Like every year, the projectors at IFA 2022 treated visitors to extra-large images. We were able to discover some interesting new products, notably on the Epson, Xgimi and Leica stands.
Epson, new ultra short-throw projector
At its booth, Epson presented a new ultra short-throw 4K laser projector: the Epson EH-LS800W/B, available in black and white. This model projects a 2m (80″) image at only 2.3cm from the wall. The projected image can reach a maximum of 3.8m (150 inches) across when the projector is placed 28.5cm (10 inches) from the wall. Its 4000 lumens make it possible to project during the day, ideally on an ultra short focal length projection screen.
Featuring Android TV, the Epson EH-LS800W/B 4K laser projector also has a generous range of connectors. It has three HDMI 4K 60Hz ports and three USB ports, one of which is powered (5V/2A). It also offers a headphone output and an optical audio output. Note that the audio section is the result of a partnership with Yamaha and delivers virtual surround sound. It can also be used via Bluetooth to listen to music wirelessly. The projector can then be used as a Bluetooth speaker and it is possible to deactivate the image projection.
Epson fans have been waiting for another projector since it was officially announced in late 2021: the Epson EH-LS12000B. The latter was proudly displayed on the Japanese brand’s stand. This 2700-lumen HDR compatible 4K laser projector features HDMI 2.1 connectivity. The manufacturer boasts a very low input lag (20ms) for video games. Its motorized optics (zoom, focus and optical shift) allow you to save 10 different image positions. The projection mode then adapts to the native format of the source with a simple press of the remote control. The Epson EH-LS12000B projector can project an image of up to 7.6m across. It can be placed at a distance of between 1.5m and 19m from the screen.
Epson presented several iconic video projectors at the show. Among them was the manufacturer’s best-seller, the Epson EH-TW7100, awarded the 5-star label by What Hi-Fi?. The Epson EH-LS300B ultra short-throw projector and Epson EF-12 Android TV projector were also present. The first adopts a laser lamp and features the Android TV user interface. It provides access to many services and apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube, etc. Its laser lamp (3600 lumens) and Tri-LCD technology allow it to offer a wide and bright image that can measure between 155cm and 305cm.
The second projects a Full HD 1080p image. Compact, it measures only 18 x 18cm and also features Android TV. It benefits from an audio system designed in partnership with Yamaha to faithfully reproduce the soundtracks of films, series and video games, as well as music. Its integrated Chromecast module, as well as its compatibility with Google Assistant, allow it to be used as a connected speaker.
Projectors at IFA 2022: Xgimi, a small brand gaining a big reputation
Xgimi, a small brand that is on the rise and has already received several awards (Horizon / Aura), presented several flagship models as well as beautiful new products. Visitors could discover the Xgimi Aura 4K ultra short-throw laser projector with HDR10 compatibility and a laser lamp. This model can project an image up to 3.8m diagonal at a distance of 44cm from the wall. It features a 60-watt stereo audio section from Harman Kardon. Its connectivity includes 3 HDMI and 3 USB multimedia ports. WiFi and Bluetooth compatible, the Xgimi Aura features Android TV with Google Assistant and Chromecast built-in.
Xgimi also presented several of its compact home theater projectors. The Xgimi Horizon, Xgimi Halo+ and Xgimi MoGo Pro+ HD1080p LED models were available. These three compact projectors impress with their designs as well as their functionality and image quality. The adjustment of the image geometry and the focus are automated. They integrate Android TV for easy access to streaming services. The Xgimi Halo+ and Xgimi MoGo Pro+ even have a built-in rechargeable battery for use on the go!
Note that there is a 4K version of the Xgimi Horizon under the reference Xgimi Horizon Pro 4K.
Among the nice surprises at Xgimi was the RS Air.
This 1080p HD pico projector designed by Porsche Design adopts a brushed aluminum chassis that is only 24mm thick. The front cover slides open to reveal the lens and turn on the projector. A motorized bracket then automatically unfolds under the chassis to tilt the projector upward.
Focusing and keystone correction are done automatically. Connectors include a USB-C port, a USB-A port and an HDMI port. A Bluetooth receiver is also present. Xgimi has not announced a price or release date yet.
The Xgimi booth had another surprise in store for IFA 2022 visitors: an LED ceiling light with an integrated laser projector. The projector includes a lens shift, a Harman Kardon audio section, streaming services and smartphone screen wireless mirroring.
Marketed only in Asia, the Xgimi Magic Lamp offers an ideal solution for projecting in apartments where the installation of a conventional projector or an ultra short-throw projector is not feasible.
Projectors at IFA 2022: Leica, a promising partnership with Hisense
This was one of the biggest surprises at the show concerning video projection. The Leica stand at IFA unveiled the brand’s very first ultra short-throw laser projector. The Leica Cine 1 is the first of a future range of projectors designed in partnership with the manufacturer Hisense.
While Leica created the overall design of the Cine 1, Hisense developed the electronics and audio. However, the optics were designed according to Leica’s own specifications to provide optimal image quality. Leica demonstrated the new projector on two dedicated projection screens measuring 80″ (2m) and 100″ (2.5m). Leica’s entry into this market bodes well for future projectors with even sharper and more accurate images. The expertise of the manufacturer in the field of photography and more particularly in the development of lenses heralds exceptional image quality.
Projectors at IFA 2022: LG and Samsung
The two Korean giants also presented a range of projectors on their respective stands, as mentioned in the LG at IFA 2022 and Samsung at IFA 2022 articles. At LG, there was a short focal length version of the LG BU50NST, a very bright 4K HDR compatible laser projector, as well as the LG HU85LS ultra short focal length projector. The latter has a brightness of 2700 lumens to project a very large image (up to 3m across) when placed only 18cm from the screen.
At Samsung, the Samsung The Premiere LSP7T and Samsung The Premiere LSP9T ultra short-throw projectors were on display. Both use a DLP chip, the first with a single laser light source, the second with a triple RGB laser, which is brighter and able to offer even richer colors. These two projectors are also equipped with a DTT tuner and, therefore, can easily replace the TV in the living room to project a very large image measuring between 2.5 and 3m.
The Samsung The Freestyle pico projector was without a doubt the star of the Samsung projection booth. We were previously impressed by its versatility and simplicity of use, as you can read in our review of the Samsung The Freestyle portable and tiltable Full HD projector.
Projectors at IFA 2022: JVC
Mainly focused on audio, the only projector at the JVC IFA 2022 stand was the JVC DLA-NP5. This native 4K (4096 x 2160 pixels) projector is HDR10+ compatible and supports video streams up to 48 Gbps. Consequently, it is 4K compatible up to 120Hz with the latest generation of video game consoles. It even offers a low-latency mode to ensure optimal responsiveness for gamers.
However, the JVC catalog includes other prestigious references that are very popular with home-cinephiles, such as the JVC DLA-NZ7, the JVC DLA-NZ8 or the superb JVC DLA-NZ9. These three native 4K laser projectors are all HDR 10 compatible and can even project 8K UHD images!
The world of video projection had some nice surprises in store for us at IFA 2022. The new Epson ultra-short-throw projector and the Xgimi Magic Lamp ceiling lamp probably attracted the most visitors at the show. But it is the arrival of Leica that heralds a bright future for the ultra short-throw projector market.
