Ultra short throw projector aka Laser TV
Discussion
We do not have a TV in the house but were thinking of buying one of these new style UST Projectors. The main appeal is that they seem to be somewhat "portable" and some may even be usable outdoors for a summer nigt garden movie night. We will be using it only for movies 1-2 times /Week.
Does anyone here have experience with these and are they recommendable?
Thanks in advance to all
Does anyone here have experience with these and are they recommendable?
Thanks in advance to all
You definitely need a screen for them. For low light, evening viewing they are fine. For use during the day, there are better (brighter) options.
Most don't have speakers so you need a separate audio solution. Probably cheaper to buy 2 conventional projectors, rather than 1 UST for 2 locations
Most don't have speakers so you need a separate audio solution. Probably cheaper to buy 2 conventional projectors, rather than 1 UST for 2 locations
Do you remember skipping stones on a flat pond or lake as a kid? The lower the angle you threw it at then the further it skipped. The light from a UST projector is going to hit the screen at a similar angle. Really shallow.
Firstly then, any ripples in the surface of a screen (and you definitely do need a screen) are going to wreck the light path just like little ripples did on a pond.
Second, because of how shallow the light angle is, most of the light is going to skip off the surface of the screen and hit the ceiling. Do I need to say that that's not where you'll be sitting? LOL
What's required then is something to change the angle of the light, a bit like your car's wing mirrors do. The light angle needs to be changed so it bounces to where you're sitting, not at the ceiling.
Ordinary fabric or vinyl screens can't do this You need a screen with a sawtooth grid etched into the surface. This only works though if the screen is solid i.e. non-retractable. The screen is like hanging a big piece of art on the wall. It's a perfectly flat frame with a solid surface. This is an ALR screen; ambient light rejecting.
As the name suggests, the screen does well in ambient light. This is because the optical etched surface only reflects light from a very narrow angle corresponding where the projector is firing from.
Summary: you've only seen half the story with UST projectors. To make the magic work requires this big rigid screen. If you try to do it without a screen then the image will be pants. And if you try to do it with a cheap (or even a relatively pricey) roll up screen the image will still be pants because the surface isn't completely flat.
UST projector + ALR screen = happy viewing.
Check out Richer Sounds for an idea on screen and projector packages.
Taking the projector outside is a non-starter unless you take the screen with it.
Firstly then, any ripples in the surface of a screen (and you definitely do need a screen) are going to wreck the light path just like little ripples did on a pond.
Second, because of how shallow the light angle is, most of the light is going to skip off the surface of the screen and hit the ceiling. Do I need to say that that's not where you'll be sitting? LOL
What's required then is something to change the angle of the light, a bit like your car's wing mirrors do. The light angle needs to be changed so it bounces to where you're sitting, not at the ceiling.
Ordinary fabric or vinyl screens can't do this You need a screen with a sawtooth grid etched into the surface. This only works though if the screen is solid i.e. non-retractable. The screen is like hanging a big piece of art on the wall. It's a perfectly flat frame with a solid surface. This is an ALR screen; ambient light rejecting.
As the name suggests, the screen does well in ambient light. This is because the optical etched surface only reflects light from a very narrow angle corresponding where the projector is firing from.
Summary: you've only seen half the story with UST projectors. To make the magic work requires this big rigid screen. If you try to do it without a screen then the image will be pants. And if you try to do it with a cheap (or even a relatively pricey) roll up screen the image will still be pants because the surface isn't completely flat.
UST projector + ALR screen = happy viewing.
Check out Richer Sounds for an idea on screen and projector packages.
Taking the projector outside is a non-starter unless you take the screen with it.
Edited by Lucid_AV on Friday 26th May 22:25
Just to add my real life experience of this, I bought a Samsung The Premiere LSP9T UST projector a year or so back. I've used various traditional lamp based and short throw LED projectors for years but thought the UST would see more regular use as a large screen TV replacement that could be left out.
With two toddlers running amok, the Samsung was largely left in it's box waiting for a dedicated space in an extension we're planning but we decided to put it in place in our bedroom against a green, less than perfectly flat, stud partition wall. Listening to all the opinions on various forums you'd think I'd be wasting my time doing this, but the image has been totally useable. In fact, the only time I've noticed the imperfectly flat surface has been at times watching football matches or gaming where I've picked up on a slight waviness in one area. The result had been similarly good on a light grey/oat coloured wall in our dining room when tested previously.
So, whilst this sort of set up won't give you the last word in cinematic perfection in terms of absolute contrast or black values, it has not once entered my mind during normal viewing, and given the choice of watching a laptop in bed, having a huge black screen taking up wall space or getting a 90+" screen from the Samsung sat discretely on a chest of drawers or coffee table without a UST screen, I know what my preference is!
ETA: If you are considering moving the projector semi regularly and using outdoors I'd probably consider a short throw laser or LED projector rather than a UST as they're usually more portable and easier to set up on the fly.
With two toddlers running amok, the Samsung was largely left in it's box waiting for a dedicated space in an extension we're planning but we decided to put it in place in our bedroom against a green, less than perfectly flat, stud partition wall. Listening to all the opinions on various forums you'd think I'd be wasting my time doing this, but the image has been totally useable. In fact, the only time I've noticed the imperfectly flat surface has been at times watching football matches or gaming where I've picked up on a slight waviness in one area. The result had been similarly good on a light grey/oat coloured wall in our dining room when tested previously.
So, whilst this sort of set up won't give you the last word in cinematic perfection in terms of absolute contrast or black values, it has not once entered my mind during normal viewing, and given the choice of watching a laptop in bed, having a huge black screen taking up wall space or getting a 90+" screen from the Samsung sat discretely on a chest of drawers or coffee table without a UST screen, I know what my preference is!
ETA: If you are considering moving the projector semi regularly and using outdoors I'd probably consider a short throw laser or LED projector rather than a UST as they're usually more portable and easier to set up on the fly.
Edited by MG-FIDO on Monday 5th June 16:12
We've replaced our main TV with a Vava Chroma UST, with their 100" ALR screen. It's used everyday for the last 12 months and we're very happy and wouldn't go back to a regular TV.
We're fortunate that our lounge is north facing and the walls are dark green and the screen doesn't get direct sunlight. The picture is very good all day.
We've got it connected to the Sky Q box and an Apple TV for streaming, the picture is great - gives you a real cinema experience.
As the Chroma is 3 lasers we don't have to worry about bulb life.
The biggest challenge is getting the projector level and the right distance from the screen, which takes a while and once in place you won't want to be moving it around the house / garden.
The OP asked about using it outside - I'd suggest a cheap pico projector and keep the UST in the living room.
For those with the space I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a UST projector.
We're fortunate that our lounge is north facing and the walls are dark green and the screen doesn't get direct sunlight. The picture is very good all day.
We've got it connected to the Sky Q box and an Apple TV for streaming, the picture is great - gives you a real cinema experience.
As the Chroma is 3 lasers we don't have to worry about bulb life.
The biggest challenge is getting the projector level and the right distance from the screen, which takes a while and once in place you won't want to be moving it around the house / garden.
The OP asked about using it outside - I'd suggest a cheap pico projector and keep the UST in the living room.
For those with the space I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a UST projector.
Thanks to all for the useful replies! It makes sense that the proper screen is required for the UST to work properly, had always thought that there are good retractable screens to be had.
A major requirement is the portability of the system, I really do not want to have it around constantly in the living room as the children would have a constant source of temptation and distraction. I just need it for movie nights, it really need not be the last word in cinematic exoerience.
I would love some concrete recommendations.
Cheers to all
A major requirement is the portability of the system, I really do not want to have it around constantly in the living room as the children would have a constant source of temptation and distraction. I just need it for movie nights, it really need not be the last word in cinematic exoerience.
I would love some concrete recommendations.
Cheers to all
flatso said:
A major requirement is the portability of the system, I really do not want to have it around constantly in the living room as the children would have a constant source of temptation and distraction.
It's annoying when you have decided you want to take a particular path and people say "no, you should do it a different way" but I'm going to be that guy!We have a ceiling mounted projector and retractable screen in our living room so we can "put away" the telly and not have to choose between a room-dominating flat screen or squinting at a modest screen tucked into a corner.
The remote can always be hidden away...
These two portable DLP projectors get good reviews:
Anker Nebula Capsule 3
Samsung Freestyle
Reasonable comparison review here: https://youtu.be/6g4K4lFIDs4
or more on the Anker long term review https://youtu.be/4pbS-4bY25w
Neither are 4k but decent picture in darker rooms.
Anker Nebula Capsule 3
Samsung Freestyle
Reasonable comparison review here: https://youtu.be/6g4K4lFIDs4
or more on the Anker long term review https://youtu.be/4pbS-4bY25w
Neither are 4k but decent picture in darker rooms.
If you want portability then i would strongly suggest (from install experience) NOT going with a UST. They can be a nightmare to position on a screen and so easy to knock off line because of the acute throw angles.
As others have said. Go with an on-ceiling and drop downs or push up screen.
As others have said. Go with an on-ceiling and drop downs or push up screen.
Edited by VEX on Tuesday 13th June 21:23
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