Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
09-30-22, 11:40 PM
#1
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Thread Starter
Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
It's frustrating that you can't just go into a store and see how these things work. The concept is certainly good (you just set it up under the screen, rather than across the room pointed at it), but being a picky viewer I'd want to know what the issues are. If anyone here has one, what size do you project it at, and is the picture bright compared to an LCD panel? Do you watch 3D on it (since projectors still support it and TVs don't, which would be my main reason for getting one) and how does that look- are there any brightness issues with that and can you adjust the picture separately as you can on a TV to compensate for the glasses darkening the picture? Are you able to adjust the geometry so the picture doesn't look warped at all, which I imagine would be a problem as it projects at an angle? Do they make any obvious noise when running that you would hear from the couch?
I've looked at a few YouTube videos and some look pretty good, some even show them running in a room with a lot of windows during the day and the picture isn't washed out, but the videos could have been doctored to make them look better than they really are.
(BTW my new picture is my cat watching himself on my 75-inch LCD.)
I've looked at a few YouTube videos and some look pretty good, some even show them running in a room with a lot of windows during the day and the picture isn't washed out, but the videos could have been doctored to make them look better than they really are.
(BTW my new picture is my cat watching himself on my 75-inch LCD.)
10-02-22, 06:49 AM
#2
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Re: Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
I don't have one, but I've done plenty of research and watched a ton of YouTube videos about them.
The #1 thing you'll need for the best possible picture quality is a compatible projector screen. For these ultra short throw projectors in particular, compatible.screens are textured such that they bounce far more light from below than from the rest of the room.
This is how results tend to look so good in rooms that aren't pitch black. The videos aren't 'doctored'. It still won't be as perfect as, say, an OLED, but it's a nice compromise.
I don't know how many or which of the ultra short throw projectors can do 3D, so watch out for specific mentions of 3D if that's what's important to you.
Finally, I know this isn't something you mentioned, but I don't think ultra short throw projectors can do a native 2.4:1 ratio for a Constant Image Height setup. Pretty sure they can't even zoom like a 'regular' projector can.
I miss my CIH setup from my old house, and am super happy with having an OLED TV now, but if I were to go back to projection specifically, I'd really want to set it up for CIH again, preferably if ultra short throw projector manufacturers make that an option.
The #1 thing you'll need for the best possible picture quality is a compatible projector screen. For these ultra short throw projectors in particular, compatible.screens are textured such that they bounce far more light from below than from the rest of the room.
This is how results tend to look so good in rooms that aren't pitch black. The videos aren't 'doctored'. It still won't be as perfect as, say, an OLED, but it's a nice compromise.
I don't know how many or which of the ultra short throw projectors can do 3D, so watch out for specific mentions of 3D if that's what's important to you.
Finally, I know this isn't something you mentioned, but I don't think ultra short throw projectors can do a native 2.4:1 ratio for a Constant Image Height setup. Pretty sure they can't even zoom like a 'regular' projector can.
I miss my CIH setup from my old house, and am super happy with having an OLED TV now, but if I were to go back to projection specifically, I'd really want to set it up for CIH again, preferably if ultra short throw projector manufacturers make that an option.
10-07-22, 09:46 PM
#3
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
Compared to a traditional projector set-up, yes it is much more watchable in a brightly lit room. It's not going to look as good an LCD panel in those conditions, but it certainly better than a traditional set-up. In a dimly lit or light controlled room, it's spectacular.
Most models will allow you to adjust the geometry/keystone, but the UST projectors are much more sensitive to placement. Since the location relative to the screen directly impacts how big a picture you can project and the accuracy of the geometry, you're going to find that getting the projector placed in the right spot is going to be a big ol' process of trial and error.
Screens are a big thing to consider, there are special UST screens that are built to better register the light coming from underneath and not straight ahead. With that said, I just bought a high contrast gray screen and have been more than pleased. But you absolutely need a tensioned screen - any kind of crease or imperfection in the screen will cast shadows.
It's a projector, so it does have a fan, but compared to my old set-up, the fan is farther away from my seating position, so while I can still hear it, it's less of a nuisance (and mostly only noticeable in quiet scenes).
Never used the 3D, so can't comment.
Most models will allow you to adjust the geometry/keystone, but the UST projectors are much more sensitive to placement. Since the location relative to the screen directly impacts how big a picture you can project and the accuracy of the geometry, you're going to find that getting the projector placed in the right spot is going to be a big ol' process of trial and error.
Screens are a big thing to consider, there are special UST screens that are built to better register the light coming from underneath and not straight ahead. With that said, I just bought a high contrast gray screen and have been more than pleased. But you absolutely need a tensioned screen - any kind of crease or imperfection in the screen will cast shadows.
It's a projector, so it does have a fan, but compared to my old set-up, the fan is farther away from my seating position, so while I can still hear it, it's less of a nuisance (and mostly only noticeable in quiet scenes).
Never used the 3D, so can't comment.
10-08-22, 06:14 PM
#4
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Thread Starter
Re: Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
As long as it isn't louder than my laserdisc player when it's running. I've watched a few more YouTube videos showing how you can adjust the geometry in the corners, someone said that's also hard to keep in focus when you do that. Sure wish a store here had one set up that I could check out for myself. I don't go to theaters anymore because most of them have royally screwed up the scope format, showing it letterboxed with no masking on native 1.85 screens, but I can tolerate that at home and would set it up that way.
Still want to hear how the 3D is on these, since projectors are the only current displays that still support it. I would hate having to go back to powered glasses that need recharging but that's certainly better than nothing. My main concern is the picture still being bright enough. Most 3D presentations I've seen in theaters have been too dark, another reason why I've just given up on them.
Still want to hear how the 3D is on these, since projectors are the only current displays that still support it. I would hate having to go back to powered glasses that need recharging but that's certainly better than nothing. My main concern is the picture still being bright enough. Most 3D presentations I've seen in theaters have been too dark, another reason why I've just given up on them.
11-02-22, 11:10 PM
#6
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
Anyone have any experience with Formovie? I just stumbled on this brand the other day thanks to a YouTube video.
https://www.formovie.com/products/fo...41704992997549
https://www.formovie.com/products/fo...41704992997549
11-03-22, 07:14 PM
#8
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
Found a review from Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/formovie-th...120040276.html
11-05-22, 12:03 AM
#9
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Thread Starter
Re: Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
That review states a common dirty little secret with many projectors- they're really 1080 resolution and use something called "pixel-shifting" to fake 4k. Not buying one of those, I would rather pay twice as much for real 4k resolution. I have to laugh at any review that judges a display by its built-in apps also, as those are almost always better handled by external devices. With Android built-in though they could install Kodi which lets you watch Netflix AND without their annoying interface. But sure, complain about the lack of a Netflix app but don't even say one word about whether it supports 3D or not, let alone good or badly.
11-05-22, 01:18 PM
#10
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
As far as I know the Formovie Theater projector, sadly, does not support 3D. 
At that price and given it's a consumer grade projector, I'm not surprised it's a pixel-shifter. That being said, Sony's VPL-VW295ES ($5,000) and JVC's DLA-NX5 ($5,000) are reported to be native 4K projectors, although neither is UST.
At that price and given it's a consumer grade projector, I'm not surprised it's a pixel-shifter. That being said, Sony's VPL-VW295ES ($5,000) and JVC's DLA-NX5 ($5,000) are reported to be native 4K projectors, although neither is UST.
Last edited by RocShemp; 11-05-22 at 01:29 PM.
11-06-22, 02:11 PM
#11
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
11-06-22, 04:24 PM
#12
DVD Talk Hero
11-07-22, 03:01 PM
#13
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
11-07-22, 05:09 PM
#14
DVD Talk Hero
11-08-22, 11:32 AM
#15
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
11-08-22, 06:46 PM
#16
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
11-09-22, 10:57 AM
#17
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Anyone here have a short-throw projector?
This site claims they are 3D projectors: https://projectortop.com/best-3d-projector/
11-09-22, 11:39 PM
#18
DVD Talk Hero
