The Freestyle from Samsung was one of the coolest gadgets that was showcased during the first week of this year at CES 2022 in Las Vegas. It’s a projector, smart speaker and ambient lighting device all rolled into one and will debut in global markets around the world. You can easily lug this lightweight, $899 (INR 67,000) projector and project high quality video anywhere – tables, walls or even the ceiling. It’s part of one of the most defining post-pandemic gadget trends – the rise of the home projector.
The Freestyle from Samsung
It should come as no surprise. Most of us have become more selective about visits to the cinema and bars for live sporting action. The rise of OTT platforms with high quality HD content has fuelled this trend. If you’re considering adding a projector to catch the latest Hollywood blockbuster or live sports, you might find our ready reckoner handy:
The projection: Space was a key constraint earlier. Standard projectors (like the one in your office board room) need about 10ft to create a 100-inch image. Ultra-short throw projectors (also known as ‘Laser TV’) have changed this dynamic, but they don’t come cheap. Some of these projectors need as little as 7cm from the wall for a 70-inch projection, thereby integrating more seamlessly into your den. If you don’t want to invest upwards of Rs 4 lakh for one of these projectors, all you need is a clean wall and a 10ft long obstruction-free projection range to set up the projector. You can opt for a ceiling installation, particularly suitable for homes with kids.
Picture quality: May not be a deal breaker for first-time buyers who might be content with an entry-level Full HD projector for an upgrade to a larger screen canvas. If you’re a pixel peeper, do break down the brightness levels (1000 lumens is the bare minimum) and screen resolution and opt for a 4K or UHD projector.
Durability: A key concern, especially when you’re switching from a TV. Look for ‘lamp life’ on the spec sheet and try not to settle for less than 10,000 hours that should cover you for at least 6-8 years.
Set up: Connectivity in terms of ports is critical. You’ll need at least 2-3 HDMI ports to hook up with external casting devices (like an Apple TV) and USB ports for external media. Projectors that come with smart features (like Android baked in) are definitely more future-proof while projectors with their own App ecosystem do away with the need to install external casting devices for OTT apps. Even though a growing number of projectors now feature in-built audio, you will still need Bluetooth connectivity to hook up with high quality soundbars for an immersive AV experience. If you’re likely to move the projector within your house, look for portable projectors that you can also toss in the boot for your next self-drive holiday.
Four home projectors for your den
XGIMI Horizon Pro: Android TV adds a smart element and offers access to the Google App store. This 4K projector with an edgy cuboid design in matte black features dual (built-in) 8W Harman Kardon speakers. (Rs 1,87,500)
XGIMI Horizon Pro
BenQ GS2: Worth checking out if you’re a first-time buyer on a budget. This portable DLP 720p projector (1280 x 720 pixels) weighs just above 1.5kg and comes with a carry case, making it easy to cart around (Rs 59,990)
BenQ GS2
Optoma UHZ50: This all-new 4K UHD projector boasts of 3,000-lumen brightness and a 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio. Enhanced gaming features and extremely low latency add to its entertainment creds. (Rs 3,99,900)
Optoma UHZ50
Samsung Premiere (LSP9T): The world’s first HDR10+ certified projector with triple laser technology and an impressive peak brightness of up to 2,800 ANSI lumens. All you need is a 11.3 cm distance to project a high-quality screen of up to 130-inches. (Rs 6,29,900)
Samsung Premiere (LSP9T)