When LUMOS started their business in 2020 selling their first projector model, AURO, it generated a lot of buzz in Singapore because the price of below S$300 was unbelievable. I also reviewed the LUMOS AURO then and found little fault at the price point. It enables home owners a low entry-point to enjoy home cinema experience.
After four years, LUMOS has released a successor model – AURO V2. They sent me the smart projector version retailing at S$498, with the following feature improvements from V1:
- product officially certified by Netflix and YouTube. The apps run faster, up-to-date, and reduce lag.
- built-in phone mirroring that connects faster with iOS and Android
- newer smart interface that runs faster and smoother
- new auto keystone correction, auto-focus, auto obstacle adjustments
- dual speakers with subwoofer for louder powerful sound
- lighter – 2kg vs. 3kg
- takes up less surface area
Check out this video from LUMOS where they benchmark against V1 and V2. They have no qualms to roast their pioneer product. LOL!
There is one HDMI 1.4 port, USB 2.0 data port, USB 5V output, headphone jack. While the ports are far fewer than the first AURO, it is far more convenient to watch content via Wi-Fi than connecting via wires.
At the base of the projector, there is a passive radiator subwoofer, and a standard tripod screw mount. The full-range speakers are located at the sides to provide a wider sound experience, powered by Dolby Audio. If you do not have a tripod, you can consider topping up S$55 for the RIZE projector stand to put the AURO V2.
There is also an adjustable screw feet to tilt the projector, but it does not have a limiter, so if you over-screw, it will drop out.
Once I turn on the projector, it goes through a guided setup to connect to the Wi-Fi. Once that is done, it will display the home page that contains trending thumbnails of Netflix and YouTube programs.
Logging in to the streaming platforms is a breeze, as the apps let you sign in via mobile.
Just like what LUMOS claims, the streaming apps load quite fast and are very responsive when selecting content. It is also easy to make adjustments to the image mode and sound mode by pressing the “settings” button on the Bluetooth remote control. I can also quickly adjust keystone and focus while content is played on-screen.
On the remote, there are two buttons to adjust focus, and the focusing is rather fast. There is a calibrator appearing on-screen to help you adjust focus manually.
Out of the box, the AURO V2 will automatically refocus when you move the projector, as well as auto keystone, but I find it rather annoying. Also, due to my room layout with obstacles on the wall, the projector sometimes could not adjust the keystone correctly – even though the auto adjustment is quite fast. For that, I would prefer to disable the auto adjustment and do manual adjustment.
What I found out is that the AURO V2 is actually over-spec. On paper, the minimum focus distance is 1.5 metre, but I can achieve as close as 1.27 m (50-inch) which translates to about 42-inch display size. The size is quite similar to the Epson EB-W12, my current home projector.
Similarly, while the keystone correction on paper is up to 15-degrees, I am able to do manual keystone adjustment even at a rather steep angle. I find the manual adjustment very easy to use and allows me to achieve the desired keystone correction in my room setting. It is far easier than on LUMOS AURO or LUMOS ATOM.
The casting function is also easier to activate. Just click the “Cast” app and you can choose from one of the three casting options. Miracast works with Windows (WIN + P) and Samsung Smart Connect, but Pixel phones do not have such luck. MagicCast also works with iOS devices easily. DLNA mode is useful for connecting NAS network video streaming app.
Exploring the “Setting” page, there are a handful of options available to improve the operations. For picture settings, it is possible to fine tune each of the mode, like brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness, noise, and colour temperature.
For audio, there is no option to finetune the treble and bass, but switching among the modes is so convenient, I would quickly try out the modes while watching the content to see which is the best mode to bring out the best audio experience. The speakers are powerful and loud, with ample bass to achieve the cinematic boom. They deliver enough punch and volume for enjoyment and it saves the hassle of connecting external speakers.
Finally, for turning off the projector, there is a timed shutdown option that you can use if you are planning to project calming scenes to put you in the mood for bed.
Verdict
The most satisfying aspect of reviewing good products is the enjoy the experience during the test. The LUMOS AURO V2 gets all the right ticks for me, finally. The built-in smart apps with officially-certified Netflix and YouTube make it seamless to enjoy streaming content without the need to connect to computers. Even if I need to, the wireless cast function makes it a breeze to connect. The keystone feature is one of my top-most must-haves on a projector, and the AURO V2 makes manual adjustment very easy. Similarly, auto-focus is fast, but manual focus is also easily adjusted through the remote control. And then there are the speakers with passive radiator subwoofer, producing good-enough impact to enjoy videos without the need to plug external speakers.
If you are currently using the first-gen AURO for many years, you must get the V2 and enjoy the ease of operating the latest budget projector. Visit the official page and upgrade your home movie experience for less than S$500!!!
