The Break
4.3
For a finances display, it exceeds expectations, delivering a user-friendly, engaging viewing experience. Nevertheless, Xming Episode One is a worthwhile partner for stabilizing after a long time or for sharing your favourite movies and shows with friends and family.
The Xming Episode One by Formovie presents itself as a great choice for movie lovers looking to recreate a theater-like experience at home without spending money on expensive products. This display offers an amazing array of features in a modern, small offer, promising a powerful combination of portability, performance, and affordability. As the world’s first Netflix-certified LCD screen with Google Television integration, it combines utility with value, aiming to reinvent home entertainment for the current audience.
Important Features
Let’s take a look at the crucial features that make the Xming Episode One a notable improvement to the finances projector market before swimming into its performance:
- Brand: Xming
- Resolution: Full HD ( 1080p )
- Brightness: 150 CIVA lights
- Projection Technology: Display
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI 2.1, USB 2.0
- Audio: Two 3W listeners
- Operating System: Google Television
- Mounting Options: Table, camera
- Projection Size: 40–120 cm
- Slots: USB, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm voice jack
- AM &, Storage: 2GB RAM / 16GB store
- Value:$ 299
Elegant, Compact Design with Portable Appeal
The Xming Episode One’s style is one of its most interesting features, featuring a dual-tone style with a modern, boxy design softened by round edges. Its natural gray color is highlighted by a bold orange grille and vents, giving it a sporty still sleek appearance. Weighing just 1.2 pounds (around 2.8 pounds ), it’s as portable as it is elegant, making it easy to carry from room to room, or even get along to a friend’s position for a movie night.
Setting it up is straightforward: it can sit on a tabletop or be mounted on a tripod, giving you flexibility in terms of placement. The lack of a built-in tilt mechanism makes it difficult to prop it up with objects ( like coasters or earbud cases ) to get the ideal angle when placed on a flat surface. A more adaptable design with adjustable angles would have been ideal, but this minor annoyance can be easily fixed with some impromptu.
The projector’s ports are conveniently located on the back, including an HDMI 2.1 port, USB 2.0, and a 3.5mm audio jack, all easily accessible and spaced well enough for different cable types. Its discreet design also makes it a fashionable addition to any room, with many users comparing its appearance to that of a designer Bluetooth speaker rather than a projector.
User-Friendly Setup and Google TV Integration
Initial Setup
The Xming Episode One setup procedure is pleasantly simple. You can finish the setup with just a few quick clicks using an Android phone or, for iOS users, the Google Home app. The included Bluetooth remote is responsive and user-friendly, with a well-known design similar to that of the Amazon Fire TV remote. However, a mute button is notably missing, which might be a drawback for users in busy households or shared spaces.
Once connected, the Google TV interface provides immediate access to a vast library of streaming services, including Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video. The projector can now function as a comprehensive streaming hub with this feature. Making setup quick and simple, you can download your favorite apps directly from the Google Play Store or log into already installed ones.
Performance That Exceeds Expectations
Storage and Processing
The Episode One has enough storage space for a few media files or multiple streaming apps to be downloaded for offline viewing. It comes with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. While the 2GB RAM is sufficient for most tasks, including Full HD streaming, frequent lags or stutters may occur when using more intensively, such as accessing high-definition content or using multiple apps at once. For typical streaming or movie-watching scenarios, however, it performs smoothly, providing a solid user experience without any major performance issues.
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Image quality and range of view
The Xming Episode One delivers a Full HD resolution, projecting images that range from 40 to 120 inches. The optimal viewing size tends to be around 100 inches, where the picture remains crisp and well-defined. At larger sizes, the image clarity slightly diminishes, but for a projector at this price point, the visual fidelity is highly commendable. The LCD technology makes it suitable for both movies and sports because it allows vivid color reproduction with minimal rainbowing or color banding.
However, the brightness is limited to 150 CIVA lumens, which means the projector is best suited for use in darker rooms. Users may need to invest in blackout curtains or other methods of reducing ambient light to fully enjoy the projection for use during the day or during the day in well-lit rooms. At night or in a dark room, however, the Xming Episode One truly shines, offering a cinematic experience that rivals more expensive projectors.
Audio Performance and Connectivity
For small to medium-sized rooms, the Xming Episode One has two 3W speakers that provide clear audio. The projector can wirelessly connect to external speakers via Bluetooth, enabling a more immersive sound setup with devices like a soundbar or home theater system, for users who prefer a richer audio experience.
Additionally, the projector supports Chromecast, enabling you to wirelessly cast content from your smartphone or tablet. Google Assistant is also integrated, allowing you to use voice commands to navigate the interface, adjust volume, or switch apps hands-free. This added convenience makes the Xming Episode One feel like a smart, all-in-one entertainment solution.
Limitations to Consider
While Xming Episode One offers a great movie-watching experience in the right settings, it does come with a few drawbacks worth mentioning:
- Daytime Use: The 150-lumen brightness is limited for use in well-lit environments, which can restrict its usage during daylight hours. A projector with more lumens or laser projection would be more appropriate for use in bright environments.
- Tilt Mechanism: As mentioned, the absence of a built-in tilt adjustment can be inconvenient, especially for tabletop use. This feature would have added even more value to the product.
- RAM Limitation: Although 2GB RAM suffices for regular streaming, users may notice minor delays or stuttering, especially when running multiple apps or high-resolution content.
- Remote Mute Button: The lack of a mute button on the remote is a minor but discernible flaw, especially for those who work in groups and where quick muting audio may be required.
Ideal Audience for Episode One of Xming
The Xming Episode One is best for home viewers who prefer to watch movies and TV shows in dim lighting or at night. Its affordability and portability make it especially appealing for young professionals or students who want a low-cost entertainment setup without sacrificing quality. Additionally, it’s an ideal choice for users who prioritize convenience and ease of use, with integrated Google TV, built-in speakers, and wireless casting options for an enjoyable, all-in-one streaming experience.
For users who plan to project during the daytime, however, a projector with higher brightness capabilities would be more appropriate. Additionally, for those looking to use a projector for gaming, especially in 4K, the Xming Episode One’s processing capabilities and brightness levels may not be sufficient, alternatives like the BenQ X3000i offer more gaming-optimized performance.
Our verdict:
The Xming Episode One reignites a love for at-home movie-watching with its balanced performance, affordability, and compact design. While it has some limitations, particularly regarding brightness and tilt adjustment, it remains a remarkable choice for casual home entertainment, offering a good mix of features for the price. It makes a great addition to any entertainment setup thanks to Google TV, Chromecast support, and a portable build, especially for those who enjoy movie nights at home.
For a budget projector, it exceeds expectations, delivering a user-friendly, immersive viewing experience. Just be mindful of its limitations in bright environments, as it performs best in dark settings. Overall, Xming Episode One is a worthwhile companion for unwinding after a long day or for sharing your favorite movies and shows with friends and family.
