Even though technology exists to bundle up the big screen into something much smaller, there’s really nothing quite like the experience of watching something on a big screen. The position is closer and the level of immersion feels deeper, partly thanks to just how big a screen you get versus that of a TV.
Yes, TVs have definitely become more sizeable over the years, with 55 and 65 now the rough minimum sizes people will consider for home, and TVs clearly going much, much bigger overall. But even so, the big screen persists as the benchmark.
You probably don’t have the 12 to 20 metres worth of space to make a proper cinema-size screen in your home, and given that size, you probably wouldn’t want to. Regular people don’t need a large cinema at home, especially when it doesn’t need to cater to more than a handful of people.
But you can still get big to go beyond the 100 inch typical maximum of TVs (though these are also getting much bigger, as well). That’s where projection comes in, and where setting up a dedicated projector space can make a difference.
For folks with that sort of space, Hisense has added two recent arrivals covering short-throw distances more like a laser TV (a laser projector made to replace a TV) and a long-throw creating a more cinema-like experience in the home.
And if you don’t have that dedicated spot, portable projectors can help, and they are growing in number. Hisense’s latest essentially bundles in the tech normally found inside its high-end models, yet in a more compact style.
The P1 is just that: a laser projector on stand with hinge that allows up to a 150 inch projection to be emitted, supporting up to 1000 lumens and in any place where there’s a wall, a sheet, or a space to project.
While it maxes out at Full HD, the system includes a battery for a little over two hours of playback, though keeping it tethered to a plug port should keep it going until you’re done. The projector also includes little bits and pieces to make setup easy, with an optical image zoom and AI adjustment technologies, effectively bringing the laser projection tech to more places and walls.
It’s definitely more of a small projector, and the price reflects that, with Australians able to find the Hisense P1 for $1799. By comparison, the more hefty dedicated projectors in the C3 long-throw and PX4 ultra-short-throw hit closer to the $5K mark, and are built more for dedicated spaces.
For folks with either, the range is available in Australian stores now.
