have n’t dabbled with modest projectors for a few years , so I was pleasantly surprised to see how easy they are to set up now . Once fully boot the Nebula Capsule II mechanically corrected for keystone issue , although its power to do so is limited to perpendicular adjustments , so when jell up a jury-rigged flick dramaturgy you ’ll need to control the projector is horizontally concentrate in front of your screen . The projector was also good at center itself using a reference marking it temporarily propose , but focus does tend to drift as it easy heats up during use . Sometimes the projector will understand it and refocus itself automatically ( a work up - in motion sensor also observe when it ’s been moved or repositioned , triggering a refocus ) but more often than not you need to manually trigger off an autofocus , which as I mentioned before is n’t as easy as it should be .
Image: Andrew Liszewski – Gizmodo (In-House Art)
As for image character ? Well that ’s probably the gravid drawback to the Nebula Capsule II . It only fancy at 720p , so you ’re emphatically plump to see jaggies on fine detail , particularly with school text and on - screen menus . And so as to max out that rechargeable battery so you’re able to get through a whole movie on a individual charge , its brightness level levels top out at around just 200 ANSI lumens . In a very sullen room that ’s hopeful enough to make a 100 - inch image and even larger if you really push it , but even at shorter distances the Nebula Capsule II is all but unusable in the daytime , even when it ’s cloudy or overcast alfresco .
If portability is a priority , the Anker Nebula Capsule II is one of the best options around , specially for those count for an easy way to enjoy a backyard picture show on a warm summer night or while ‘ roughing it ’ at a campsite . It ’s well-situated to use , and the built - in shelling and speaker mean you do n’t take much else besides a makeshift screenland and a reliable wireless data connection to build a temporary pic theatre of operations . But for $ 700 it ’s a tough sell for anyone also hop to practice it to replace a big screen telecasting . Unless you ’re only design to find out TV at night , you could be disappointed .
We all screw R2 - D2 , but for $ 300 more , a projector like the 1080p , 1,000 - lumenEpson EpiqVision Mini EF12seems like a better all around option . It lacks the portability and convenience of theAnker Nebula Capsule II , but you may use it all day long and just use your imagination to dissemble it ’s a loyal droid .
The projector can autofocus and make keystone adjustments all on its own, but occasionally the focus will soften, and manually triggering a refocus isn’t as easy as it should be.Photo: Andrew Liszewski/Gizmodo
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The included remote has a dedicated power button, but you can’t actually completely turn off the projector using it. It can only be completely powered down using a physical button on the back, so you’ll want to make sure you never permanently mount it somewhere out of reach.Photo: Andrew Liszewski/Gizmodo
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