When buying a new TV, the vast majority of users first of all pay attention to the size of its diagonal, and only then to all other parameters. And electronics manufacturers are willing to take advantage of this (especially in Western countries, where the TV serves as the main entertainment center in every home), literally filling up technology exhibitions with their devices.
The recent CES 2017 was no exception, completely 'studded' with 100+ inch TVs. However, such huge panels have an obvious disadvantage – an exorbitant price, unattainable for the average user. But progress does not stand still, and a little below I will talk about how this problem will be solved. “The future of television is in bezel-less technology,” said Amy Lessig, CEO Hisense. She talked about the Hisense 100H10D laser TV unveiled at CES 2017, which is actually a projection system. This short throw model is capable of projecting 100 “Ultra HD images onto a wall from just 13” away. “We believe this is the future of all TV devices on the market,” added Lessig. But are we ready to abandon the usual screens in favor of projectors?
At its core Hisense, the 100H10D can be described as a simple update to existing concepts: for example, last year a Chinese company showed a 100-inch laser TV based on a projector, but it only used FullHD resolution. However, the Chinese have already sensed the trend and announced the 4K version, which is slated for sales this year (in the US).
It should be noted that 13 inches (or 33 centimeters) from the wall is the optimal distance for placing a 100H10D, while the maximum distance (with the same high image quality) is 24 inches or 60 cm. 'What about the sound?' – you ask, no one wants to see a web of wires in their living room. A top executive Hisense says the 100H10D includes a 5.1 sound system that routes left, right, and center audio channels with a single easy-to-wall wireless soundbar that extends to the entire bottom of the 100-inch image. Besides the sizable 38402160 pixel resolution, the 100H10D is notable for its HDR support.
“Naturally, we are very pleased that our new product is compatible with the HDR 10 standard and is able to provide the widest possible color gamut,” says the manufacturer. The 100H10D also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and the ability to upscale video to Ultra HD resolution. Hisense has not forgotten the convenience of users and equipped its laser TV / projector with three USB slots, three HDMI connectors, digital audio jack, VGA port and headphone jack.
From a buyer's point of view, the 100H10D is attractive not only for its huge image size, but also for its price. If comparable in size conventional TVs cost about $ 25,000 – $ 30,000, and the only similar projection system on the market from Sony LSPX-W1S will cost you an incredible $ 50,000, then Hisense 100H10D at the start of sales will cost 'only' 13 thousand dollars. Yes, it is still expensive for an ordinary Russian buyer, but for commercial purposes (for example, for small businesses – in bars, cafes, restaurants, etc.) 100H10D is an excellent option. In addition, the technology is still young, so you should certainly expect a noticeable drop in prices for such devices.
On the other hand, if the question of price is not so important to you, then you should take into account the fact that although the Sony LSPX-W1S costs more than 3 times more, it can project a 147-inch picture, and even have an LSPX -W1S is better not even on a dais (say, on a table), but right on the floor.
“Another vendor, China's ChangHong, also presented their vision for a short throw projector,” said David Tett, market analyst at Futuresource. “This phenomenon originated in China due to the inability of many people to hang a 65-inch LCD panel on the wall in their homes.”
Does this mean the world is ready to part ways with traditional TVs? Tett is of the opinion: “The functionality of TVs and laser projection systems is about the same today, but like TVs in the beginning, these systems are now too expensive. For example, now you can easily find a far from bad 65-inch TV that will be half the price of a laser system with a projection of the same size. '
It is likely that the above-described devices and technologies will indeed someday be able to revolutionize home (and not only) leisure, but at the moment most of the main players in the IT industry have focused on reducing the thickness of manufactured TVs, manufacturing OLED -panels and how to get the most out of them. So what will future TV devices look like? Now no one will give you an exact answer, but we can confidently say that these will not be huge liquid crystal panels, and not cheap laser mini-projectors, but something in between.
