The most effective methods to convey the theater expertise into your private home is with a projector, such because the Casiris A6 we had been just lately despatched for assessment. If that is the primary time you’ve heard of the model Casiris, then you definitely’re not alone. The model was new to me as nicely, however don’t let that dissuade you as a result of the A6 is a powerful extremely quick throw 4K laser projector.
Options
The Casiris A6 is a 4K laser UST projector able to display screen sizes of as much as 120-inches whereas solely being round a foot away from the wall. It boasts a lifespan of 30,000 hours, which is sufficient to final you just about 19 years when you solely watch it for six hours every day.
The ports on the Casiris A6 embrace two HDMI 2.0 ports, one with eARC capabilities and each help CEC controls. Further ports embrace, the ability port, two USB ports, a mini USB service port, an optical audio out port, and an Ethernet jack.
Setup
Organising the Casiris A6 is a reasonably simple affair, regardless of it being fairly massive at 20.5 x 13 x 6 inches and weighing in at almost 20 lbs. Regardless, that’s nonetheless smaller and lighter than many large-screen TVs nowadays.
One of many best advantages of the Casiris A6 is that it’s an ultra-short throw projector. Meaning you received’t have to ceiling mount it or stack it up a number of toes within the air whereas being 8-10ft. away from the wall or display screen. As a substitute, you possibly can place the Casiris A6 on a standard TV stand round 12 inches away from the wall and regulate the toes on the underside to set the angle. Not solely is that this handy for setup, however it additionally means you received’t have to fret about individuals blocking the image when strolling via the room whereas utilizing the projector.
After plugging within the A6 and dealing with it in the direction of the wall, it would routinely focus and proper for keystone errors utilizing an eight-point system. Nevertheless, I nonetheless seen there was a big bulge within the heart of the image after I first powered it on. That was simple sufficient to rectify by getting into the geometric image settings and making a few changes. When you’re within the menu, you’ll additionally wish to take a minute to open the Wi-Fi settings to attach and test for any software program updates.
The Casiris A6 runs on a closely modified model of Android 9 that doesn’t characteristic the Play Retailer preinstalled. It does have a few apps bundled in for controlling the projector, however no streaming apps. In relation to streaming, the A6 depends on a separate 4K succesful Android TV dongle that has full entry to the Play Retailer and helps each main streaming app. Nevertheless, I did encounter a number of points.
The primary was the Netflix app crashing often if I didn’t wait quarter-hour after powering on the projector. One other problem was the audio chopping out when switching between a number of apps which required a reboot to repair. Lastly, the Vudu app solely helps HD playback, though that’s one thing I’ve skilled on another streaming units as nicely. Total, the streaming stick labored tremendous 80% of the time, however changing it with one from Google or Nvidia will clear up a few of these issues.
One good thing about the included Android TV stick is that it may be powered by one of many obtainable USB ports saving you from utilizing one other outlet. It doesn’t matter what, you’re nonetheless shedding certainly one of your two HDMI ports making it tough to attach extra units akin to a number of gaming consoles.
Definitely, the Casiris A6 is the simplest projector I’ve ever arrange, and after an replace and a few tweaks I used to be in a position to soar into watching films inside minutes of unboxing it. The automated focusing and keystone corrections, particularly, handle a few of the largest ache factors of organising a brand new projector. Mix that with with the ability to place it so near the wall and forestall individuals from blocking the image and it’s a first-class expertise.
My solely grievance could be that your image measurement could be restricted by the peak of your TV stand. Since my stand is sort of tall, that made it inconceivable for me to replenish the wall with the image, as a result of the additional I moved it again, the upper the image was projected till it started to creep up onto the ceiling. Regardless, I used to be nonetheless in a position to get an image round 100-inches. Simply remember that the decrease you possibly can place the Casiris A6, the higher.
Video high quality
The Casiris A6 makes use of a triple laser system able to producing 2200 lumens and 1.07 billion colours to create a beautiful true 4K image with help for HDR10 at as much as 120-inches. Personally, I had the A6 set as much as be round 100-inches on a clean white wall and it seemed phenomenal. The distinction was good, the colours had been wealthy and vibrant whereas additionally trying pure, and the 4K decision made particulars in films look good and crisp.
I used to be additionally glad with the quantity of image settings that had been within the menus. The controls had been similar to many 4K TVs I’ve used, and similar to these TVs, the A6 consists of MEMC processing. Mostly often known as movement smoothing and liable for the dreaded cleaning soap opera impact. The very first thing I did was disable that and also you’ll wish to do the identical when you aren’t a fan of movement smoothing results.
To benefit from the sharpest image attainable, I might counsel shopping for a display screen for the Casiris A6. That is due to the steep angle the A6 initiatives gentle making a aid map of the wall. Most partitions aren’t 100% flat and have some texture to them which turns into very obvious when you shine a lightweight at it from an angle. I didn’t discover this that a lot throughout live-action content material as a result of it added an nearly film-like texture to the image. Nevertheless, it turned extra obvious with animated content material.
You should purchase a display screen from the Casiris web site, or you would additionally attempt a less expensive possibility such because the one I bought some time again for utilizing projectors open air. Whichever you select, it would make a noticeable distinction with a UST projector.
One last factor to notice, whereas 2200 lumens is a good brightness for a darkish room and viewing movies in HDR, it’s nonetheless not sufficient to fight the solar. On an overcast day, the image appears barely washed out however even with curtains on a vivid sunny day, the distinction suffers. Like most different projectors, the Casiris A6 appears its greatest at night time or in a blacked-out room.
Audio high quality
The Casiris A6 makes use of two 10W audio system, together with DTS-HD or Dolby Atmos, to supply a few of the greatest audio high quality I’ve heard from a projector or TV. Film scores sounded epic and voices had been clear and audible.
Moreover, the fan was one of many quietest I’ve heard from a projector, and that made it simpler to listen to films with no need to crank up the quantity to compete with a howling fan. It additionally helped that the A6 was so near the wall and additional away from the place I used to be sitting.
Regardless of how good the A6 audio system sound—they usually sound excellent—it may all the time sound higher. That’s why the A6 gives you with an eARC HDMI port, optical port, and Bluetooth. With these choices, you’ll be capable to join an exterior sound supply akin to a soundbar or AVR to take it to the following degree.
No worries when you don’t have any extra sound gear although, as a result of I used to be greater than happy with the audio system Casiris used within the A6.
Ultimate ideas
I wasn’t positive what to anticipate from my first UST projector, and from a model that was beforehand unknown to me. Happily, I used to be blown away by the Casiris A6. It’s the best projector I’ve ever arrange because of its built-in autofocusing and keystone correction.
Moreover, I used to be impressed by the gorgeous image high quality and improbable audio system. The A6 could be an enormous improve to any film fan’s residence theater setup. The one draw back is whenever you step as much as this degree of projector, it will get a bit pricey. The Casiris A6 UST 4K HDR Laser Projector could be bought for slightly below $2000 from Amazon or instantly from the Casiris web site when utilizing a coupon code.
