projector
Latest
Sony's portable projector tech displays perfect images on curved surfaces
The future of portable projectors just got a whole lot clearer, as Sony launches two bits of tech that will give gives portable projectors both HD capabilities and the ability to provide a distortion-free picture even on curved surfaces. This means you could whip out your device anywhere and enjoy an almost crystal-clear picture, no matter what background you're projecting it onto.
The best projectors
By Chris Heinonen This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. We've watched hundreds of hours of TV, movies, and test patterns, testing dozens of projectors to figure out which model best fits your needs. Whether you're outfitting a small space for an occasional movie night, upgrading your living-room home-entertainment system, or building a dedicated home theater, we've got a projector recommendation for you.
LG's first 4K projector will be available in the US this week
CineBeam, the compact-but-powerful laser projector LG debuted at CES 2018, will be available for purchase at retailers in the US this week. It's the brand's first 4K projector ever, and it's also LG's most expensive -- the model will set you back $3,000. The device doesn't look like most of its peers with its upright design and a lid that opens when you want to use it. But LG went for that look on purpose to make the projector much easier to carry around and use: it can beam a 150-inch screen on a surface, whether you hang it from the ceiling or just place it anywhere on the floor.
The best projector for a home theater
By Chris Heinonen This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. The Sony VPL-HW45ES is the best projector for a dedicated home theater because it offers superb contrast ratios, accurate colors, plenty of light output, low input lag for gaming, and flexible setup options to help it fit almost any location. Typically selling for around $2,000, it costs about $1,000 less than anything else offering comparable performance.
The best $1,000 projector
By Chris Heinonen This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After spending 130 hours testing four new home theater projectors (in addition to the nine we previously tested), we think the BenQ HT2050 is the best projector for under $1,000. Its best-in-class contrast ratio, bright output, and impressive color accuracy help it compete against projectors costing twice as much.
BenQ's HT2550 is a well-priced 4K projector with some minor issues
4K video is made to be seen on very large screens, and projectors are the cheapest way to do that. High-end models from Sony are out of reach, price-wise, for most of us, but cheap 4K projectors from BenQ, Optoma and others are finally hitting the market. One of the cheapest and most interesting is BenQ's HT2550 (known as the W1700 in some markets), priced at $1,500 and packing true 4K and HDR resolution. It delivers perhaps the most detailed image of any cheap new 4K projector, but it has a few flaws that should give you pause.
Deluxe projector maker JVC launches a 'budget' $2,500 4K DLP model
In the past, you'd have to be prepared to pay at least $4,000 to get a JVC 4K projector, which could cost you as much as $35,000. While they're some of the best you can get and are probably worth the price for aficionados, they might still be a bit too expensive if you're on the fence about getting one. That might be why JVC has launched LX-UH1, a $2,500 4K projector that'll still cost you a pretty penny but is at least more affordable than the brand's other offerings.
Hisense shows a 150-inch 4K 'Laser TV' projector
One last surprise at the Hisense CES 2018 press conference was this short-throw projector, a 150-inch version of the 4K Laser TV projector it launched last year. The company didn't mention a release date or price, but president Liu Hong Xin opened this event by stating the company plans to press forward with the technology. Besides the $10,000 100-inch model on the market, it will also demonstrate 80- and 88-inch versions in its booth on the show floor.
Optoma's 4K projector uses Alexa to set the mood for movie night
Amazon's Alexa voice assistant is already finding its way into TVs, so why not projectors? Optoma certainly thinks it makes sense -- the company has launched what it says is the first projector with Alexa built-in. The UHD51A is a capable 4K projector with 2,400-lumen brightness, a 500,000:1 contrast ratio and accurate colors with HDR, but the real star of the show is the ability to control the rest of your smart home. If you're ready to watch a movie, you can dim the lights and start the popcorn with spoken commands.
LG's tiny 4K projector puts a 150-inch screen in any room
LG is showcasing its 2018 projector lineup at CES next week, and one of the new models is the brand's first 4K UHD projector. It doesn't look like most of its peers either. The model (HU80KA) is a compact, upright device that can create a 150-inch screen on your wall. Its portable design was made possible by its mirrorless I-shaped engine, which allows it to do its job whether you simply place it on the floor or carefully hang it from the ceiling. LG says it's a product of the company's engineers challenging themselves to make a 4K projector smaller than others on the market without sacrificing performance.
Hisense's $10,000 'Laser TV' is a true home cinema in box
Hisense announced a new theater system today -- the 100-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart Laser TV -- which is essentially a projector with speakers. The company says it uses movie theater technology to provide crisp, bright images that don't depend on the lighting in the room and Harman Kardon speakers to provide "room-filling sound with virtually no distortion."
Anker crammed a projector into a soda can-sized smart speaker
While every CES brings a new set of smaller and smarter devices, the age of the mobile projector hasn't quite arrived. But gadget company Anker's Nebula Capsule, launched today on Indiegogo, makes a strong argument by bundling a speaker and Bluetooth connectability in to the visual package. Even if you aren't binging TV or showing a film, you can still link it to your phone to play tunes. And if you're swayed by popular opinion, give the Nebula a look: Its crowdfunding campaign went live today and it's already raised over $140,000 as of publication.
Engadget giveaway: Win an Optoma UHD60 4K projector!
If you're planning a new home theater setup, 4K resolution and HDR color processing are definitely where you should be heading. You'll also want to maximize your screen real estate to enjoy it all, but many people don't have room in their layout for big sets or prefer less hardware clutter. That's where projectors like Optoma's high-performing UHD60 really fit the bill. It was the first 4K projector under $2,000 when it arrived a few months ago and uses an improved method over much of the competition to achieve that resolution. The unit can be ceiling mounted and offers a display size of up to 300 inches. Ports include USB (convenient for charging streaming dongles) HDMI, HDCP 2.2, S/PDIF and more. The output is 3,000 lumens of brightness and even standard dynamic range content can be upscaled to HDR here. This week, Optoma has provided us with one of its UHD60 projections for one lucky reader, so they can sample the company's image processing for deep blacks and crisp details. If you'd like the freedom and immersion that this type of 4K display provides, head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning an Optoma UHD60 projector! Winner: Congratulations to Will G. of Washington D.C.!
Sony unveils its 'true 4K' projector that costs just $5,000
Buying a "4K" projector can be tricky since many companies have displays have lower resolutions and use technology like pixel shifting (JVC and Epson) or special processing (Optoma) to make up for the missing dots. Sony's SXRD technology brings every one of the promised 4K (4,096 x 2,160) pixels but until now have been incredibly pricey. That changes with the VPL-VW285ES just unveiled at CEDIA 2017 in San Diego, a true 4K and HDR projector that has a sticker price of just about $5,000.
Epson's ultra bright projector can hide in plain sight
While we're starting to get some crazy mixed reality tech using projectors, it's good to see companies haven't forgotten about good old-fashioned home cinema. Over the past year, manufacturers have been lining up to show off their little light emitters that pack big features. In June, Optoma unveiled its 4K projector, which at $2,000 is considerably cheaper than its rivals. Even Chinese behemoth Xiaomi is muscling in on the turf, promising a laser projector that uses the same system as movie theatres for less than $1,500. 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.
Xiaomi is bringing cinema tech to a living room projector
When it comes to home theater setups, high-quality projectors have traditionally been the pricier way to enjoy your movies. Now, however, Chinese tech company Xiaomi is hoping to change that with its new cinema-quality Mi Laser Projector. Priced at a reasonable 9,999 yuan (around $1,470), Xiaomi's latest offering boasts a 150inch display and custom laser tech straight out of movie theaters. The Mi Laser Projector utilizes ALPD 3.0 laser light source tech developed by Appotronics, the company behind the laser tech in 90 percent of China's movie theaters. Yet, Xiaomi doesn't end its cross-company projector collaboration there, as it also features its own custom digital light processing (or DLP) solution created by Texas Instruments.
Disney's projection tech turns actors' faces into nightmare fuel
Disney is taking scary clown makeup to the next level. It's using a new projection system to transform the appearance of actors during live performances, tracking facial expressions and "painting" them with light, rather than physical makeup. Called Makeup Lamps, the system was developed by a team at Disney Research, and it could potentially change the way stage makeup is used in future theater productions.
Sony's $25K projector fulfills the dream of putting a screen anywhere
Sony has shown off pricey Life Space projectors at CES before, but this short-throw model is the first to bear its high-end ES label. Like other short-throw projectors, this one is made to project a large (100-inch) image on a wall from as close as 6 inches. That kind of capability means it can blend into a room instead of requiring a dedicated home theater. It will require dedication from your budget, however, thanks to its staggering $25,000 price tag. Naturally, it is 4K and HDR compatible and will go on sale in April. Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2017.
Hisense's laser projector promises a 100-inch 4K screen for $13K
After a few years of absence, laser projectors are back: First LG announced one, and now Hisense has, too. Unlike LG's 1080p beamer, however, this short-throw projector can display a 100-inch 4K image from just a few inches away, and 2,700 lumens that will make it usable in the daytime. Dubbed 4K Laser Cast TV, the package is HDR-compatible and will include a 5.1 audio system when it goes on sale this summer.
LG's Full HD laser projector is bright enough for daytime use
LG has unveiled a compact laser projector that, depending on the price, could appeal to a lot of folks. The LG ProBeam features 1080p (Full HD) resolution and 2,000 lumens of brightness, making it a viable home theater option. The laser system (LG didn't say which kind, exactly) should provide a sharp, accurate picture, and nearly maintenance-free light source. At the same time, it weighs just 4.6 pounds and has a table-friendly form factor, making it portable and easy to use in small rooms.
