The ultra short throw (UST) design and increase in DLP projector resolution to 4K using Texas Instruments’ XPR technology has radically increased their appeal as an alternative to huge TVs in the living room.
In particular, UST projectors use aspherical mirrors, forming a huge image from a distance of several inches. As known, mid-focal models are placed at a distance of several meters, creating the problem of wires on the floor. In fact, it can only be solved with a ceiling mount, which radically limits the projector mobility. Placing a UST projector near a wall with a screen does not create this inconvenience.
XPR (eXpanded Pixel Resolution) technology provides playback of 4K image (8 million pixels) using only 2 million micromirrors of a relatively inexpensive 1080p DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) chipset. In fact, the projector divides the input signal into 4 parts and sequentially reproduces 4 images with 1080p resolution, shifting them by half a pixel relative to each other. Strictly speaking, the projector only displays one Full HD image at a time. But due to the high frequency, our vision and brain perceive them as a single image in a higher resolution.
As a result, prices for some UST 4K DLP projectors in the lower price segment dropped to $ 2,000. For comparison, the prices of the cheapest 100-inch TVs ranged ~ $ 10,000. In particular, the announced price of ‘only’ $ 8,000 for the 98-inches TCL 98R754 in 2021 was perceived as sensational dumping. The price tag for 100-inch monsters from Sony, Samsung and LG started at $ 10,000. But of course, the image quality of modern TVs is superior to projectors due to higher brightness and contrast.
UST projector vs huge TV
In particular, when watching TV, the viewer perceives direct and brighter radiation from the screen surface, as opposed to the re-reflected light flux of the projector. OLED technology without backlight offers ‘infinite’ contrast of OLED panels due to perfect black. Mini-LED backlight – based FALD (full-array local dimming) provides superb contrast of modern LED LCD TVs. But UST projectors offered a larger image size in the range of 100 to 150 inches and a huge gain in price. As a result, for several years they dominated the segment of huge panels.
In fairness, Samsung and several other companies also offer MicroLED displays, which provide fantastic quality, but, unfortunately, at a fabulous price. However, at InfoComm 2025 AWALL presented a CoB MicroLED display, the cheapest 75-inches version of which costs ‘only’ $ 8,250.
Objectively, for now their prices are significantly higher than the mass segment.
But the dominance of UST projectors did not last long. Not wanting to lose a promising market, TV industry leaders focused on reducing the cost of huge panels. Their efforts were not in vain, and already this year the list of excellent 100-inch TVs includes Samsung DU9000, TCL QM6K and Hisense 100U8K priced from $ 2,000 to $ 2,750 only.
However, projectors offer a larger image size. But this aspect also has nuances. According to the recommendations of ophthalmologists, the optimal viewing distance is the diagonal screen size with a multiplier of 1.3. For example, a 150-inch image is comfortably perceived by our vision from a distance of about 5 meters. Of course, placing the projector is unlikely to create a problem in a villa near the ocean, but it can become a difficult task in the living room of a standard apartment.
Premium UST 4K projectors
This list includes some models, whose image quality is comparable to modern huge TVs:
– Epson QS100 ~ $ 5,000, April 2025, Laser Phosphor light engine, 4,500 ISO Lumens brightnes, 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 10-bit color processing, no 3D support.
The Epson QS100 does not have a built-in smart platform, but it’s compatible with external smart devices;
– Hisense L9Q ~ $ 6,000, June 2025, RGB Laser, 5,000 ANSI Lumens, 5,000:1 (full on/off) contrast, 10-bit, Full HD 3D, 1 cm DLP x 1.
For streaming, Hisense L9Q uses Google TV. In addition, projector has a built-in Wi-Fi 6E module and supports integration with Control4;
– Samsung The Premiere LPU9D ~ $ 6,000, August 2024, RGB Laser, 3,200 ANSI Lumens, 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 10-bit, does not support 3D and Dolby Vision.
It uses an improved version of Tizen OS to run its own apps and major streaming services, including Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.
Ambient lighting makes the image fade due to dull colors. Brightness compensates for its effect, reducing the requirements for room darkening. In addition, it’s important in HDR mode. According to the specs, the Hisense L9Q provides up to 5,000 ANSI Lumens. But in reality, the brightness of the Epson QS100 is higher, despite 4,500 ISO Lumens. This is due to the display technologies used. The DLP projectors use a color wheel that works as a filter, passing only one color at a time and losing the brightness of other colors. The proprietary 3-chip 3LCD laser-array technology in Epson model works without a color wheel. As a result, its white brightness is always equal to Color Light Output (CLO).
Contrast
It’s very important spec of any projector. It affects detail in dark scenes and colors saturation.
Today, only very expensive LCoS projectors provide superb contrast due to perfect black. But due to the too high price, their share in the mass segment is negligible.
Unfortunately, many manufacturers of DLP and 3LCD projectors sometimes manipulate this important parameter. In particular, today companies indicate native contrast (ANSI contrast method), full on/off (FOFO) contrast or dinamic contrast (Auto Dynamic Iris). Native contrast is the most objective and the smallest (~ 500:1). FOFO contrast is higher (500:1 – 3,000:1) because it does not take into account light re-reflections in the optical module. Auto Irises (dynamic contrast) optimizes light output depending on the average scene illumination level. It decreases lumen output in a dark scene, increasing black depth, and increases in a bright scene. Almost all modern models use this technology. Reducing brightness to almost ‘0’ allows the manufacturer to specify a dynamic contrast of several million to one by dividing max brightness almost by ‘0’.
However, in recent years, companies have been increasing contrast with sophisticated and effective AI-based video processing algorithms. For example, Enhanced Black Level (EBL) technology increases the contrast of Valerion VisionMaster Pro / Max to an unprecedented 15,000:1. The company diplomatically calls it ‘Viewing Contrast’.
Hisense L9Q has superb 5,000:1 FOFO contrast, Epson offers also good 1,800:1 FOFO contrast. But its 32-bit QZX Picture Processor effectively enhances contrast, brightness and color accuracy. Samsung only specifies dynamic contrast. However, Samsung uses the proprietary Vision Booster feature. It automatically optimizes the brightness / contrast depending on the ambient lighting and is similar to Adaptive Picture or HDR 10+ Adaptive or Vision Booster in Samsung’s TVs and phones.
Key Features
Hisense uses 116W 6.2.2ch premium sound system built-in with 15-degree tilted sound bin, Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X support. Moreover, it’s compatible with Hisense’s HT Saturn 4.1.2ch Dolby Atmos/DTS:X audio system, which costs ~$ 1,300. When used together, ten L9Q’s speakers act as a center channel speaker, and seven Saturn’s speakers further enhance the Dolby Atmos/DTS:X audio. Finally for music lovers, the model offers an HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) port that provides lossless audio transmission to external soundbar in digital format. But honestly, the sound quality will be fine for most people, allowing them to save on buying an additional soundbar.
Samsung model offers 40W 2.2.2-channel audio with built-in subwoofers, Samsung’s proprietary object tracking (OTS – sound following its source on the screen) and Dolby Atmos support.
The Epson projector does not have a built-in audio system or speakers and is designed to work only with an external sound system.
The Hisense L9Q has very low input lag and can be positioned as a gaming model. Its Game Mode reduces input lag up to 12 milliseconds at 2K@120Hz. Moreover, for PC gaming, input lag can be reduced to 4.6ms for 1080p@240Hz signal. Finally, the projector has a popular Game Bar for quick access to gaming settings and Turbo Mode to further fine-tune motion performance.
The Samsung projector’s input lag exceeds 53ms, which is only enough for casual gaming. But the updated Tizen version offers access to the Samsung Gaming Hub for online gaming without a console.
Today, the list includes more than 3,000 premium games from partners like Xbox and others. In addition, it also offers Game Bar features.
Input lag of Epson model does not exceed 26 milliseconds in automatic low latency mode (ALLM).
Conclusion
The specs and functionality of Hisense L9Q are significantly higher than its competitors. Its superb brightness and contrast are sufficient for high image quality even in diffused daylight. Very low input lag will please gamers. The excellent built-in audio system makes it unnecessary to buy a soundbar. However, the compatible optional Hisense’s HT Saturn will allow music lovers to enjoy music. Finally, streaming with Google TV completely solves the content problem for the projector.
But Samsung and Epson offer many years of impeccable reputation and excellent service. In addition, the built-in audio system with OTS support and improved Tizen OS with support for Gaming Hub in Samsung LPU9D are practically not inferior to their Chinese competitor. In fact, it loses only in brightness (3,200 vs 5,000 ANSI Lumens) and gaming (53ms vs 4.6ms input lag for 1080p@240Hz via PC).
The price-quality ratio of Samsung LPU9D and Epson QS100 are almost identical. Epson is brighter (4,500 ISO Lumens vs 3,200 ANSI Lumens), cheaper (~$ 5,000 vs $ 6,000) and faster in games (26ms vs 53ms input lag), but does not have a built-in audio system and smart-platform. Therefore, the choice between them depends on the personal attitude to the brands and, of course, discounts.
Of course, premium UST 4K projectors today are more than twice as expensive as 100-inch TVs. But they offer high-quality images up to 150″ diagonally, providing superb immersive viewing. However, this solution requires a good budget and a spacious room.
The video demonstrates the Hisense L9Q Laser TV.
