Short-throw projectors solve a widespread shortcoming (sorry for the pun!) of many projectors. The shortcoming is that you often need to set up your projector so far back to get a decent-sized screen coverage that you end up needing to be sat between the projector and the screen. While this is often perfectly fine, you will notice that in many smaller living spaces or without a ceiling-mounted projector the picture quality and aspect ratio will be lacking!
So, what is short throw laser projector, how do they work, and are they worth parting with your hard-earned money for? This quick blog post covers all of that and more, so strap in.
What Is Short-Throw projection?
To fully understand the question of what are short-throw projectors you need to understand what short-throw projection actually is. Short-throw projection is a method of creating larger images from projectors mounted between 3-8 feet from the projection screen. Conversely, long throw projectors could be mounted from twice that distance. The purpose of short-throw projection as a methodology is to ensure that you are able to have a large screen with a crystal clear high-quality picture without needing to provide a lengthy projection throw.
Throw distance and positioning of a projector have just as much of an effect on picture quality as selecting a suitable aspect ratio. Without using a high-quality short-throw capable projector you would be severely limited in picture quality and screen size. A decent short-throw projector will be capable of providing HD or even 4K quality pictures on a screen of up to 100 inches while only needing to be placed 3-8 feet away from the screen. Close enough to sit your projector on your coffee table!
A common issue with projectors suited for long-throw projection when incorrectly used over short distances is that throw ratio becomes a major problem and will leave you with poor, even unwatchable, image quality. Throw ratio is a simple formula used to determine how far away a projector should be from the screen. For example, if a projector has a throw ratio of 3 that means that for every 1 foot of image width you will need 3 feet of distance between the projector and the screen, which is often not ideal!
Short-throw projection utilizes lower throw ratios which in many cases can even be below one, for example, there are plenty of excellent short-throw projectors that have a throw ratio of 0.9 which means for a screen that is 10 feet in size the projector would only need to sit 9 feet away. A 100-inch screen, which is about the maximum size many people purchase as standard, would only require a 0.9 throw-ratio projector to sit about 7.5 feet away. Compared to the 24 feet a throw ratio of 3 would require!
What are the advantages of short-throw projectors?
There are a ton of fantastic advantages to using short-throw laser projectors over their long-throw counterparts. Some of the advantages are pretty obvious, like not requiring a specialist ceiling mount. While others are a little more subtle. So much so that you might never have even considered them! To determine whether or not a short-throw projector is right for you, check out the following awesome advantages they provide:
Better quality
Short-throw projectors produce a much higher image quality when used close to a screen. Without a short-throw projector image quality would not only be blurry and poorly ratioed it could be downright painful to look at. Short-throw projection is the only way to guarantee no reduction in quality or brightness when used from 3-8 feet away. If you have previously struggled with a lack of picture quality due to the display source needing to be well too far away then a short-throw projector is just what you need.
Uninterrupted viewing
There is nothing more annoying than when you, or someone else, has to walk between the projector and the screen during a viewing session. Your movie is interrupted, it is embarrassing for anyone who is actually doing the interrupting, and it detracts from the whole viewing experience. Luckily, with a short-throw projector, your display source can be so close to the screen that there will be no need for anyone to walk in front of it. At this point, it is no different than if somebody went and stood in front of a television. You may still struggle with the occasional pesky cat or dog who wanders too close to the projector. That’s why many people still elect to mount theirs on the ceiling or the wall.
Flexible Placement
By reducing the distance needed between the display source and screen you are maximizing the potential mount locations for your projector. You are not simply limited to the furthest reaches of the room or viewing area. The ability to place your projector more or less anywhere gives you the freedom to change your viewing experience at a moment’s notice and allows you the freedom to create unique and interesting locations for your viewing screen. Like above the fireplace or even on the ceiling!
Easier/Cheaper to install
Since your mounting location for the projector is not so limited you are more likely to find cheaper and easier-to-mount locations such as simply placing your projector on the coffee table rather than installing a hang-down custom ceiling mount with dedicated fiberoptic wiring! Sometimes it is still worth splurging on a cool installation. But for most of us, we simply want to streamline the installation process and cut costs as much as possible. Which is rarely possible with a long-throw projector.
Summary
Hopefully, you now have a great idea about not only what short-throw projectors are but how they are best utilized and what cool benefits they provide over other, longer-throw, projectors. Many people choose to use short-throw projectors for online gaming or games nights with friends and family. Imagine Mario Kart on a 100-inch screen! Short-throw projectors are so versatile and easy to set up that there is almost certainly a projector that is not only within your budget but perfectly suited for your entertainment space – be it a bedroom, living room, or outdoor seating area.
