How to Connect Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, PS5, and Xbox to Aurzen ZIP Pro

Why ZIP Pro Works as a Portable Gaming Projector

ZIP Pro is not a conventional home-theater box scaled down by a few inches. Its tri-fold body works as its own adjustable stand, so it can sit on a coffee table, hotel desk, bedroom shelf, or campsite table without a separate tripod. Folded, it measures 115 × 97 × 44 mm and weighs 586 g.

The projector uses native 1920 × 1080 DLP imaging and is rated at 200 lumens. Its wired Low-Latency Game Mode has a stated response time of 20–40ms through USB-C, which is a reasonable fit for platformers, racing games, action adventures, RPGs, party games, and couch co-op. It is not positioned as a 4K/120Hz esports display, and highly competitive players will still prefer a specialized gaming monitor with a lower measured end-to-end delay.

Specifications are based on Aurzen’s published product information. Battery life, brightness, response time, wireless performance, and third-party adapter compatibility vary with settings, hardware, content, and room conditions.

ZIP Pro Gaming Console Compatibility at a Glance

The connector shape is only half the story. A USB-C port must support video output—usually identified as DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt, or USB4 with display support. A charging-only port or cable cannot send a picture.

First, Choose the Correct Signal Path

Route 1: Direct USB-C Video

This is the cleanest route for a Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go 2, or another device that sends DisplayPort video over USB-C. It avoids wireless delay, keeps the setup compact, and enables ZIP Pro’s fastest stated gaming response.

Route 2: HDMI Source to USB-C Display

PS5 and Xbox output video through HDMI, while ZIP Pro receives wired video through USB-C. An active converter has electronics inside that translate the HDMI signal into a USB-C display signal. Most models also need a separate USB power connection.

How to Connect Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or Legion Go 2 to ZIP Pro

The direct USB-C setup is the one to use whenever the gaming device supports it. Before starting, charge both devices and confirm that the cable carries video—not just power.

1. Place and unfold ZIP Pro. Set it on a stable surface with room around the vents. Aim it as straight at the wall or screen as the room allows.
2. Turn on the projector. Leave its separate USB-C charging port available if you plan to connect a 65W+ PD charger for a longer session.
3. Use ZIP Pro’s USB-C video-input port. ZIP Pro has separate USB-C connections for charging and video. Plugging the console into the charging port will not produce a picture.
4. Connect a full-featured USB-C video cable. Run the cable from the handheld’s video-capable USB-C port to ZIP Pro’s video-input port.
5. Wake the console and select the wired input. The projector should detect the signal. If the handheld offers duplicate, extend, or external-display-only modes, choose the mode that best fits the game.
6. Enable Low-Latency Game Mode. Use it for the shortest stated projector response. Keep the connection wired while playing.
7. Start with a standard Full HD output. If the device lets you choose, begin at 1920 × 1080 and 60Hz. For a demanding PC game on Steam Deck or Legion Go 2, lowering the game’s internal render resolution can improve frame rate while ZIP Pro remains the 1080p display.
8. Finish the image adjustment. Let ToF Auto Focus settle, then use four-point keystone only if needed. A centered, front-facing position usually requires less digital correction.

Nintendo Switch Without a Dock

ZIP Pro’s direct USB-C input is designed to support a compatible Nintendo Switch without carrying the standard TV dock. Connect the console’s video-capable USB-C port to ZIP Pro, detach the Joy-Con controllers or pair a controller, and switch on Game Mode. Because external-video support differs by Switch model, confirm that the particular console can output video before relying on a dock-free travel setup.

Steam Deck Projector Setup

Steam Deck can use its USB-C display output for a direct connection. If a game looks smooth on the Deck but struggles on the larger 1080p screen, reduce the game’s render resolution or quality preset rather than assuming the projector is adding frame drops. The projector displays the frames it receives; the handheld still has to render them.

Lenovo Legion Go 2 and Other DP-Capable Handhelds

Use the handheld port that supports external display output and choose the appropriate Windows display mode. The same approach works with other handheld PCs, laptops, tablets, and phones when their USB-C port explicitly supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt, or USB4 video. USB-C shape alone is not proof of display support.

How to Connect PS5 or Xbox to ZIP Pro

ZIP Pro does not have a native HDMI input, so a PlayStation or Xbox setup depends on a compatible active converter. Treat the converter as part of the signal chain: its direction, power, supported resolution, audio handling, and HDCP support can all affect the result.

1. Choose the correct active converter. It must accept HDMI from a source device and output video to a USB-C display. A passive cable or USB-C-to-HDMI adapter will not perform this conversion.
2. Connect the console’s HDMI output. Run the console’s HDMI cable into the converter’s HDMI input.
3. Power the converter. Connect its USB power lead to the specified USB power source. An unpowered converter is a common reason for a black screen.
4. Connect the converter to ZIP Pro. Plug its USB-C display output into ZIP Pro’s dedicated USB-C video-input port.
5. Power on the display chain. Turn on ZIP Pro, confirm the converter has power, and then start the PS5 or Xbox. Select the wired video source on ZIP Pro if it is not detected automatically.
6. Use a conservative console output first. Begin with 1080p and 60Hz. If there is no stable picture, temporarily disable 4K output, 120Hz, VRR, and HDR, because support can be limited by the projector or the converter.
7. Enable ZIP Pro’s Low-Latency Game Mode. Remember that Aurzen’s 20–40ms figure applies to its wired USB-C gaming path; an active third-party converter can add its own processing time.

Best ZIP Pro Settings for Lower-Lag Gaming

A projector can feel responsive or sluggish depending on the entire chain—not just one published latency number. The console’s frame rate, wireless casting, an active adapter, Bluetooth audio, image processing, and even the controller connection can each add delay.

Use Wireless Casting for Convenience, Not Fast Reactions

ZIP Pro supports wireless casting, but the network, source device, and casting method can make delay inconsistent. Wireless is fine for sharing a menu, showing clips, or playing something turn-based. For racing, platforming, fighting, shooters, or rhythm games, use the wired path.

Keep Keystone Correction Modest

Four-point keystone is useful when the projector cannot sit directly in front of the screen. For gaming, start with physical placement: center ZIP Pro, set the height with its tri-fold hinge, and use keystone for the final small correction. Heavy digital geometry correction reduces the active image area and can introduce more processing in a projector setup.

Set Up the Room for a Better Big-Screen Game

• Control the light. Close curtains, turn off lights facing the screen, and avoid direct daylight.
• Stay near 60–80 inches. This is the practical sweet spot Aurzen recommends in a dark environment.
• Use a smooth surface. A matte white screen is ideal; a flat, neutral-colored wall is the next best option.
• Leave ventilation space. Do not push the projector into bedding, a tight shelf, or against a wall.
• Keep cables relaxed. Avoid sharp bends or a heavy adapter hanging directly from ZIP Pro’s USB-C port.
• Seat players near the center. This keeps text, maps, and split-screen details easier for everyone to read.

With a 1.2:1 throw ratio, ZIP Pro needs roughly 1.6 m of lens-to-screen distance for a 60-inch 16:9 picture and about 2.1 m for an 80-inch picture. These are planning estimates, so fine-tune the distance in the actual room before arranging seats and cables.

Sound for Solo Play and Couch Co-op

The dual 2W speakers are useful when you want a quick setup. ZIP Pro also supports two Bluetooth headphones at once, which is handy in a hotel room or after others have gone to bed. For games where audio cues need to line up closely with the screen, a headset connected to the console or wired audio path is safer because Bluetooth latency varies.

Battery Planning

ZIP Pro’s built-in 38Wh battery is rated for up to 2.5 hours in ECO Mode. That can cover a short gaming session, but runtime changes with brightness, volume, connections, and operating mode. For a longer night, connect a compatible 65W+ USB-C PD power supply to ZIP Pro’s charging port and plan separate power for the handheld console. Do not assume the projector’s video-input port will charge the source device.

Troubleshooting: No Signal, No Sound, or Too Much Lag

Is ZIP Pro a Good Projector for Gaming?

The best reason to choose ZIP Pro as a gaming projector is not that it replaces every television or monitor. It is that the projector, adjustable stand, battery, and Full HD display fold into one compact device. When the game moves from a desk to a bedroom wall, hotel room, or friend’s house, that convenience matters.

ZIP Pro Gaming Projector FAQ