Meyoung TC80 LED Mini Projector Review

Are you’re looking for a portable and affordable projector that you can get out at parties, to screen movies, TV, and sporting events in your backyard?

I’ve recently been taking a look at the Meyoung TC80 LED Mini Projector and have trialed it a couple of times.

It could be just what you’re looking for if you really don’t want to spend a lot of money and want something that’s truly multi-functional.

The Meyoung TC80 can be synced up with a wide variety of devices in order to play content including;

  • PC and laptops
  • Tablets and iPads
  • Blu-Ray players
  • DVD players
  • Smartphones, Android devices, and iPhones
  • SD cards and USB flash drives
  • Games consoles including Xbox and PlayStation
  • HDMI connections – so you can also project stream

But how good is it really and should you trust the online reviews (view them on Amazon)?

Well for the price it’s a reasonably good performer, but does a few limitations, as I will explain.

First Impressions Out of the Box

Straight away this projector struck me as being more attractive than some I’ve come across at this price point. I was expecting it to look cheap once I actually had it in my hands, but honestly, that’s simply not the case.

In fact, it looks a little bit retro, and immediately reminded me of the Bigtrak toy I used to have when I was a kid – so really appealed to me! You can see what I mean in the side-by-side picture I’ve mocked up below – awesome!

Bigtrak
Kind of look a little bit similar don’t they!

Now with most mini-projectors, they tend to be in a high gloss black finish, which is modern, but many of them get scuffed and you will end up leaving a mass of fingerprints on them that it’s hard to remove.

You don’t have this problem with the Meyoung TC80 as it has a white matte finish. I know this means that it might start to look grubby over time and show the dirt, but I find the design just looks cool.

One of the best things about this projector is the small size. It’s also really light.

You can just pack it into a bag and take it to a house party, or on vacation, or camping, with no problem at all.

It also looks pretty sturdy so should be fine as you travel around. Although, I admit I haven’t actually drop-tested it or hit it against a wall. I wouldn’t recommend you do either!

Being small means that the Meyoung TC80 is also easy to store. You don’t need to have a lot of space to bring this projector into your home and can work really well in a kid’s room for playing games, or just as a portable for taking it places.

How Good is it Outdoors?

So, this is the kicker.

It’s only got 1,200 lumens. What does that mean for outdoor movies?

Well, it’s not going to be the brightest, but you get what you pay for.

I tested it outdoors using a 9-foot projector screen, and when it was completely dark we’re ok, but I had to switch off all other ambient light sources. What I mean by that is I shut off all the lights in the house that were producing light into the backyard.

Thankfully I live in quite a rural area, and we don’t have other houses near us, or street lighting coming into our backyard. I think if you did, it would compromise the outdoor performance.

How Good is it Indoors?

I have no issue with using this indoors. Just make sure the room is completely dark and you’re good to go.

What Else Will You Need?

Out of the box, the projector comes with an AV cable that you can use to connect it to a TV or DVD player. You may want to invest in an HDMI cable to make life easier and to expand the possibilities for what you are going to be connecting up to it.

You will also need an MHL cable if you want to hook the projector up to an iPhone or iPad.

The sound from the Meyoung TC80 is adequate but it isn’t great. Personally, I would connect it to a portable speaker if you want high-quality sound.

You’ll need the remote that comes with the projector during the set-up process, so don’t forget to buy some AAA batteries to use in it; they don’t come in the box.

Of course, you’ll also need to invest in a decent screen, unless you’re happy using a wall or sheet, to project content onto.

It depends on how serious you are about the viewing experience I suppose.

Technical  Specification

  • Five pieces glass lens.
  • WXGA 1280×800 native with support for 1080p
  • Smartphone connection
  • Powerful cooling system
  • Multiple inputs VGA, HDMI, USBx2, Analog-TV, AV, Audio ports
  • 15°vertical keystone correction
  • Built-in 10W speaker

How To Set It Up

The good news is that setting up the Meyoung TC80 is simple.

It’s pretty much a plug-and-play product.

Connect the projector to a power source then hook it up to the device you are using and you’re pretty much there.

It’s worth saying that you’ll need to use the remote when you’re setting up and not just the projector.

Pros & Cons

Below I’ve listed the positives and negatives to the Meyoung TC80 review, which could be a deal-breaker for you if you are still undecided on whether to buy or not.

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Light and easy to carry
  • Easy to set up
  • Comes with multiple ports
  • Picture quality good in dark conditions
  • Quiet when in use

Cons

  • The bulb is not bright enough for daytime use
  • Built-in speaker lacks power and clarity
  • The picture is not as sharp as in more expensive models
  • Using the remote controller can be awkward

Review Summary

In summary, the Meyoung TC80 LED Mini Projector is a pretty decent piece of kit for the money. If you want a machine that you can use for everyday viewing, in low light conditions, it’s well worth the investment – view the latest prices on Amazon.

This is a projector that will quite easily enable you to watch movies, or the game, outside in the evening.

If you want to watch in the daytime, it’s disappointing, unless you can move inside and use black-out curtains to create a dark environment. It’s also not an ideal projector for serious gamers who want a really crisp image.

The picture clarity isn’t strong enough, in my opinion.

From a sound point of view, you can easily manage with the built-in speaker. But if you want to create a better movie-night atmosphere, hook the projector up to a good quality portable speaker, and you are good to go for the evening.

Enjoy spending time relaxing in front of the screen or make your kids happy with a screening of their favorite movie.

As an entry-level model though, it’s a sound investment.