Podcast Summary: Home Theater Geeks 461: UST Projector Showdown!

Hosted by Scott Wilkinson and featuring Phil Jones of ProjectorReviews.com, this episode delves into the intricacies of Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors through a comprehensive showdown. Released on December 12, 2024, the episode offers listeners an in-depth analysis of various UST projectors, their performance metrics, and practical applications in home theater setups.

1. Introduction to UST Projectors

Scott Wilkinson kicks off the episode by welcoming Phil Jones, highlighting his expertise as the technical editor and lead reviewer at projectorreviews.com. The primary focus is the recently conducted UST Projector Showdown in collaboration with ProjectorScreen.com.

Phil Jones explains:

"UST stands for ultra short throw projector. And a lot of times you may hear them referred to as laser TVs." [03:42]

Key Points:

• UST Projectors are designed to project large images from a very short distance, often as close as six inches from the screen.
• Commonly branded as Laser TVs, these projectors integrate laser light sources, built-in speakers, and smart features, serving as TV replacements in typical living environments.

2. Understanding the Showdown

Phil elaborates on the motivation behind the showdown:

"It's very difficult to determine the differences or the advantages, disadvantages of one projector over another based on testing, previous testing, and your memory." [06:19]

Objective:

• To provide a side-by-side comparison of multiple UST projectors to offer consumers a clearer understanding of each model's strengths and weaknesses.
• Emphasis on realistic usage scenarios rather than idealized, professionally calibrated settings.

Methodology:

• Projectors were sourced directly from inventory to ensure they represent what consumers would typically purchase, avoiding "golden samples" that may have been specially calibrated.
• Manufacturers were invited to calibrate their own projectors within specific constraints, ensuring a fair and standardized testing environment.

3. Equipment and Setup

Phil Jones details the technical setup:

"We pulled the projectors directly from inventory... we gave the manufacturers the opportunity to visit his facility and spend about 90 minutes calibrating." [11:07]

Components Used:

• Sources:
  • Kaleidoscape Strato: A high-end streamer ensuring consistent local content playback.
  • Panasonic UB820 UHD Blu-ray Player & HT PC: Provided both high-quality disc-based and PC-based sources.
• Cables:
  • Uniform 90-foot optical HDMI cables were used to eliminate discrepancies due to cable length.
• Screens:
  • Eight 100-inch Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screens were set up with blinders to minimize interference between adjacent projectors.

Testing Environments:

• Darkened Room: Mimicking a traditional home theater environment.
• Bright Room: Assessing projector performance under ambient lighting conditions.

4. Testing Criteria and Categories

The showdown evaluated projectors across multiple categories to capture a holistic performance profile.

Categories Included:

• SDR (Standard Dynamic Range):
  • Color Reproduction
  • Skin Tone Accuracy
  • Contrast and Black Levels
  • Shadow Detail
  • Detail and Sharpness
  • 24p Motion Handling
  • Overall Brightness and Daytime Viewing Performance
• HDR (High Dynamic Range):
  • Color Reproduction
  • Contrast and Black Levels
  • Shadow Detail
  • Highlight Detail
  • Motion Handling
  • Tone Mapping Efficiency
• Visual Artifacts:
  • Laser Speckle
  • Chromatic Aberrations

Phil Jones emphasizes:

"A projector cannot accurately reproduce consumer HDR content... they utilize tone mapping... which impacts if you do it wrong, it does not look good." [34:41]

Scoring System:

• Point-Based Evaluation: Judges rated each projector from 10 (A+) to 1 based on performance in each category.
• Judges' Pick: Beyond numerical scores, judges selected their personal favorite based on overall experience, considering factors like price, sound quality, construction, and user interface.

5. Results and Insights

The showdown revealed nuanced insights, underscoring that there is no one-size-fits-all "best" projector. Instead, the optimal choice depends on individual preferences and specific use cases.

Notable Findings:

• Hisense PX3 Pro:

  • Point Total: Led in HDR performance, securing first place in this category.
  • Performance: State-of-the-art features with updated light sources and video processing resulted in excellent picture quality.
  • Quote: "They've added some new things like a newer light source new video processing... delivered great picture quality." [50:03]

• Epson LS800:

  • Point Total: Secured second place overall.
  • Performance: Utilizes Epson's proven 3LCD technology, offering superior brightness and color lumens compared to typical DLP-based UST projectors.
  • Quote: "It's very accurate out of the box... It's a good piece." [27:00]

• XGME Aura 2:

  • Point Total: Strong performance in SDR color reproduction but didn't win overall due to preferences for brightness and other attributes.
  • Performance: Excelled in color accuracy but struggled with higher brightness HDR content unless using Dolby Vision.
  • Quote: "If you like a huge Blu Ray collection... the Aura 2 is great at that." [51:10]

• NexiGo and Other Competitors:

  • Performance: Provided competitive features at more affordable price points, catering to budget-conscious consumers without significant compromises.
  • Quote: "It's state of the art... delivered great picture quality." [28:04]

Phil Jones reflects on the subjective nature of judging:

"There is no absolute winner... it's what works best for you." [52:17]

Key Takeaway:

• Reference vs. Preference: Technical accuracy doesn't always align with viewer preference. Features like color saturation may enhance viewing pleasure in certain environments despite not being technically accurate.

6. Practical Recommendations

Based on the showdown results, Phil Jones offers guidance for consumers:

"You have to look at each category and say what matters most to you." [52:44]

Considerations for Choosing a UST Projector:

• Usage Environment: Determine if the projector will predominantly be used in a dark room or a brightly lit space.
• Content Type: Assess whether SDR or HDR content is more prevalent in your viewing habits.
• Budget: Balance between desired features and affordability, considering whether premium models justify their higher prices based on individual needs.
• Additional Features: Evaluate built-in functionalities like Dolby Vision support, smart features, and user interface quality.

Future Showdowns:

• Plans for exploring niche categories such as compact lifestyle projectors and larger-scale, high-end models are underway, promising even more tailored insights for diverse consumer segments.

7. Conclusion

The UST Projector Showdown serves as a valuable resource for home theater enthusiasts, providing a detailed comparison of leading UST projectors. By emphasizing real-world performance and user-centric evaluation criteria, the episode equips listeners with the knowledge to make informed decisions tailored to their specific viewing preferences and environment.

Scott Wilkinson wraps up the episode by directing listeners to additional resources:

"We'll put the links in the show notes... Thank you for your support of the TWIT Network." [55:08]

For a comprehensive view of the showdown results and detailed scorecards, listeners are encouraged to visit projectorreviews.com and projectorscreen.com.

Notable Quotes:

• Phil Jones [03:42]: "It's better over here now."
• Phil Jones [06:19]: "It's very difficult to determine the differences or the advantages, disadvantages of one projector over another based on testing, previous testing, and your memory."
• Phil Jones [34:41]: "A projector cannot accurately reproduce consumer HDR content... they utilize tone mapping... which impacts if you do it wrong, it does not look good."
• Phil Jones [50:03]: "They've added some new things like a newer light source new video processing... delivered great picture quality."
• Phil Jones [52:17]: "There is no absolute winner... it's what works best for you."
• Phil Jones [52:44]: "You have to look at each category and say what matters most to you."

Additional Resources:

• ProjectorReviews.com: https://www.projectorreviews.com
• ProjectorScreen.com: https://www.projectorscreen.com