Short throw or long throw, buying a projector for your home theater system can be among the most confusing decisions you have to make. Choosing between brightness, zoom range, contrast ratio, resolution, and other specs makes deciding on a projector very difficult.
One of the most important decisions you will make when shopping for a projector is whether your projector has a short throw or long throw. The throw ratio is the ratio between the distance of the projector to the wall and the horizontal measure of the image the projector produces. The throw ratio is higher for long throw projectors and lower for short throw projectors. Therefore, a short throw projector can be placed closer to the screen than a long throw projector.
As with most home theater products, the appropriate one for you depends on several variables. Space, portability, and screen size will all impact which projector is right for you. Ultimately, the decision will depend on your needs, and one set-up cannot be said to be universally better.
What’s the Difference Between Short Throw and Long Throw Projectors?
Quite simply, the difference between short and long throw projectors is how far from the screen you are to set them. Long throw projectors are meant to sit far from a projection surface while short throw projectors are meant to sit closer.
Because short throw projectors are intended to be closer to the screen they project onto, they have a chip that modifies the geometry of the image they project so the angled projection appears as a normal rectangle on the projection surface.
This extra processing causes short throw projectors to generate excess heat relative to their long throw cousins.
Long throw projectors are at peak performance long distances away from the screen they are projecting onto. This can be an advantage if you have a large home theater environment or if the power source is a distance from where you want your projection surface to be.
Short Throw Projectors
A short throw projector has a throw ratio between 0.4 and 1. This means that for every foot from the projection surface the projector is set back, the width of the projected image will increase by somewhere between 1 to 2.5 feet. (To calculate this scaling factor, divide one by the throw ratio.)
Pros
There are many pros to owning a short throw projector. For starters, a short throw projector will save you space. For short throw projectors with a throw ratio of 0.4, a four foot wide screen can be projected at just 1’7” from the projection surface. This means no annoying shadows when individuals watching get up to go to the bathroom.
Because they can project from such short distances, short throw projectors can be ideal for projecting from behind a screen, lessening the likelihood that the projector gets bumped by someone walking by.
Cons
Because of the extra processing power required to convert rectangular images into trapezoids capable of projecting a rectangle at an angle, short throw projectors can get hot. When this happens, internal fans activate to cool the unit down, causing unwanted noise.
Additionally, because the projector warps the image to be projected at a certain angle, projecting on an uneven surface will cause more image warping than one might get from a long throw projector.
Long Throw Projectors
Long throw projectors have a throw ratio greater than one and will therefore always project an image with a width that is smaller than the distance of the projector from it. This has several advantages over short throw projectors, but a fair share of disadvantages as well.
Pros
As the name implies, long throw projectors can project images over longer distances, making them an excellent choice when the screen isn’t where the power source is. They can also be a good resource if your room’s foot traffic is closer to the screen.
If you are projecting in an outdoor space, a long throw projector will give you less image distortion if placed on an uneven surface. The same can be said for projecting onto an uneven surface.
Because the long throw projector doesn’t need to geometrically transform the image the way short throw projectors do, they are usually more moderately priced, given similar other specs.
Cons
Perhaps the most annoying thing about projectors in general, but long throw projectors in particular, are shadows from people (and perhaps wildlife) blocking the screen. Because long throw projectors are meant to project over long distances, they are all the more vulnerable to being obstructed by something in the way.
As a backlight, long-throw projectors cut out a huge portion of the usable space in a home theater space. And because of the angle of the projector, which can be fixed with additional keystone corrections (our guide) by the way, long-throw projectors are prone to more glare.
Which Is Better for You?
Deciding what kind of projector is right for you depends on numerous factors. Three important considerations you should make are the home theater space, the placement of the projector, and the intended screen size.
Characteristics of the space including power sources and room curvature will impact which kind of projector, for example, home theater or business projector, a topic we've explored before, is appropriate for your home theater system.
Whether you intend to mount the projector or place it on the floor will also factor into your decision. Short throw and long throw projectors behave differently at different screen sizes.
Choosing the right projector is about balancing your preferences, something that will come down to your personal taste. There is no perfect way to set up a home theater; there’s just the perfect way for you.
Space
A primary consideration when setting up anything in a home theater is the space it is being set up in. Curvatures in the room could help dictate good locations for your projection surface and the location of your projector. Power sources as well will impact what kind of projector you should go with.
Primarily, you want to be sure your projection surface isn’t catching glare from outside light. You’ll want your seating area directly across from your projection surface with room to have your speakers surrounding symmetrically. See this guide for how to arrange your speakers.
If you are working with a small room, you will likely want to go with a short throw projector, since a long throw may not give you the screen size you desire. If you have a lot of room to spare, and require a large screen size, a long throw projector may be more appropriate for your purposes.
Screen Size
The screen size will be dictated by your ceiling height and your viewing area. Unconstrained by vertical space, you want your screen height to be 1/6th of the distance to the farthest part of your viewing area. However, this height will likely be constrained by your room’s ceiling.
A screen should sit about three feet from the floor to ensure comfortable viewing. Simply subtract three feet from your room’s ceiling height and you get the maximum height your screen can be. Choose the lower of these two numbers for the maximum height.
The closest part of your viewing area should not be less than two screen heights away. To get the width, multiply the screen height by the aspect ratio your projector will project.
Placement
Another thing to consider is where you intend to place your projector. One thing to consider is whether you want the projector mounted to the wall or ceiling, resting on a shelf, or sitting on the floor.
Another thing to consider if you have room behind your projection surface is the possibility of getting a translucent screen and putting the projector behind it.
Although mounting your projector ensures that your image will be projected correctly every time, not mounting the projector gives you the option to make your projector mobile. This is great for projecting a movie on the side of the house on those warm summer nights.
Your desired screen size and your projector’s throw ratio will determine how far you must position your projector from your screen. Simply multiply the screen width by the throw ratio to get the appropriate distance your projector should be from the screen.
This may determine where you put your viewing area and whether or not you choose to mount the projector.
Finding the Right Projector for You
Ultimately, the projector you choose will be determined by the factors that are important to you. Whether you want a particular screen size or you want your viewing area to be in a particular part of the room, there is a projector that can help you get the job done.
Just because there is a difference in the price tag doesn’t mean more expensive short throw projectors are categorically superior to long throw projectors. They each have a specific purpose, and the difference in price is due to the advanced technology the short throw projector needs to manipulate the image for projection.
As long as your projector gives you the theater-quality experience you are looking for, you can’t go wrong with any projector. Figure out your priorities, and you will find the perfect projector for you.
