Home entertainment system the size of a soda can

Q

Some time ago you wrote about a tiny, battery-powered projector that will fit in a briefcase.

As part of my job I do presentations to small groups of people and such a projector would be perfect for showing pictures and videos of our beautiful facility. What was the name of the projector, and is it suitable for this purpose? — L.P., Donegal, Pennsylvania

A

The projector was the Asus Zenbeam E1 and it is indeed suitable for that purpose, as long as you have a white wall or screen to use with it. While the image quality is good, the resolution does not rate as high definition and connectivity is somewhat limited. If you get one you should plan on using it with a computer incorporating an HDMI output. The Asus Zenbeam E1 is $269. Go to asus.com.

Before you reach for that credit card, know you can now get a far more compelling small projector, one that will look better, sound better and be easier to use, especially for your application. In fact, to call it a projector does not do it justice. It’s really a complete home entertainment system packaged in a single device approximately the size and shape of a soda can. It’s also one of the single most satisfying, entertaining and well thought-out products I have tested in a good long time. It is called the Nebula Capsule Max, from Anker.

The Capsule Max is a true high definition DLP projector with 720p resolution, capable of putting up a sharp, colorful image 100 inches in size. It has built-in Wi-fi and apps for streaming, an HDMI input and a USB input. The USB input makes it perfect for your work pictures and videos since you can just put them on a flash drive and plug them in to the Capsule Max for playback.

The Capsule Max has a builtin battery that can power it between 11/2 and 4 hours, depending on the selected brightness. Use it plugged in for maximum brightness without a time limitation. It can also work as a Bluetooth audio speaker.

Put it down and turn it on and the Capsule Max automatically focuses and applies keystone correction so you have a perfect image without effort. Even from a tactile standpoint, the Capsule Max has the solid, flawless quality one associates with high-end electronics.

I recently took the Capsule Max on a trip. When I settled in for the evening I put it on a chair away from the wall, booted it up and connected it to the hotel Wifi. I then used the included remote to log in to Hulu and Amazon Prime, dimmed the lights and enjoyed some of my favorite television shows and movies projected to home theater size. Even in the large hotel room the sound from the Capsule Max was clear and full, adding greatly to the viewing experience. What fun, and what a great way to end the day!

The Nebula Capsule Max sells for $469. That’s a full $200 more than the Zenbeam E1, but I believe it is money well spent. The ability to use it with a USB flash drive to do your presentations is a convenience you will really appreciate in the long run, and that alone makes it worth the upgrade. Add in the better picture quality, Wi-fi and apps, automatic focusing and keystone correction and superior sound and you have an unbeatable package that excels at both work and play. Go to seenebula.com.