Samsung Freestyle: the projects big and round from wall to ceiling.
The Freestyle, Samsung's cylindrical pico-projector that projects its images in all directions.
Jerk off fight at the CES electronics show in Las Vegas. Last January, Samsung broke the codes of video projection and presented The Freestyle. Finally available, this pico-projector that "20 Minutes" was able to test is indeed atypical.
No more angular more or less massive block to put on a table to watch its programs in XXL format. Make way for a discreet and light cylinder much more fun. But is the quality of video and audio there?
Samsung Freestyle
It looks like a big lamp. With its The Freestyle projector, Samsung is innovating with a "disruptive" device, a term used in high-tech to define a product that wants to redefine uses. Cylindrical, measuring 17 cm in height for less than 10 cm in diameter (800 g), The Freestyle is therefore unique. It surprises not only with its shape, but also with its discretion. Placed on our living room table for our tests, facing a white wall, his presence is hardly noticed.
DLP and Full HD LED projector, it also has the good idea of being mounted on a support that allows it to be oriented at 180 °. No more need to take out Paperbacks from the library to adjust the projection height of the device, as we have so often done with other projectors! The Freestyle can thus appropriate all surfaces: from a vertical wall to a ceiling, via a sub-slope or a roof, allowing the viewing of videos even when we are in bed!
Enough to watch an additional episode of his TV series just before joining the arms of Morpheus. It is a pity that its support does not incorporate a screw thread, which would have made it possible to fix it discreetly to the wall.
Samsung Freestyle watch
It is necessary to plan to install the projector at 30 cm from the projection support to obtain an image with a diagonal of 80 cm, and up to 2.5 meters for an image with a diagonal of 2.5 meters. We regret that the Freestyle does not have a zoom, which would have avoided these maneuvers.
Connected via WiFi, the projector runs under its manufacturer's Tizen operating system (the same as on its televisions). Everything is there: from Netflix to Disney+, via YouTube or prime video. It is simply necessary to identify yourself if you are subscribed to one of its platforms to access it. The supplied remote control allows a very smooth navigation. There are even quick access keys to Netflix, Disney+, prime video and Samsung TVplus. Alternative: use the SmartThings application from the manufacturer which also allows you to cast content from your smartphone. A micro HDMI port can accommodate Blu-Ray player or game console.
As soon as it is running, the Freestyle automatically adapts its focus and its trapezoid correction according to its positioning facing the screen. It is therefore not necessarily necessary to position it perpendicularly facing its projection surface to obtain an image with very straight angles. The projector has a brightness of 550 lumens. And it shows... unfortunately.
Samsung Freestyle project
In a room illuminated by daylight, the projected image is bland, as if washed out, despite fairly dense colors. Only projectors with a minimum brightness of 2,000 lumens can be used in daylight. Here, it is necessary to close curtains or shutters and make the penumbra so that the image finds more toned colors and sufficient contrasts to flatter the retina. And of course: the more you enlarge the image by moving the projector back, the more this phenomenon is felt. With, in addition, more and more visible pixels.
This observation being made, however, there is nothing to sulk at when you have gone completely dark: the device that does not pretend to transform your living room into a cinema room fulfills its role. We appreciate its reduced size and its general ergonomics. The broadcasting possibilities are complete here, unlike a model like the Philips Screeno U4, without a portal to access content.
With a single speaker located at the back, the sound at the power of 5 watts of the Freestyle remains correct and manages to cover the noise of the internal fan relatively well. It is also possible to associate an external speaker with the projector. But other pico-projectors, such as the Halo + from XGIMI, sold for 849 euros, do better, with 10 watts of power.
Samsung Freestyle price
The Freestyle may also suffer from a sales price that is still a little high. Notwithstanding its optional hard case sold for 34 euros, the device, launched at 990 euros, is a little expensive compared to its competitors, such as the Viewsonic M2 which is displayed with 1,200 lumens (749 euros). However, we spotted The Freestyle at 679 euros on CDiscount. Samsung seems to also want to make us pay for its concept…
A concept that could evolve, since the manufacturer has imagined for his projo an adapter that allows it to be fixed on a classic lamppost socket. Purpose: this time to project images on a table, or on the floor. The accessory is not yet available in France, but it can be found for 99 dollars on the web ... Quebecois!
