Leica has recently launched a new, premium home theater projector, the Leica Cine Play 1. If the name Leica happens to ring a bell, you may remember them from last year’s CEDIA Expo when they debuted their Leica Cine 1 short throw projector, marking their official entry into the home theater market through the CEDIA channel.

Having a longstanding history of developing high-end cameras, lenses, and other high-tech instruments, Leica has over 70 years of history in the image processing category. It’s only recently, however, that the company has arrived at the home theater category with its Leica Cine 1, and now the newly released Leica Cine Play 1.

While joining Leica’s growing home theater projector portfolio, the Cine Play 1 also joins the growing category of products known as “home cinema in a box,” that include the likes of the BenQ GP520 and the Hisense C1. These newer types of projectors aim to combine all aspects of a home theater’s video and audio systems into a single integrated device.

Unlike most laser TVs, however, which generally use UST projection and still require a projection screen to be used to the fullest, the Leica Cine Play 1 is a full-blown beam projector that Leica touts can be deployed just about anywhere.

At a little under 15 pounds, the device is certainly light enough to travel. The built-in automatic picture calibration also makes it easier for the device to project onto a variety of different walls and surfaces.

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Cine Play 1 Leverages Leica’s Signature Lenses and Image Processing

Considering Leica’s bread-and-butter before the home cinema market was making lenses, it should come as no surprise that the Cine Play 1 comes equipped with Leica’s own proprietary lenses.

The projector’s Summicron zoom lens had its start in photography and today normally costs thousands of dollars to purchase for a camera. Often prized for nature photography where high-quality, long-distance shots are often the name of the game, the Summicron zoom lens can produce 4K images on screen sizes ranging from 65 to 300 feet.

Paired with the projector’s triple RGB laser light system, Leica states that Cine Play 1 can deliver a luminance of 3000 ANSI lumens with a lifespan of 25,000 hours. Additionally, the Cine Play 1 supports the full roster of current HDR formats, which include HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG.

There’s even a gaming mode on the device that offers 1080p resolution at 120hz and less than 12ms of latency.

The Cine Play 1 also leverages Leica’s in-house image processing software to enhance picture quality. While the description Leica gives is a little light on specifics, the device “employs special image optimization (sic) algorithms” aimed at providing more natural color rendition, more nuanced color gradation, and an “outstanding contrast ratio.”

Beyond the projector’s visual capabilities, the Cine Play 1 incorporates two 10-Watt speakers with integrated Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X audio-signal processing for immersive audio format.

An “All-In-One” Experience with the Building Blocks for Greater Systems

Despite it being marketed as an all-in-one system, however, the projector does have the building blocks present for it to be a part of larger, more robust home theater systems.

The Cine Play 1 can be hooked up to a variety of different sources via HDMI, USB, and LAN hardwire connections, as well as Apple Airplay, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi wireless. The integrated VIDAA system also offers quick access to streaming apps without the need of an external media streamer.

The device also comes with an optional accessory in the form of a floor stand. Once connected, a secure pin contact system allows the projector to be powered discreetly through the baseplate of the Floor Stand, with its serving as both a mounting and cable concealment option.

There’s an option for voice control on the device, but there’s also a metal remote that the projector comes pre-packaged with.

As of today, the Cine Play 1 is currently on back-order with an MSRP of $3,795 and is otherwise purchasable through Leica’s website.

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