The Best Portable Projector for Watching Movies.
What could be better than spending a lazy day with family or friends watching a movie? Maybe by watching this movie on the big screen.
Purchasing an LED projector is a good alternative to going to crowded movie theaters for several reasons. First, home theater is safer. It’s more convenient as nothing beats your favorite sofa at home and you can enjoy any snacks in your kitchen. Plus, you can enjoy an endless selection of movies. You just need everyone else in the room to agree to the movie…
If you’re looking for an entry level LED projector that won’t cost you a fortune but won’t disappoint you with the quality, check out the ViewSonic M2e projector. This is a portable projector that is great for watching movies both indoors and outdoors.
ViewSonic M2e Portable Projector: First Impressions & Specs
The ViewSonic M2e is a Full HD 1080p DLP smart projector that is lightweight and compact. With its portable design and seemingly light weight, it’s a great option for anyone who wants to take the projector with them on short trips, to work, or even to a party at a friend’s house.
Compared to its predecessor, the Viewsonic M2, the M2e is smaller, has a shorter throw ratio and distance, and faster autofocus. Overall, the ViewSonic M2e is an impressive projector for its price point and size.
Native resolution: 1920 x 1080Image size: 76 to 254 cmLumens: 400 ANSI, 1000 LEDsSpeakers: Built-in Harman KardonKeystone correction: horizontal and vertical auto-keystoneAutofocus: built-inLamp life: up to 30,000 hoursConnection options: mini-jack audio output, HDMI 2.0, 2x USB, memory card and wireless network< /li>Storage: 16GBProjector size and weight: 5 x 18 x 18cm, 1kgPrice: Starting at $400.
The ViewSonic M2e has some interesting specs and features, especially given its size. When you open the box, you will find the projector, power cable, remote control, quick start guide and a handy carrying case for everything.
All parts of the projector fit inside the case, making it easy to take with you. You can put the case in your backpack or carry it in your hand or on your shoulder.
The M2e features a sleek design with a polar white polycarbonate top and gray blue sides. It comes with an adjustable stand that helps you set it on any surface and adjust the height. Then automatic keystone correction will do the rest and automatically correct keystone images if your projector isn’t perfectly perpendicular to the screen.
Positioning Your ViewSonic M2E
The ViewSonic M2e may not be as small as other portable projectors, but still light enough that you can carry it around and place it anywhere. You can place the projector on a table, chair, bench outside, or even on the floor. The M2e has a stepless stand so you can project your movies from any angle.
If you are looking for a more permanent installation, you can use three screw feet to secure it to the ceiling. M2e can be projected forward or to the back of the screen, as well as upside down. If you decide to install it this way, be sure to check the position with the remote control as it can only operate up to 8 meters away from the projector.
There is also a tripod mount underneath the projector that can be used for outdoor cinema sessions.
User Experience
One of the advantages of ViewSonic M2e is the ease of setup and user-friendly menu. You’ll be able to fire up your M2e even if you’ve never used a projector before. Position the M2e in front of a screen or wall, plug it into a power source, and turn it on. ViewSonic’s advanced autofocus and horizontal and vertical keystone correction will do the rest and give you a proportional image instantly. Connect your projector to Wi-Fi and you’re done.
This smart projector runs custom version of Android with Aptoide Android market (similar to App Store) to install apps. Unfortunately, it does not support Google services. Due to the lack of Google products and services, some applications do not run on your projector at all.
Apps & Screen Mirroring
The choice of apps you can install is somewhat limited. You can install Netflix, Prime Video, and Plex to access streaming services, but you may experience some issues when using them. For example, if you are using two-factor authentication, you will not be able to log into your account.
Most applications are not optimized for remote control and do not allow you to enter a 2FA code to access your account. Navigating inside these streaming apps can also be frustrating.
ViewSonic M2e supports screen mirroring, which partially compensates for problems that may arise when choosing an application. When you open an application such as YouTube on your computer or smartphone, the projector is displayed in the broadcast menu when you select the broadcast icon.
You will need to test the apps and see which ones work for you. While I had no issues streaming content from YouTube, content from Netflix never downloaded for me. Most likely it has to do with copyright.
Connectivity
On the back of this smart projector, you’ll find plenty of ports, including an HDMI 1.4 port, USB type C, USB type A, 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD slot. You can use them to connect any device and play movies and videos from it, expanding the functionality of the projector. The M2e also has 10GB of local storage which you can use to store some of your favorite movies and videos for quick access.
There are also several smart connectivity options, including the aforementioned wireless screen mirroring from smart gadgets and USB-C for direct streaming of content from your phone or Nintendo Switch game console.
Video Quality
While the M2e doesn’t deliver the same picture quality as your regular 4K TV, you’ll still be impressed with the picture. This tiny projector can produce vivid images from 80″ to 100″ with Full HD resolution, Cinematic Super Color, 125% Rec.709 color accuracy and support for HDR content. If you are projecting indoors, using a plain white or light-colored wall is enough for the M2e to reproduce vibrant colors and crisp, lifelike images.
You don’t need to worry about image brightness in low light conditions, such as in a room during the day. While the M2e performs best in total darkness, it still delivers excellent image quality in a dimly lit room. If you are planning to use the projector outdoors, it is best to purchase a projector screen to get the best outdoor cinema experience. You can easily find them on Amazon.
Thanks to the portability of the M2e, you can take it with you anywhere and turn that place into a home theater. Using the USB-C port, you can simply connect an external battery to the projector and use it on the go. Make sure your power supply is at least 45W (15V/3A) and supports PD protocol output for a seamless connection.
Audio Quality
The ViewSonic M2e comes with Harman Kardon speakers providing stereo sound you don’t expect from this little speaker. It’s enough to drown out the sound of the projector’s fan, but if you’re watching a movie with a large group of people, you might want to use a louder external speaker for Bluetooth audio. Add a streaming dongle to this kit and you have the perfect home theater kit.
You can also use the M2e as a Bluetooth speaker. The built-in Harman Kardon speakers provide excellent sound quality for a house party or small family get-together.
Should You Buy a ViewSonic M2e 1080p projector?
In short, the M2e won’t replace an expensive top-tier Epson projector, but it still makes a wonderful gift for any movie buff.
The ViewSonic M2e is undoubtedly an impressive projector for its size and weight, and you won’t find anything better in the same price range. However, this is not an ideal all-round projector. If you don’t want to spend some time figuring out which apps and connectivity options will work best for you, you should probably keep looking. At the same time, if you need a lightweight portable projector for work or simple home theater, you will find everything you need in the ViewSonic M2e.
The Best Portable Projector for Watching Movies
The Best Portable Projector for Watching Movies