What Is An Ultra-Short-Throw Projector?
Very Large Image On A Screen Or Wall From A Very Short Distance
Through the use of special lenses and mirrors, an ultra-short-throw projector can create a very large image on a screen or wall from a very short distance. Unlike most projectors, which need to be about an inch away from the wall for every inch of diagonal screen size they project, a UST projector can sit up against (or within 3 to 4 inches of) the wall and still project a large image.
Don’t Have To Mount It On The Ceiling
This lets you enjoy a bigger image in a smaller space, and because a UST projector works well on a tabletop or shelf, you don’t have to mount it on the ceiling to keep people from walking in between the projector and the screen. The downside is that UST projectors cost more than projectors with a conventional lens and can also sacrifice some image quality.
Don’t Require A Noisy Fan
More affordable UST projectors, such as the Optoma GT5600, use DLP projection technology and a traditional bulb, whereas more expensive models, like the upcoming Epson LS500 or the Sony VPL-VZ1000ES, use LCD or LCoS technology as well as lasers or LED bulbs as the light source. Traditional bulbs are generally brighter than a laser or LED light source, but they age over time (you have to replace them after around 3,000 to 6,000 hours) and also take about a minute to reach full brightness. Lasers and LEDs have a lifespan of around 20,000 hours but can’t be replaced, so once they die, the projector dies too. But because they turn on almost instantly and typically produce less heat than a traditional bulb, they don’t require a noisy fan—they function more like a standard TV.
