Short Throw Home Theater Projectors

A Quick Buying Guide for Short Throw Projectors

For the perfect home theater setup, sometimes you have to get a little creative, and if you want a truly cinematic experience, consider choosing a short throw video projector instead of the standard HD TV and speaker system. These projectors are compatible with a variety of technologies and living spaces. eBay makes it easy to see different types and their features, so you can choose one that suits your space and budget without any difficulty.

What is a short throw projector?

Short throw projectors are designed to project video images onto a screen. They can be used to screen movies, TV shows, and streaming media content. If you decide to purchase a projector, you will need a screen to project the image on. For best viewing results, these two components need to be placed at specific distances from each other. This distance, commonly referred to as "throw distance," is crucial when purchasing a projector.

What does "short throw distance" mean?

All video projectors have a throw distance capability. Each projector houses a lens and mirror assembly, and these assemblies are designed to project video images a specific distance. When shopping for projectors, you'll encounter three throw distance options. They are described here:

  • Long/standard throw - These projectors require 6 feet or more between the projector and the screen.
  • Short throw - The lenses in short throw projectors are capable of projecting large images across shorter distances. These usually perform best at a distance of 4 feet.
  • Ultra short throw - Ultra short throw usually refers to a distance of 2 feet or less.

This means that short throw projectors are commonly used in smaller rooms. Before you purchase a projector, measure your space and select the throw distance that best suits your existing setup.

What types of display technology are available?

Projectors use different core technologies to display video images on the screen. These technologies impact image quality, pixel resolution, and color output. The options include:

  • DLP - DLP, which stands for Digital Light Processing, uses a lamp, a spinning color wheel, and a DMD chip to project images. This technology is affordable, and it offers high-quality color and visual contrast.
  • LCD - When LCD technology is used in projectors, a small number of LCD chips (usually three) create and display the video image. A variant of this technology is 3LCD. It uses a 3-dichroic mirror assembly to pass separated light beams through the LCD chips.
What brands offer short throw projectors?

Many popular brands offer short throw projectors. They include:

  • Epson
  • Optoma
  • Sony
  • LG
  • Epson
  • Canon
  • Panasonic
  • BenQ