The upside of so much “home time” may just have been the re-discovery of the ease, convenience and portability of digital projection. With dramatically improved technology advances including high bright light valve DLP / LED or lamp-less (laser/LED) based engines, plus improved battery life and short-throw capabilities that make doing the 100-inch image after sunset an outstanding alternative to razor thin yet behemoth FPD’s (flat panel displays.)
Add next generation OTT (over the top) streaming video and smart connectivity (AirPlay et al) to the mix and you’re outside this summer not just watching stars aligning for a small yet powerful box to turn your night into entertainment nirvana.
Projection market research leader PMA research just published in late May, its top 4K UHD home entertainment projectors list compiled from their monthly “Retail Projector Tracking Service” (a panel of U.S. retailers, web resellers, and custom installers.) According to PMA ciphering, Optima dominated sales the top five in the 4K UHD home entertainment category with three of its best sellers (1st, 2nd, and 5th respectively) with the UHD60, UHD50, and the CinemaX P1 (short throw). BenQ (HT3550) was third, and ViewSonic (PX747-4K) rounded out the top five. All projectors in this category are lamp based engines.
But beyond the numbers, back in February 2020, at ISE 2020 (Integrated Systems Europe) new kids on the block include ViewSonic’s new X Series (X10-4KE) that focus on Smart streaming features for HT (home theater) use, with almost 3K lumens (2,900) and gen 2 LED (no lamp) illumination. It also boast HDR, “cinema supercolor+ (125% Rec.709) and nice HK (Harman Kardon) audio. Other cool features include smart Wi-Fi connectivity, (to “cast or screen-mirror” content directly from a smart mobile devices. The intuitive software also supports a remote controller feature, (skip the additional remote) just use your smartphone. It’s technology is called “vCastSender” and shows up as a handy phone app, (very smart.) Not to mention support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant via voice. Just don’t let the kids know or you’ll never get through the film!!
BenQ has a new wireless, battery powered outdoor projector (GS2). Its a splash resistant, “pool side” beauty that lets you skip the wires all together, at 3.5 lbs, has three hours of battery life and smart connectivity to wireless sources like smartphones and tablets. At 720p HD image resolution and 100-inch short throw the $599 price makes this a real bargain.
Epson EF-100 3LCD Micro Laser Array home theater projector, Source: company
On the laser front, Epson’s EF-100 mini-laser streaming projector was shown at CES 2020, and covered by our own Matt Brennesholtz (see link below). It uses laser-phosphor light source technology along with its 3 LCD panel light engine and creates a whopping 150-inch display image. Key to its connectivity are its on board video streaming apps including HBO Now, HULU and WatchESPN (ummm are there any sports to watch?) and sells for a cool $1K for this cutting edge 1280 x 800 wide screen micro laser array, home entertainment technology.
So as new technology is bringing new life to old ideas. Hunkering down at home helps us rediscover some of the simpler pleasures of outdoor home entertainment right in our own back yard. — Stephen Sechrist
Epson Releases EF-100 Streaming Projector at CES
NEC Display Adds to P Series Projector Lineup With 4K, 5,000 Lumen P506QL
NEC Launches The Quietest Digital Cinema Projector On The Market
LG Announces Amazon Alexa Is Now Built In To LG CineBeam AI ThinQ Projector Lineup In U.S.
Optoma Breaks New Ground with High Brightness, 1080p HD Laser Gaming and Entertainment Projectors
NEC Display Introduces New Ultra Short Throw Projector With HLD LED Light Source
