A new premium projector enters the stage: the Dangbei S7 Ultra Pro promises razor-sharp 4K projections with optical zoom, a smart operating system and powerful light output. Of interest to home cinema fans, technology fans and gamers alike: we take a look at whether the data delivers what it promises – and what advantages and disadvantages still need to be considered.
Highlights
- Bright image with up to 4,500 CVIA lumens (no ANSI value)
- Optical zoom with variable projection distance from 0.98 to 1.6:1
- Supports HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
- Quiet cooling system (24 dB) with dynamic contrast ratio up to 65,000:1
Key technical data & light output
The IT Home website reports on a new, exciting projector. The Dangbei S7 Ultra Pro projects in native 4K (4096 × 2160 pixels) and delivers up to 4,500 CVIA lumens brightness according to the manufacturer. These are not ANSI lumens, which should be taken into account when comparing with competitor models. The device is currently available in China for around 1,940 euros.
The projection ratio can be adjusted between 0.98 and 1.6:1. However, the projector is not an ultra-short throw, so a wall or ceiling construction will often be useful. For a screen diagonal of 100 inches, a distance of around 3.3 meters to the projection surface is required. According to the manufacturer, a maximum of 300 inches can be achieved.
Dangbei specifies a native contrast ratio of 8,000:1, which can be increased internally to up to 65,000:1 using dynamic light control. The projector also supports HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for more dynamic images. A key feature is the optical zoom lens (0.98-1.6:1). This allows the projection size to be flexibly adjusted without having to resort to digital scaling – an advantage over many models that only offer digital zoom.
According to other sources, the projector uses a so-called Master Gold Ring lens and an eight-layer light scattering module, which should help to minimize laser interference (e.g. speckle). Dangbei also advertises a cinema-oriented polarized light technology approach, which is intended to improve the light yield.
Smart functions, system & control
The S7 Ultra Pro integrates a smart system so that no external player is required. The operating system allows streaming services, supports voice commands and gesture control – typical user convenience features of modern home cinema projectors. An interesting innovation compared to previous models is the use of liquid cooling, which, according to the manufacturer, enables more efficient heat dissipation while limiting noise to around 24 dB.
This quiet operation is particularly relevant in home cinema use so that the noise of the projector fan does not become a distraction. Even if the technical data looks promising, it is important to set realistic expectations: The specification in CVIA lumens is not an industry-wide standardized unit of measurement, which makes direct comparability to ANSI or ISO values difficult. The projector is not a UST model, i.e. appropriate distances are required for large projections and careful positioning is essential.
Conclusion
The Dangbei S7 Ultra Pro presents itself as a technically ambitious 4K projector with optical zoom, smooth cooling and a smart system that integrates common streaming services. The combination of up to 4,500 CVIA lumens, flexible projection ratio and HDR support makes it an exciting option for home cinema enthusiasts, provided their expectations are realistic. It is currently listed in China for just under EUR 1,940 – it remains to be seen if and when it will come to the European market. However, if you are looking for alternatives, you will find recommended alternatives from Dangbei on Amazon.
Pictures: IT-Home
