Big TVs are now breaking sales records, but even a 100-inch home screen seems small compared to the scale of real movie theaters. Do not forget the magic of dimming, complete immersion in the action, the physical principle of operation based on reflected light and not pixel lighting – whatever one may say, nothing better than a projector can be found for a reference effect.
Well, we’ve selected seven of the brightest, ultra-modern video projectors available for purchase from last year.
7. BenQ TK700Sti
The BenQ TK700Sti is an absolutely versatile device, equally suited to watching movies and playing computer games. The video projector is based on a 0.47-inch micro-mirror chip that generates a 4K UHD image using an XPR optical actuator. Gamers can expect lag as low as 16.67ms when playing at 4K/60Hz or 8.33ms at 1080p/120Hz. 3,000 lumens of brightness seems to be the benchmark for its price range, while CinematicColor technology, HDR10/HLG support and display of up to 96% of Rec. correct performance of fast movements.
Pros – High frame rate, great colors
Cons – lack of support for 4K 120 Hz mode
Verdict : Excellent value for money
6. Optoma CinemaX P2
The new trend is ultra-short throw projectors, which offer incredible installation flexibility. And not too expensive (by the standards of its segment, of course) Optoma CinemaX P2 allows installation almost close to the wall, is equipped with a laser light source, reaches a luminous flux of 3,000 lm and easily projects an image up to 120″. The highlight of the device is a very high-quality built-in sound system with a power of 40 W, this Achilles heel of video projectors is completely leveled here, the Optoma CinemaX P2 easily pumps over a room of up to 25 square meters. As for the image, everything is good – the DLP chip again grabs the stars from the sky in terms of frame fusion and color reproduction, but the declared brightness does not seem to be as high as the paper specifications promise.
Pros – short focus, nice image
Cons – brightness could be higher
Assessment : The device is very good by the standard of its price category
5. Hisense PX1-PRO
Another short-throw model, the Hisense PX1-PRO uses pixel shifting and a micro-mirror chip, reaching 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels). The light source is very fashionable – TriChroma laser, which provides a lifetime of 25,000 hours and covers a full 107% of the BT.2020 color space. Only 2,200 lumens of brightness on paper during a real test turns out to be quite suitable for a not too large room and screens up to 130 ”, and the contrast looks amazing at all (the number 1,000,000: 1 is not for nothing).
Advantages – really voluminous image
Cons – again, there would be more light flow
Verdict : Hisense PX1-PRO will not let you down
4. LG HU85LA CineBeam
The LG HU85LA CineBeam has 4K UHD resolution and works with screens up to 120”, delivering 2,700 lumens of light. The model uses a laser light source, supports HDR 10 video, Dynamic Tone Mapping and ThinQ AI technology. The price is quite high, but this ultra-short-throw device captures stars from the sky both in terms of colors and in terms of volume and saturation of the frame – you just want to shout “bravo”.
Pros – laser light source, gorgeous frame
Cons – price only
Verdict : The LG HU85LA CineBeam is still one of the most important players on the market
3. Samsung The Premiere LSP9T
Another great model is Samsung’s flagship projector The Premiere LSP9T, which has a brightness of 2,800 lumens and uses a three-laser system with a DLP chip. The picture generated by the Samsung The Premiere LSP9T is astonishing – separate sources for red, blue and green colors provide a fantastic palette, brightness and contrast in the picture. No wonder the manufacturer guarantees full coverage of DCI-P3 and even Rec.2020 color spaces, which can be considered a unique achievement for the projector. Not forgotten smart functions such as support for the voice assistants Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Bixby.
Pros – Amazing image fidelity
Disadvantages – as usual – price
Verdict : Worth every dollar invested
2. Epson Pro Cinema LS12000
Epson’s mammoth Pro Cinema LS12000 cinema projector uses a 3LCD chip with a laser light source, covers screens up to 130” and guarantees true 4K resolution without optical or pixel shifts. The device provides excellent detail and depth of frame and works out tones of the sky or water phenomenally well – literally opening a window to another world in front of you.
Pros – Laser 3LCD technology rocks!
Cons – blackest margins still not perfect
Verdict : Strong player
1. JVC DLA-NZ8
Well, here is the leader of the highest sector in the market. The JVC DLA-NZ8 is prohibitively expensive, but the combination of the company’s proven D-ILA imaging technology and the BLU-Escent laser light source works wonders. In terms of black levels, contrast, blending and frame depth, we haven’t seen anything like it – and apparently we won’t for a long time. The model provides a luminous flux of 2,500 lm, has a real resolution of 4,096 x 2,160 pixels and can form an 8K frame with e-shiftX technology (the image is shifted left and right and up and down – that is, each frame consists of more than two half-frames, but from four components).
Advantages – reference unit in all respects
Cons – extremely high price tag
Verdict : The JVC DLA-NZ8 will suit fans of all the best
