Should I buy a laser TV? That's a question that will almost certainly be defined by the amount of money available, given the expensive nature of the technology, but those with a huge home theater budget might wonder if laser TV designs are worth getting. . Laser TV is somewhat of a misnomer; Actually, it is an ultra-short-throw projector, employing a fixed-size projection onto a dedicated ALR screen, theoretically using the benefits of TV and projector technology in one hardware. Laser TVs tend to be pricey, but they deliver superbly sized images well beyond the upper limits of traditional LCD or OLED screens. There aren't many players in the laser TV market, especially Hisense with its 5-inch LXNUMXF laser series, though Epson has released its models as well. Here's what you need to know about the technology and which models are available if you want to take one home.
Laser TVs: How Do They Work?
Technically, calling them "laser TVs" is a bit of a misnomer. They are based on ultra-short throw projection technology and use an ALR (Ambient Light Reflection) projection screen to efficiently reflect light back to the viewer. Hisense and Epson use the term laser TV for a number of reasons, one of which is almost certainly marketing buzz, but also due to the fact that they have built-in speakers, a smart platform, and a TV tuner. As more and more projectors incorporate integrated audio and full smart platforms, which wasn't the norm just a few years ago, this distinction is starting to fade, and not long ago. Reasons for the mark `` Laser TV '' on our psyches. However, that does not mean they are not good! Ultra-short-throw laser projection is extremely convenient, as it allows you to place it practically against a wall or screen without figuring out an ideal distance and location elsewhere in the room (such as with short- or long-throw projectors). Laser projection is a bit more expensive than DLP or LCD lamp technology, but it provides a clean image and generally higher brightness, making it a better choice for daytime viewing or for those who they don't have a waterproof home theater system.
(Image credit: Hisense)
Laser TVs: How Much Do They Cost?
Laser TVs sell for roughly the exact same cost as premium ultra-short-throw projectors (which makes sense, as they are about the same!). This means that you will find models from about € three with five hundred / € three with five hundred and up to € seven with zero / € seven with zero (AU € seven with zero also in Australia), but you can find more specific information about the models in your area. now.
Hisense laser TVs: what models are there?
There are a handful of Hisense TVs to choose from, which vary slightly by area. In the UK, the largest Hisense 'L5' laser TV measures one hundred inches (€4), with a smaller model at eighty-eight inches (€10), both quite large compared to today's massive 10-inch televisions). Both are 2K HDR models, supporting HDR15 and HLG (but not Dolby Vision or HDR5+, which you rarely see on projectors), and come with 4x5W Dolby Atmos speakers. It gets 5-bit color depth, a wide color gamut, and decent viewing angles of XNUMX degrees, though the new XNUMX-inch LXNUMX has a slightly narrow XNUMX-degree viewing angle. Both also run on the Vidaa O smart platform, with support for Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube and Freeview Play. However, you won't get HDMI XNUMX or eARC. The XNUMX-inch step-down 'laser' model ($XNUMX) also offers XNUMXK HDR, but no Dolby Atmos audio, and can be scaled down to just XNUMX-bit color depth in certain iterations. However, it does come with a XNUMXW wireless subwoofer to even things out. The projection distance is supposedly nineteen cm from the screen. In the US, things are a bit bigger. Instead, you can go for the XNUMX-inch LXNUMXF (€XNUMX) or its newer XNUMX-inch iteration (€XNUMX). These models run on Android TV, instead of Vidaa Or. Otherwise, the specs are on a par with previous UK models. Hisense has also launched its XNUMX-inch LXNUMX in Australia, where it retails for AU$XNUMX.
Epson laser TVs: what models are there?
Now, if you're looking for an Epson laser TV, look for the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 Laser Projection TV (yes, that's a bite). In the same way as with Hisense's larger model, it projects a 4K image onto a XNUMX-inch ALR screen, with HDR XNUMX-bit color depth, and you can see it in action now. It currently costs $XNUMX in the US and was released in late XNUMX, which means it's still a partially new model. It appears to have been in stock in the UK, but has reportedly been discontinued here, which isn't to say you won't be seeing a new iteration in the future.
Should I buy a laser TV?
While there aren't many laser TVs on the market, there are enough that are worth considering if you're debating between a laser TV (essentially an ultra-short-throw projector) and an LED TV. -LCD. Equating the two is a bit like judging apples and oranges given the different display and light output technologies they employ, but in practice most high-end 2K LED-LCD TVs will be as bright and colorful as this laser TV, and they cost much less. They also probably support more HDR formats (the Hisense L4F only supports HLG and HDR5) and TVs don't have to worry about replacing the lamp every 10 hours. The reasoning for Hisense laser TVs is that they are more versatile where they can go because no massive furniture is required to set them up and, of course, they can offer a slightly larger screen size than LED-LCD screens. But they also sacrifice one of the main advantages of projectors - the ability to hide the "screen" when not in use, so you have to think carefully about what your home theater needs. Ultimately, both have their pros and cons, and which one you should select should be decided based on how much space you want to cram and how much you're willing to give up on new equipment.