TCL is an enormous, vertically integrated TV manufacturer: TCL runs its own factories and invests tens of billions of dollars in building its own display panel fabs in China. (TCL also has enormous mobile and home appliance divisions.) Like most big brands, TCL initially ignored the surge of portable projectors out of China because they didn't initially target TV buyers, but it is now dipping its toes into the market as the product category grows and we start seeing some cannibalization of traditional entertainment displays. TCL is late to this trend; Samsung went first with the Freestyle launched at the Covid CES in early 2022, and LG joined last year with the CineBeam. With the $500 TCL A1, TCL is trying to find an entry point in the small projector market that balances its reputation for picture quality and value.
TCL gets off to a spectacular -- if not terribly sustainable -- start with its packaging. Opening up the cardboard shipping box you get a thick Styrofoam inner case that not only protects the projector but acts as a carrying case in the future, complete with attached shoulder strap. Unfortunately, while it is reusable, the styrofoam is not recyclable, and the packaging also involves plenty of single-use plastic bags and protective film. Still, the out of box experience feels premium.
The carrying handle pushes all the way through the housing to act as a stand for tilting up to 15 degrees. Using it engaged the auto keystone feature, which was effective. There is definitely a hit to the projector's 1080p resolution when using keystone, but it was not as bad as the Yaber T2.
This is TCL's first projector, and the company leaned in on picture quality and value at the expense of brightness. TCL only specs the A1 at 360 ANSI lumen -- even with the lights off, it's not a particularly bright picture and HDR is not supported at all. However, with the lights out, color is excellent and contrast is good. I watched the opening sequence of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel S3E1 and the USO showgirls' costumes looked wonderfully rich and saturated while the American flag backdrop had just the right amount of desaturation to look realistic. Even with keystoning, objects and people in sharp focus were clear. However, turn the room lights on and the picture gets badly washed out. You could use the TCL A1 for sports with the lights halfway up but I really wouldn't recommend it. Similarly, despite TCL's marketing materials, I wouldn't use the A1 as an outdoor movie night projector unless it is actually fully dark, especially since people tend to push image size to the maximum when watching outside.
This smart projector runs Google TV, making setup straightforward with the Google Home app. Unfortunately, the on-screen guide skips a step -- just opening the Google Home app isn't enough to get you to the QR code scanning stage, you need to manually tell the app to set up a new device. Next, you'll need to download a 1.17 GB firmware update. Download speeds were dismal when I tested it, taking nearly an hour for full setup despite my gigabit Fios connection; it could have been a server issue, but more likely the projector's slow Wi-Fi and storage. Make sure that you unbox and set this up the day before the big game or you might miss it.
One odd feature in Google TV that I somehow had to set up twice (once in the app, and then again on the projector's setup wizard) is a flexible screensaver that can display artwork or your choice of different Google Photo albums. This is a great feature on Google Home smart displays and traditional TVs, but who is going to leave the lights off and the projector on for a screen saver to make sense?
The remote control features quick access buttons for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Navigating Amazon Prime was especially slow and frustrating on the A1; at times I couldn’t be sure if my button presses had registered. There is also an HDMI input around back on the A1 for game consoles and media players.
The TCL A1 features dual 8w Dolby speakers that offer some limited stereo separation for the person sitting directly behind it, but not off to the side. The projector's fan noise is relatively low, and the speakers don't have to work hard to mask it for basic TV and movie sound. That's good, because while the A1 can play loud, the speakers distort when played at higher volumes and there isn't much bass. That isn't unusual for a projector of this size, but TCL is pitching the A1 as a Bluetooth speaker -- with flashing RGB lights on the side! -- and it just isn't a very good one.
This is a transportable projector, not a portable one. It must be plugged in at all times, and a big, heavy power brick sits in between the projector and the outlet.
For its first product in a new category, TCL was fairly cautious with the A1, and the result is something the company can build on. The A1 doesn't push the envelope much, but it gets many of the basics right: Google TV provides a solid foundation, the industrial design looks nice in a family room, it ships in its own case, and it has a pleasing picture provided you use it in a room with full light control. However, at $500 it isn't cheap, the audio could be better, and many customers in this category will want more light output, more portability, or both.
Disclosure: TCL provided the A1 for review. TCL did not sponsor this review and Home Theater View does not accept affiliate payments. Home Theater View is a Techsponential company; TCL has been a Techsponential advisory services client in the past.
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