Laser TV - what is it ?
As TVs are becoming bigger and more affordable – we are now being asked to install many super-sized TV screens 75-85”
Whilst these are impressive, they also offer some drawbacks – because of their size and weight they require specialist delivery and installation for wall mounting.
The alternative for a super-sized TV screen has always been a projection system – this requires a large fabric screen (either fixed or electric) and a ceiling mounted projector installed on other side of room. A separate sound system is also required to accompany the video image as projectors do not have speakers (generally speaking). Projection systems are also still a niche market, relatively expensive compared to a TV, involving custom installation of ceiling mount, cabling, electrics, multiple equipment, and a room without too much ambient light! In most instances it is only specified and installed for dedicated home cinema rooms.
This is where Laser TV comes in and may bridge the gap between TVs and cinema Projectors.
In fact, it isn’t actually a TV and it isn’t a conventional laser !
It is basically two components; a fixed size material or solid screen (generally 100 - 120”) and an ‘all-in-one’ projector/sound system unit that sits just in front of the screen. The projector has a unique ultra-short throw (UST) lens and a laser light source which can produce a very bright, large image from a very short distance away. The dedicated screen has a special ALR (ambient light rejection) material containing angled micro-fibres designed to maximise the brightness of the reflected image. This allows use in brighter rooms than a conventional projector/screen.
The Laser TV projector has a built in soundbar, TV tuner, HDMI connections and smart app/android TV OS interface, which is equivalent to that found in a normal TV and provides a decent sound-field equivalent to that of a mid-range soundbar.
The Image can even be beamed directly onto a white wall or similar surface for instant effect without using the dedicated screen (although there will be a detriment to picture quality/brightness).
Laser TV Advantages:
Large screen (100-150”) to provide high impact cinematic experience.
Cheaper than a TV of equivalent size. Cost range £2,500 - £4,500 compared to an OLED 100” TV with RRP of £15,000
Lightweight/portable slimline screen much easier to install, deliver, unpack, handle than large, heavy and bulky TVs.
Relatively simple to install compared to normal projection system.
Can be used in normal living room environments with picture quality, contrast, brightness and colour, rivalling the best TVs.
Laser TV Disadvantages:
Cost still relatively expensive: up to £4,500 for best model. More expensive than low/mid spec TVs (75-85”)
Image alignment – the projector position (distance below and away from screen), needs to be very precise to provide a square aligned image of correct size.
You will need a unit in front of screen for projector to sit on, so not quite as neat as a TV mounted to the wall.
Still not as bright as an OLED TV, so still not suitable in very bright rooms with direct sunlight.
We are authorised dealers for both Hisense and Optoma Laser TV so please contact me if you wish any further information.
Whilst these are impressive, they also offer some drawbacks – because of their size and weight they require specialist delivery and installation for wall mounting.
The alternative for a super-sized TV screen has always been a projection system – this requires a large fabric screen (either fixed or electric) and a ceiling mounted projector installed on other side of room. A separate sound system is also required to accompany the video image as projectors do not have speakers (generally speaking). Projection systems are also still a niche market, relatively expensive compared to a TV, involving custom installation of ceiling mount, cabling, electrics, multiple equipment, and a room without too much ambient light! In most instances it is only specified and installed for dedicated home cinema rooms.
This is where Laser TV comes in and may bridge the gap between TVs and cinema Projectors.
In fact, it isn’t actually a TV and it isn’t a conventional laser !
It is basically two components; a fixed size material or solid screen (generally 100 - 120”) and an ‘all-in-one’ projector/sound system unit that sits just in front of the screen. The projector has a unique ultra-short throw (UST) lens and a laser light source which can produce a very bright, large image from a very short distance away. The dedicated screen has a special ALR (ambient light rejection) material containing angled micro-fibres designed to maximise the brightness of the reflected image. This allows use in brighter rooms than a conventional projector/screen.
The Laser TV projector has a built in soundbar, TV tuner, HDMI connections and smart app/android TV OS interface, which is equivalent to that found in a normal TV and provides a decent sound-field equivalent to that of a mid-range soundbar.
The Image can even be beamed directly onto a white wall or similar surface for instant effect without using the dedicated screen (although there will be a detriment to picture quality/brightness).
Laser TV Advantages:
Large screen (100-150”) to provide high impact cinematic experience.
Cheaper than a TV of equivalent size. Cost range £2,500 - £4,500 compared to an OLED 100” TV with RRP of £15,000
Lightweight/portable slimline screen much easier to install, deliver, unpack, handle than large, heavy and bulky TVs.
Relatively simple to install compared to normal projection system.
Can be used in normal living room environments with picture quality, contrast, brightness and colour, rivalling the best TVs.
Laser TV Disadvantages:
Cost still relatively expensive: up to £4,500 for best model. More expensive than low/mid spec TVs (75-85”)
Image alignment – the projector position (distance below and away from screen), needs to be very precise to provide a square aligned image of correct size.
You will need a unit in front of screen for projector to sit on, so not quite as neat as a TV mounted to the wall.
Still not as bright as an OLED TV, so still not suitable in very bright rooms with direct sunlight.
We are authorised dealers for both Hisense and Optoma Laser TV so please contact me if you wish any further information.
