In Brief: Nebula Cosmos 4K SE
The Nebula Cosmos 4K SE is a short-throw projector combining laser/LED hybrid light for a simulated 4K image up to 200 inches. With an integrated handle, it’s designed for quick, no-fuss placement. It offers bright visuals, Dolby Vision HDR compatibility, Google TV with Netflix preloaded, and straightforward auto-correction features. However, its low native contrast is best suited for darkened rooms.
Pros
- Fast, easy setup and auto-correction
- High brightness for a portable projector
- Crisp, detailed images
- True 4K simulation with Dolby Vision
- Good colour coverage
- Backlit, ergonomic remote
- Built-in Google TV (with Netflix)
- Surprisingly powerful built-in audio
Cons
- Limited native contrast
- Colour fidelity requires calibration in SDR
- Audio lacks spatial separation
Key Specifications
- Model: Nebula Cosmos 4K SE
- Resolution: 3840 × 2160 (XPR from 0.47″ DMD)
- Light Source: Laser + LED hybrid (~1800 lumens claimed)
- HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
- Screen Size: Up to 200″ diagonal
- OS: Google TV (Netflix-certified)
- Inputs: 2× HDMI 2.1 (one eARC), USB-A, 3.5 mm audio out
- Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Speakers: 2×15 W built-in
- Weight: ~4.5 kg
- Price: ~€1290
Tested with a Lumene Movie Palace UHD Platinum 300C screen and calibrated instruments.
Design & Build: A Box with a Handle
Carry-Friendly Form
The Cosmos 4K SE is a moderately large, rectangular projector at about 26.3 × 26.5 × 16.5 cm, weighing 4.5 kg. Its standout design feature is a sturdy carry-handle on top, making it easy to move from room to room. The front lens ring in red adds a stylish accent, while the rest of the chassis is grey. Cooling vents on each side dissipate heat from the laser+LED engine.
Simple, Solid Construction
The built-in power supply means no external brick—just a standard power cable. On the bottom are two rubberized feet and a universal tripod mount for either a table or ceiling usage.
Connectivity
Ports
- 2× HDMI 2.1 (one eARC)
- 1× USB-A (media playback/charging)
- 3.5 mm headphone output
- Built-in Wi-Fi for online streaming
- Bluetooth for external speakers or headphone pairing
Wireless Streaming
Runs Google TV with Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, etc. You also get Chromecast and AirPlay 2 for casting from Android or iOS devices.
Setup: Auto-Focus & Auto-Keystone
The Cosmos 4K SE focuses on plug-and-play convenience. Once placed on a coffee table or side stand, the projector automatically squares the image (auto-keystone), refines focus, and avoids wall obstacles. You can specify the surface colour if projecting on anything but a white screen. The inbuilt ambient light sensor adjusts brightness automatically (optional).
Throw Ratio: ~1.2:1, meaning ~2.5 m for a 100″ diagonal, and up to ~3.7 m for a 3 m-wide image. A digital zoom can reduce the displayed size by up to 50% if needed.
Interface: Google TV with Netflix
Streaming-Ready
With the full-fledged Google TV OS, you get thousands of apps, including Netflix (which often requires side-loading on other Android projectors). Multiple user profiles, recommended content, voice search, and Google Assistant integration are available. Projector-specific settings (image correction, brightness, etc.) lie in a separate “Projector” menu.
Picture Quality & Performance
Hybrid Laser+LED DLP
A 0.47″ DMD chip uses TI’s XPR pixel shifting to simulate 4K resolution from a native 1080p matrix. Brightness claims ~1800 lumens, but actual lab measurement suggests a bit less. For best results, a dimly lit environment is advised due to modest native contrast (~370:1 measured).
Dolby Vision & HDR
In addition to HDR10, the Cosmos 4K SE stands out by supporting Dolby Vision—not often seen in portable 4K projectors. This helps with highlight detail, but blacks remain shallow due to the limited contrast ratio.
Colour Performance
In the “Film” mode, we measured:
- Colour Temperature: ~6770 K (slightly cool)
- Delta E: ~3.42 in SDR (acceptable, but can be improved manually)
- Peak Brightness (100″ diagonal): ~160 cd/m² (~1376 lumens), suitable for dark rooms
For HDR, “Film” yields a Delta E near 2.94, a decent level of colour accuracy. Other modes like “NebulaMaster” or “Game” can increase brightness or saturate colours but are less true-to-life.
Motion & Upscaling
Smooth MEMC
Motion interpolation (MEMC) effectively reduces judder in panning shots. You can adjust its intensity (Off, Low, Medium, High, or Custom). Non-4K content upscales neatly, with minimal artifacts.
Rainbow Effect
As a single-chip DLP, some rainbow effect can appear in high-contrast transitions, but it’s moderate and should only bother the most sensitive viewers.
Gaming: Low Input Lag Mode
Two Game Profiles
- Game Standard (~35 ms input lag)
- Game Extreme (~18 ms input lag)
Disabling auto-keystone/focus in Extreme reduces lag to a respectable 18 ms at 4K/60 signals. The projector lacks 120 Hz input or VRR, but 60 Hz gaming feels fluid enough.
Audio: 2×15 W Stereo
Fairly Impressive for a Portable
The built-in dual 15 W speakers project sound forward, filling small to medium rooms with robust midrange and respectable loudness. Bass is limited (no dedicated woofer), but the overall tonal balance is decent. Dolby Digital/Plus pass-through is supported (no Atmos). Connect a soundbar or external speakers via eARC or Bluetooth for a more cinematic effect.
Power & Noise
At normal “Film” mode brightness, power consumption is ~196 W. Noise near the projector is around 38 dB, noticeable but not distracting once content audio plays.
Price & Availability
Available around €1290–€1300 in most outlets (some promotions bundling a carry case). This places it above some simpler 1080p portables but below higher-lumen 4K models. The well-rounded features, user-friendly approach, and Dolby Vision make it a strong pick in its bracket.
Conclusion
Overall Rating: 8/10
For a mid-priced, easily transportable 4K DLP projector with Dolby Vision, the Nebula Cosmos 4K SE stands out. Its design with a built-in handle, quick auto-setup, backlit remote, and robust Google TV OS with Netflix ensures easy movie nights. Although its native contrast is modest and default colour calibration can be improved for SDR, the final result is a bright, pleasing picture—especially in dim rooms. Combined with strong gaming performance (low latency) and better-than-average built-in audio, the Cosmos 4K SE is an appealing choice for casual home theatre or gaming on the go.
