We tested: Wanbo X5 Pro projector – dream or nightmare?

I tried the Wanbo X5 Pro projector, which promises a cheap cinema experience, let's see if it's true!

Watch my video presentation too!

Introductory

Recently, a projector landed on my desk that I didn't expect to see at all. The thing is, it's not this year's model, but last year's (although there is no restyled or other successor model), which is the improved version of the one before last year, the 2024 version, in many ways. I was waiting to test it last year, but somehow it didn't come out, although other Wanbo machines arrived instead. I was a little sad because I had heard a lot of good things about the machine. And of course, some bad things, but that only increased my curiosity.

Well, about a year after the introduction, a testable device appeared, and after a little hesitation, I decided that this test would be good for two things, if nothing else. On the one hand, it would fill the gap that its absence caused in my portfolio, and on the other hand, I could satisfy my curiosity. It occurred to me that there is a third point, namely that on paper, despite being last year's device, it is still more than competitive with its (promised) 1100 ANSI lumens of brightness. So what did I have to lose, I asked for it for a test!

In this presentation (or rather test), I will not rely on dry factory promises, but will unveil the projector based on my own measurements and experiences gained after days of intensive testing. Let's see how it copes with daylight and what's the hidden surprise under the hood that I didn't expect at all. Let's get straight to the point and take a closer look at this dark blue box!

Wanbo X5 Pro – it looks really impressive from the outside!

A Wanbo X5 Pro At first glance, its box seemed surprisingly puritanical, it came in a simple, solid, dark brown cardboard package.. However, I soon realized that this was just the outer protective layer that protected the real, aesthetically designed inner box from damage during shipping.. I really appreciate this double-box solution, as it ensures that sensitive optical devices will make it safely through the journey, even from the EU warehouse.On the other hand, it is also true that it is unnecessary waste, because we look at the box until we unpack the machine, and then it is likely to be thrown in the trash.

When you open the box, you won't find an orgy of accessories. In addition to the projector, the package includes a power cord, a Bluetooth-based remote control, and the user manual.. That's it – to quote a classic from Brussels. I would say that I'm sorry that an HDMI cable didn't fit in the frame, but on the one hand it's a cheap item, and on the other hand I already have 3-4 of them in my own drawer.

You are the Wanbo X5 Pro A particularly premium-looking, elegant piece that breaks with the world of cheap, burr-filled plastic boxesIt suits him, since the price doesn't resemble cheap plastic boxes. Although the specification describes it as a dark blue color, in reality it is a deep, almost black shade, complemented by tasteful gold lettering and details.. The front is covered in a glossy, piano-black panel that gives it a modern and clean look, although it does tend to collect dust and fingerprints.. The physical dimensions of the device are 252 mm × 246 mm × 115 mm and its net weight is 2,68 kilograms, meaning it is a massive but still pleasantly portable category that can be placed on a table or shelf..

The front panel houses a large, all-glass lens system, next to which a tiny camera is hidden - this sensor is responsible for various automatic image settings.. The only serious design flaw I can't ignore is the lack of a lens cap.. I would say that this surprised me, but at Wanbo, cap-free is almost a tradition, so During everyday use, the lens remains unprotected against dust, so regular cleaning will be inevitable in the long run.. The top and sides of the device are free of unnecessary buttons, only on the back, next to the connectors, we find a single physical power button and an indicator LED, all other controls must be performed with the remote control..

The range of connectors is located on the back in an easily accessible block, so you don't have to worry about cable chaos.. Here we find an HDMI 2.0 input, two USB 2.0 ports for external storage devices, a 3,5 mm AUX audio output for external sound systems or headphones, and the direct power connector.. I'm especially glad that the power supply is built into the machine, so we don't have to lug around a heavy and bulky external adapter on the floor, and the power cord can be easily replaced or extended if necessary..

There are four anti-slip rubber pads on the bottom of the device that keep the machine stable on smooth surfaces.. If we remove these rubbers, we find standard mounting points that allow the machine to be mounted on a ceiling bracket.. There is also a standard quarter-inch tripod thread in the center of the chassis, which allows the projector to be attached to traditional photographic tripods.. Wanbo engineers have also placed a built-in, foldable plastic foot on the bottom, which theoretically allows us to give the projection a 7-degree tilt angle, but in practice this foot is too low, so during the test I quickly had to resort to a thicker book to properly raise the projection angle..

A Wanbo X5 Pro The side design contains another extremely useful mechanism: on the left side, when viewed from the front, there is a plastic frame that can be snapped off with a single movement.. Behind this is the increased efficiency, replaceable and cleanable dust filter mesh, through which the cooling system draws in fresh air.. This solution prevents dust particles from entering the sensitive internal LCD panel and causing black spots or premature brightness loss..

Specifications and technical data

A Wanbo X5 Pro Its data sheet is particularly impressive for its category. The display is based on an LCD display, complemented by a multi-layered clear glass lens with high light transmission.. This optical design guarantees that the light beam reaches the projection surface with minimal loss and avoids the loss of focus due to heating experienced with cheaper, plastic lens machines.. The maximum declared by the manufacturer fényerő 1100 ANSI lumens, which positions the machine in the upper-mid-range of home LED projectors. The theoretical lifespan of the LED module used as a light source exceeds 20,000 operating hours, which guarantees operation for many years even with several hours of daily use..

The projector's native resolution is Full HD, i.e. 1920 × 1080 pixels, but it has full 4K decoding support, so it can receive high-resolution online streamed content and display it in hardware without any lag.. The static contrast ratio is rated at 3000:1, and the supported aspect ratio can be flexibly adjusted between 16:9 and 4:3.. The size of the image that can be displayed can vary extremely widely, from 40 to 140 inches (approximately 101 to 355 centimeters), while the required distance for this varies from 1,1 to 3,9 meters.. According to the manufacturer's recommendation, for the perfect cinema experience and to achieve the huge 120-inch screen, you need to be exactly 3,3 meters away from the wall or projection screen..

The hardware is based on a dual architecture, which is a real rarity on the market.. The low-level functions are controlled by a MediaTek MTK9269 chipset, which contains four power-efficient Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1,5 GHz.. This is solely responsible for image correction, autofocus, and basic hardware settings.. The smart system is powered by a dedicated Amlogic S905Y4 processor, which uses four Cortex-A35 cores running at 2,0 GHz and a Mali-G31 graphics controller.. This is accompanied by 2 GB of system memory (RAM) and 16 GB of built-in flash storage, leaving approximately 12 GB of free space for your own applications after trimming the factory system..

Wireless communication is provided by the Dual-Band WiFi module, which supports both 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, and the Bluetooth 5.0 standard allows for the connection of accessories and sound systems.. The audio experience is provided by the renewed, built-in stereo sound system, which consists of two 6-watt (total 12-watt) HiFi speakers.. These are housed in a large 375 cubic centimeter acoustic chamber and are supported by advanced DSP audio processing, so they are capable of reproducing bass tones down to 50 Hz.. Last but not least, the noise level of the renewed cooling system is extremely low, according to the manufacturer's data, at a maximum of 26 dB, while the maximum power consumption of the device from the wall socket is only around 115-122 watts..

Software and control

A Wanbo X5 Pro Its software side is one of its biggest advantages, as it is a full-fledged, officially licensed Google TV It runs on an operating system based on Android 11.. Having an official license is key: this guarantees Widevine L1 certification, thanks to which Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video run natively, in full Full HD quality, pin-sharp and smooth (native 1080p). We don't have to bother with external smart devices or semi-legal, hacked applications, the system is ready to operate right out of the box..

While reading online reviews, I came across a surprising hardware feature. A Wanbo X5 Pro inside, it is actually a physically completely separate 4K display with a standard HDMI connector and mini USB power supply. Google TV stick is found, which is factory-installed in an internal HDMI socket. This modular structure is strange, but not a bad solution at all, because if the software becomes outdated in a few years, the hardware can simply be replaced with a more modern version after disassembling the machine.. And if the projector itself breaks down over the years, by pulling out the stick, we get a fully functional smart TV smart device that we can connect to any monitor or TV..

A Google TVI've written about it many times. I love it. The Its user interface is extremely clean, logical and has a comprehensive menu system in Hungarian.. On the main screen, in addition to the applications you can download, you will find intelligent content recommendations and the option to create several different user profiles.. This is especially practical if you want to set up a limited, safe interface for children, separated from adult content.. Navigation and scrolling through menus is particularly snappy thanks to the 2 GB RAM, there are no annoying freezes, and the machine also handles switching between applications smoothly.. You can also download thousands of optimized apps, media players (such as VLC or Plex), and simpler Android games from the Google Play Store..

The machine is controlled with a simple, matte black remote control that communicates with the machine using Bluetooth technology, so you don't have to point it directly at the projector.. The remote control features dedicated quick launch buttons for the most popular streaming platforms, a profile switcher button, and a microphone button for Google Assistant voice search.. Voice search works surprisingly accurately in Hungarian as well. Just say the search term and the system will immediately bring up the results.. However, I have to note two small negatives: the remote control buttons are unfortunately not backlit, which requires some initial groping in a darkened cinema room, and they omitted the two AAA batteries required for operation from the packaging.. Oh my…

The software also includes the highly advanced, real-time ASA 3.0 image correction algorithm, which analyzes the image from the front camera and makes the most difficult adjustments completely automatically.. Automatic image focus adjustment ( is available from the smart menu)focus), automatic keystone correction, automatic screen alignment, and intelligent obstacle avoidance. If there is a picture frame or a hanging object on the wall, the system resizes and shifts the image so that it falls on the free surface. Of course, advanced users also have full manual control: with the dedicated buttons on the remote control, we can fine-tune the focus to the tenth of a second, or with the four-point manual keystone correction from the menu, we can distort the corners as desired if the camera is not projecting completely straight ahead..

The “Ambient Wall” mode included in the software deserves special mention.. This function comes in handy when you're not watching a movie, but want to create some kind of atmospheric visual background in the room.. You can choose from the “spiritual massage” mode that projects calming, meditative and relaxing images, the “help with sleep” mode that provides relaxing lights, or the “companion time” option that provides a pleasant design background for friendly conversations.. This software attention creates a unique and friendly atmosphere in our homes.

Practical experience

I started testing in a completely darkened, ideal environment, as this is where the true cinematic experience is best revealed.. A Wanbo X5 Pro After switching on, the ASA 3.0 system immediately started working and shot the pin-sharp image onto my gray screen in almost no time.. My first and most important observation was the surprising quietness of the cooling fan, the machine is almost barely audible while operating, which is a huge red flag for me.. The installationThe performance of the 2 × 6 watt speakers was also a pleasant disappointment, thanks to the 375 cubic centimeter sound chamber, the sound is full, clear, and surprisingly rich in bass, so it can fill an average room with life even without an external sound system..

In terms of projection image quality, thanks to the glass lens, the design is sharp in the center and at the edges, and letters, inscriptions and small details remain clearly legible.. The colors are vivid, vibrant and natural, making animated movies or nature films shine brightly on the display.. The contrast ratio is excellent, although due to the specifics of LCD technology, this machine is not capable of displaying perfect, pitch-black images: in complete darkness, the dark black parts appear more like a deep dark gray, which is completely normal in this price range.. According to my measurements, the real, projected fényerő in standard mode it is around 730 ANSI lumens, which is below the 1100 promised by the marketers, but with my own fine-tuned user settings I managed to increase the performance up to 747 ANSI lumens, which still results in an exceptionally bright image.

When testing hardware flexibility, I also connected external storage devices to the USB ports.. The machine officially supports FAT32 and FAT64 (exFAT) file systems, and it recognized them during my test.

What disappointed me (again) were the automatic functions. The image sharpness is fine, the autofocus is okay, but the obstacle avoidance only worked randomly, and the automatic keystone correction/screen alignment is not smooth either. As always, I recommend that you make these settings manually, unless you drastically change the location of the projector later, then you will need to make fine adjustments at most. If the projector is mounted in a fixed location, say on the ceiling, it will be enough to shoot everything exactly once.

Finally, I must mention an anomaly. Mwith the built-in Google TV stick and the projector motherboard form two separate hardware units, Bluetooth devices connected to the stick will not work and will not transmit audio if we switch to the external HDMI input (for example, a game console). If we look at the image of the console, we need to connect our headset directly to the console or controller, not to the projector software.

The image quality, or rather the brightness, was more of a disappointment for me (and again). As usual, I measured brightness (LUX), I also measured ANSI Lumen. Before I tell you the results, the usual HowTo, i.e. how do I measure brightness?

How do I measure ANSI Lumen?

From the LUX value, you can calculate Lumen by knowing the size of the illuminated area. ANSI Lumen is a weighted value. I divide the image into 9 parts and measure the LUX value in the middle of each part. I add the values ​​measured at 9 measurement points and divide by nine, that is, I calculate the average. I multiply the average value obtained by the size of the projected image, which should be used in square meters. The result obtained will be the ANSI Lumen. It is important to note that in laboratory conditions, the light reflected from the screen is not measured, but rather the light arriving at the screen, but a screen with standard values ​​is used for this. I don't have one, and you won't have one either, so for the sake of accurate comparability, I measure the incoming light for each projector.

The thing is, I got sad results, but not unusually sad, but rather ones that are now in line with a trend. The LUX values ​​shown above do not reflect the factory settings, they were worse than that. By factory settings, you mean that the colors, contrast, etc. were shot normally. So, when the picture is beautiful. The LUX values ​​shown in the table are the turbocharged values, i.e. the values ​​measured with the brightness and color intensity raised to maximum. So on the one hand, the measurement is not completely realistic, and on the other hand, the picture is not beautiful. But damn, I simply did not have the nerve to post the values ​​here that resulted in 338,38 ANSI instead of the factory 1100 ANSi. No, I did not spoil the described value! The specified brightness, on the other hand, was 512,9 ANSI. So even this does not reach half of the factory data. These are deviations that are difficult to call any kind of excusable mistake.

As you can see from the table above, the difference between the factory and real data is completely normal. I looked into how I should measure it, because the large difference was suspicious, but I didn't find anything. You can see that for three of the 5 projectors in the table, only 46 percent of the factory value was real. Sad…

Image quality:

Well, compared to the brightness I measured, the image quality wasn't bad. I project almost from the center, so there's no blurring towards the corners or edges. However, the brightness uniformity is a bit problematic, when viewed from the front, the left side is already darker than the right side, and it's clearly darker in the middle of the image, but this is a matter of technology. Of course, there's also a loss of light towards the edges.

Finally, one more important thing, although this didn't cause any problems for me during the test.

Wanbo has used a completely closed projection system for many years. In practice, this meant that no dust could get to the LCD, so it did not need to be cleaned. The Wanbo X5 and X5 Pro projectors use a different system, which is why a dust filter insert is required in the machine. Dust, even if only in small quantities, can get into the system, so the machine may need to be blown out from time to time.

Conclusion: Is the Wanbo X5 Pro worth the money?

A Wanbo X5 Pro After testing it, I can say that the manufacturer has managed to put a lovable device on the table.. It's not a flawless miracle weapon (I think this is evident from my measurements), but considering the price tag of approximately 110,000 forints, the range of services provided is impressive.. The built-in smart system with official streaming licenses and the modular, repairable internal structure provide long-term security that makes it almost unique in its category..

The device's greatest asset is the combination of surprisingly quiet operation and a full, dynamic factory sound system that is much better than expected based on its capabilities, allowing for immediate, plug-and-play use without having to bother with external cables or speakers.. Although the real fényerő Although it falls significantly short of the exaggerated numbers given in the factory specifications, the performance in a darkened room is still vibrant, contrasting and detailed, providing a great cinematic experience for the family.

Of course, before purchasing, you should also consider the practical limitations. The lack of a lens cap requires attention due to dust accumulation, and it is also worth considering that the projector should be oriented as close to the screen as possible, because this way the image will be as sharp as possible. The software's minor Bluetooth glitches and audio separation when switching HDMI sources are also compromises that can be lived with and don't fundamentally make everyday use impossible..

Overall, the Wanbo X5 Pro perfect choice for families and movie lovers who want to create a huge cinema with a screen size of up to 135 inches in their living room next to their existing television, but don't want to spend a fortune on more serious laser systems. If we handle the device properly and provide it with the proper dimming, it will become an indispensable, reliable center for family movie nights and game nights with friends..

If you can do it with the projector, then the BG83e3c0 coupon code 89 970 forintYou can order it at a reasonable price from the EU warehouse by clicking on the link below:

Wanbo X5 Pro projector

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Questions and answers

1. What operating system does the Wanbo X5 Pro projector run? The device runs an officially licensed Google TV system, which is based on Android 11 and has a full Hungarian-language menu..

2. Does Wanbo X5 Pro support Netflix in high definition? Yes, thanks to the Widevine L1 certification, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video are officially available in the best Full HD quality..

3. What resolution does the Wanbo X5 Pro have? The projector has a native resolution of Full HD (1920 × 1080 pixels), but also provides full online 4K video decoding support.

4. Does its brightness really reach 1100 ANSI lumens? According to the factory specification, it has 1100 ANSI lumens, but based on practical measurements, its real output in standard mode is approximately 730-747 ANSI lumens..

5. Can I play games using Wanbo X5 Pro? Yes, it supports 1080p 120Hz via HDMI, and with Game Mode enabled and keystone correction disabled, latency drops to an excellent 30ms..

6. Does the Wanbo X5 Pro have a built-in battery? No, the device does not have a built-in battery, it requires continuous mains power supply with the included power cable to operate..

7. Can the Wanbo X5 Pro's internal smart system be replaced or upgraded? Yes, there is a physically removable Google TV stick with a standard HDMI connector inside the projector, making it easy to repair or upgrade hardware later..

8. Do I need external speakers for the Wanbo X5 Pro? Not necessarily, because the built-in 2 × 6 watt HiFi stereo speakers sound surprisingly full and loud thanks to the DSP processor and large acoustic chamber..

9. How loud is the Wanbo X5 Pro cooling while operating? The renewed cooling system is extremely quiet, with a noise level of only around 26 dB, so it won't disturb your movie watching at all..

10. How big an image can the Wanbo X5 Pro project? The projected image size can be adjusted between 40 and 140 inches, with the ideal upper limit being around 135 inches while maintaining focus and sharpness..