For a new, unknown brand to come out of nowhere and create a ripple in an overcrowded market where a plethora of brands are already battling it out is no mean feat. But Lumio managed to do just that when it made its debut with new smart TV models it launched a few months ago. And now, the Bangalore-based startup is trying to do the same in the projector segment, with its Arc 7 and Arc 5 models. These are smart projectors that run Google TV and promise to immerse you in a movie theatre-like experience at the touch of a button. I’ve been living with the Arc 7 as my primary source of entertainment for a few weeks now, so let me share how the experience has been so far. In a nutshell though, I think using and appreciating this device requires a mindset shift. Let me explain.
A matte black, boxy-looking device, with a large lens and a mesh grille up front and a single button on top, is how I’d describe the Arc 7. The device features a minimalist vertical tower design that can blend in with any decor. It’s not too big and weighs approximately 2.4 kg, making it portable enough to move around from one room to another without difficulty. It’s not truly portable, though, since it doesn’t have an in-built battery and needs to be plugged into a power socket. A built-in carry handle would’ve also been useful, I think.
Lumio bundles a large power adapter, which plugs into a barrel-type port at the rear of the device. The other ports at the back include an HDMI (which is Arc-enabled), a USB Type-A for plugging in flash drives, and a 3.5mm audio out. There’s a tripod mount at the bottom. Alongside, there’s also a flip-open stand at the bottom that helps prop up the device at an angle so it can project upwards. The label on the stand reads ‘Under stand’, which is an apt name since it’s literally a stand that’s located under the projector. This naming scheme is what I’d call “D2-approved”, but I’ll forgive you if you have no idea what I’m talking about.
Features and key specs: respectable
Before I get into how well it works, here’s a TL;DR of its key features:- Full HD (1080p) with HDR10
- 400 ANSI lumens brightness
- 2 x 8W stereo speakers built in, with Dolby Audio support
- Up to 100-inch projection size
- Auto keystone, obstacle avoidance and autofocus using a ToF sensor
- Google TV and Netflix-certified
- Bluetooth 5.1 and dual-band Wi-Fi
- MTK 9630 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage
- Made in India, with adherence to Indian conditions (involving dust, humidity, voltage fluctuations etc)
Usage and performance: smooth
Fire it up, and it throws up a large, bright image on the facing surface — a plain white wall is ideal. The Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor kicks in on its own to correct keystone automatically and focuses the image too. Thanks to Google TV, setup is simple, and very soon, the familiar interface pops up.
The bundled remote has dedicated keys for Netflix and YouTube, along with a TLDR button that presents curated content, mainly comprising sports and music. The key layout on the remote is simple and easy to get used to, but there’s no mute button and I’d have preferred the volume keys to be placed below the navigation controls. There is, however, an autofocus button and also a settings button that gives access to device settings.
While the auto keystone function works reasonably well in a dark room, you’d find yourself digging into settings more often to use manual image correction if there’s some ambient light in the room. The auto keystone function kicks in automatically on boot and also when you move the projector. A few days into my review, I turned off automatic image correction on movement, mainly because it interrupts playback each time the device is moved, even a tiny bit. And later, after I had found a nice spot to place the projector by the side of the bed, I turned off auto adjustment at boot too, mainly to avoid having to manually adjust the projected image each time I use the projector. Maybe Lumio can figure out a way to save settings as custom presets in future models
More importantly, the Lumio 7 delivers on the core aspects and outputs very good image quality, even though it’s limited to 1080p. You can get a 100-inch projection from a distance of about 9 feet. The 400 ANSI lumens brightness is fine for regular use, and can work in dim lighting conditions, though dark environments are ideal for the best experience. HDR support helps in delivering decent dynamic range. The sound quality is quite good too, and should suffice for most. Menu navigation is smooth, and after you let it boot and settle into the Home Screen, there’s no lag evident. The Google TV platform works like a charm, and via the Play Store, provides access to a variety of apps, games and content. Unlike many other cheaper options that generally use workarounds or sideloaded apps, the Lumio Arc 7 is Netflix-certified and delivers a seamless experience.
Verdict
Lumio has priced the Arc 7 at Rs 34,990, and there’s a more affordable option that comes in the form of the Arc 5, which is priced at Rs 19,990. The Arc 7 of course, is the more feature-rich of the two, offering higher brightness and better sound. The reason why I think a device like this needs a mindset shift is that while many will end up comparing it to a smart TV, the flexility a smart projector can offer is unmatched. You always have to the option to move it to another room, and even to a different location like a friend’s place. And most importantly, being able to get a theatre-like experience with up to a 100-inch screen size… now that’s something only a projector can do (unless you have lakhs to spend and the space to keep a TV of that size). Where the Lumio Arc 7 shines is usability, the fact that it’s made in India for Indian conditions, and is able to deliver a smooth, immersive experience… combining image and audio capabilities with the reliable Google TV platform and official Netflix support. That is really the key.
Editor’s rating: 8 / 10
Pros:
- Good image and audio quality
- Auto image adjustment
- Google TV & Netflix-certified
Cons:
- Manual image adjustment still needed
- Not truly portable
