Sony's Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector

[Kchrpm]

As a fan of projectors and the massive screens they produce, I'm almost always excited about new tech in the field.

http://gizmodo.com/sonys-dreamy-life-space-ux-projector-beams-a-4k-displa-1496481139

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19btxk0wo06a2jpg/original.jpg

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19btz5mm3ogsepng/original.png


The projected video can be beamed with laser light source for a screen size anywhere from 66-inches to 147-inches big. The projector itself will be 43.3″ x 10.4″ x 21.1″ big and have 4 HDMI ports. The size is on the huger end of things but at least you won't need a TV stand.

[MR2 Fan]

:eek:

[Jason]

New forum, and two Sony threads by Keith already. :lol:

[Kchrpm]

It's CES, tons of stuff getting announced :P

Did I forget to make a thread for the Vizios?

[Jason]

Maybe a moderator will come by eventually and make two Tech threads for you:

Krunch's Sony Sanctuary

Keith's Gaggle of Google

:up:

[Kchrpm]

Hey.

You suck.

[Jason]

Shit, I almost forgot:

Kchrpm's Chevrolet/Corvette Chateau

[overpowered]

Maybe a moderator will come by eventually and make three Tech threads for you:

Krunch's Sony Sanctuary

Keith's Gaggle of Google

Kchrpm's Chevrolet/Corvette Chateau
:lol:

(I like those threads)

[FaultyMario]

I don't know about the projector, but I want that house.

[Phil_SS]

That is badass.

[21Kid]

Dig it! :up:

[21Kid]

So, I just saw this deal on Amazon and it's pretty intriguing!!! This is the first I've heard of this projector. (granted I haven't been following them lately)
Buy the ViewSonic PRO9000 Home Theater Projector, Get a $200 Amazon.com Credit and Roku 3 Streaming Player with Purchase (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=gb1h_tit_c-3_8302_acfc33c4?docId=1001927021&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_s=center-new-3&pf_rd_r=01KB7BXJGV2NHPDJRVB4&pf_rd_i=20&pf_rd_p=1683538302)
So, I went to check out the projector and it's a Laser/LED hybrid projector :? :! What!?!


Key Features:
Laser LED hybrid technology for exceptional color performance
Full HD 1080p delivers the finest picture quality
Stunning home theater performance powered by TI DarkChip3 technology
100,000:1 ultra high contrast ratio for razor sharp images
Dual HDMI inputs for true digital picture clarity
Mercury-free hybrid light engine design provides optimal efficiency in brightness & energy
Lamp-free design for 20,000 hours of light life
ECO-mode & filter-less design for longer product life & virtually maintenance free
One of the best warranties in the business: 3 years on parts, labor and light source, and free 1st year Express Exchange service

Advanced laser LED hybrid technology for exceptional color performance
With state-of-the-art laser LED hybrid technology, the Pro9000 generates RGB primary colors directly from the light engine without the need of a color wheel. That means rainbow effect and ghost images are greatly minimized while enhancing color accuracy to reach 80% NTSC color gamut – 50% more color spectrum than conventional mercury lamp projectors.

For fast action, the response time is 1,000 times faster than similar LCD based projectors. And with no air filters to clean or change, the latest generation of DLP based projectors from ViewSonic offer one of the lowest TCO (total cost of ownership) in the industry.

Contrast, color, life, response rate, low power... This thing seems to have it all!!! I'm off to find out more!!!

[Yw-slayer]

That Sony projector would be AWESOME. The only thing I'd still need to do is install a screen.

[Freude am Fahren]

I would think with something like that, a high quality pure white matte painted wall would do just fine. It's not like you're going to be moving it much, if at all.

Though I suppose if you have the screen hide, you could have conventional wall decoration behind it.

[Yw-slayer]

Well, the current setup has a huge wooden panel all along the wall, and the plasma mounted to that, so yeah, I'd still need a screen, even if I put something (artwork?) in place of the plasma.

[Kchrpm]

Laser LED? LASERS?! Must be sweet.

[Kchrpm]

http://gizmodo.com/eyes-on-sonys-ultra-short-throw-4k-projector-sure-ligh-1496694759/1630047892/+marioaguilar

Coming to America! This month, no price, but I'm assuming it will be ridiculous.

[21Kid]

Rad!

[Mr Wonder]

I do love this thing but when I last looked I'm sure it was well north of $50k.

[Kchrpm]

They were saying $30-$40k when it was announced, but I don't remember where that came from, I don't think it was official.

It's just one of those things that needs to come over and get popular, and then in 5 years it'll be reasonably priced hopefully. Coming to market outside of its home country is a step in the right direction.

[21Kid]

:smh:

[Kchrpm]

http://store.sony.com/4k-ultra-short-throw-projector-zid27-LSPXW1S/cat-27-catid-collections-ifa

I was randomly looking this up, and noticed that the main unit can be split up into 5 different pieces! They are the equipment cabinet and speakers for the projector.

http://www.avx.vn/media/product/1179_2_lspx_w1s_3.jpg

[Kchrpm]

They also have another, smaller black model (it seems to not have the speaker and cabinet) that is available for pre-order outside of the NYC area (yes, the white one is only available in NYC for now). They're marketing it as a business solution.

https://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/mkt-infocomm2014/mkt-infocomm2014new/product-NEWPROD2014/?prd=VPLGTZ1

[MR2 Fan]

It's back! In a much smaller form factor:

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/03/29/sonys-new-projector-is-absolutely-tiny-can-make-tv-sized-projections-anywhere-%E3%80%90video%E3%80%91/

[21Kid]

:lol:

[21Kid]

LG Electronics PF1000U Ultra Short Throw Smart Home Theater Projector

- Ultra Short Throw Projection.
- Up to 100-inch screen.
- Full HD (1920 x 1080).
- Smart TV Enabled (Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon and More).
- Bluetooth Sound Out.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/816mUV2OsXL._SL1500_.jpg
https://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-PF1000U-Theater-Projector/dp/B014OUD5KS
http://www.projectorreviews.com/lg/lg-minibeam-pf1000u-projector-review/

Chock full of innovations, the PF 1000U not only has a TV tuner and Bluetooth audio for connecting to speakers, there’s a slew of online apps for using its built-in WiFi and wired networking. Along with connecting to entertainment sites via included apps, the projector has the ability to wirelessly connect with a tablet or notebook.

It all comes together with the PF 1000U’s unique Magic Remote Control. Rather than a rectangular clunky handheld with lots of buttons, the PF 1000U’s remote is minimalist and shaped to fit in the hand. The key is that most everything can be controlled on-screen with its pointer.

At $1,400, the PF 1000U is on the expensive side in view of its light output, but it’s low-power LEDs means that it’s not only economical to use but that it will never need a new lamp. With abilities and features that its competitors can only dream about, the LG PF 1000U is one of the best ultra-short throw projectors around.

Ultimately – the PF1000U is really an impressive LED projector. It can’t match lamp based projectors in brightness, but comes close enough for fun home entertainment, and it can double as a serious business projector as long as you don’t need to project too large a screen.

All considered, very deserving of our Special Interest Award, which goes out to projectors that are really impressive, but with more specialized appeal than general purpose models.

[Kchrpm]

Would be good for a basement or similar, but I wish it was 4K.

Edit: Great score in a review from PCMag last year: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2492874,00.asp

[21Kid]

Some day...

But it seems to be a pretty good alternative until then.

[21Kid]

Who needs a projector?

Samsung takes aim at movie projectors with a 34-foot 4K screen (https://www.engadget.com/2017/03/28/samsung-takes-aim-at-movie-projectors-with-a-34-foot-4k-screen/)

This week, Samsung debuted its 34-foot Samsung Cinema Screen during Cinemacon 2017, which the company claims is the world's first HDR LED theater display.

[Kchrpm]

Anyone that isn't a billionaire?

[Phil_SS]

That Ultra Short Throw LG has me really intrigued. Like Kieth said, too bad it isn't 4K but I may not care.

Seems like it would be perfect in my basement/mancave/gymnastics auditorium. :)

[21Kid]

Not to be left behind, industry heavyweight Epson just unveiled its own thoroughbred. The company is touting the new Home Cinema LS100 as an "ultra short-throw" laser display. What that essentially means is you can park it just inches away from a wall, and it will still light it up with a 120-inch, full HD picture.

The LS100 is a seriously bright system that boasts 4,000 lumens of colour and whiteness. Its 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio also results in deep blacks and a vivid palette of colors, apparently. https://www.engadget.com/2017/09/06/epson-home-cinema-ls100-projector/

Though... I don't know if I'd want to pay that price for a 1080p picture at this point. Considering the lifespan of a laser projector. It might look a bit outdated in a few years.

[Kchrpm]

I share those feelings, but as Jason said when he showed it to me earlier, competition in the space!

[Kchrpm]

http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/accessories/apd/210-amtg

4K? Check.
Laser projector? Check.
Ultra-short throw? Check. (4" = 100" screen, 9" = 130" screen)
HDR? Check.
4 figure price? CHECK! ($5,999)

Getting close! Less than 5 years and it'll be less than 2 grand, fingers crossed.

[21Kid]

Sounds good!!! Projector prices unfortunately don't come down like other electronics. :( It may not come down to that level by then. But, I'd gladly buy one if the picture quality is good.

edit: LOL - it's $4500 right now. Probably due to Black Friday shopping. :lol: I'd like to see reviews on it first.

[Kchrpm]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHUFdMh5rRk

[21Kid]

Just looked up the specs...

It also only uses HDMI 2.0, which doesn't support HDR. You need 2.0a for HDR. :|

This sounds really BAD... Contrast Ratio - Native: 2,000:1 Typical (Full On/Full Off)
I'm not sure what this means... Max: 100,000:1 High Contrast Mode.

But, if it can only do 2000 Natively, and use some kind of magic to get to 100k, I do not think that would give a very good picture.

Dell's own $300 projector does 10k contrast... And for comparison, the Epson 5040ub (which is on my Amazon wishlist) does 1,000,000:1 contrast.

I thought laser projectors had really good contrast? :? That number, even the max one, seems oddly low.

[Kchrpm]

So it supports HDR, but not existing TV standard HDR :-/


Dell HDR projectors require HDR10 enabled content from a compatible source like your service provider, a Blu-ray disc or a game Dell’s HDR feature has been designed with a PC user in mind and supports specifications that are different from existing TV standards for HDR.

I don't know about the contrast numbers, maybe they're measured or produced differently for "business" projectors. I'm honestly shocked there isn't a review up anywhere yet. That live video above is the only one I've found.

[Kchrpm]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdiP-b0jfHc

[balki]

their only complaint: no smart function/apps
That's a non-issue for anyone with a console, Roku, ...

Everything sounds so exciting, but the image in the video looks terribly washed out under well-lit conditions and still-not-good in poorly lit settings. Hoping it's much better in person (though OLED are so good if you don't gain any benefits with the huge size)

[Kchrpm]

They were projecting straight onto a wall instead of a screen in the video, for whatever reason, so they weren't doing it any favors.

I've looked at other reviews today, it is generally well reviewed.

[Kchrpm]

Apparently I didn't read far enough, the positive reviews were for its use as a commercial/signage projector, not for home use:


Sure, you can bring one home for a media room, etc. but as color, even calibrated, isn’t up to home theater enthusiast standards, I would not normally recommend it for home use, unless you just want big and bright, and aren’t worried about having highly accurate color that could be expected on any similarly priced projector designed for home.

[Kchrpm]

That quote is from this article: https://www.projectorreviews.com/dell/dell-s718ql-4k-uhd-laser-projector-review-summary/

[21Kid]

Yeah, that's what I noticed as well.

FYI, projectorreviews.com is my go to site for reviews.