Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for travel, the HP MC475 or the HP MC450?

I give the edge to the HP MC475 for travel because it has native 1080P resolution compared to the MC450’s 720P, so your movies will look noticeably sharper on a big screen. Both are lightweight at 1.8 lbs and 2.64 lbs respectively, and neither has a built-in battery, so you’ll need a power bank either way. The included travel bag on both makes packing easy, but the MC475’s better image quality wins for me when you’re setting up a proper movie night at a campsite.

Is the HP MC475 worth the extra money over the HP MC450?

In my testing, yes — absolutely. The MC475 gives you native 1080P Full HD while the MC450 only has native 720P, and that difference is obvious when you’re watching text-heavy content or detailed movie scenes. You also get a better 0.8 short throw ratio on the MC475 versus 0.9 on the MC450, which means a bigger image from the same distance. The MC475 also supports 65W power banks while the MC450 is limited to 45W, giving you more flexibility for extended outdoor use.

Which projector has better brightness for outdoor use?

Both projectors are rated at 200 lumens, so they’re essentially identical when it comes to brightness. That said, 200 lumens is on the lower side, so neither is ideal for outdoor use unless you’re in complete darkness after sunset. For a bright backyard party or daytime camping, you’d want something with at least 500 lumens, but for a dark bedroom or late-night outdoor movie night, both will work fine.

Do both projectors support Netflix and streaming apps?

Yes, both the MC475 and MC450 come with officially licensed streaming apps including Netflix certification, which means you don’t need to sideload anything or connect an external Fire Stick. The MC475 goes a step further with Whale AI voice assistant built into the remote, so you can search for shows hands-free. Both support dual-band WiFi (2.4G and 5G) for smooth streaming without buffering.

How do the short throw ratios compare between these two projectors?

The HP MC475 has a slightly better 0.8:1 short throw ratio compared to the MC450’s 0.9:1 ratio. That means the MC475 can project an 80-inch image from just 4.65 feet away, while the MC450 gives you a 70-inch image from the same 4.6 feet distance. For small bedrooms, dorm rooms, or cramped apartments, the MC475’s tighter throw ratio makes a meaningful difference in getting a bigger screen without moving furniture around.

Can I use these projectors with a power bank for camping?

Yes, but with different power requirements. The HP MC475 supports 65W power banks (USB-C PD), while the HP MC450 works with 45W power banks. Neither has a built-in battery, so you absolutely need an external power source for any off-grid use. I’d recommend checking the power bank’s continuous output rating before you go camping — if it can’t sustain 45W or 65W respectively, the projector may shut off mid-movie.