Short throw laser projectors have gained popularity in recent years and are becoming a popular choice for people who want a projector for small to medium rooms. One of the main disadvantages with traditional projectors is the long throw distance meaning you need a fair amount of space between the projector’s lens and the screen. Thankfully, some new generation projectors can deliver what’s known as a short throw, and even an ultra-short throw, allowing you to have the same big-screen viewing experience in smaller and confined spaces.
What is a short-throw projector?
Basically, any projector that can show you a 100” image from less than 9ft is considered short-throw, and any that can show you it from less than 3ft is considered an ultra-short throw projector. Some key advantages of short-throw projectors are they don’t require installation (i.e. being mounted to the ceiling) and only occupy a small amount of space where a TV would normally sit. This offers a tonne of diversity and flexibility when it comes to finding a room or space for your projector. With a shorter distance between the screen, light doesn’t need to travel through as much medium also offering more consistent image quality.
In the past, short-throw projectors were characterised by coarse-grained images with pale contrast, but technology manufacturers are now creating projectors that offer great image quality at a short throw distance. Samsung’s The Premiere is amongst those that boast good contrast and excellent sharpness, offering a movie theatre experience in the comfort of your home. If you’re looking to adopt a short-throw projector for your space, here are some options to consider!
Samsung LSP7T The Premiere Laser 4K Smart Projector
Samsung’s The Premiere 4K Laser Smart Projector has proven to be a true rival for the king-sized 4K TV, delivering outstanding pictures and a top-notch viewing experience. The LSP7T is the smallest in the Premiere series and can project an image of up to 120 inches, a super-wide colour gamut, and exceptional brightness as it uses a laser light source to offer a dramatic home cinema experience that will make you feel like you’re in a theatre.
The Premiere has been designed to bring you a big-picture experience – without the need for a screen. It can sit just 41.5cm away from the wall to give you a massive screen area up to 120 inches - the perfect size for an epic movie night. Move the projector closer for a smaller picture. Being a smart projector, you get the same experience as Samsung Smart TVs and can access and navigate your favourite apps, services and connected devices. It’s ready to go so you can stream what you like from YouTube to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more!
Xiaomi Ultra Short Throw 4K Laser Projector
The Premiere comes at a premium, but you can still get a really good short-throw projector from a reliable brand for much less! Xiaomi's Ultra Short Throw 4K Laser Projector is a fantastic option. This projector is capable of producing an image of up to 150 inches, with a throw ratio of just 0.233:1. This means you could create a 120-inch display from just 30cm away! You also won't have to worry about sound, this projector has 2x 15W speakers that have a great sound quality and supports Dolby and DTS codecs. It also comes with Android TV 9.0 for access to all of your favourite apps. If you're not particularly fussed your projector being 4K, then check out Xiaomi's FHD 1080p Ultra Short Throw Projector for a more affordable option.
OPTOMA GT1080HDR Ultra Short Throw Projector
If you're looking for an option that's easier on the wallet while still offering great performance, check out the Optoma GT1080HDR Ultra Short Throw Projector. It allows you to project an image up to 120-inches while positioned as little as 04.m from your wall or screen. This makes it ideal for rooms of all sizes. The GT1080HDR is equipped with FHD 1080p resolution, and HDR technology provides superior hues and detailed images, revealing every nuance of every scene with exceptional clarity. This is complemented with a high brightness level of 3800 lumens that ensures vibrant and captivating imagery even in well-lit rooms. If larger images are desired, moving the projector back is all that is required. It’s as easy as that. Convenient, with multiple inputs including HDMI and MHL, this projector is ideal for connecting HDMI dongles such as the Google Chromecast and the Optoma HDCast Pro enabling you to connect your laptop, PC or Blu-ray player. This compact model can either be installed or conveniently taken on the move.
Want to check out what other projectors are on offer? Check out PB Tech’s entire range of projectors here.
