When to Install Short-Throw Projectors

One of the fastest-growing video categories in the commercial market is short-throw projectors - two-piece projection systems that allow the projector to be mounted relatively close to the screen.

We asked Chad Harrison, business development manager for projector manufacturer BoxLight, to offer thoughts on when integrators should suggest a short-throw solution to their clients. Here’s a breakdown of what he said:

Classroom and Small Conference: A teacher spends a lot of time in front of the class and sometimes a standard-throw projector shines directly in her eyes. By incorporating a short-throw projector off a wall mount you can eliminate that problem. It can also reduce installation costs by eliminating the need for long cable runs through the ceiling or in conduit along concrete walls. Schools are trying to find cost-saving options more than ever, so you can become their hero by offering a great solution and saving them money.

This holds true for small conference rooms as well where space is very limited. A wall-mounted, short-throw projector can be a huge space saver.

Worship Facilities: In instances where there are very costly wiring restrictions or it is difficult to hide the cabling, short-throw solutions make sense in churches. You can now get 100-inch-plus widescreen from a wall-mounted projector that is 4 to 5 feet away from the wall. This way the power and cabling can come from the wall and not across the cathedral.

Courtrooms: Combine a hard surface dry-erase board and short-throw projector on a mobile cart and you’ve created the perfect portable presentation solution for any courtroom. Lawyers and judges alike will love you. Now you have a surface that can be drawn on and display projected video, data and crime scene photographs. By combining it with a portable cart, it can be moved around the courtroom as needed and put away in a storage closet when it is not in use.

Military: Short-throw projectors can be used in portable command centers. They are typically lightweight and easy to set up. And because of the short throw, they work great in rear-projection setups. The projector only needs a few inches behind the screen to fill it, allowing someone to walk around in front of the screen without disrupting the image.