The JMGO N1S 4K is a new home theater projector that brings a wealth of premium technology into the €1000 price range. With 4K resolution and a modern triple laser light source, it aims to give beginners and families an impressive cinema experience at home – without complicated setup. The Chinese manufacturer JMGO, one of the leading providers of smart projectors in its home country, relies on the strategy of offering top-notch technology at an attractive price-performance ratio. In this article, we present the JMGO N1S 4K in detail. We examine its design, operation, and image quality in everyday use, and clarify who this smart laser projector is suitable for.

Design and workmanship

The unusual design of the N1S 4K is immediately noticeable: The projector sits on a pivoting gimbal stand, allowing for flexible image alignment. The device can be tilted up or down by up to 127° – allowing you to comfortably project onto the ceiling without the need for an additional mount. The housing is made of high-quality plastic in a light gray and white color mix and gives a robust, well-made impression. With dimensions of approximately 18 × 17 × 19 cm and a weight of around 2 kg, the N1S 4K is quite compact and portable. An integrated carrying handle and the included padded case underscore its mobility – you can easily carry the projector from room to room or take it to a friend's house without fear of damage. Overall, the device has a modern and attractive appearance, so it doesn't have to hide away in your living room.

Connectors and connectivity

JMGO focuses on the essentials when it comes to interfaces. On the back of the device is an HDMI 2.1 port (with eARC support), which can be used to connect devices such as Blu-ray players, game consoles, or laptops. There is also a USB-A 2.0 port for playing videos from a USB stick or powering peripherals, for example. If required, the sound can be output digitally via HDMI eARC to a soundbar or AV receiver. The N1S is also well-equipped wirelessly: It supports Wi-Fi (dual-band) for internet/streaming as well as Bluetooth for connecting wireless speakers or headphones, for example. A traditional analog audio output (3,5 mm) has been omitted – thanks to the Smart TV functions, an external source is often not needed. The limitation to a single HDMI port is usually manageable in everyday life: many users will primarily use the integrated apps and only occasionally connect a console or PC.

Operating system and usability

A big plus point of the JMGO N1S 4K is its integrated operating system: Google TVThis is not a proprietary development by JMGO, but a fully-fledged, licensed Google platform, as is also known from many modern televisions – with all the advantages that this brings for the user. After switching it on for the first time, you are guided through a simple setup process: establish a Wi-Fi connection, link your Google account, select a profile if necessary – and the projector is ready for use. If you don't have an account or deliberately want to stay offline, you can also use Google TV in restricted mode, although streaming apps are then unavailable. However, most users will be integrated app platform to the N1S – and it really is very comprehensive.

App access like on a smart TV

Once the projector is set up, the entire Google TV app ecosystem is available. This includes all major streaming services:

• Netflix
• Amazon Prime Video
• Disney +
• YouTube
• Apple TV +
• DAZN, RTL+, ZDFmediathek, ARD, Joyn
• and many more

Even smaller providers and specialized services can be installed via the Google Play Store—including media libraries, music services (Spotify, TIDAL), games, and digital learning platforms for children. Thanks to automatic updates and app management via your own Google account, the projector always stays up-to-date. No external streaming sticks or boxes are required. The JMGO N1S is a fully-fledged smart TV replacement with projection screen.

Personal homepage thanks to user profiles

A particularly useful feature for families or shared flats is the possibility create multiple user profilesEach user can create their own profile with personalized recommendations, app lists, viewing habits, and even parental controls. Personalized content will then appear on the Google TV homepage:

• Recommendations based on your own viewing and search behavior
• Quick access to recently used apps and content
• Separate history – what one person watches does not influence the other person’s suggestions

Child-friendly use through child profile

Particularly valuable for families: Google TV offers the option create a special child profileThis allows for age-appropriate content selection, a limit on daily screen time, and the setting of fixed bedtimes—after which access to the projector is blocked. Parents can control:

• Which apps are allowed in the child profile
• Which films and series are permitted (according to age rating)
• Whether the voice assistant is available or not
• When the device automatically goes into sleep mode

This makes the N1S 4K a very family-friendly media device, which can be flexibly adapted to the needs of different users – from action fans to occasional viewers to preschool children.

voice control with Google Assistant

The included remote control has a built-in microphone and a dedicated button for Google Assistant. This not only allows you to open apps or start movies ("Start Stranger Things on Netflix"), but also ask questions ("What's the weather like tomorrow?") or control smart home devices – such as dimming the lights or starting the vacuum cleaner, provided these devices are Google-compatible. A particularly convenient feature is that you can also search for content using voice commands. If desired, the assistant searches all installed streaming services simultaneously for a specific movie or series – including a preview, content description, and playback options.

Clear interface, easy navigation

The user interface is modern and clearly structured. The top bar contains the main sections such as "Start," "Apps," "Library," and "Settings." On the home page itself, you'll find:

• The most recently used apps and content
• Recommendation lines for series, films, documentaries, YouTube videos, etc.
• Personalized suggestions based on your profile

Navigation is smooth and without noticeable delays – even beginners can quickly find their way around. clear app launcher, integrated search function and the ability to directly favorite content, operation remains uncomplicated at all times.

Technology and image quality

Under the hood, the N1S uses a DLP projection system with a 0,47-inch DMD image chip. This chip natively displays only Full HD, but thanks to sophisticated XPR pixel shifting (an ultrafast projection shift), a true 4K UHD resolution (3840×2160 pixels) is achieved on the screen. This is not noticeable to the eye – the projected image appears razor-sharp and rich in detail. Even fine structures in 4K films are reproduced clearly, and regular 1080p material also benefits from the high resolution and looks very clean, with no visible pixel grid. Overall, the image sharpness is impressive for this price range.

Instead of a conventional projector lamp or LED, the N1S uses a Triple-color laser-Light source (JMGO calls the system MALC 2.0). Three separate lasers in the primary colors red, green, and blue generate the light for the image directly, without the detour via color wheels or color filters. This has two major advantages: Firstly, the projector covers an extremely wide color space (about 110% of the BT.2020color space, significantly more than most TVs), which makes colors incredibly vivid and saturated. Secondly, there is no annoying rainbow effect more – a phenomenon common with some DLP projectors with color wheels, where sensitive viewers may perceive brief colorful flash artifacts. The N1S 4K delivers very pure, unadulterated colors.

The maximum brightness of the N1S 4K is approximately 1100 ISO lumensThis is impressive for a compact laser projector and is sufficient to display even large screen diagonals (100 inches and more) clearly and brightly in a darkened room. However, in daylight or generally in bright environments, the projector reaches its limits: Even a small amount of residual light in the room causes the image to noticeably lose contrast. Black tones appear 1600:1 more dark gray than deep black – which is normal for single-chip DLP devices. In a completely dark home theater room, the contrast ratio appears solid: Dark scenes retain definition and bright scenes shine, but as expected, the N1S doesn't come close to the velvety black levels of an OLED TV or expensive home theater projector. At least the laser light source can be automatically dimmed in very dark passages (keyword: dynamic contrast) to display black images with virtually no residual light. Overall, the N1S delivers a sufficiently bright image with decent contrast for its class – provided the room is darkened accordingly.

For smooth moving image display, the JMGO also has a intermediate image calculation (MEMC)This function calculates additional intermediate frames and inserts them, making fast pans or camera movements appear much smoother. This is particularly useful for sports broadcasts or action scenes, as it reduces judder and blur. However, in cinema films, the intermediate frame calculation leads to the well-known Soap effect – Movements then appear unnaturally smooth, similar to video footage. Fortunately, MEMC can be turned on or off in the menu depending on your preference. Movie fans can disable it, while live sports fans can turn the feature on for a smoother picture.

The N1S 4K supports HDR10content, allowing high-dynamic-range video material to be displayed with an extended contrast range. HDR movies particularly benefit from the projector's wide color spectrum, even if the maximum brightness is limited. The premium formats Dolby Vision or HDR10 + are not supported, which is common in this price range and not a major loss. Due to the moderate light output, the projector could hardly exploit the advantages of Dolby Vision (e.g. very high peak brightness and dynamic scene-by-scene adjustments). Instead, static tone mapping is used, which adapts HDR10 content to the capabilities of the projector. In practice, this works well: Even without Dolby Vision, HDR images appear colorful and detailed, provided the room is dark enough. Detailed highlights are somewhat more subdued than on much brighter displays, but overall you get an appealing HDR reproduction.

A highlight in terms of ease of use is the Flexi-Smart Adaptive System 2.0, with which the N1S automatically adapts to the projection surface and environment. Behind this is a series of sensors and algorithms that relieve the user of a lot of work: The projector focuses its image independently (via integrated ToFdistance sensor) and thus always ensures crisp focus without having to manually adjust the focus. It also automatically corrects trapezoidal distortions (Keystone Correction) if the projector is not positioned exactly in front of the wall, and aligns the image straight. If the system detects the edges of a screen, it adjusts the image precisely to them. Even obstacles on the wall – such as a hanging picture – are registered in order to offset the projected image accordingly and prevent overlapping areas. Also practical is the Eye protectionAs soon as someone gets too close to the device and enters the beam, the laser automatically dims to avoid blinding anyone. All of these adjustments take place in the background within seconds. In practice, this means you can simply place the N1S anywhere, turn it on, and almost immediately have a perfectly aligned rectangle on the wall, without having to manually adjust it.

Also for Gaming The N1S is well-equipped. Current consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) or a PC can be connected via HDMI, and in game mode, the projector reduces its input lag to around 16-17 milliseconds. This low latency ensures that control commands are implemented on the big screen with almost no noticeable delay – an important factor for fast-paced racing games or shooters. Of course, the projector can't quite keep up with specialized gaming monitors, and 120 Hz modes on modern consoles are limited to 60 Hz due to a lack of support. However, the performance is perfectly adequate for relaxed couch gaming and local multiplayer sessions. The high resolution and intense colors of the triple-laser display make game worlds truly shine. Whether you're immersing yourself in an epic role-playing game alone or playing a round of Mario Kart with the family on a 100-inch screen – the N1S is sure to be a fun experience.

Another special feature of the JMGO N1S 4K is its 3D functionThe projector supports the playback of 3D content (e.g., Blu-ray 3D) using active shutter glasses. It projects alternating images for the left and right eyes at a high frequency, and suitable DLP-Link 3D glasses darken each eye synchronously. The result is a stereoscopic image with a true sense of depth – similar to that in the cinema. In practice, the 3D effect is very vivid, provided you sit in a dark room and use high-quality glasses. Thanks to the rich laser projection, the colors remain beautifully vivid even in 3D mode. However, this technology absorbs a considerable amount of brightness (the effective image brightness per eye is roughly halved), which is why 3D viewing is only recommended in a well-darkened environment. Anyone who still has a collection of 3D films or wants to offer their children a special experience will welcome the 3D capability of the N1S – it's a nice feature. Extras.

Everyday experience and visual impression

In practical use, the JMGO N1S 4K demonstrates that it unfolds its full potential, especially in dark environments. During an evening movie session with HDR content, the projector impresses with vibrant colors and sharp 4K details. Bright scenes appear brilliant, creating a truly cinematic atmosphere. Due to the limited brightness, subtle highlights aren't as bright as on a high-end TV, but HDR playback still appears natural as long as the room is darkened.

However, if you watch it during the day or with the room lights on, the contrast drops noticeably – dark scenes lose depth and appear dull. For normal TV broadcasts or presentations, the N1S can still be used well in a slightly darkened living room, but for gripping movies, it's better to draw the curtains. Projected onto a white wall, the projector already delivers a respectable image, but on a real screen (ideally a contrast canvas With a gray surface, the black level is even more pronounced. Such a special screen reduces reflections from ambient light and increases perceived contrast—a noticeable advantage in low-light conditions. This is worth considering for perfectionists, but not a requirement for normal use, as long as the room is kept dark.

Also sonically The compact projector performs surprisingly well. The integrated stereo speakers (2x5 W, plus a small passive bass module) deliver clear, room-filling sound for small to medium-sized rooms. The volume is sufficient for a spontaneous movie or a football match, and thanks to Dolby Audio and DTS support, the audio sounds relatively balanced. Of course, you shouldn't expect miracles here: deep bass is only hinted at, and at high volumes, the small sound system reaches its limits. More demanding users can, however, connect an external soundbar or AV receiver via HDMI eARC to enjoy true surround sound. However, for spontaneous movie nights or everyday use, the built-in sound is certainly usable.

At the Gamble The N1S 4K scores highly for its versatility, and is ideal for family use in general. A game of Mario Kart or FIFA on a 100-inch screen is fun for young and old alike – the huge screen captivates everyone. The device is so handy and quick to set up that you can even spontaneously take it to your child's room or to a movie night with friends. Thanks to the automatic alignment, you have a correctly adjusted picture in just a few moments, even if you only have a white wall at your disposal. The fan is audible in standard mode (as a quiet whirring in the background), but is usually drowned out by film or game sound. In Eco mode, the cooling system runs a little quieter if you prefer absolute peace and quiet – but then with slightly reduced brightness. Overall, the JMGO N1S impresses in everyday use with a uncomplicated handlingTurn it on, wait a moment for the system to boot, and you're ready to go. The home theater experience is almost as easy as watching regular television – just on a larger screen.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that the JMGO N1S 4K has a lot to offer for around €1000. It combines modern features and high-quality workmanship – from triple-laser lighting technology and true 4K resolution to a full-fledged smart TV platform – in a compact, stylish housing. The image quality is impressive (in the right environment), with sharp images and extremely vibrant colors that are unparalleled in this price range. The ease of use thanks to the gimbal design and the intelligent automatic functions make it particularly attractive for users who want to enjoy a large image without any effort.

Of course, with a device of this size and price range, you have to accept a few compromises. Brightness is not enough to deliver a crisp picture in daylight – the real cinema feeling only comes in dark surroundings. black level Remains limited, as is typical for DLP projectors; in very dark movie scenes, you can see that a compact projector has physical limitations (the black then appears more gray). Furthermore, there's only one HDMI input, which heavy users with multiple sources should keep in mind (after all, this HDMI port offers eARC for simple audio output). However, these points are manageable given the overall package, assuming the intended use is properly assessed.

So who is the N1S ideal for? Especially for film and TV fans who want to experience a huge screen in a darkenable room without having to deal with complicated technology. Families will appreciate the integrated streaming apps and hassle-free setup—just turn it on and go. Those who primarily watch in the evenings and value smart features and portability over maximum brightness will find this a great choice. an excellent device for the moneyWith the N1S 4K, JMGO impressively demonstrates its philosophy: As a leading provider in China, the brand combines high-end technology with an attractive price-performance ratio. The N1S 4K is a successful example of how you no longer have to spend thousands of euros for a true 4K home theater experience (including a smart platform).