Subtract 3 feet from the total ceiling height (in feet) to get the maximum dimension. The screen size will be dictated by your ceiling height and your viewing area. Just because there is a difference in the price tag doesnt mean more expensive short throw projectors are categorically superior to long throw projectors. I am overwhelmed with the variety and dont want to miss my mark. Throws are almost always overlooked by consumers because they're not the most obvious features of the projector unless, of course, you turn it on in the store. If you're looking for a projector you can place in the comfort of your bedroom, then the short-throw is most likely a more appropriate projector. The long-throw projector is for longer distances. Primarily, you want to be sure your projection surface isnt catching glare from outside light. Hence, people can walk all over that space and cast shadows on the images being projected. If so, then you know that it's not as simple as buying the most popular brand or buying the cheapest model out there. Thank you. The budget and preferences are useless if you buy a short-throw projector and end up not seeing the image when you place it six feet and beyond. There are three types of throws, the short throw, long throw, and ultra-short throw. ), a projector you can place in the comfort of your bedroom, the projector and the screen where people can walk all over. What throw? For short throw projectors with a throw ratio of 0.4, a four foot wide screen can be projected at just 17 from the projection surface. Deciding what kind of projector is right for you depends on numerous factors. Now that you know more about it don't forget to consider other things too like the accessories to mount your projector, the resolution, the brightness in lumens, and the remote control. One of the most confusing decisions you have to come up with when buying a new projector is choosing between short throw vs long throw projectors. As with most home theater products, the appropriate one for you depends on several variables. The quality of glass for the lens of short throw projectors is better, hence it generally has a higher price tag than long throw projectors. Make sure to bear this in mind when choosing between short throw and long throw models. The throw distance of short throw models has a throw ratio between 0.4 to 1. There's really only one concern here - what projector should you buy? For more info, check out my about me page! Well, you can check this hack about, how you can connect an Epson projector to a laptop easily. The brightness and resolution of a projector can be adjusted based on how near or far it is from the wall. However, this height will likely be constrained by your rooms ceiling. Youve decided to add a projector into your home theater setup. Youll want your seating area directly across from your projection surface with room to have your speakers surrounding symmetrically. They have a throw ratio of more than one. This is the ratio between the size (width) of the projected image and the distance of the projector from the wall. Since long throw projectors should be mounted at least six feet away, there is bigger space between the projector and the screen where people can walk all over. Ultra short throw projectors can create the same image when installed 52cm or less close to the screen. This is especially important if your projector is installed on your ceiling. One thing to consider is whether you want the projector mounted to the wall or ceiling, resting on a shelf, or sitting on the floor. Another thing to consider is where you intend to place your projector. One of the key differences between short throw vs long throw projectors is their cost. The laser projection offers an excellent image quality. Long throw projectors have a throw ratio greater than one and will therefore always project an image with a width that is smaller than the distance of the projector from it. If you have a lot of room to spare, and require a large screen size, a long throw projector may be more appropriate for your purposes. Long throw projectors are meant to sit far from a projection surface while short throw projectors are meant to sit closer. Short throws are perfect for your home entertainment system as the projector position will lessen the appearance of shadows from people getting up to go somewhere. I began working for an A/V installation company years ago and realized my passion for home theaters! Unlike other video devices where both the budget and the preferences are important, for projectors, you really have to think about what kind of projector you will need. Besides, not all models are compatible with a number of players, so it's important to check that one out, too. However, if you have a large space, or are viewing outdoors, a long throw projector is your best choice. The ultra-short throw should be placed at most 15 inches away from the screen. Another thing to consider if you have room behind your projection surface is the possibility of getting a translucent screen and putting the projector behind it. Choosing the right projector is very important to have the best viewing experience in your home theater. This is the optimum screen size for your room. As the name implies, long throw projectors can project images over longer distances, making them an excellent choice when the screen isnt where the power source is. As mentioned above, throws are one of the overlooked factors in buying a projector. Therefore, a short throw projector can be placed closer to the screen than a long throw projector. If you have a small room, it is best to use a short throw projector. Although mounting your projector ensures that your image will be projected correctly every time, not mounting the projector gives you the option to make your projector mobile. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Your desired screen size and your projectors throw ratio will determine how far you must position your projector from your screen. I'm Jonah. To get the width, multiply the screen height by the aspect ratio your projector will project. Lower chances of shadows cast on the projection, Lower chances of damage from accidental bumps, Not recommended to use on uneven surfaces, Used even if projection wall is far from the power source, Higher chances of shadows cast on the projection, Subtract 3 feet from the total ceiling height (in feet) to get the maximum dimension. The lens required for short-throw projectors is more expensive, which explains why they cost a bit more. In that way, you don't have to get up and go to the projector just to fix its resolution and contrast. This can be an advantage if you have a large home theater environment or if the power source is a distance from where you want your projection surface to be. What is a Pico Projector? See this guide for how to arrange your speakers. Excellent projector. The throw ratio is the ratio between the distance of the projector to the wall and the horizontal measure of the image the projector produces. In the end, don't forget that projectors aren't made equally. Besides, they are a lot smaller and more compact. @2021 - The WiredShopper. (Got a projector and a laptop? I need help choosing a short throw projector for my 14 x 18 box of a studio, to create an immersive therapeutic experience. Throw? After High school, we lost touch with everyone as Chris and Justin left the state. The ceiling height and viewing area determine your screen size. They can also be a good resource if your rooms foot traffic is closer to the screen. Ultimately, the projector you choose will be determined by the factors that are important to you. If you haven't heard of this one yet, you'll find this post helpful. This is great for projecting a movie on the side of the house on those warm summer nights. There is no perfect way to set up a home theater; theres just the perfect way for you. If the projector is placed on a table, then you can expect someone to block it if they're on their way to go to the bathroom or to get some popcorn. Have you ever tried buying a projector? Our experts suggest considering factors such as throw distance, projector screen size, and room size when choosing between short throw vs long throw projector. Our team of experts explains here the differences between the two. Thank you for sharing your expertise, I have read so many of your very helpful articles! As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made on our website. If you are working with a small room, you will likely want to go with a short throw projector, since a long throw may not give you the screen size you desire. Instead of replacing lamp again, now searching for similar projector. Home Theater Projectors vs Business Projectors. It is related to the throw ratio. However, room cooling should be good as short throw projectors can get hot. A screen should sit about three feet from the floor to ensure comfortable viewing. Do you consult? Short throw and long throw projectors behave differently at different screen sizes. However, the system of producing this image quality is a lot of work for the projector so it generates more heat than other projectors. (Got a projector and a laptop? For starters, a short throw projector will save you space. They each have a specific purpose, and the difference in price is due to the advanced technology the short throw projector needs to manipulate the image for projection. Having read the article, will stick with long throw unit. Because of the extra processing power required to convert rectangular images into trapezoids capable of projecting a rectangle at an angle, short throw projectors can get hot. A cinephile, he has made it a personal quest to achieve the awesomest home theater possible. Curvatures in the room could help dictate good locations for your projection surface and the location of your projector. Enjoyed this proojector for movies mostly and occasionally games. This is also perfect for business presentations as you can move anywhere while explaining without casting a shadow over the presentation. Excellent informative to decide betweeen short throw and long project. Thank you for the article, very good read. Simply multiply the screen width by the throw ratio to get the appropriate distance your projector should be from the screen. The closest part of your viewing area should not be less than two screen heights away. It should also be about 3 feet from the floor. I want the largest possible image to appear on the screen. This is because this model is specific for areas that are very cramped. Lastly, the floor area is a very important consideration. A throw is a distance the projector needs to "throw" an image to the screen or the wall. This means that for every foot from the projection surface the projector is set back, the width of the projected image will increase by somewhere between 1 to 2.5 feet. Short-throw models are able to create 100-inch image sizes four feet from the screen. If you have a very short room, this might come in handy, but otherwise, it's not as flexible if you plan on moving it away from the screen. This extra processing causes short throw projectors to generate excess heat relative to their long throw cousins. Long throw projectors cannot be installed less than six feet away from the screen. For instance, to produce the same 80 screen size, a short throw projector needs to be about 92.7 cm away from the wall while a long throw one should be 240cm away. But beware, because the throw letters aren't always present. Make sure that your projector supports DVD, Blu-ray, and other audio connections. The ultra-short throw is not as common as the short and long throw. When this happens, internal fans activate to cool the unit down, causing unwanted noise. One of the most important decisions you will make when shopping for a projector is whether your projector has a short throw or long throw. Remote control is a convenient way to manage your projector. It's ideal for distances of six feet and longer. It is installed at most 15 inches away from the screen. Hence, this is perfect for a very tiny space since it takes up very limited space. Sam, Its a little confusing to me but if my screen size is 9 feet high by 13 wide and I have 18 feet of length to install the projector on the ceiling and if I dont need to worry about shadows, should I get a short throw or long throw project to use with my golf simulator? Power sources as well will impact what kind of projector you should go with. Quite simply, the difference between short and long throw projectors is how far from the screen you are to set them. Remember, the shorter the throw, the lesser chances of someone ruining the projection field, hence better viewing experience. Willie Greer is the founder of The Product Analyst. The screen size of the image being projected has a width that is smaller than the gap between the screen and the long throw. Home Theater DIY is where I can share my findings and experience about home theaters and home electronics. Because the long throw projector doesnt need to geometrically transform the image the way short throw projectors do, they are usually more moderately priced, given similar other specs. That's a very short distance! I grew up with Chris and Justin, went to school with them at LGCSD. If you compare the short throw and the long throw, the latter will always be cheaper. The ultra short throw projectors are the go-to choice for many people in improving their home theaters. Here's a short description of each throw, so that you can decide which one is for you. As the projector can sit closer to the screen, there is less chance that it will be damaged from accidental bumping. For the width, just multiply the aspect ratio [1] of the produced image by your projector, and the projector height. Our experts suggest making sure that the area where the image will be projected is away from light glare so as not to cause viewing problems. On the other hand, to achieve the same image width, a long throw projector should be around 240cm away from the screen. How to Watch CODA Without Apple TV+: A How to Vertical Mount GPU A Detailed How Electronic Ink Will Be Everywhere In The Kindle Unlimited Vs Amazon Prime Reading: Which One NOOK GlowLight 3 Review: A Good EReader But E-Readers Vs Tablets : What Are The Differences? If you place the projector in a shorter distance than four feet, your picture can be clearer and larger. Lamp was replaced once. Our testers compare the difference between a long throw vs short throw projector to help you determine which type you need. Choosing the right projector is about balancing your preferences, something that will come down to your personal taste.