STACK #245 March 2025

TECH REVIEW

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The Capsule Air has the advantage here – designed for free-range use with a rechargeable battery that’s good for up to two-hours in eco mode, and around 1.5 hours in standard. That’s enough time for a couple of episodes or a movie that isn’t an epic. We got just over two hours before needing to plug in. Picture quality Firstly, we love the simple one-touch autofocus and picture alignment (keystone) button. Some projectors can require a bit of fiddling to get both just right, but this little unit does it all for you in a flash. When it comes to portable projectors, image quality can be hit and miss, but the Nebula Capsule Air delivers where it counts. With an HD resolution of 720p, it’s not quite Full HD, but the picture looks sharp and colourful when projected at a small to medium screen size of around 50 inches. FHD 1080p source content is downscaled to 720p, and screen size can be expanded up to 100 inches in a completely dark room, with minimal loss of colour and sharpness. Brightness, at 150 ANSI lumens, is sufficient for outdoor use at night and indoors with some ambient light, but brightly lit rooms should be avoided. The Capsule Air is perfect for casual viewing, and a 100-inch screen is pretty impressive from a projector of this size.

REVIEW

The ultra-compact Nebula Capsule Air delivers all the basic features you need in a portable projector, and with inbuilt Google TV and a rechargeable battery, this little beamer is ready to entertain you anywhere. Words Scott Hocking NEBULA CAPSULE AIR PORTABLE PROJECTOR

Out of the box Our first impression was, “Wow, it’s small!” Indeed, the Nebula Capsule Air is about the size of a soft drink can, with a stylish matte finish and a solid build that’s perfectly portable. It slips easily into a bag or big jacket pocket, so you’re ready for movie nights and binge-watching anywhere. A magnetic snap on base is included, with a hook for easy wall mounting and a screw for tripod connection at the bottom.

Big sound One of the surprising aspects of the Capsule Air is the sound quality. Many portables struggle to output decent audio, but this one has loud and punchy sound that belies its size. The inbuilt 5W speakers deliver clear audio with decent bass that’s ideal for a small room or impromptu movie night. Plus, you can always connect an external Bluetooth speaker if you want to pump things up. And speaking of Bluetooth speakers, the Nebula Capsule Air can double as one when it’s not projecting. The bottom line If you’re looking for a portable projector that’s simple to set up, has all the basic features, plus Google TV inbuilt for all your streaming needs, the Nebula Capsule Air is a terrific choice for on the-go entertainment at an affordable price.

long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, you can stream away directly from the projector. A Google TV remote is included for easy control and “Hey Google’ voice operation, with dedicated Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video buttons. There is also the flexibility to connect external devices like a laptop, Blu-ray player, or gaming console via the HDMI port at the rear. And the projector can be easily paired with a phone, too, for screen mirroring when flipping through a photo or video gallery with friends. Built-in battery Many portable projectors tout their portability but offer tethered AC power only, which is fine for indoor or backyard use, but not for camping and remote areas.

Hey, Google TV The projector connects to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and all you need to do during set up is create a Google account or log in to an existing one to enable the Google TV operating system, where you can access a plethora of streaming apps and easily add and manage your favourites. As

40 MARCH 2025

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