One of the trendiest categories in the world of video is ultra-short throw projectors.
Over the years the primary application of short-throw projectors has primarily been in the commercial AV market and industries such as education and corporate. Recently, a new wave of ultra-short throw projectors has been developed for residential environments, and fit right in with many modern home theater systems.
The development of ultra-short throw projectors in the consumer market supports a bigger, more impactful consumer video market trend in which the size of TV screens has consistently increased over the past several years.
The convergence of these trends brings the market to where it is now. Projection systems generally provide more value to homeowners interested in a true, big-screen system. Integrators can scale big-screen projection systems to meet a variety of price points, and they can incorporate a range of technologies that at the highest levels include 8K resolutions using products that include short throw projectors.
Traditionally the problem with projection systems is that projectors need a clear line of sight and realistically some level of ambient light control in order to maximize image quality. Today’s new ultra-short throw products solve both those issues to provide big-screen home entertainment.
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Ultra-short throw projectors are positioned close to the screen to eliminate 10-, 12-, 15-foot image throws.
Solving the ambient light problem, today’s generation of ultra-short throw products are also engineered to produce higher levels of light output to combat this problem through technologies like laser light engines.
Through the use of these new light engine technologies, manufacturers have enabled integrators the ability to install ultra-short throw projectors into a wider range of room environments, which is why these products are becoming increasingly popular.
Sweetening the attractiveness of these products, some manufacturers are bundling their products with companion projection screens and even integrated audio systems.
The idea behind these bundles is to provide integrators with turnkey solutions that streamline system choices for homeowners.
It should also be pointed out that just like traditional projectors, ultra-short throw projectors also support UHD 4K resolutions and compatibility with high dynamic range formats (HDR) such as HDR10.
A Quick List of the Top Ultra Short Throw (UST) Projectors
BenQ LH890UST
This unit is a commercial product that utilizes Texas Instruments’ DLP chip technologies, along with the company’s BenQ BlueCore laser light engine. Through the DLP chipset and BlueCore, the unit produces up to 4,000 lumens, and the LH890UST supports a number of interactive usage scenarios.
Epson LS500
The latest short-throw projector from utilizes the company’s 3LCD 4K PRO-UHD chip technologies, as well as 10-bit color processing and 12-bit analog-to-digital processing. The LS500 delivers images up to 120 inches, and its HDMI inputs deliver full 18Gbps throughput.
Hisense Laser TV
Hisense’s Laser TV is available in 100 inch and 120-inch versions. These bundles combine a projection screen, along with a wireless subwoofer and an integrated speaker system designed by Harman. The projector delivers a 4K resolution and HDR compatibility via a laser light engine.
LG CinemaBeam
the $5,999 LG short-throw CineBeam AI ThinQ 4K Laser Projector installs into a range of environments. LG explains that professional integrators can place the short-throw projector as close to the screen as 7.2 inches to the screen and produce a 120-inch diagonal image.
Optoma CinemaX P1 HU85LA
The CinemaX P1 solution produces images up to 120 inches, and the short-throw product incorporates sister brand’s NuForce audio technologies to provide users with total AV solution. The CinemaX P1 also provides a 4K resolution and HDR10 HDR compatibility.
Sony VPL-VZ1000ES
The most expensive projector in this roundup, the $25,000 VPL-VZ1000ES delivers a native 4K resolution via Sony’s SXRD chipset. The VPL-VZ1000ES’s phosphor-based laser light engine produces up to 2,500 lumens of brightness, and the projector is IMAX Enhanced certified for use with IMAX Enhanced content.
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