HP MC450
Magcubic HY450C

HP MC450 Magcubic HY450C

Overview

Welcome to our in-depth spec comparison between the HP MC450 and the Magcubic HY450C, two compact projectors that share a strong connectivity foundation yet diverge in meaningful ways. Both support AirPlay, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and DLNA, making wireless use effortless on either device. However, key battlegrounds emerge around output resolution, maximum projection size, and audio performance — areas where the two products take notably different approaches. Read on to see which one suits your setup best.

Common Features

  • Neither product uses a laser light source.
  • Both products have a dedicated smartphone app.
  • Neither product can display 3D content with glasses.
  • Neither product has a motorized zoom.
  • HDR10+ support is not available on either product.
  • Both products have an 8-bit color depth.
  • Neither product has manual focus.
  • Dolby Vision support is not available on either product.
  • HDR10 support is not available on either product.
  • HLG support is not available on either product.
  • Both products have 1 HDMI port.
  • Both products support AirPlay.
  • Both products have Bluetooth.
  • Both products support Wi-Fi.
  • Both products have 1 USB port.
  • Neither product has a VGA connector.
  • Neither product is DLNA-certified... actually both products are DLNA-certified.
  • Neither product has a DVI connector.
  • Neither product has vertical lens shift.
  • Neither product has horizontal lens shift.
  • Both products include a remote control.
  • Both products have a built-in smart TV platform.
  • Both products have a built-in speaker.
  • Dolby Atmos support is not available on either product.
  • Neither product has an external memory slot.
  • Neither product supports voice commands.

Main Differences

  • Output resolution is 720p on HP MC450 and 1080p on Magcubic HY450C.
  • Motorized focus is available on Magcubic HY450C but not on HP MC450.
  • Maximum projection size is 90″ on HP MC450 and 150″ on Magcubic HY450C.
  • Minimum throw distance is 0.8 m on HP MC450 and 1 m on Magcubic HY450C.
  • Stereo speakers are present on Magcubic HY450C but not on HP MC450.
  • Audio output power is 1 x 3W on HP MC450 and 2 x 5W on Magcubic HY450C.
  • A 3.5 mm audio jack socket is available on HP MC450 but not on Magcubic HY450C.
Specs Comparison
HP MC450

HP MC450

Magcubic HY450C

Magcubic HY450C

General info:
has laser light source
release date September 2025 September 2025
Has a dedicated smartphone app

In terms of general configuration, the HP MC450 and the Magcubic HY450C are completely identical across the available specs: neither relies on a laser light source, and both offer a dedicated smartphone app.

The absence of a laser light source in both units means they use alternative lamp or LED-based projection technology. This typically translates to lower upfront cost and simpler maintenance, though it may come with trade-offs in brightness longevity compared to laser-based competitors. The presence of a companion app on both projectors is a meaningful shared feature, enabling wireless control, settings adjustment, and potentially content casting directly from a mobile device — a convenience that matters for everyday usability.

With no differences to separate them in this category, the General Info comparison is a dead tie. Neither product holds an advantage here, and buyers should look to other specification groups — such as brightness, resolution, or connectivity — to find meaningful differentiators between these two models.

Projection quality:
output resolution 720p 1080p
has motorized focus
displays 3D with glasses
maximum projection size 90" 150"
has motorized zoom
supports HDR10+
bit depth 8-bit 8-bit
has manual focus
minimum throw distance 0.8 m 1 m
supports Dolby Vision
supports HDR10
supports HLG

The most consequential difference in this category comes down to output resolution. The HP MC450 tops out at 720p, while the Magcubic HY450C delivers native 1080p — a full HD image that contains roughly 2.25 times the pixel count. At typical living-room projection sizes, this gap is clearly visible: text appears crisper, fine detail in film or games is more distinct, and the overall image simply looks more refined on the HY450C.

That resolution advantage compounds when you factor in maximum projection size. The HY450C supports images up to 150″, versus the MC450's cap of 90″. Pushing a 720p image to 90″ already risks exposing pixelation, whereas a 1080p signal at 150″ maintains acceptable pixel density for comfortable viewing. The HY450C also gains a practical usability edge with its motorized focus, allowing users to dial in sharpness without physically touching the unit — a convenience the MC450 notably lacks, since it offers neither motorized nor manual focus adjustment. On the throw distance side, the MC450's slightly shorter minimum of 0.8 m versus 1 m for the HY450C gives it a marginal flexibility advantage in very tight spaces, though this rarely offsets the other differences in real-world setups.

HDR support and bit depth are identical — both are limited to 8-bit color with no HDR format support whatsoever — so neither holds an edge in color volume or dynamic range. Overall, the Magcubic HY450C holds a clear and meaningful advantage in projection quality, driven by its superior resolution, larger maximum image size, and motorized focus capability.

Connectivity:
HDMI ports 1 1
has AirPlay
Has Bluetooth
supports Wi-Fi
USB ports 1 1
has a VGA connector
is DLNA-certified
has a DVI connector
RJ45 ports 0 0
Has S/PDIF Out port

Connectivity is one area where these two projectors are in complete lockstep. Both the HP MC450 and the Magcubic HY450C offer an identical physical port layout: a single HDMI port, one USB port, and no wired network (RJ45) connection — meaning neither can be hardwired to a router for a more stable streaming experience.

On the wireless side, the picture is equally matched. Both units support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, and DLNA certification — a well-rounded combination that covers the most common content-sharing scenarios. AirPlay enables seamless mirroring from Apple devices, DLNA allows media streaming from compatible NAS drives or PCs, and Bluetooth opens the door to wireless audio peripherals. The absence of an S/PDIF optical output on both models means users who want to route audio to a dedicated sound system will need to rely on HDMI ARC or Bluetooth rather than a direct digital audio connection.

With no differentiators whatsoever across wired or wireless connectivity, this category is an unambiguous tie. Buyers who prioritize a richer port selection — such as a LAN port or multiple HDMI inputs — will find both projectors equally limited, and should factor that into their broader decision.

Features:
has stereo speakers
has lens shift (vertical)
has lens shift (horizontal)
has a remote control
has built-in smart TV
has a built-in speaker
audio output power 1 x 3W 2 x 5W
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has Dolby Atmos
has an external memory slot
has voice commands

Audio is where these two projectors part ways most noticeably. The HP MC450 carries a single mono speaker rated at 1 x 3W — functional for casual use but limited in both volume and spatial presence. The Magcubic HY450C, by contrast, steps up to a stereo configuration at 2 x 5W, delivering more than three times the total wattage and genuine left-right channel separation. For movie watching or gaming, that stereo staging makes a tangible difference in immersion, even at modest power levels.

The trade-off worth flagging is the headphone jack situation. The MC450 includes a 3.5 mm audio output, which is useful for late-night viewing with headphones or routing audio to a passive speaker system — a flexibility the HY450C foregoes entirely, having no such port. Users who rely on wired headphone connections or analog audio routing will find the MC450 more accommodating in that specific scenario. Both projectors share a strong common feature baseline: built-in smart TV functionality, a remote control, and no lens shift on either axis — so image geometry adjustments are limited to physical repositioning on both units.

Weighing the full picture, the Magcubic HY450C holds the advantage in this category. Its stereo speaker system with significantly higher output power is the more impactful differentiator for the majority of users, while the MC450's 3.5 mm jack, though useful in niche situations, serves a narrower audience.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

After examining every specification, a clear picture emerges for each projector. The Magcubic HY450C holds a strong edge for home cinema enthusiasts: its 1080p resolution, larger 150″ maximum image size, motorized focus, and 2 x 5W stereo speakers make it the more capable all-round performer for dedicated viewing rooms. The HP MC450, on the other hand, appeals to users who value flexibility in placement thanks to its shorter 0.8 m minimum throw distance, and it retains a 3.5 mm audio jack for straightforward wired headphone or speaker connectivity that the HY450C lacks. Neither product supports HDR, Dolby Vision, or lens shift, so both sit firmly in the entry-to-mid-range segment. Choose the HP MC450 for tighter spaces and wired audio needs; choose the Magcubic HY450C when picture quality and sound output are the top priorities.

HP MC450
Buy HP MC450 if...

Buy the HP MC450 if you need to project in a smaller room, since its 0.8 m minimum throw distance gives you more placement flexibility, and you prefer having a wired 3.5 mm audio jack for external speakers or headphones.

Magcubic HY450C
Buy Magcubic HY450C if...

Buy the Magcubic HY450C if you want a sharper 1080p image on screens up to 150″, motorized focus convenience, and louder 2 x 5W stereo sound without needing a wired audio connection.