Compact, Stylish Ultra-Short Throw Projectors Offer Installation Flexibility
Epson developed ultra-short throw projectors to alleviate issues with standard projectors, which cast the shadow of anyone standing in front of the projector on the screen, produce bothersome glare from the light source, and are often installed in front of viewers, where they can get in the way.
Ultra-short throw projector
Ultra-short throw projectors produce a large image from a short distance
Unlike standard-throw projectors, ultra-short throw projectors can cast a large image even when installed a very short distance from a wall or screen. For example, an ultra-short throw model may be able to cast an 80-inch image on a screen from a distance of 50 cm.
Ultra-short throw projectors offer three main advantages.
- They can be installed close to the projection surface.
- They typically do not cast large shadows.
- They don't get in the way.
When using a standard-throw projector, the presenter often stands in front of the projection surface. The problem with this is that the presenter may cast a shadow on the
screen, making the content hard to see. Moreover, the presenter may be bothered by glare from the projector light source.
However, ultra-short throw projectors can be set up closer to the projection surface and forward of where a presenter would stand. Consequently, shadows and glare are less
likely to be a problem.
Standard projector
Ceiling mounted ultra-short-throw projector
Interactive projectors, which capitalize on this feature of ultra-short-throw systems, have become popular in recent years. Users can annotate and interact with projected images using an interactive pen. They can even operate the PC from a projected image and share projected images with other projectors over a network. Features like these are fueling an expansion of demand in classrooms and business.
Example of classroom use
Example of office use
There are many other ways to use ultra-short throw projectors. They can project large images even in space-constrained locations such as show windows to bring the space alive.
Usage example: show window
Inside image of the show window
The projection lens is critical for an ultra-short throw projector. Epson uses two types of ultra-short throw projection lenses in its projectors, ones with folded optics and ones with a concave mirror.
How an optional ultra-short throw lens
with folded optics enables a wide lens shift range
Optional ultra-short throw lens (ELPLX01)
with folded optics for use with compatible high-lumen projectors
The ultra-short throw projection lenses used in high-lumen Epson projectors have folded optics. A projection lens with folded optics uses two flat mirrors to bend the projected
light 180 degrees so that images are projected toward the rear of the projector. Therefore, when a projection lens with folded optics is mounted on a projector, the projector
is installed backwards, for rear-projection applications.
A large-diameter aspherical lens is used on the exit side of the projection lens to minimize image distortion and aberration.
High-lumen models are equipped with lens shift functionality. Lens shift moves the projection lens horizontally and vertically relative to the screen. The screen projection
position can be adjusted without tilting the entire projector. However, if you try to shift the lens with a projector equipped with another type of ultra-short throw lens, the
projector itself will interfere with the projected light, making it difficult to adjust the screen upwards, as shown in the illustration below.
Therefore, Epson adopted an ultra-short throw lens with folded optics for its high-lumen projectors. By taking advantage of folded optics, Epson minimizes projector interference
with the projected light and allows the optical axis of the projection lens to be offset in the projector direction.
LX02 wide lens shift projection
Other system
(ultra-short throw option lens with concave mirror)
A projector with an ultra-short throw lens that has folded optics is advantageous in ceiling mounted applications because it easily projects images over the entire wall even in places where the ceiling is low. These lenses make it possible to reduce the depth of projectors and dramatically improve projector installation and projection freedom. The periscope-like configuration of the lens means projectors can be embedded in ceilings, with all but the head of the projection lens largely concealed and unobtrusive.
Compact, stylish, ultra-short throw home projectors with folded optics
Ultra-short throw projection lens with folded optics (f= 3.9 mm FNO1.5) provided on the EH-LS500W/B
Ultra-short throw lenses with folded optics can reduce projector depth and are used not only in high-lumen models but also in home projectors.
Unlike standard projectors, ultra-short throw projectors can be placed near a wall just like a television to cast a large screen. A large-diameter aspherical lens is used as the outermost lens to minimize image distortion. Good focus performance is achieved over a wide range of projection sizes by using an inner focus design.
EH-LS500W
EH-LS500B
An ultra-short throw lens with a concave mirror
enables compact projectors and bright images
Projection lens provided on the LS300W/B(f=3.7mm FNO1.6)
Another type of Epson ultra-short throw lens uses a concave mirror. This projection lens consists of multiple lenses and a concave aspherical mirror. The concave aspherical mirror reduces image distortion and chromatic aberration, which greatly contributes to the realization of ultra-short focal length lenses. Furthermore, these projection lenses have fewer and smaller optical components, so they are easier to make lighter and thinner, with few protrusions in the thickness direction.
Ultra-short throw lenses with a concave mirror are used in interactive projectors with an integrated whiteboard for education and business. Because they are compact, thin, and lightweight, these projectors have a stylish presence.
Aspherical surface not used
Aspherical surface used
