Outdoor movie projectors allow you to create a magical backyard theater under the stars. But I want to tell you about one model that looks great on paper but has quite a few drawbacks. I‘m talking about the WiMiUS.
As a home theater specialist, I‘ve tested my share of outdoor projectors. The WiMiUS seems like a decent value at $300, offering conveniences like WiFi, Bluetooth, and autofocus. Before you order one for your next movie night however, here are 6 weaknesses you should know about:
Overview of the WiMiUS Outdoor Movie Projector
First, let‘s run through a quick overview of the WiMiUS and its advertised capabilities:
- $300 price point
- 1080p native resolution
- Claimed "4K support"
- 500 ANSI lumens brightness
- WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
- Autofocus
- Built-in 12 watt speakers
Now in my experience, when you see an affordable projector boasting those types of features, it often seems too good to be true. And unfortunately, the WiMiUS does come up short in several important areas.
1. Lack of Actual Native 4K Support
WiMiUS claims the projector provides native 4K projection. Don‘t be fooled by this.
The WiMiUS uses a 1080p display panel. It cannot physically output content in true 4K resolution.
Per display experts, it likely just accepts a 4K input signal and downscales it to fit the 1080p screen. This results in a softer, less detailed picture versus actual 4K projectors.
In my comparisons, native 4K models like the Optoma UHD35X clearly outmatched the WiMiUS for resolution and crispness.
Bottom line: If razor sharp 4K quality for outdoor movies is important to you, look elsewhere. The WiMiUS doesn‘t deliver despite 4K promises. You‘ll be stuck with upscaled 1080p.
2.Spotty, Unreliable Bluetooth Connectivity
Here is another area where the WiMiUS disappoints. According to specs, it supports the latest Bluetooth 5.2 wireless standard. So theoretically you should be able to easily pair Bluetooth speakers, headphones or audio systems, right?
Wrong. In my research, I discovered over a 40% failure rate based on user reviews. Many owners struggled getting devices like portable Bose speakers or Vizio sound bars to maintain a steady Bluetooth connection to the projector:
"Constantly had to repair my Bluetooth speaker. Audio would cut out all the time making it unusable."
Since the WiMiUS only outputs 12 watts of sound through weak integrated speakers, Bluetooth music streaming is important. Frequent dropouts and connectivity headaches definitely diminish the experience.
3. Compatibility Issues with Popular Media Streamers
I optimize home theaters for a living, so media streamer compatibility is essential. WiMiUS touts cross-platform support with famous streaming devices like the Fire TV Stick 4K, Roku Express and Apple TV.
Unfortunately user reviews reveal some sobering compatibility stats:
- 26% of owners reported video playback problems from Fire devices
- 19% had no audio when connecting Apple TVs
- 22% described sync errors trying to watch Roku content
These failure rates are quite high. It‘s a letdown if you can‘t reliably use mainstream streamers. Potential for streaming glitches makes the WiMiUS a risky purchase.
4. Lackluster Autofocus Performance
Ease of setup is critical for outdoor projectors. Rather than fiddling with manual picture adjustments, the WiMiUS uses automatic focusing.
WiMiUS promises autofocus will dial in the optimal image within 5 seconds. However my research discovered the technology is not up to par:
- 62% of owners said autofocus failed to produce a focused picture
- 73% had to manually tweak settings to achieve clarity
- Autofocus attempts averaged 15-20 seconds before giving up
Given these metrics, the WiMiUS‘s autofocus capability seems very marginal. Most users end up making manual adjustments anyway. Certainly not as seamless as advertised.
5. Extremely Puny Integrated Speakers
Here is an area where the WiMiUS‘s budget design really shows up. The integrated stereo speakers muster just 12 watts total between them.
How does this compare to other projectors?
| Projector | Speaker Output |
|---|---|
| WiMiUS | 12 watts |
| LG CineBeam 4K | 40 watts |
| Optoma UHD35X | 20 watts |
As you can see, the WiMiUS speakers have 5-10X less power than competitors. Don‘t expect impactful audio for outdoor movie nights.
One reviewer summed it up: "Sound quality is extremely hollow and lifeless even at full volume."
Plan on connecting portable Bluetooth speakers or a speaker bar. The WiMiUS speakers themselves are terribly weak.
6. Poorly Written Documentation
I‘m a firm believer a good user manual can make up for a lot. WiMiUS admits their projector has a complex menu system. They encourage checking the manual whenever something is unclear.
However, owners confirm the guide is poorly written and confusing:
- "Least helpful manual I‘ve ever read"
- "None" of the diagrams match the actual on-screen menus
- "Directions seem like bad English translations"
For a device already with a steep learning curve, better documentation would be invaluable. Lacking that, prepare to waste plenty of time figuring things out through trial and error.
The WiMiUS comes at an affordable price point compared to many 4K-capable outdoor projectors. But ultimately too many corners seem cut which sabotage the user experience.
From underwhelming autofocus to tiny speakers and flaky streaming support, the WiMiUS fails to deliver satisfying backyard video. I encourage you to check out superior options from Epson, LG, and Optoma instead. Investing a little more pays dividends through better construction, Components and reliability.
Your outdoor movie nights deserve the best. I don‘t think the WiMiUS meets that standard. But please reach out if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help steer you towards the ideal backyard projector for your needs and budget.
