Short Throw Vs. Long Throw Projectors? There are major differences between short-throw and long-throw distances in projectors. This article reveals all you need to know about their differences and operations to make a wise choice regarding which suits you best.
Projector technology continues to grow and offers ease and flexibility for different users. One of its remarkable developments is the addition of throw distances.
You will find this technology exciting and beyond visuals as it goes to make life easy and flexible for you.
There are already a bunch of tough decisions to make regarding contrast, brightness, resolution, and zoom range.
Making the decision-making process simple is all you need.
Short or long-throw distance affects projector performance hugely. Hence, the reason it deserves all the attention it can get.
This article discusses throw distances, what purpose they serve, and the difference between short and long throw distances.
What is the Throw Ratio?
Knowing the throw ratio is crucial in understanding short and long-throw distance projectors.
The throw ratio stands as the measurement between the projector and the wall.
In simpler terms, the throw distance is about where you place the projector and the distance to where the screen is.
What is a Short throw projector?
Short-throw distance projectors are projectors fit for smaller room spaces.
As their names imply, they can project images only vividly from a short distance from the screen.
To use short-throw distance projectors, you need to place the projector close to the projection surface.
People with small living rooms or who simply want to have their viewing experience limited in space can explore short-throw projectors.
The throw ratio for these projectors is usually between 0.4 and 1. This implies that the farther you take the projector, the more the width expands, potentially reducing the image quality.
What aids this technology? Short-throw projectors can project even at about four feet from the screen with the help of a chip that alters the geometry of the projected image, causing the angle of projection to appear as a rectangle on the screen.
This technology is fascinating. To better understand it, let’s take a look at its PROS.
Pros of Short-throw Projectors
There are several benefits to using a short-throw projector, just as there are a few cons. However, judging by your needs and settings, you will be able to decide if this projector can satisfy your needs and give you a memorable viewing experience.
Minimal Space
Short-throw projectors are minimalistic. They help save a lot of space and prevent distractions whenever movements occur.
You can operate a short-throw projector in virtually any space, provided you have a screen surface.
You get to eliminate the issue of distracting shadows whenever viewers take a leave or change their sitting position.
Cinematic
Short-throw distance projectors give that cinematic vibe better. Imagine you and your family or loved ones in a cozy small space exploring a visually compelling series in the living room.
The colors and brightness are sharply projected, and it’s a whole live vibe to see it all in front of you.
CONS of Short-throw Projectors
Well, it’s sad to say that short-throw distance projectors are not without a few disadvantages.
See its few disadvantages and decide if you can cope with them or not. \
Overheating
Short-throw projectors tend to overheat regularly. This predicament gets worse when you use the projector for a long duration.
Typically, projector’s overheating occurs due to the unique operating system of the projector. Converting rectangular images into trapezoids requires extra processing power.
This process causes internal components to take a hit and could get really hot.
However, the cooling system feature helps to lessen this effect. Cooling fans greatly impact the projector but can be noisy, bringing about unwanted noise.
Image Warping
Prepare for a potentially annoying image warping when projecting on an uneven surface screen.
This predicament emerges because short-throw projectors work to warp projected images into a certain angle.
What is a Long throw Projector?
Long-throw distance projectors work with a higher throw ratio, aiding projection from far positions.
Long-throw projectors have many advantages, much more than short-throw projectors. However, I recommend you follow the discussion properly, as they also have a fair share of cons.
PROS: What are the Pros of long-throw projectors?
- Great for an outdoor viewing experience
- It paves the way for foot traffic
- Suitable for uneven surface
- Inexpensive
CONS: What are the Cons of long-throw projectors?
- Vulnerable to obstructions
- Consume space
- Prone to more glare
How to Choose the Right Throw Distance Projector?
The subsequent part of this article will cut across scenarios in which you may use the projector, helping you judge whether a short-throw or long-throw works better.
In guiding you, there are three major considerations to make; space, screen size, and projector position.
Space
Your choice of a long or short-throw-distance projector largely depends on your space.
Do you plan to use the projector in a large seminar room? Then, long throw projectors will serve you better.
However, I recommend exploring short-throw projectors for a home theater experience as they offer zero or minimal distractions, encouraging concentration.
Regardless, it would help to consider where your power source or your surface screen will be.
You will find that you need a long-throw projector if your power source is far from the surface screen. This connotes that you have a pretty spacious room.
Having a spacious room also requires you to have a considerably large screen size to project your wide images.
However, you may still go for a short-throw projector, even when you have a large room, if you envisage multiple movements and potential distractions.
Planning to use the projector in a class or the office could warrant this consideration.
Projector Placement
The projector’s placement is another deciding factor when choosing the right projector for you.
The placement could come in three ways: ceiling mount, wall mount, or tripod mount. You could also place the projector on the table or sit it on the floor.
Meanwhile, you will benefit from correct and accurate projection if you mount the projector instead of sitting it on a platform.
Still, the other way affords you mobility, allowing you to take the fun just about anywhere. The projector’s placement needs to consider the projector throw ratio as well.
Elements that go into consideration are the screen size, mount, and throw ratio.
Not making this calculation could result in image distortion as the screen may not align with the projection due to miscalculated screen size and throw ratio.
To go about this aspect, multiply the width of your screen by the projector throw ratio. This gives you the proper distance your screen should be from the projector.
Screen Size
Previous discussions reveal the importance of screen size. However, this concluding aspect helps you understand how to choose the proper throw distance regarding your screen size.
When deliberating the screen size, essential factors are the ceiling height and the orientation of your viewing environment.
To avoid constraints by vertical space, you will want your screen height to be 1/6th of the distance to the extreme angle of your room.
I recommend having your surface screen sit about three feet from the floor for easy viewing.
How do you go about this measurement, though? A method that works is to get the maximum possible height of your screen by subtracting three feet from the ceiling height.
However, I recommend you make the closest part of your viewing area at least two screen heights.
Getting the width right can be tricky. To do it, multiply the screen height measure and the aspect ratio your projector is expected to project.
Conclusion: So, what are the differences between Short Throw and Long Throw projectors?
Hopefully, this article gets you closer to choosing the right throw projector for your needs.
Remember, preference is critical, and what works for me might not work for you.
Space, projector placement, and screen size are vital elements when choosing a throw distance.
You will find that short-throw distance projectors are more expensive than long-throw distance, but this would be fine if everything is in place and everyone aligns.
This guide remains valid for accurately assessing how short-throw and long-throw distance projectors can serve you.
Perhaps you have a different intended use, at the office or on an outdoor vacation. Then, you can make an imaginative assessment of the space and reach an estimate in order to make a choice that still falls within the range.