Unic UC40 Ultra Cheap Projector

[MaSh]

You know what they advice to a thoroughly confused person? Go ahead and try out the options. Well that is exactly what I did.

I have been pondering over whether to buy a 50-55" TV or get a projector. A TV of this size from a reputed brand would cost over a Lakh easily. For that price one can get an amazing Projector. BUT a Projector cannot replace a TV and the it went on see sawing...

Finally I took the plunge by buying this Ultra Cheap Projector UNIC UC40 just to try of how a Projector in my setup fits in. To know whether I even need a projector.

Product Description
The scale of screen is 4:3, the distance of projection is from 3.51ft to 12.48ft;Multi-function input: IP/IR/USB/SD/HDMI. 100% brand new and high quality; Picture switch form 16:9 and 4:3 Keystone correction supported;Power bank charge charge function by USB port to connect 55W low power cost, eco-oriented;Electronics zoom function, easy picture size change LED lamp, works for over20000 hours, with vivid color and abundant details;The technology of projection is 0.24

I received this projector today afternoon and have just hooked it up crudely. So at this point I cannot provide an in-depth review of this projector, moreover you can find lots of reviews bu googling this model. I will be posting here my impressions of this projector and how it fit my requirements. Nothing else.

My Requirements:
Big clear image with an HD/bluray source connected to my receiver via an HDMI cable. Nothing else.

First Impressions:
I have placed it at a distance of about 10feet from the wall which is acting as my screen. The First thing I noticed is that the image is sharp only in the center and blurred away from the edges. In photography terms the aperture setting is set at a high number allowing depth of field to blur. Second the room needs to be totally dark to get decent colors and blacks.

More as I do some more watching and playing around with the minimalist menu.

One thing is decided for sure. A projector is the way to go for me. I guess the combination of a good projector for the weekend movies and TV for daily watching is the right combination for me. A better and beefier model is surely on the wish list now.

I would love to hear from other Projector owners on suggestions to improve image quality, though I doubt there is anything possible with model.

MaSh

 

[spirovious]

Congrats,please post some pictures of projected movies.

 

[MaSh]

Congrats,please post some pictures of projected movies.

Sure I will. Waiting for all to get finish off with their illogical serials. Will then reconnect the projector and watch in a darkened room.

The image at night in total darkness is simply amazing. Would have given 5 stars if there was no blur on the edges. Otherwise its fantastic. Movie watching is so so immersive now. Somehow even the home theater is sounding fuller with a big screen. A mental thing maybe.

MaSh

 

[viper08]

I would love to hear from other Projector owners on suggestions to improve image quality, though I doubt there is anything possible with model.

MaSh

Congrats for the new toy.

However would like to put my honest opinion as a projector owner. (Hope you will take it + ly)
The most important specs of a projector are missing from the product description: Resolution, Contrast Ratio and Lumen.
and more emphasis given on extra goodies: USB/ power back up function , 0.24 technology (?) etc. which are really not needed. If the resolution is not HD then there is no point having a HDMI or even VGA port for that matter.

But ultimately if you are happy with PQ then it should serve your purpose with lower ownership cost. Ultimately BIG screen makes a difference. :yahoo:

You will need to match 1:1 pixel mapping to get a sharper image. Try matching the resolution with source. It's native aspect ratio is 4:3 so try playing the same format clips. But you will not get much HD content (as per HD standards)

Please do post the pictures.

 

[MaSh]

Congrats for the new toy.

However would like to put my honest opinion as a projector owner. (Hope you will take it + ly)
The most important specs of a projector are missing from the product description: Resolution, Contrast Ratio and Lumen.
and more emphasis given on extra goodies: USB/ power back up function , 0.24 technology (?) etc. which are really not needed. If the resolution is not HD then there is no point having a HDMI or even VGA port for that matter.

But ultimately if you are happy with PQ then it should serve your purpose with lower ownership cost. Ultimately BIG screen makes a difference. :yahoo:

You will need to match 1:1 pixel mapping to get a sharper image. Try matching the resolution with source. It's native aspect ratio is 4:3 so try playing the same format clips. But you will not get much HD content (as per HD standards)

Please do post the pictures.

Oh yes, I totally agree with you and there is absolutely no reason to take this negatively. This purchase is to be seen as a Pilot to who ever is on the bench deciding between a Big TV or a Projector for Movie watching.

The specs are as below:
Brand: UNIC
Model: UNIC UC40
Material: Glass, Plastic
Display Type: LCD
Native Resolution: 800 x 480
Aspect Ratio : 16:9 / 4:3
Resolution Support: 1080P
Brightness: 800 Lumens
Contrast Ratio: 800:1
Lamp Life: 20000 hours
Lens : F = 125
Power Supply: 100-240V
Lamp: LED
Lamp Power: 55W
Interface: AV
Color: White

I agree, all the features mentioned are not part of my requirements and are frankly to add Bling. My only requirement was an HDMI input which it has. This only for the fact that my receiver has an HDMI out and I did not want an analog cable running.

With respect to Picture Quality, yes I get a Big Image which is Okay. Can I use it as my long term projector for movies, Hell NO. All I needed at this point was a Big Picture with decent clarity only to help me decide whether I need a projector at all or not. And I guess, this has been accomplished by this projector. I am hooked to going the Projector way. I wonder what I was waiting for all these years.

However, this does not mean, its not a good projector. For the Price its tremendous value for money. Has whole lot of inputs, is super light and portable, consumes lesser power than a regular size tv and has a looong lamp life*. So yes for a starter its amazing, my kid love it. The 4 yr old thinks I pushed the TV into the wall and watched her snowwhite, sleeping beauty, big hero 6 back to back with her eyes and mouth open. So once I am done playing around with it, the projector moves to the kids room.

Please keep the suggestions and views coming. I am sure there are many who want a Big Screen in their house but the cost of owning a main stream projector puts them away. This Projector with a slight compromise on Picture Quality could be their solution.

MaSh

 

[viper08]

The 4 yr old thinks I pushed the TV into the wall and watched her snowwhite, sleeping beauty, big hero 6 back to back with her eyes and mouth open.
MaSh

That says more than value for money & specs :clapping:

 

[MaSh]

Okay here are some pics shot by my mobile just now. The second pic shows the size comparison between projected image size and my 32" LCD TV. The projector is currently at a distance of about 10 feet from the wall. The wall paint is yellowish in color.

PS: Actual image looks slightly better in real than these images taken by my phone in pitch darkness with no flash.

 

[regeHA]

Looks like a really VFM solution or even a weekend project for the kids, especially for what it costs and to dip your toes into PJs.

For under 10K you could put this, a Raspberry Pi with a torrentbox or running OpenELEC and you can stream TV shows, live TV channels, movies, sports, etc.

The price is unbeatable, especially if it lasts - lamp and all. Even the entry level 720P ones start at around 40K with BenQ and Optoma, so no reason why folks should not consider them instead of 65" TVs especially if the content is all streaming or downloaded.

 

[MaSh]

Looks like a really VFM solution or even a weekend project for the kids, especially for what it costs and to dip your toes into PJs.

For under 10K you could put this, a Raspberry Pi with a torrentbox or running OpenELEC and you can stream TV shows, live TV channels, movies, sports, etc.

The price is unbeatable, especially if it lasts - lamp and all. Even the entry level 720P ones start at around 40K with BenQ and Optoma, so no reason why folks should not consider them instead of 65" TVs especially if the content is all streaming or downloaded.

Oh wow, you have given this product a totally new Use Case. Could you please add links to the devices you have listed? I don't mind setting it up. Was contemplating getting my old laptop repaired and pairing it with the projector.

MaSh

 

[regeHA]

Oh wow, you have given this product a totally new Use Case. Could you please add links to the devices you have listed? I don't mind setting it up. Was contemplating getting my old laptop repaired and pairing it with the projector.

MaSh

Amazon.in: Buy Raspberry Pi 2 - MODB - 1GB - Quad core Online at Low Prices in India | Raspberry Pi Reviews & Ratings

Amazon.in: Buy Samsung Evo 16GB Class 10 micro SDHC Card (MB-MP16D/IN) Online at Low Prices in India | Samsung Reviews & Ratings

OpenELEC Mediacenter - Home

Read up a bit or watch videos on YouTube. Installing the OS is pretty easy, but needs to be done via SD card so read through some tutorials.

 

[pradeepkamat]

Is this 3D capable ?
Is the LED lamp separately available and at what cost?

 

[dgstar2012]

@ Mash

what is the screen size you are getting from distance you have kept the projector. I had purchased in Nov'15 & it is working good since then. i am projecting in my green paint wall & with screen size of approx 200", its really amazing.

Actually i know nothing about projectors so wanted to try this stuff before getting into higher budgeted home theater projector. Now i am in learning mode.

One more thing before buying i read many reviews (outside forum) that its remote is not working, mine is working excellent, what about you?

anyways congrats....

Regards

 

[MaSh]

Is this 3D capable ?
Is the LED lamp separately available and at what cost?

No it does not support 3D. No idea about spares, however, I do see 3 service centers in Bangalore.

@ Mash

what is the screen size you are getting from distance you have kept the projector. I had purchased in Nov'15 & it is working good since then. i am projecting in my green paint wall & with screen size of approx 200", its really amazing.

Actually i know nothing about projectors so wanted to try this stuff before getting into higher budgeted home theater projector. Now i am in learning mode.

One more thing before buying i read many reviews (outside forum) that its remote is not working, mine is working excellent, what about you?

anyways congrats....

Regards

Hmm I think I am watching at 70-75" from an approx distance of 8 feet. What is your sitting distance? Mine from the wall is about 14-15 feet and it looks good.

Lol, we both are exactly in the same boat. My buying intentions are same as yours. On a relaxed learning curve. Playing with focus, distance, keystone every night to get the best picture.

I have no issues with the remote at all, its infact quite good. I too read those reviews and realized they are trying to operate the device from the sides or from the front, while the infrared receiver is on the back side. One needs to be behind the projector for the remote to function. If I have to nit pic, then I would say that the keys are a bit too sensitive to my liking, but thats easy to get used to. Do you have slight blurriness on the edges? I have managed to get rid of most of it by adjusting the focus carefully. The end picture is slightly trapezoidal, but quite sharp. Probably if I could keep my projector flat, I can get a rectangle sharp picture. Do post pictures of your display.

No doubt this is an excellent projector to learn the basics and understand the nuances.

MaSh

 

[dgstar2012]

@ Mash

My room size is 12 x 12 & so distance is 12 feet but my projection screen is approx 200" or more & i don't know how to control or make it less. But it looks excellent except in the edges if i look deeply. I do watch movie in 2.35:1 only & not in 1.85:1 through my PC and it works best.

But everyday have to adjust the focus since cap needs to be closed manually after each show.

Today I am watching bluray of Veer Zaara and the picture quality is quite sharp.

The sound quality is also good i have connected the projector to my home theater.

How you are playing your sound? I don't have a camera, will post some pics at the earliest.

Regards

 

[MaSh]

@ Mash

My room size is 12 x 12 & so distance is 12 feet but my projection screen is approx 200" or more & i don't know how to control or make it less. But it looks excellent except in the edges if i look deeply. I do watch movie in 2.35:1 only & not in 1.85:1 through my PC and it works best.

But everyday have to adjust the focus since cap needs to be closed manually after each show.

Today I am watching bluray of Veer Zaara and the picture quality is quite sharp.

The sound quality is also good i have connected the projector to my home theater.

How you are playing your sound? I don't have a camera, will post some pics at the earliest.

Regards

Oh alright, I dont have a PC, so no such controls. My sources are DTH, BluRay and external hard disk.

The size of the image is adjusted by the distance of the Projector from the screen/wall.

Sound quality on its inbuilt speaker is just about OK. I have connected my receiver's HDMI out to Projector. So the receiver takes care of the sound and when I switch off the receiver, the sound is Passed on the Projector.

 

[venkatg]

I have a GM60 projector.Price 8000 Rs.It is similar to unic except a slight difference in the lumens as it is 1000 compared to 800(unic) also slight difference in native resolution.Connected the projector to an external speaker.Distance between projector and wall is 8 feet.

Pros:

Value for money

Big screen for low cost.Good upto 80-100 inches.

Cons:
Since the native resolution is too low,you won't get the actual quality of a 1080p movie.You can't compare this to a full HD or a Hd ready projector quality

Image is not very clear or sharp.Brightness is very low.

I like this projector but in future I will definitely buy a better projector like Benq

 

[amedius]

I'm using Epson full HD 3D projector (cost Rs.1,30,000) since last 2 years.....I have attached Darbee (cost Rs.23000/- on Ebay). The picture on the 200 inch screen is amazingly sharp and bright even in daylight. And with the Denon receiver and Polk 5.1 speaker setup....its like multiplex. If you want more details about it, I can post it.

 

[pradeepkamat]

@amedius

What is Darbee ?

 

[pradeepkamat]

Here I came across 3D version of UC-40.
Original Unic UC40 3D Mini LED Projector 800X480P Hdmi SD AV USB 3D RED Blue | eBay

 

[MaSh]

Here I came across 3D version of UC-40.
Original Unic UC40 3D Mini LED Projector 800X480P Hdmi SD AV USB 3D RED Blue | eBay

Hmm that sale seems bloated. Take it with a pinch of salt.