SMART UX80 Ultra-Short Throw Projector: Big Screen, Small Space

For centuries, humans have been fascinated by projected images, from shadow puppets to the magic lanterns of the 17th century, all the way to today’s digital cinema. But traditional projectors, while capable of producing stunning visuals, often come with a significant drawback: they need space. Lots of it. The further back you place the projector, the larger the image – but that also means you need a large room, a clear line of sight, and you’re constantly battling shadows from anyone who walks in front of the beam. Ultra-short throw (UST) technology is changing the game.

Throwing Light a New Way: The Science of Ultra-Short Throw

The key concept behind any projector is the “throw ratio.” This is simply the ratio of the distance from the projector to the screen (the “throw distance”) to the width of the projected image. A traditional projector might have a throw ratio of 2:1, meaning that for every foot of image width, you need two feet of distance between the projector and the screen. To get a 100-inch diagonal image (which is about 87 inches wide), you’d need the projector to be 174 inches, or over 14 feet, away.

Ultra-short throw projectors, as the name suggests, drastically reduce this distance. They have a throw ratio of less than 0.4. The SMART UX80, for example, can create that same 100-inch image from just inches away. How is this seemingly magical feat accomplished? The answer lies in sophisticated optics.

Instead of a simple, conventional lens, UST projectors typically use aspheric lenses. These lenses have a complex, non-spherical shape that allows them to bend light more dramatically than traditional lenses. Think of it like a magnifying glass held at an extreme angle – it can still focus light, but the image is distorted. In a UST projector, this “distortion” is precisely engineered to spread the light out very quickly, creating a large image from a very short distance. Many UST designs also incorporate mirrors, including those that utilize Total Internal Reflection (TIR), to further manipulate the light path and achieve the desired projection angle.

The geometry of UST projection also provides two significant user benefits. First, because the projector is so close to the screen, it’s virtually impossible for people to walk in front of the light beam and cast shadows. Second, the light is projected onto the screen and then reflected towards the viewer, rather than being beamed directly into the audience’s eyes. This significantly reduces eye glare and makes for a more comfortable viewing experience.

DLP Technology: Mirrors, Light and Magic

The SMART UX80 uses Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology, a fascinating system developed by Texas Instruments. At the heart of a DLP projector is a tiny chip called a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD). This DMD is covered in millions of microscopic mirrors, each smaller than the width of a human hair. These mirrors can tilt back and forth thousands of times per second, either reflecting light towards the screen (creating a bright pixel) or away from the screen (creating a dark pixel).

Imagine a vast array of tiny, incredibly fast light switches, each controlling a single point of light on the screen. By precisely coordinating the tilting of these mirrors, the DMD creates the grayscale image.

But where does the color come from? In many DLP projectors, including the SMART UX80, a color wheel is used. This is a rapidly spinning wheel divided into segments of different colors, typically red, green, and blue. The light from the lamp passes through the color wheel before hitting the DMD. The DMD mirrors then tilt in synchronization with the color wheel, reflecting the correct color of light for each pixel at the right moment. Your brain integrates these rapidly flashing colors into a full-color image.

One potential drawback of this single-chip DLP system is the “rainbow effect.” Some viewers, particularly when moving their eyes quickly across the screen, may perceive brief flashes of color – like a rainbow. This is caused by the sequential nature of the color display. While not everyone is sensitive to this effect, it’s something to be aware of. More advanced (and expensive) DLP projectors use three DMD chips – one for each primary color – eliminating the need for a color wheel and avoiding the rainbow effect altogether.

SMART UX80: Bringing it all Together

The SMART UX80 combines ultra-short throw technology with DLP imaging to deliver a powerful and versatile projection solution. Let’s look at some of its key specifications and what they mean for the viewing experience:

• Brightness (3600 lumens): Brightness is measured in ANSI lumens, a standardized unit that indicates the total amount of light output by the projector. A higher lumen rating means a brighter image, which is particularly important in rooms with ambient light. The 3600 lumens of the SMART UX80 make it suitable for use in a variety of environments, not just darkened home theaters.

• Contrast Ratio (2000:1): Contrast ratio is the difference between the brightest white and the darkest black that the projector can produce. A higher contrast ratio means deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, resulting in a more realistic and engaging image. The 2000:1 contrast ratio of the UX80 is good, delivering a noticeable difference between light and dark areas of the image.

• Resolution (WXGA - 1280x800): Resolution refers to the number of pixels that make up the image. The SMART UX80 has a WXGA resolution, which means it has 1280 pixels horizontally and 800 pixels vertically. While this is not as high as Full HD (1920x1080) or 4K (3840x2160), it’s still sufficient for many applications, particularly presentations and classroom use. The key is pixel density – how many pixels are packed into each inch of the screen. A smaller screen at WXGA resolution can look just as sharp as a larger screen at a higher resolution.

• HD Video Mode: 1080i: The UX80 accepts a 1080i (interlaced) video signal, which means the even the projector cannot display all 1920 by 1080 in progressive, the projector still can handle such source.

• Connectivity (HDMI, HDCP): The SMART UX80 uses HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) for connecting to source devices like laptops, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles. HDMI carries both video and audio signals over a single cable. HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a copy protection system used to prevent unauthorized duplication of copyrighted content.

• Video Encoding: H.264, H.265 (HEVC): Support encoding methods.

• Lamp Life (20,000 hours): The lamp is the light source in the projector, and it has a finite lifespan. The 20,000-hour lamp life of the SMART UX80 is excellent, meaning you can use the projector for many years before needing to replace the lamp. This is a significant advantage over older projectors with much shorter lamp lives.

• Other Features: The SMART UX80 includes a remote control for easy operation. A significant feature is its compatibility with the SB885ix2 interactive whiteboard system, transforming it into a powerful collaborative tool for education and business. This integration allows for touch-based interaction with the projected image.

• Remote Management: The UX80 offers remote management capabilities via TCP/IP and is compatible with Crestron systems. This allows for centralized control and monitoring of the projector, which is particularly useful in large installations with multiple projectors. Features like IR remote, RS232 control port, an internal web page, and Crestron RoomView controls via Ethernet contribute to this remote management functionality.

Beyond the Living Room

While the SMART UX80 is an excellent choice for home theater enthusiasts looking for a big-screen experience in a small space, its versatility extends far beyond the living room. In business settings, its ultra-short throw capability eliminates the need for a dedicated projection room and prevents shadows from interfering with presentations. In classrooms, it allows teachers to create large, engaging visuals without obstructing the view of students.

Looking Ahead

Projection technology continues to evolve, with trends towards laser light sources (offering even longer lifespans and improved color), higher resolutions (4K and beyond), and even more compact designs. Ultra-short throw projectors like the SMART UX80 represent a significant step forward, making large-screen projection more accessible, convenient, and user-friendly than ever before. They bridge the gap between the immersive experience of a projector and the practicality of a television, opening up new possibilities for entertainment, education, and collaboration.