Laser TV: what they are and when they are worth it
Video projectors have always been available with different lenses, in order to best adapt to the place of installation, offering the right image dimensions at the possible distance from the screen at which to be positioned.
Typically, a traditional home cinema projector has a lens with a focal length that allows for a throw ratio of approximately 1.5 – 2.0 : 1. But what exactly do these numbers mean? It’s simpler than it might seem: if a projector has a “throw ratio” of 1.5:1, it means that to get a 100 cm wide image, then the projector will have to be positioned at a distance of 100 x 1.5 cm, so 150 cm.
Almost all projectors on the market allow you to correct the throw ratio manually or electronically through an adjustment, for this reason, for example, a projector with a throw ratio of 1.5-2.0:1, will allow for example to obtain an image with a width of 300 cm if positioned at a distance from the screen between 450 and 600 cm.
There are projectors on the market with very different lenses, and there are even models with interchangeable lenses (such as large installation projectors), so as to be suitable for as many combinations of use as possible.
Among the main categories we can consider:
- Long throw projectors: used when the projector is to be positioned far away from the projected image, with a strong and direct beam of light. The background of a concert can be an example of this. These are very powerful and expensive machines, suitable for specific uses.
- Traditional optical projectors: used in most situations; from projections in a conference room to Home Cinemas. In this second case (which concerns us more closely), when possible the projector should be positioned behind all the spectators, this to remove any noise from the cooling fan, and also because the highest quality devices have fairly long focal lengths in order to emit the most homogeneous rays for each part of the screen, so as to guarantee respect for lights and colors in the best possible way.
- Short throw projectors: when the structure of the room does not allow the installation of a video projector with traditional optics, then a short focal length projector can be used, this type of projector is generally positioned above the spectators, or even in front of them. If equipped with good quality lenses and installed in a conscious way, it can lead to excellent results that will not make you regret the absence of a traditional optical projector.
- Ultra-short-length projectors: these are precisely what some manufacturers have recently defined as Laser TVs. They can produce fairly large images (generally between 100 and 120 diagonal inches) even though they are positioned a few cm from the screen (about 20).
The “laser TVs” owe their initial diffusion to contexts of application such as the first multimedia blackboards in schools, some projections in the corridors of museums and recently they have begun to make their way into the Home Cinema sector: the manufacturer Hisense in particular is focusing heavily on this technology, and other major brands such as Samsung or the highest quality reference Cineversum also have them in their catalog.
When to buy an ultra short throw projector?
If the system is to be positioned in an already furnished room, where the predisposition for a traditional ceiling video projector has never been made, then a laser TV can be a very interesting choice, because it allows for simple and immediate installation. It’s even quicker to install than a TV screen, and the visual impact can be minimal if combined with a retractable screen and placed in a lockable piece of furniture for example. As for quality, although it is not a product to be used in a high-level Home Cinema room due to the intrinsic nature of the light that only a projector with longer optics can respect and render at its best, even from our tests it has emerged that some of these products they know their stuff, both in terms of light output and colors.
A lot of technology is used, not only physical calculations for the creation of the right lens, but also laser lamps for powerful and latest generation light irradiation, all combined with powerful software capable of understanding and optimizing every situation.
In a multimedia room, a laser TV can offer the magic and warmth of a video projector, on a large screen at a decidedly economical price when compared to a television of similar dimensions and features.
Among the advantages of a laser TV we can therefore list:
- Ease of installation: Positioning is immediate as it does not require masonry or electrician interventions, and is therefore suitable for already furnished environments and without Home Theater predisposition
- Quality price: compared to what you would spend on a TV with the same size and definition screen, it saves a lot
- Technology and durability: The powerful laser lamp and the latest generation software with which these products are generally equipped allow them to keep up with the times and to operate for many hours of use even without maintenance.
- Versatility: The fact that they share characteristics with both televisions (suitable for lighted environments and equipped with quick start-up) and projectors (large screen at a lower cost, 4K images with very accurate colors) makes this type of product a fair compromise for those who are undecided whether to buy a TV or a projector.
Which laser TV should I choose?
Among the leading manufacturers can be firstly mentioned Hisense, which like no other in these last times is focusing on the development and dissemination of this product. Many of Hisense’s laser TVs are also equipped with integrated digital terrestrial and satellite decoders, this makes them very similar to televisions and suitable for the Italian market, where digital terrestrial is still dominant. They are also real “smart TVs”, in fact they have an internet connection and integrated software that allows them to be used directly with the main streaming platforms, just as if they were televisions. They also have built-in audio speakers, so they can be a totally independent device, although a separate audio system is recommended for quality results, just like televisions.
Also Optoma produces projectors of this type, some of their models stand out for the quality of the image that they can project directly onto the walls, even if with irregular surfaces or even with colors other than white. Naturally, a self-respecting Home Theater must always have a dedicated screen, but the results that some new projectors manage to obtain by projecting onto surfaces not designed for projection are an interesting sign of technological development.
Also Cineversum, a lesser-known brand on the vast market but highly appreciated by enthusiasts of video projectors, has a laser TV in its catalog, with DLP technology to ensure deep colors. And then there is Epson, known for using LCD technology in Home Cinema with surprising results, which also uses these panels in its ultra-short throw projector models, adopting a strategy similar to that of Hisense, by equipping software and audio speakers the devices, in order to make them independent and for immediate use.
There are also many other brands, especially Chinese, which are investing in this sector, and we can expect a real increase in the diffusion of laser TVs in our homes in the immediate future.
In conclusion,
a laser TV is a product that is halfway between a television and a video projector, ease of installation and use are the key to its success and can represent the right solution for your space, especially if you intend to have one large screen, but with the convenience and use typical of a television and with distinct savings.
