TCL’s A1 is the company’s newest portable projector with Google TV

2 hours ago 1

Projectors have taken on such a small form factor that portable, all-in-one units have been dominating the market. TCL just announced its latest 1080p option, the A1.

The A1 is meant for those who want a portable cinematic experience, as is the case with many portable long-throw projectors. TCL notes that it can handle a picture up to 120″ and packs automatic focus and smart obstacle avoidance for prime picture setup. It looks like the TCL A1 can also detect screens and adjust it’s picture size accordingly, which takes a lot of the work out manual keystone correction, though that is still an option.

The internal LCD projector engine outputs 360 ISO lumens, which means you won’t be doing any viewing during the day. Still, the A1 looks like a decent option for those who want to set up a screen outside and watch a movie or play games. The build somewhat fits that vibe, as well. The projector itself is equipped with a couple of LED strips that sync to the content displayed or music. That’s accompanied by Dolby Atmos audio.

The addition of Google TV also cements the notion of the projector being all-in-one. Google TV is one of the best TV operating systems out there, and TCL has been a proponent of it for some time in its existing lineup of TVs. Running on Google TV means the user gets access to every major and minor TV app available, as well as offers one of the easiest UIs to use in the market, which is a big bonus.

TCL prices it’s A1 at $499, setting it up against competitor options like the Xgimi Mogo 3 Pro or Anker Nebula lineup. It remains to be seen how good TCL’s new portable projector stands up against a growing market.