LG has taken the wraps off its latest ultra-short-throw laser projector, the CineBeam HU915QE.
Introduced as a range-topping solution, the newcomer to LG’s 4K UST portfolio touts key enhancements to installation, allowing for simpler placement of a device intended to displace your living room TV.
Chief among the upgrades is an impress 0.19 throw ratio, enabling the HU915QE to produce a 90in image when placed a mere 5.6cm from the wall, or a giant 120in image from a distance of 18.3cm. In contrast, the firm’s existing HU715Q needs to be nearly 22cm from the wall just to display a 100in picture.
Performance and image quality should see noticeable improvements, too, as LG has made the shift from a single light source to a three-channel laser. Peak brightness climbs to 3,700 ANSI lumens (up from 2,500 on the HY715Q), resulting in a reported contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1.
LG reckons the implementation boasts “more vivid images even during the day,” though depending on the local environment, we suspect a good-quality ambient light-rejecting (ALR) screen will be needed to maximise contrast and visual impact.
Installation still won’t be as forgiving as a big-screen TV, yet the upgrade from, say, a 65in screen to a 120in projector should not be underestimated. In this instance, the latter would be 241 per cent larger, and there’s plenty of modern display tech shoehorned into the HU915QE’s sleek body. In addition to a standard 4K UHD resolution, the projector promises a wide range of streaming apps through its webOS smart platform, three HDMI ports with eARC, and a 2.2 channel 40W speaker system that can be paired to optional LG Bluetooth speakers for a surround setup.
Availability is penned for the first half of 2022 and US retailers already have the HU915QE up for pre-order at a cost of $5,999. UK pricing and availability ought to become clearer in the weeks ahead, but one thing’s for certain, UST projectors now represent an intriguing upgrade path from a regular TV.
Specifications of the HU915QE can be compared using the table below.
| HU710P | HU715Q | HU915QE | |
| Price | $2,499 | $2,999 | $5,999 |
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) |
| Brightness | 2,000 ANSI Lumens | 2,500 ANSI Lumens | 3,700 ANSI Lumens |
| Light Source | Hybrid (Laser + LED) | Laser | 3 Channel Laser |
| Lamp Life | 20,000 hours | 20,000 hours | 20,000 hours |
| Brightness Optimizer | Iris Mode + Adaptive Contrast | Auto Brightness + Adaptive Contrast | Auto Brightness + Adaptive Contrast + Iris Mode |
| TruMotion | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Filmmaker Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Size | 40-300 inches | 80-120 inches | 90-120 inches |
| Throw Distance | 100-inch @ 2.9-4.6m | 100-inch @ 21.7cm | 100 inches @ 9.8cm |
| Throw Ratio | 1.3 – 2.08 | 0.22 | 0.19 |
| Zoom | x 1.6 | Fixed | Fixed |
| Lens Shift | Horizontal ± 24%, Vertical ± 60% | – | – |
| Keystone Correction | 4/9/15 Point Warping | 4/9/15 Point Warping | 4/9/15 Point Warping |
| webOS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apple AirPlay 2 / HomeKit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated Speakers | 5W + 5W Stereo | 20W + 20W Stereo | 2.2 Channel, 40W |
| Remote Control | Yes (Magic Lighting Remote) | Yes (Magic Lighting Remote) | Yes (Magic Lighting Remote) |
| Inputs | HDMI x 3 with eARC / USB 2.0 x 2 | HDMI x 3 with eARC / USB 2.0 x 2 | HDMI x 3 with eARC / USB 2.0 x 2 |
