OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Projectors Methodology v3.0
Projectors Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Projectors Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Projectors Methodology v3.0

DR J Hi 04 review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£90Native panel resolution:800x480ANSI lumens:?Throw ratio:1.4:1Lamp life:40000 hours

DR J Hi 04 Review: Compare 86 technical specifications and 5 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

DR J Hi 04
6.2/10

Overall score

Score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

35%

5.4

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

5.4

Reviews score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

▼Worse than 94% of projectors
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 64% of models
Score components

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▲Better than 64%
5.4

Technical score

Technical score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

42%

5.9

Image Quality

22%

3.6

Projection & Lens

12%

5.3

HDMI & Gaming

10%

6.5

Audio & Features

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

7.4

Design & Power

▼Worse than 93%
5.4

Reviews score

Reviews score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 94% of models

5.4

Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

7.8

Average grade

20%

7.5

Popularity

Grades by review (5)
1 review, its grade estimated from the review text. 4 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 94%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £90
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the DR J Hi 04

Based on 1 · 4

Reviewers like how compact and light it is, but the built-in speakers let it down.
Praised
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of projector DR J Hi 04

Technical score
Technical score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

42%

5.9

Image Quality

22%

3.6

Projection & Lens

12%

5.3

HDMI & Gaming

10%

6.5

Audio & Features

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

7.4

Design & Power

5.4
Reviews score
5.4
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 64% of models
Score components:

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.3
ANSI lumens
?
Contrast ratio
2000:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 2000:1, lower than 72% of projectors and equal to 7.3% of projectors.
Native contrast ratio.
Native panel resolution
800x480
This projector uses a native resolution of 800x480, lower than 99.2% of projectors and equal to 0.5% of projectors.
Output resolution
?
Projection technology
LCD
Show more
Throw ratio
1.4:1
Min throw distance
1.5 m
Market range: <0.5 m – >1.651 m
This projector needs a minimum throw distance of 1.5 m, longer than 80.5% of projectors and equal to 5.8% of projectors.
Max projection size
176 inch
Market range: <120 inch – >301 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 176 inch, smaller than 65.4% of projectors and equal to 0.3% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
N/A
Motorized zoom
no
This projector does not have motorised zoom. 14.8% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Input lag
?
Auto low latency mode (ALLM)
no
This projector does not switch to low-latency mode automatically. 16.1% of projectors offer this.
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
no
This projector does not support variable refresh rate. 1.8% of projectors offer this.
HDMI version
?
Max HDMI bandwidth
10.2 Gbps
Market range: <10.2 Gbps – >48 Gbps
This projector supports HDMI bandwidth up to 10.2 Gbps, lower than 51.2% of projectors and equal to 46.5% of projectors.
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This projector has 1 HDMI port/s, fewer than 54.2% of projectors and equal to 42.9% of projectors.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This projector supports Bluetooth for speakers and headphones. 49.4% of projectors offer this.
Bluetooth version
5.2
This projector supports Bluetooth 5.2, more modern than 87.1% of projectors and equal to 7.4% of projectors.
Show more
Smart TV features
no
This projector does not have built-in smart TV features. 43.9% of projectors offer this.
Operating system
none
Android OS
no
This projector does not run Android OS. 19.1% of projectors run Android OS.
Dedicated smartphone app
no
This projector does not come with a dedicated smartphone app. 36.8% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Remote control
yes
This projector includes a remote control. 1.5% of projectors offer this.
Show more
What reviewers say
Light source type
led
This projector uses led light source technology, more advanced than 33.6% of projectors and equal to 39.9% of projectors.
Laser light source
no
This projector does not have a laser light source. 26.8% of projectors offer this.
Lamp life
40,000 hours
Market range: <3.5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 40,000 hours, shorter than 93.9% of projectors and equal to 0.8% of projectors.
LED light source life.
Lamp life (eco mode)
?
Operating power consumption
60 W
Market range: <57 W – >390 W
This projector uses 60 W of power, less than 87.1% of projectors and equal to 1.9% of projectors.
Show more
What reviewers say

DR J Hi 04 vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • Includes stereo speakers
    This projector has stereo speakers, while the average projector does not. 47.8% of projectors have stereo speakers.
    stereo speakers.
  • 20,000 hours longer lamp life
    This projector has a higher lamp life than the average projector (40,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    LED light source life.
    40,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • Wider color gamut
    This projector has a higher color gamut coverage than the average projector (53% sRGB, 45% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %). The average projector has 99% Rec.709 % of color gamut coverage.
    53% sRGB, 45% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %
  • 1 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    Via combined AV input.
    1 vs 0
  • 3 dB quieter operation
    This projector has a lower audible noise than the average projector (28 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    28 dB vs 31 dB
  • 170 W lower power use
    This projector uses less power than the average projector (60 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    60 W vs 230 W
  • 54.3% lighter weight
    This projector is lighter than the average projector (1.4 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    1.361 kg vs 2.98 kg
  • 7.33x cheaper
    DR J Hi 04 is cheaper than the average projector (£90 vs £660).
    £90 vs £660
  • 7.33x cheaper
    DR J Hi 04 is cheaper than the average projector (£90 vs £660).
    £90 vs £660
  • Wider color gamut
    This projector has a higher color gamut coverage than the average projector (53% sRGB, 45% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %). The average projector has 99% Rec.709 % of color gamut coverage.
    53% sRGB, 45% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support VGA input.
  • Includes stereo speakers
    This projector has stereo speakers, while the average projector does not. 47.8% of projectors have stereo speakers.
    stereo speakers.
  • 1 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    Via combined AV input.
    1 vs 0
  • 20,000 hours longer lamp life
    This projector has a higher lamp life than the average projector (40,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    LED light source life.
    40,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 3 dB quieter operation
    This projector has a lower audible noise than the average projector (28 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    28 dB vs 31 dB
  • 170 W lower power use
    This projector uses less power than the average projector (60 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    60 W vs 230 W
  • 54.3% lighter weight
    This projector is lighter than the average projector (1.4 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    1.361 kg vs 2.98 kg
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (800x480 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    800x480 vs 1920x1080
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • 1 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (1 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    1 vs 2
  • 27.0% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 94% of models

    5.4

    Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.8

    Average grade

    20%

    7.5

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    1 review, its grade estimated from the review text. 4 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    5.4 vs 7.4
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (led vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    led vs laser
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    This projector has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
    10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (2000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    Native contrast ratio.
    2,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 27.0% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 94% of models

    5.4

    Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.8

    Average grade

    20%

    7.5

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    1 review, its grade estimated from the review text. 4 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    5.4 vs 7.4
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (800x480 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    800x480 vs 1920x1080
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (2000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    Native contrast ratio.
    2,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 29.4% lower refresh rate
    This projector has a lower refresh rate than the average projector (60 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    60 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • No 3D video
    This projector does not support 3D video, while the average projector does. 55.4% of projectors support 3D video.
  • 4 earlier release
    This projector was released earlier than the average projector (2017 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    2017 vs 2021
  • No 3D glasses support
    This projector does not display 3D with glasses, while the average projector does. 54.4% of projectors offer 3D with glasses.
  • 0.49 m longer throw distance
    This projector has a higher throw distance than the average projector (1.5 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    1.5 m vs 1.0055 m
  • 74 inch smaller image size
    This projector has a lower projection size than the average projector (176 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    176 inch vs 250 inch
  • 15 degrees less vertical correction
    This projector offers less vertical keystone correction than the average projector (15 degrees vs 30 degrees). The average projector offers vertical keystone correction of 30 degrees.
    15 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    This projector has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
    10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps
  • More outdated HDCP support
    This projector supports an older HDCP version than the average projector (1.4 vs 2.2).
    1.4 vs 2.2
  • 1 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (1 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    1 vs 2
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks, while the average projector does. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
  • No RS-232 control
    This projector does not support RS-232 control, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors support RS-232 control.
  • 60% weaker audio output
    This projector has a lower audio output power than the average projector (4 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    2 x 2W.
    4 W vs 10 W
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (led vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    led vs laser

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

5.0
Hurricane Homestead
≈ estimated
22/06/2021
Real-world test · outdoor daylight and night use
Verdict
DR J Hi 04 is only worth it on a tight budget in a fully dark room, not for daylight pool use.
4.0
Candid Tech TV
≈ estimated
03/10/2019
Hands-on review · brightness, colour and sharpness tests
Verdict
DR J Hi 04 is an average 480p projector that is not recommended; a 720p model is the better buy.
9.0
Andrew J Johnson
≈ estimated
27/11/2018
Unboxing and hands-on test · picture, speaker and dark-room use
Verdict
DR J Hi 04 delivers sharp, colourful pictures for the money and suits travel and dark-room movies.
9.0
Folkart Films
≈ estimated
13/10/2020
Unboxing and first test · projecting a Halloween decoration
Verdict
DR J Hi 04 suits a Halloween decoration well, and the creator is very happy with the pairing.
9.0
Josue Ortega Zumba
≈ estimated
08/05/2021
Short user review · first impressions
Verdict
DR J Hi 04 is a strongly recommended small projector for its image quality and portability.
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

8.0
nerdtechy.com
≈ estimated
04/02/2019
Hands-on review · Mini projector
Verdict
The DR. J HI-04 is a bright mini projector for movies and games in a dark room, but its low 840 x 480 resolution makes slides and text look poor.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about DR J Hi 04

  • Highly affordable price point, often cited as a top value-for-money entry-level option
  • Great portability due to its compact 'mini' size and light weight
  • Impressive lamp life of up to 40,000 hours, significantly reducing maintenance costs over time
  • Ease of setup and use, including a user-friendly interface and simple connectivity options like HDMI and USB
  • Quiet cooling system featuring dual heat pipes and a silent fan

What customers don't like about DR J Hi 04

  • Native resolution is 480p (800x480), which means 1080p content is downscaled and loses fine detail
  • Low brightness (lumens), making it difficult to see in rooms with ambient light; best used in pitch-black environments
  • Built-in speaker quality is poor and lacks bass, leading many users to recommend external speakers
  • Limited keystone correction (only ±15° vertical), which restricts placement options
  • Mixed long-term reliability reports, with some users experiencing early hardware failures after a few months

Verdict

The DR. J Professional HI-04 is a portable mini LED projector featuring a native resolution of 720p with support for 1080p Full HD input, a 2000:1 contrast ratio, and a lamp life extended up to 40,000–50,000 hours. It offers versatile connectivity including HDMI, USB, VGA, and Micro SD, capable of projecting an image ranging from 32 to 176 inches at distances between 1.5 and 5 metres. Main pros include its extreme affordability, high portability for travel or camping, and the inclusion of a 100-inch projection screen in many bundles. However, notable cons include limited brightness that requires a pitch-black room for visibility, basic built-in sound quality that often necessitates external speakers, and manual-only keystone correction.

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