At Samsung CES has announced an 8K resolution ultra short throw projector called The Premiere. It’s an updated version of 2020’s 4K Premiere, a single box designed to sit on a low table directly below and just inches from your wall or screen. Using special lenses and video processing, it can create images up to 150 inches diagonally.
There are built-in speakers and Dolby Atmos to fill the room with sound and light. As you’d expect, it also has access to Netflix, Disney Plus, and more. with Samsung’s smart TV features.
Read more: Here’s another Samsung device we’re excited about (Hint: It’s a foldable phone)
While the idea of an 8K projector that can project a giant image on any wall sounds exciting, UST projectors are not as magical as they first appear. Here’s what we know so far.
8TH KILOMETER?
Ultra-short-throw projectors like this 4K The Premiere from 2020 claim to be able to project an image on any wall, but not all projectors can.
Samsung
yes, 8TH KILOMETER. That’s four times the resolution of a 4K projector. There is currently no widespread 8K content, a problem that plagues 8K TVs as well. Without 8K content, you can’t take full advantage of the extra pixels, although the projector will upscale whatever you send it to 8K, so a similarly sized image may look slightly sharper than a 4K projector. Note that there are more important aspects of image quality than resolution.
The Premiere isn’t the first 8K projector, but there are only a handful on the market. JVC There are several models starting at $11,000 and up. These use a 4K image chip and pixel shifter to produce 8K resolution on the screen. This is similar to how most 4K projectors create 4K by using a 1080p or lower resolution chip and doubling or quintupling the display’s pixels for roughly 4K resolution. Samsung doesn’t disclose the projector’s specs, but that’s pretty much how it makes 8K.
On the professional side, Digital projection there are a few 8K models, but those are for actual movie theaters and other large venues.
What is an ultra short throw projector?
It is important to remember that any ambient light will affect the image of a projector, including UST projectors.
Samsung
Traditional projectors need about 10 feet to project a 100-inch image. Higher-end models may sit further back, while short-throw models may sit closer. UST projectors sit just a few inches from the wall and are still capable of creating huge images thanks to smart lenses and video processing.
The two main downsides to all UST projectors are price and image quality. Due to their complex designs, UST projectors are much more expensive than traditional projectors.
The other downside is also the reduction that results from how they work contrast ratio. UST projectors typically have worse contrast ratios than traditional projectors, making their images appear flatter with less “punch”. Usually, manufacturers try to compensate for this by significantly increasing the brightness, but this does not improve the image quality, it just makes the image brighter.
Assumed properties
No matter how bright, a UST projector will not be able to compete with ambient light without a dedicated screen. And if so, it will look better with the curtains drawn.
Samsung
Samsung hasn’t revealed many details about the new The Premiere, but we can guess a few things. It was the previous model illuminated by a laser, and there will probably be a new model as well. This is because lasers offer better performance in terms of light output (brightness) and color. Unlike the replaceable lamps in most low-end projectors, they usually last the life of the projector.
The 4K The Premiere had built-in speakers, allowing it to act as its own soundbar. This is another likely feature, as most UST projectors aim to be a one-stop shop when it comes to room entertainment. The new model will have Dolby Atmos, which the old one did not have.
It’s also safe to assume it will be shiny. There were two versions of the 4K The Premiere, a “120-inch” version and a “130-inch” version. Neither actually came with a screen, and actually managed to produce display sizes of 90 by 120 inches with the former and 100 by 130 inches with the latter. The difference was a claimed light output of 2,200 and 2,800 respectively. These are pretty good numbers, although other UST projectors in a similar price range are brighter. For example, the $4,000 Epson LS500 put out a claimed 4,000 lumens. Samsung claims the new model can take “150-inch” pictures, so expect a bump in lumens.
Price and availability
Samsung has yet to announce pricing or availability. Generally, products announced at CES come out in the spring or summer. In terms of price, it will hardly be cheap. The previous The Premiere was $3,500 for the 120-inch version and $6,500 for the 130-inch version. Since the only other consumer 8K PJs start at $11,000, and those are for traditional (aka non-UST) designs, it seems safe to assume that the 8K The Premiere will cost at least as much as the previous model, and probably more.
Keep an eye out for CNET CES coverage for more information.
