Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector Review: I Wish More Projectors Had Roku Built-In

Late final 12 months, Roku despatched me a evaluation pattern of the Aurzen Eazze D1R Dice ($180), its first Roku-powered projector. I requested for that mannequin over the newer (and $50 cheaper) Aurzen Eazze D1R Roku TV Projector as a result of the D1R Dice is a bit brighter, and in relation to projectors, brightness is vital. Whereas its image and sound fall a bit wanting costlier pico projectors, it did exceed my expectations for its modest value.

Learn extra: Finest Transportable Projector for Films and Gaming Wherever in 2026

Transportable however no battery

If you have not heard of Aurzen, that is not shocking on condition that it is one in every of many budget-friendly Chinese language projector manufacturers which have proliferated on Amazon. Based on Google’s AI search outcomes, Aurzen is “a comparatively new however well-received participant within the entry-level market.”

The very first thing to learn about Aurzen Roku projectors is that they do not have rechargeable batteries and have to be plugged in — a part of the explanation they’re so reasonably priced. On the plus aspect, the ability wire is straightforward and would not require a cumbersome energy brick.

Enlarge Picture

Each the Aurzen D1R and D1R Dice are single-chip LCD projectors with sealed optical engines, a pleasant characteristic (no mud spots to scrub off) that is changing into extra frequent in entry-level fashions. The taller, narrower 4-pound D1R Dice has a brightness score of 330 ANSI lumens, whereas the shorter, wider D1R is rated at 280 ANSI lumens. Each can be thought-about pretty dim by projector requirements, however par for the course for price range projectors. 

The projectors do supply native 1080p decision (1,920×1,080 pixels) and are straightforward to arrange, although you will want a Roku account to make use of them and should have to preserve an extension wire readily available, relying on placement. Every has a threaded tripod mount, which may give you extra versatile projection choices, they usually even have autofocus and auto keystone correction to make sure your video is displayed correctly, with no odd shapes or blurred pictures. There are guide focus settings for fine-tuning as effectively. I put the D1R Dice on a tripod and positioned it on a small aspect desk to get the picture excessive sufficient (you might additionally put it on a espresso desk and use the retractable foot to tilt the projector up at a slight angle).

I think most individuals simply challenge on a wall or a type of cheaper stretched cloth screens for outside viewing. Nevertheless, since I’ve a 110-inch Stewart display for my Epson Residence Cinema 5050UB reference projector (2,600 ANSI lumens), I used that, which helped enhance the Aurzen’s distinction and total picture high quality. 

The Aurzen D1R Dice is fairly rudimentary by fanatic requirements, nevertheless it will get the job executed for informal viewing, significantly in a darkened room. The projector additionally will get a lift from Roku, which is arguably affords the perfect interface amongst media streaming platforms.

Connections and app help

Up to now, I’ve primarily examined Google TV pico projectors (and several other earlier fashions that ran Android TV, which did not help a Netflix app). Fact be advised, one purpose I am a fan of Roku is that it has the Spectrum cable app, whereas Google TV-powered projectors and TVs do not. When you’re a YouTube TV subscriber, utilizing a Google TV projector is not a problem both, since Roku additionally has a YouTube TV app, together with most different well-liked streaming providers.

Ideally, it is higher to run apps straight from the projector, but when that you must, you should utilize your cellphone, pill or laptop computer to forged to the projector through Wi-Fi. The DR1 Dice and D1R help each MiraCast for Android gadgets and AirPlay for Apple gadgets to reflect what’s on a cellphone or pill. 

It’s also possible to join a thumb drive or exterior solid-state drive to the USB-A port on the again of the projector to stream recordsdata from the drive and use the Roku media participant to play these recordsdata. (It was capable of learn most, however not all, of the video file codecs I had on the drive, together with MKV recordsdata.) At first, I could not work out the right way to get to the drive enter, however found you’ll be able to entry it from the Roku media participant. For navigation between the assorted menus, the projector comes with a Roku distant that can be acquainted to anybody who’s used a Roku machine earlier than. Even when you have not, it is an intuitive structure that will not take lengthy to grasp.

There’s an HDMI port if you wish to join a Blu-ray participant, recreation console, laptop computer or one other streaming machine, however I did not attempt to play any bodily media like a UHD disc because the projector will not present it in its finest mild. Although you may have the ability to get a barely higher picture (it accepts 4K video however downscales to 1080p), there would not look like any help for HDR, simply SDR, which jibes with its meager mild output.    

The projector has six image settings, with some means to make guide changes to distinction, brightness, shade, tone and sharpness. The Roku Good Image setting might be the best choice for most individuals. It auto-adjusts the mode for no matter you are watching, and it ended up being near Cinema mode (after I was watching a film), with essentially the most accurate-looking colours. You can also make some tweaks to the brightness setting for extra shadow element, however like many of those price range projectors, this one performs finest with brighter materials and is not pretty much as good with darker scenes (its black ranges are OK however not a powerful level).

The advertising and marketing supplies for each projectors say you’ll be able to challenge a picture as much as 200 inches, however simply because you’ll be able to doesn’t suggest you need to. In actuality, you will need to keep within the 55- to 65-inch vary, or the picture will look too washed out. As it’s, the picture is a tad comfortable in contrast with what chances are you’ll be used to on a big-screen TV. That mentioned, the picture high quality was definitely acceptable and higher than I anticipated given the value.

Its sound is OK, too. The projector is provided with two 5-watt audio system, and whereas there is not all that a lot bass, the midrange, the place dialog lives, sounded respectable. I caught with the Theater mode for sound, which widened the sound stage a bit. The projector does have a Bluetooth connection, so you might hyperlink it to a bigger Bluetooth speaker or soundbar for higher audio. However most individuals in all probability will not hassle with that.

Whereas I used to be fairly completely satisfied watching TV and streaming movies with it, I would not advocate this projector for gaming as a result of there was some considerable enter lag. 

Aurzen DR1 Dice ultimate ideas

Over time, I’ve examined a number of sub-$500 Anker Nebula pico projectors, in addition to a couple of Xgimi fashions. One large distinction with these projectors is that they’ve built-in batteries, permitting you to position them wherever with out worrying about plugging them into an influence supply (although they sometimes supply solely round two hours of battery life).

The Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air, one in every of our present favourite transportable projectors and a CNET Editors’ Alternative winner, is brighter than this Aurzen, with a 400 lumens score and has barely higher image sound high quality, too. (I’ve tried it, however CNET contributor and home-theater guru Geoff Morrison reviewed it.) Nevertheless, it prices nearer to $500. (Notice that with all these projectors you need to take their acknowledged brightness scores with a grain of salt, as they usually measure out at decrease ranges, significantly in relation to sure image modes). 

From what I’ve seen on this value vary — and there’s a lot on the market throughout the $130 to $200 vary — the Aurzen Eazze DR1 Dice Roku TV sensible projector stacks up effectively from an image and sound standpoint. However what in the end provides it an edge is the Roku platform.

Whether or not you need to get the DR1 Dice or the $50 cheaper DR1 is a tough selection. Whereas I have not examined the $130 DR1 at residence, I’ve seen it in motion, and its image is not fairly as vibrant as DR1 Dice’s, nevertheless it’s not an enormous step down, and you might put the $50 towards a display for a yard film evening.