Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector D1R Cube
Roku
Roku started in a stick, spread its wings to your TV, and then your soundbar… and now it wants some space on your wall.
The San Jose-based streaming specialist has taken the covers off of its first-ever smart projector: the Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector D1R Cube.
Built in partnership with Aurzen, a brand that’s been steadily building a reputation for compact and afoordable projectors in the past few years, the D1R Cube weighs just 4 pounds but packs enough punch to blast a 40 to 150-inch HD image onto whatever wall or screen you’ve got handy.
Unlike the many cheap projectors floating around Amazon, this one comes with the full Roku TV OS on board.
That means you get the same interface found on Roku-powered TVs, complete with thousands of streaming apps, Roku Originals, and more than 500 live TV channels baked in, so no side-loading Android APKs and all that nonsense to just get Netflix working.
You’ll also get Roku’s familiar remote in the box, plus the option to control things through the Roku mobile app or voice assistants including Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri.
Hardware-wise, Roku and Aurzen have kept things simple but capable. The D1R Cube runs at 1080p resolution, hits 330 ANSI lumens of brightness, and has auto-focus and auto-keystone correction, so setup shouldn’t be too complicated.
Sound comes from dual 5W speakers with Dolby Audio, though you can pair it up with Roku’s wireless speakers, soundbars, or subwoofers for a beefier setup.
Physical connections are all on board too; you’ll find HDMI, USB, and a 3.5mm jack on the D1R if you want to plug extra equipment in.
Unlike similar models from the likes of Nebula, there’s no built-in battery, so you’ll still need an outlet nearby. So it’s not exactly a campfire projector unless you’ve got a beefy power pack – although Roku states it can be used outside..
The Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector D1R Cube is available now on Amazon for $250, though a launch coupon knocks it down to $180 for a limited period.
Aurzen also sells a matching 120-inch rollable screen for $27 and a vertical stand for $47 if you want the full kit.