It’s pretty clear Amazon wants the Aurzen Roku TV D1R portable projector off its shelves. They’re making room for the new-gen cube-shaped D1R, but when the perfectly excellent original model is being offered for just $130, why quibble? But, since this isn’t a new deal, and the limited-time tag is a tell that it’s “while supplies last,” the window here might be shorter than the D1R’s throw distance.
The D1R is a 1080p portable projector with Roku’s streaming OS built directly into the hardware. That removes the usual projector friction: no dongle, no secondary remote, no separate streaming box eating one of your HDMI ports. This single device that fits in a bag gives you Roku’s full channel lineup, including Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube, the Roku Channel’s free content library, and live TV through 500-plus free channels. The home screen is the same Roku interface you’d find on a TV, with personalized recommendations and voice search via the included remote or the Roku mobile app. Apple HomeKit, AirPlay, Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant are all supported if your household has opinions about voice assistants.
Auto-Adjustment
Setup is largely hands-off. Auto focus and auto keystone correction handle alignment when you place the unit, so you’re not adjusting trapezoid geometry by hand every time you move locations. The stated screen range is 60 to 150 inches, which covers everything from a bedroom wall to a backyard sheet with room to spare. Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) keeps the stream stable, and Bluetooth 5.2 pairs to external speakers or headphones if the built-in audio isn’t the right fit for the occasion.
The audio setup is Dolby-certified with dual 5W speakers and 3D stereo processing. For a projector at this price point, 10 total watts with Dolby encoding is enough for a small group outdoors, though larger gatherings will benefit from pairing it with a Bluetooth speaker. The Bluetooth 5.2 range and stability make that an easy task.
Wait Til Dark
The D1R’s brightness comes in at 320 ANSI lumens. That’s enough for a dark or dimly lit room and for outdoor use after the sun goes down, but it’s not a number that holds up in ambient light. Set expectations accordingly: The D1R belongs in a controlled environment or a backyard after dusk, not a sunlit living room.
The D1R is a solid buy for a Roku-native portable projector that skips the streaming stick setup entirely. The auto-calibration, Roku integration, and AirPlay support cover the main bullet points on your must-have list for an indoor/outdoor projector, but the $130 Amazon sale price should motivate you to move quickly before they’re all gone.
