Short Throw vs Long Throw Projector

ByCarry

Short Throw vs Long Throw Projector

If you are planning to have a new projector for your home, business, or classroom, you might be wondering what different projectors are available in the market today.

As first-time buyers, many people look at the brightness level, contrast ratio, screen size, and resolution as the main factor in the selection process.

But there is one more important factor that you should consider when choosing the right projector, and that is throw distance.

Now you might be asking yourself what “throw distance” is? The throw is a distance between the screen and projector.

So in this article, we have discussed the short throw vs long throw projector and their pros and cons in detail.

What is a Long Throw Projector?

long throw vs short throw projector
credit [Benq.com]
A long throw is a projector that requires at least 11-12 feet or more to produce an image of  100″ inches on the screen or wall. 

These types of projection systems are mainly seen in large rooms or places with a lot of space like a cinema hall, church, auditorium, and the living room.

Advantages Of Long Throw Projectors

  • As the name suggests, a long throw projector is perfect for placing the projector 10 feet away from the screen to produce images up to the size of more than 300″ inches.
  • Also, due to more space, the viewers can freely walk around without blocking the image.
  • They are less expensive than short-throw projectors due to their lens, which does not require any special features.

Disadvantages

  • The main disadvantage of a long-throw projector is that it requires ample space to be placed compared to a short-throw projector.
  • It is unsuitable for small classrooms or rooms because the image might appear fuzzy if the projector is placed at a shorter distance.
  • Also, if you are planning to use an internal speaker, half of the people sitting near the unit will be able to hear the sound. So it is always advisable to connect external speakers with your long throw projector.

What is a Short Throw Projector?

A short throw is a projector that projects a larger image from a shorter distance of five feet away. These types of units are ideal for small rooms or places where the space is limited.

So, if you pull a projector back at every foot, the image size increases at 1 – 1.50 inches due to its throw distance of 0.4 to 1 ratio.

Advantages

  • This type of projection system is perfect for a room that has limited space.
  • Also, they are best for business meetings where the presenter can easily explain without distracting its shadow on the screen.
  • Many gamers prefer a short throw projector due to the more brightness produced on the screen.
  • Their speakers generally have loud noise in comparison with the long-throw projection systems.

Disadvantages

  • The short throw projector produces lots of heat, and the fan starts running at full speed, making lots of noise.
  • They are more costly, and their lamp has less life than the long-throw projection system.
  • It requires a flat surface to produce a high-end image and proper alignment to set the image on a wall or screen, which consumes lots of time.

When Should I Use Short Throw Projector?

If you are looking for a model that can be placed inches away from the screen like a table or flat surface due to small space, then a short-throw projector is perfect.

You will probably see short-throw projections in classrooms, bedrooms, and business conferences with fewer people.

Note
The short-throw projector is not made to mount on the ceiling because they don’t have the proper hardware, and images will be not good as compared to placed on an even surface.

What is an Ultra Short Throw Projector?

An ultra-short throw projector produces the image at a distance of just 2-2.5 feet away. Ultra short throw projectors are perfect for those who want to replace their daily viewing from regular tv with a high-end projector system.

But UST type of projectors are way more expensive from short and long throws, and they require a special screen to absorb the light in the environment.

Do I Need Special Screen For Short Throw Projector?

No, having a specialized screen to use the ST projector is not necessary. But it is always recommended to have a specialized screen to produce excellent image quality on the screen.

So, if you use to project on a wall, the picture will be flat, and the border color might distract you if it has some colorful coloring.

Also, if there is a crack or something, it will surely distract the viewers while watching anything.

Conclusion

It is always a better idea to choose the projector according to the area where you will use the projector. Also, it is recommended to see other features before selecting a suitable unit for your work or entertainment.

At last, I would like to add if you are going to place it in an extra small room where the walls are more prominent, or you are going to use a specialized screen for viewing, then check the UST projectors.

Note:-

  1. ST is “Short Throw”
  2. UST is “Ultra Short Throw”
Carry
Latest posts by Carry (see all)

Similar Posts