Short throw projector review

The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best budget 4. Best for picture quality 5.

By Diane Jones. A typical ultra-short-throw projector can display a " to " from less than a foot away from the screen. Since an ultra-short-throw projector sits in front of the viewer and close to the screen, you don't have to worry about someone interrupting projected content by walking in front of and breaking the protector light path, casting shadows on the screen. When UST projectors are combined with an ambient light rejecting screen, they are an excellent solution for an environment with a large amount of ambient light. Due to the complex optics required to project a non-distorted image at an extreme angle, UST projectors are generally more expensive than standard throw projectors with the same performance. While you don't have to deal with mounting the projector above your head or in the back of the room, installation of an ultra-short-throw projector tends to be quick and easy.

Short throw projector review

Ultra-short-throw UST projectors are often marketed as TV replacements because they can deliver a massive image from a very short distance and have a footprint smaller than any TV. But the truth is, these are still projectors, and expensive ones at that. Most projectors require roughly 1 inch of distance from the wall for every inch of diagonal screen size. UST projectors can create the same size image just a foot or so away from the screen. UST projectors are an extreme version of short-throw projectors. Traditional short-throw projectors like the one we recommend in our budget projector guide often look like big-lensed versions of their non-short-throw counterparts and are designed to fit the space in between UST and traditional projectors. If you imagine a traditional projector at the back of a room and a UST projector in the front next to the screen, a short-throw projector would be halfway between them. The exact distance varies, but generally a short-throw model is designed for placement on a coffee table between the couch and the wall or screen. Companies such as Epson and Hisense also offer complete packages that pair their UST projectors with matching ambient-light-rejecting ALR screens , usually in a or inch size. These systems include everything you need to get up and running, taking the guesswork out of pairing a projector with a screen. We discuss the importance of the screen below. While it seems UST projectors would be easier to set up and use than a traditional projector, the truth is a bit more complex. They are easier, but not exactly easy. Placement is crucial—and unforgiving. To create, say, a inch image, the projector must be an exact distance both from the wall or screen and below the height of the bottom of the screen.

Specific lumen claims aside, most UST projectors are very, very bright. The Hisense L9G offers a great picture, smart features, and low maintenance, making it a compelling alternative to a large flat-panel TV.

Different projectors are designed for different uses, and they can range in price from a couple hundred dollars to well into the five-figure range. Below is an overview of the top picks from our various projector guides. We have recommendations for premium 4K movie projectors, bright living-room projectors, budget home theater projectors, and more. If you want a big screen, you need a bright projector. Tiny projectors are not bright enough to deliver a big-screen, cinema-like experience.

Deciding on which home theater projector to put in your house can come down to one little word: "throw. And while different manufacturers and screen makers vary on the distances needed for each, generally speaking, for a inch image diagonal , a long- or standard-throw projector could need anywhere from around 8 to 10 feet or more, a short-throw sits around the 3- to 5-foot range, and UST projectors require the least at anywhere between 3 to 20 inches. Short-throw and UST projectors are often powered by advanced laser lighting technology that offer beautiful 4K resolution and features such as HDR contrast and even some decent built-in sound so you don't necessarily have to fork over even more cash for a soundbar or sound system. These projectors are changing the game for people who don't have big rooms for their home theater setups, and they are becoming much more common and reasonably priced, giving buyers a greater amount of choice than ever. With that in mind, we've rounded up the best short throw and ultra short throw projectors on the market right now, hitting a variety of price points. It also provides a 4K image at up to inches. We love to see a projector supporting the Dolby Atmos sound format as well. Add in the HDMI eARC support for easy passthrough connections for modern speakers, and this is one of the best projectors for sound quality you can find.

Short throw projector review

If you subscribe to a service from a link on this page, Omnicore may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. We have spent countless hours sifting through the short throw projectors on the market to ensure we find only the best the industry has to offer. Below you will find the perfect short throw projector for your budget and use case without any of the hassle of looking through Amazon reviews and model specifications. However, when it comes to visual technology, there often is a sizable leap as well. We found this projector gives you the best picture quality for the lowest price. In fact, if you were to compare an HD video with a 2. Some of these include:. The projector offers unparalleled picture quality for its price range with its HD p resolution which is on the higher end of the quality spectrum.

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However, it is quite possibly the best-designed UST projector that we have reviewed in the last two years. Some projectors excel with movies in a completely dark room, while others are better for sports or gaming in a room with some ambient light. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team. Other Home Entertainment. US Edition. Below is an overview of the top picks from our various projector guides. If you want a fancy ambient light-rejecting screen -- which lets you watch your projector with some lights on -- they're even more expensive. Even with the brightest projector and an ambient-light-rejecting screen, image quality will suffer during the day or with the lights on. For a home theater projector that you will use mostly in a dark room, we recommend at least 1, ANSI lumens for a inch screen. Best budget 4. They do this using a lens with far greater complexity than what you'd find in other projectors. Due to the complex optics required to project a non-distorted image at an extreme angle, UST projectors are generally more expensive than standard throw projectors with the same performance.

The list in brief 2.

Is a 4K projector worth it? In the second, it will be Android TV. It has a super-wide degree viewing angle — so everyone in the living room gets a great seat, even your cousin you make sit on the old beanbag chair. Al Griffin. Best overall. Nebula Mars 3 Air Best portable mini projector for everyday use. UST projectors are an extreme version of short-throw projectors. He wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines and Budget Travel for Dummies. Best outdoor projector. You still need a screen, but you can pick from a wider variety of options, including less conspicuous pull-down or portable models. The Epson LS can project images as bright as lumens, making it a perfect choice for daytime sports viewing. As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world , including nuclear submarines , massive aircraft carriers , medieval castles , epic 10,mile road trips , and more. That enables the Premiere's lumens brightness to really shine, and it's capable of producing a very impressive inch image. He's also the Editor-at-Large for The Wirecutter.