How can this mini projector be that good for your giant display on the go? Let’s find out.

Projectors are some of the ways that lets you watch your videos with a larger screen, or maybe play video games with your friends. But one major problem is bringing a projector, as it is one bulky device that you may need to bring another bag just to carry it. Good thing there are new projectors that are smaller in size that is easy to carry elsewhere, though it only produce less lumens (measure of quantity of visible light) than a conventional projector. Asus ventured into the projector scene and launch its mini projector; the S1. But can this mini projector make a stand out from the rest of the competition?

Let us take a look at the specs of the S1 LED Projector:

Display

• Display Technology: 0.3″ DLP®
• Light Source: R/G/B LED
• Light Source Life (max): 30000 hours
• True Resolution (native): WVGA(854×480)
• Light Output (max): 200 lumens
• Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
• Color Saturation :100%(NTSC)
• Display Colors :16.7M

Projection Lens

• Throw Ratio: 1.1
• Projection Distance: 0.73 ~2.43 meters
• Projection/Screen Size: 30 ~100 inchs
• Projection Offset:
• Zoom Ratio: Fixed

Video Feature

• Picture Modes: 4 Modes, (Battery Mode/Presentation Mode/Theater Mode/Standard Mode)
• Aspect Ratio: Auto/4:3 /16:9
• Projector Placement: Front Table/Front Ceiling/Rear Table/Rear Ceiling

Audio Features

• Built-in Speaker: 2 W x 1

Power

• Power Consumption:
• Power On Mode: ≤32 W
• Standby Mode: <0.5 W
• Internal Battery: 5 V, 6000 mAh, Battery life: 3 hours @ 50 lumens *1

Interface

• Signal Input : HDMI, MHL
• Audio Output : Earphone out
• USB Port : 1 x Type A port, *2

The size of the S1 projector is almost as big as an external hard drive or many close to the Vivo Mini PC. Its small size is handy enough to put it on your pocket or in a small bag and bring it everywhere. The mini projector has an aluminum body, giving a sturdy build for outdoor use and a premium feel to it. It also feature the basic function buttons in accessing the menu and adjusting the brightness, there are shortcuts for the volume and brightness control without the hassle of digging through the menu. Though it is placed above the unit, it would be a nice addition if the projector has a remote for easy navigation if placed on a mount on the ceiling. The lens has a sliding cover to protect it from scratches when being transferred and some vent holes to keep the lens ventilated due to the heat of the device.

The S1 projector has ports for HDMI, MHL, 3.5mm audio and USB 2.0 for the display and audio output, ideal for smartphones, tablets, laptops and gaming consoles. However no VGA port is available for the mini projector which makes the projector incompatible for older modeled laptops that does not have an HDMI port. At the bottom portion, it has the screw hole that fits to any ¼ inch 20 screw that is a standard to any modern tripods and stands.

The nifty feature added to the S1 mini projector that it can double as a portable power bank. It has a 6000mAh rechargeable battery that can fully charge up to two smartphones in a single charge, it also runs as its internal power without any use of an external power source. And for something that is small, the S1 mini projector can last up to 3 hours of continuous use on a fully charged battery.

As for the image quality of the mini projector, it had some issues especially on the text where it looks blurred even from afar regardless of how you adjust the lens to make it sharper. Contrasts also have some issues such as lesser detail on the darker areas. The color is not that vibrant as expected as well, with some pale colors in certain scenes. When viewing with the S1, it is best recommended to place it at least at a maximum of around 5 feet from its projection area to optimize its image quality. And with a 200 Lumen maximum light output, it is advisable to use this on darker rooms.

The added 2 Watts speaker almost had good quality sounds despite being a mono speaker thanks to the SomicMaster technology, which is best used for showing presentations or videos, but it is recommended that you use the 3.5mm audio jack to hook up your headset or speakers if you plan to watch movies or play games on it, as the volume could not get any louder if used in a larger room.

We tested several videos and games on the S1 mini projector to see its full potential. Playing games like The Division where it has a lot of dark environment could give the S1 some difficulty, as some of the darker spots in the game are hard to see despite adjusting the contrast and brightness of the projector. However playing games such as Tales of Zestiria where it has brighter environments provides better quality, though the colors are not that vibrant as compared to your standard HD TVs. The S1 can handle fighting games such as Street Fighter V very well with no noticeable screen tearing.

The Asus S1 Mini Projector is a good portable projector that is enough to provide you a decent display source when you are on the go or on the outdoors with its portability. The additional power bank function may seemed bizarre as a combo feature, but it works well for those emergency charges when you are on the field. And the image quality may not be that impressive due to size limitations, but it is still enough to provide good entertainment for games and movies that you can bring elsewhere, whether you use a smartphone, laptop or gaming console.