It feels like ages since I’ve watched a movie in an actual cinema. It doesn’t seem practical anymore since movies come to streaming sites so quickly these days. We’re currently subscribed to Netflix, HBO GO, Disney+ and Amazon, which has kept us pretty content watching TV at home.

But sometimes you want a break from just watching shows on the small screen. In case you want to level up your movie nights with the family, you can always plan a movie night using a home cinema projector instead of watching on a smaller TV, smartphone, or tablet.

Last year, I tested out the LUMOS RAY, a top-of-the line cinema projector and have been using it occasionally when relatives come over. I recently got hold of the LUMOS DAWN, the brand’s most affordable home cinema projector to date and used it during a Holy Week staycation in the city, where the hotel TV only came with cable.

Using a cinema projector offers a relatively hassle-free and cinematic experience for movie buffs who may have limited space in their rooms or no Smart TV. With its minimalist design and plug and play system, the projector comes with the essential specs you need for a home theater, and you can instantly transform any room into your private cinema.

Here’s what I can share about the LUMOS DAWN home cinema projector.

Design

The LUMOS DAWN looks like a conventional projector, but is compact and light compared to the bulky projectors of the past. The color makes it stand out as well. It comes in white, not the usual black, so it looks more modern aesthetic. The interface is easy to use and accessible to everyone, even if they’re not really into hi-tech gadgets. 

Key features

It can project up to a 125-inch screen (the whole wall), with a 600p clear resolution with 1080p support resolution. The projector comes with a built-in Netflix app and access to YouTube. It can also mirror your smartphone screen wirelessly onto a wall, and comes with built-in Dolby Audio speakers, so there’s no need to attach separate speakers. Here’s a closer look at the features:

Massive 125-inches Screen

Why watch on a small screen when you can immerse yourself in a massive cinematic screen and watch on an entire wall instead? Around a 3-meter distance can project an impressive 125-inch screen. You can easily zoom in and out and adjust the screen size depending on the available space you have.

Great Visual Clarity

The LUMOS DAWN boasts of a 1080p support resolution with 600p native clear resolution, which is 80% sharper than the usual projectors in this same range. While normal portable projectors have around 1,000 lumens, the LUMOS DAWN projector has a bright 2,500 Lumens. The high brightness makes the colors more vibrant in the darkness. The video clips didn’t come out too grainy or washed out.

Built-in Netflix + YouTube

When it comes to streaming, Netflix and YouTube are said to be among the most used apps by Filipinos. Having these two apps built-in to the projector is a special feature as traditional projectors are not smart, and usually requires some other device like a laptop to be physically connected to it.  This projector has its own Android operating system which makes the projector easier to use.

You can also connect other devices with the HDMI cable or save your movie files on a USB to plug into it directly. The panel at the back has an HDMI slot, two USB slots, AV and 3.5 mm Headphone Jack. The projector is compatible with a lot of different devices including a laptop, set-top box, smartphone, headphones and USBs.

You can even connect it to your gaming consoles for a more fun and immersive experience. Having friends over? Use your Spotify for an instant Karaoke night.

Wireless Mirror Casting

The LUMOS DAWN projector allows wireless mirror casting from other smart devices. Simply open the inbuilt air screen app and connect via WiFi to mirror your Smart phone. You can use this feature to play mobile games, dance along to workout videos, scroll through TikTok, or make Zoom calls over a massive 100-inch screen while lying in bed.

Built-in Dolby Audio Speakers

Another feature of the LUMOS DAWN is that it comes with an inbuilt Dolby Audio speaker system. Small projectors aren’t really known for having the best sound quality, but this model is engineered to produce rich, strong, and immersive sound.

The cinematic surround sound is powerful enough by itself so there’s no need to attach external speakers. However, you can also attach headphones to it for a more private audio experience when you’re watching shows.

Trusted Brand

Since its launch, the LUMOS Projector series has received many satisfied reviews on its website with 5-star reviews from professional YouTubers, tech enthusiasts, and celebrities as seen in various testimonials here.

Review notes

While staying in a hotel, the only option on the TV was cable channels. Good thing I brought the projector to test out, so we could easily access Netflix and YouTube.

The LUMOS DAWN was very easy to set-up. It’s literally plug and play. You just need to connect the plug and turn it on and follow instructions. Aside from the projector, it comes with a plug, an optional HDMI cable, and a remote that uses 2 AA batteries. 

You need to have a plain blank wall to serve as your screen. While staying at a hotel, the space above the normal TV was a perfect spot, except for the supporting beam, which caused the screen not to appear straight when it was projected, so we had to make the screen smaller. In case you don’t have a plain blank wall, you can also use the ceiling as a screen.

You also need to find the right angle to set up the projector. While you can adjust the keystone from an angle to make the screen straight, it’s easier if you set it up in the middle directly in front of where you want to watch.

To watch on YouTube and Netflix, you need to connect to WiFi. Just input your Netflix username and password and you can catch up on all your favorite movies and series.

I also tested it out at home with some games and YouTube videos and my cats loved it. They usually like blocking the TV screen whenever we watch something, so I set it up in the hallway so they could have their own movie night.

It’s best to watch at night or make sure to watch in a really dark room. The screen quality was good in a hotel ecause the room came with blackout curtains, but we had to turn off all the lights for the screen to come out bright. The sound quality was also pretty decent for such a small projector. 

Verdict

In case you don’t have a Smart TV in your room or want something portable to use for movie nights for the whole family or during staycations, the LUMOS DAWN is an affordable projector model that you can consider. 

Take note that LUMOS DAWN is a home cinema model, so it is best to have the screen in complete darkness on a plain white wall to give viewers the best quality experience. The LUMOS DAWN is not recommended for educational or business use cases ex. Excel or text-filled PowerPoint. 

Pricing and availability

The LUMOS DAWN is priced at only P6,999 while the DAWN Smart is priced at P9,999 with 1-year local warranty. This is available for purchase directly from LUMOS Projector via the website www.lumosprojector.ph/dawn. The company only currently ships in Philippines and Malaysia.

Blog Giveaway: Get your own home cinema projector for FREE!

Thanks to our friends at LUMOS, Travel Up is giving away a unit of the LUMOS DAWN Home Cinema projector to one lucky reader. Here are the mechanics:

• Tag 3 FB friends and comment on Travel Up’s FB article post: “I like LUMOS DAWN because…….”
• Share this article post on your Facebook timeline with the hashtag #LUMOSHomeCinemaGiveaway and tag LUMOS FB page @lumosprojectorph

Bonus Entries:

• Like & Follow FB Page @TravelUp x 1 bonus entry
• Like & Follow LUMOS FB page @lumosprojectorph x 1 bonus entry

One eligible winner will be selected from the Facebook comments.

NOTE: Shipping is available only within the Philippines. LUMOS will ship directly to the eventual winner after we get in touch directly for your name, contact, email and delivery address.

Learn more about the projector here: https://lumosprojector.ph/dawn