Projector with Android TV built in or not?

by eweslash

I'm looking for advice and recommendations. I'd like a projector to use in my campervan and I'm torn between the cheaper ones on the market at around £50-70 and then having to insert and separately power a smart TV stick or box or spending £250-500 on a projector with Android TV and Wi-Fi built in.

Firstly I'd ideally like to watch TV when I'm off grid (no electric hook-up) and so the rechargeable projectors like Anker Nebula/ Nebula Max/ Nebula Max 2 appeal. They are pricey and I would want to be investing for longer term and could therefore potentially end up stuck with an outdated Android operating system. But I like the fact they have everything in the one device to just stand on the table and go.

Or do I buy a cheap projector and insert my Chromecast with Google TV or some other streaming stick (I have FireTV and Roku boxes kicking around) in order that I know I'll always have up to date system software but have to always have either or both of the projector and streaming device connected to power packs or my campervan's cigarette sockets?

The projector will at the very most only ever be 1.5 to 2 metres from the screen so even the cheapest on the market should suffice.

Is anyone currently using Android TV projectors/ rechargeable projectors or running a projector system in a leisure vehicle with any words of advice?

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Cleopatra and Daisy

NoShftShck16

Chromecasts could run off your standard phone charger bank. But I'd honestly look into buying a used Shield as it can run a dedicated Plex Media Server. Connect that to power and plug in a small drive enclosure (or even a big ass flash drive) that doesn't need external power. That way when you are off the grid you can still watch local content. Might as well save your precious internet on the road for obtaining new local content rather than using it for streaming.

TheFakeMatt

I've had two of the Anker Android TV projectors, and the one thing I wish I had known before was that neither are certified by Netflix and I doubt they'll ever fulfill their promise that it will be certified "soon." They provide instructions to sideload an older version of Netflix that is not optimized for remote control. Other than that, they work great, and as long as you don't care about Netflix I'd still recommend them.

omicron6

I'm personally not a fan of devices that will be out of date within in a couple of years. The problem with these Android devices is there's less incentive to update the OS and there's no guarantee apps will work. Much like cellphones now, after a few years they're almost useless.

The route I went for a portable solution was a Kodak Luma (75), a micro sd card, a USB C hub (has HDMI in, USB and USB C charging) and my cellphone. I can use the micro sd card and preload movies for off grid. Or I connect the USB C hub to my phone, then HDMI to the projector if I've got service. Downside is you need to keep the screen on. Alternatively, you could use Google TV, but would obviously need a wifi connection. This is something I'm toying with as well, though I download my videos prior to leaving on a trip.

This gives me a lot of flexibility for the future, I feel. I'll always upgrade my cellphone/streaming stick/have much better luck with continued support.

triplebeamz

I would say no. You're better to pay for a standalone projector with high lumens. Then just add whatever Android box you want because you may want to upgrade the Android before you upgrade the projector and vice versa