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Should You Buy an Ultra Short Throw Projector?

The advantages of a UST projector

By Jon Martindale Jon Martindale Writer Jon Martindale has been a feature tech writer for more than 10 years. He's written for publications such as Digital Trends, KitGuru, and ITProPortal. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 21, 2022 Reviewed by Kayla Dube Reviewed by Kayla Dube J. Everette Light Career Center Kayla Dube has 4+ years' experience in videography and filmmaking. She frequently works in production with indie film companies. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email TV & Displays Projectors Samsung Antennas HDMI & Connections Remote Controls Ultra short throw projectors are one of the best ways to maximize your screen size in a small room, simplify set up, and reduce the middle-of-the-room clutter of older, larger projectors, which require further distance from the screen. USTs aren't for everyone and can be more expensive, but they also offer the most effortless installation and best picture qualities of all projectors available today.

Are Short Throw Projectors Better

Short throw projectors operate at a much-reduced distance to the projector screen, using mechanical lens shift and keystone correction to project an image at an extreme angle without impacting the visual quality. Ultra-short throw projectors can deliver just as good a picture as many of the best traditional projectors. Ultra short throw projectors aren't necessarily better than traditional projectors. Still, they make it almost impossible for anyone to walk in front of the projected image, and they tend to offer fewer shadows and glare compared to more typical designs.

What Is the Advantage of a Short Throw Projector

The real advantage of a short-throw projector is how easy they are to set up and how versatile they can be. Whereas traditional projectors, especially those projecting onto larger screens, can require ten or more feet of distance from the screen, USTs can be as close as just a few feet. That means you can have a giant projector screen in a small room, and you don't need to allocate space for the projector far back from the screen where you might want to sit or where children or animals might more easily gain access to it. This close proximity also reduces glare and shadows, cuts back on the length of necessary cables to plug everything in, and can cut back on the installation costs since you don't need to mount the projector on the ceiling. The only real downside to ultra-short throw projectors is that they tend to be more expensive than their traditional projector counterparts since they require more complicated lens systems.

Are Ultra Short Throw Projectors Worth It

Ultra short throw projectors, or USTs, are the latest evolution in short-throw projector technology and work at much greater proximity than before. Where previous short-throw projectors required at least a few feet to display a good quality picture, the latest generation USTs can display an image from as close as 10-inches—although most can't get quite that close.

Is a UST Projector Worth It

If you have limited space to work with or want to make the most of what you have, and don't mind spending a bit extra for the privilege, the latest generations of ultra-short throw or UST projectors, are well worth the investment. They have excellent picture quality, convenience, and the most straightforward setup of most modern projector designs.
The 9 Best Projectors, Tested by Lifewire FAQ Are there 4K ultra short throw projectors? Yes. Samsung, Epson, Phillips, and most other manufacturers make 4K video projectors. Do I need a special screen for my short throw projector? No. Some screens are specifically designed for short throw projectors, but any regular projection screen will work fine. How do I convert a regular projector to a short throw projector? If you don't have a short throw projector, you can get a similar effect by placing a wide angle lens in front of your projector lens. You'll probably need to create a rig of some kind to hold the lens in place. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What to Look for When Buying a Projector Video Projection Screens: What You Need to Know What Is a Short Throw Video Projector? The 9 Best Projectors, Tested by Lifewire VAVA VA-LT002 4K UHD Ultra-Short Throw Projector Review: Fantastic Video and Sound Quality The 8 Best 4K and 1080p Projectors of 2022 How Far From the Screen a Projector Should Be The 9 Best Mini Projectors of 2022 BenQ HT2150ST Review: Category Leading Gaming Projector The 9 Best Projector Screens of 2022 The 8 Best Laser TVs of 2022 Video Projector vs. TV: Which is Best for You? Optoma ML750ST Review: A Powerful Projector The 7 Best Cheap Projectors of 2022 Optoma UHD50 Projector Review: A 4K Projector That Can Hold Its Own The 6 Best Outdoor Projectors of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies