Looking for a new projector for your home cinema gets tough, seeing there are all kinds available in the market. That is not to mention the different factors to consider, like how bright it is or what maximum resolution it has.
Well, let’s introduce you to one of the options and find the answer to, “what are short-throw projectors? Things to consider before buying, types of short-throw projectors, pros and cons, and more – let’s find out all of that in this article.
Read more: Projector Specifications Explained – The Ultimate Guide to Projectors
What Are Short-Throw Projectors?
Short-throw projectors are the kind you set or mount really close to the screen. You usually need to put it around 3 to 8 feet from the screen. The reason is that this projector has a short throw ratio somewhere between 0.4 and 1.
What is the throw ratio? It is the ratio between the horizontal measure of the image from the projector and the device’s distance from the wall. As the name suggests, short-throw projectors have a short throw ratio.
In the past, short-throw projectors are rare and expensive. But not anymore, thanks to the projector technologies that have greatly improved in the past years. Today, there are more types of projectors, including short-throw projectors, that have reasonable prices.
You will find short-throw projectors more in schools and educational centers. It’s because you can place these projectors closer to the screen. It allows teachers to walk in front of the class without casting shadows on the screen.
You can understand it more when you check out this video of the differences between standard, short-throw, and ultra-short-throw projectors.
You may also like: What is the Ultra Short Throw Projector? Things to Consider Before Buying
How Does a Short-Throve Projector Work?
You are probably wondering how this projector can cast a large image even though it is too close to the screen. Well, two things make that possible. First, the projector uses a high-quality lens. The second is a chipset using geometry correction.
Thanks to that chipset, the projector can warp the image before projecting it through the lens. It is these two that make some short-throw projectors pricier than others of its kind. After all, they use higher technology that gives them a better edge than others.
High-Quality Lens
The best short-projectors keep the image really clear by using the highest quality lens. The problem with this, however, is it does not let you zoom or adjust. It’s why you need to be careful when mounting a short-throw projector, keeping it a precise position.
Geometry Correction
How the chipset with geometry correction technology works is a bit complicated. It essentially means there is a real-time digital filter screening the video signal. With this, the projector can output the warped or filtered image without delay.
Types of Short-Throw Projectors
The short-throw projector is one category, and under it are various other types. Knowing them will help you search for the right projector that fits your needs. They vary in sizes, resolutions, and features, making it challenging to find the one that fits your needs.
Hi-Def Short-Throw Projector
You can expect sharper images at short distances with this type of short-throw projector. Hi-Def short-throw projectors have high compatibility with most external output and input devices like USB flash drives.
1080p Short-Throw Projector
This type has higher quality resolution at 1920 x 1010. Therefore, the images are much clearer than with the Hi-Def short-throw projector. Another excellent feature of this is the compatibility with integrated speakers for a better entertainment experience.
4K Short-Throw Projector
With a 4K resolution, this short-throw projector displays more vivid images. It incorporates around 8 million pixels, so the images and videos it brings out are livelier. At the same time, accompanying the pictures is a beautifully synced sound system.
Laser Short-Throw Projector
The best of the best short-throw projectors, this type produces the clearest images at a short distance. It also projects stunning pictures on your screen, thanks to having a wide array of color intensity.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Short-Throw Projectors
Below are some of the pros and cons of using short-throw projectors:
Benefits:
Why should you choose short-throw projectors? It is actually more useful than your standard projector. It needs shorter cable lengths, is closely positioned so that no shadows cast, and comes with less sound and heat disturbance.
Enhanced Viewer Experience
The larger images produced by short-throw projectors mean you don’t have to strain when watching anything. With the clearer images, the video or pictures you are watching is livelier too. It’s almost like you feel everything you see.
Drawbacks:
As for the disadvantages of using this type of projector, there’s the fact it gets hot. The reason for this is the extra processing power it needs to function. It results in another drawback, which is the unwanted noise of the internal fans working to cool it down.
Now you know the types of short-throw projectors, their pros and cons, and most importantly, the answer to Things to buy before buying a short-throw projector? Well, let’s move on to that in the next part of the article.
Things to Consider When Buying Short-Throw Projectors
It is easy to buy a projector. But are you sure you get a good one? Before buying one, you have a lot to consider – things that affect the device’s performance. Below are some of the most important factors to keep in mind in getting the right short-throw projector.
Brightness
Every projector also has a different brightness. Note that some projectors work well in bright background while others do well in the dark. Thus, consider the environment where you will be using it when choosing a projector.
Choose projectors with low brightness in a dark environment. Projectors with high brightness are best for bright environments. For video content, choose ones with over 3000 lumens. Below 1500 lumens are great if your room has limited lighting.
Display Technology
Every projector has different technology used, which makes it bad or good depending on the use. Some of the standard technologies used in projectors are LCD, DLP, LED, and others. They work differently and produce varying quality of images.
Note that those with DLP technology have some rainbow effect because of their many moving parts. LCD, on the other hand, is more reliable and doesn’t have that rainbow effect. On that note, choose the projector with the kind of technology you want.
Native Resolution
Make sure that before you buy a short-throw projector, its resolution works with the kind of content you want to project. High resolution is best for when you want to use the projector for movies and gaming.
For business and school, low-resolution ones are good enough. As mentioned above, there are great types of short-throw projectors with high resolutions. They are certainly an excellent choice for both home theater and business use.
Screen Size
Like any other projector, a short-throw one needs a specific type of screen to work well. The size is particularly crucial since the quality of images you want to see mostly depends on it. Make sure that your screen is compatible before buying a short-throw projector.
Portability
One of the most important factors most people look for in a projector these days is portability. It’s great to be able to carry it around and install it in any position you want. Of course, it depends on your preferences.
If you plan to use the projector for school and business, you might want a portable projector. On the other hand, you likely don’t need a portable projector if you plan to use it at home.
Contrast Ratio
You can tell the whitest level and blackest level of the contents the projector displays on the screen from its contrast ratio. A higher contrast ratio means clearer pictures and contents, although it is unreliable compared to screen quality and lighting.
Throw Ratio
Since we are talking about short-throw projectors, you already know this one comes with a short-throw ratio. But there are also others like long-throw projectors and ultra-short-throw projectors. With that said, understand what suits your needs.
Budget
Of course, it is crucial to consider your budget since a projector is a considerable investment, no matter how inexpensive they are now. As people say, you always get what you pay for, which means you cannot trust super cheap projectors.
The good ones can go as low as $300, but the best for home theaters are mostly higher priced. You can sometimes find rare cheap projectors that suit entertainment purposes. Make sure to look around first before buying anything.
Further reading: What is a Smart Projector? Why Do You Need a Smart Projector?
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article answered your question, “what are short-throw projectors,” “things to consider before buying,” and a lot of others. To summarize, short-throw projectors are:
- Projectors with 0.4 to 1 short throw ratio
- Projectors that produce much clearer images
- One type of projector that is quite popular these days
With the factors to consider when looking for a short-throw projector, start by knowing your preferences and budget. Also, take the time to learn more about projectors, particularly the technologies and parts that made it.