I was seriously following the launch of the Epson LS 100 UST Laser projector's launch in the first week of November last year just to acquire one from US for $3000/- through some one who will be travelling back to India. In the middle of November 2017 I was just curious to see the reviews of the newly launched Epson UST LS 100 on viewing four youtube video reviews (there were only four of them for this product at that time) I stumbled upon the video review of Xiaomi MI Laser Projector and there was abundant reviews which sucked me inside to the product and I was totally impressed by the Specifications and the picture and sound quality in the presented videos that too at the price of $1500/- (Only available in China at this price in MI store) so decided to buy one.
Searched all over the world for a shop to buy it for 1500 USD but in vain and in online it was quoted 2250 USD after upcoming Christmas Discount it was 1936$ including shipping to India Plus Import duties at actuals. Having known it is available for 1500$ in MI stores in China decided to take that route. So contacted my supplier ( Supplier of my materials for my Main business last 6 years) to whom I had placed some 6CBM of materials and the shipment was under preparation for dispatch. I had requested the marketing manager to buy one from the MI store and include it in the any one of the boxes and I will clear it here by paying duties.
He did try all MI stores in Shanghai and no stock luckily he could locate one in Beijing and got it thru his friend to Shanghai and shipped it with my consignment to India / Chennai.
Two weeks in sailing. That was a long wait got the projector cleared from Customs
first week of January 2018 and brought home my MI LASER PROJECTOR From my warehouse. Just switched it on. I had to download and install .apk file for the Menu Language to be English cause everything was in Chineese
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT my existing projector is a Panasonic AR100 also I had tried Panasonic 8000. Compared to these the MI Laser Projector is way ahead stunningly razor sharp images with extreme colour rendering and black cum contrast levels. When I had opened MS word file the letters were like viewing in 21" LED monitor and not like in a 115" projection screen. The built in Two way two channel speakers with a wave guide technology (as in Bose) are doing an amazing job compared to any LED TV. In fact whom ever had visited me to see this projector initially thought the audio is from large speakers. They were totally blown when I said the audio is from the Projectors in built speakers.
I have kept the projector almost
just 35 cms from the screen to achieve 115 inches of projection which is amazing. The projector is with auto focus so incase if i move the near and far from the screen the focus is never compromised and it is instant and you will not even notice. When I had projected the video to my existing DALITE motorised screen the minute undulations in the screen were very much visible and even the mild dangling of the screen due to wind was creating a huge distraction in the image projected due the exponential zooming of the image with in a short distance.
So I had
installed the fixed frame Acoustically transparent screen which I made my self and projected the image first in white screen with Black backup cloth the Image was too bright and enormous colour wash out was happening so changed to Dark Grey screen with the same Black back up cloth OMG what a transformation the Black levels and Contrast levels have improved like anything and the direct broad day sunlight hitting the screen from straight opposite to screen did less damage to PQ. In the night having the 14w LED bulbs ON did not matter at all we could watch picture as though watching in LED TV.
MI is not a native 4K projector but then it supports 4K files with their on board proprietary downscaling circuitry, The have native HDR10 processing and with adequate brightness which is the more important factor for 4K videos than simple 4K resolution. Played 4K videos from my INtel NUC 6i7 and the video was superior and never felt like from a projector. Unfortunately the present configuration of my NUC does not support HDR10 hence I could not try those video files. Cause HDR10 requires 7i7 processor with Intel 620 Iris Graphics. I have Power DVD 17 software which is the only certified HDR10 and Dolby Vision media player.
I take this opportunity to thank our forum member Elagoas for his thread on Acoustic transparent screen from where I could finalise on the screen material without a necessity to try various options and waste time.
As the +2 examinations round the corner my younger son in +2 I have Section 144 running in home to touch the entertainment gears. Probably will post more reviews after the examinations are over.
The video photos I have attached here are of Standard definition and not HD One photo is with Two 14watts LED bulbs ON other one is with NO bulbs ON but with some side lights from my dining space.
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