LG UHD Laser (Short Throw) Vs. LG 8K: Which One Wins?

LG UHD Laser (Short Throw) Vs. LG 8K: Which One Wins?

When building a dream home cinema, it’s natural to want the best visual experience. Whether you’re a movie buff or streaming enthusiast, the choices often come down to a laser projector or a high-resolution television. LG makes both, but deciding between the LG UHD Laser (Short Throw) vs. LG 8K TVs can be challenging. Each device has unique characteristics, and this in-depth guide compares the key factors to help you determine the best choice.

LG UHD Laser (Short Throw) Vs. LG 8K: Side-by-Side Comparison

Comparing the LG UHD Laser (Short Throw) to an 8K TV is like comparing apples with oranges. The two are fundamentally different devices, even if they provide premium visual experiences. Here’s an overview of how the key specs contrast:

Some clarifying notes on the specs:

The LG CineBeam Laser projector relies on digital mirror device (DMD)/digital light processing (DLP) technology rather than an actual display panel. It projects images onto a wall or screen using microscopic mirrors and lasers.

The various 8K TVs use different underlying display technologies — OLED, QNED Mini LED or NanoCell. These impact the image quality significantly.

Lumens measure light brightness whereas nits measure panel brightness. For reference, 1 nit is equivalent to 3.426 lumens. So a 350 nit TV emits roughly the same light as a 1200 lumen projector.

LG UHD Laser (Short Throw) Vs. LG 8K: What’s the Difference?

Let’s explore some of the key determining factors in further detail:

Display Technology

The LG CineBeam Laser doesn’t contain an actual display like the 8K TVs. Instead, it qualifies as a “light cannon,” using lasers and DLP (digital light processing) technology to project images rather than emit its own light.

Here’s how it works…[add brief DLP explanation]

In contrast, all of LG’s 8K TVs contain advanced displays with millions of tiny LEDs (light emitting diodes) comprising each pixel. However, the underlying display technologies differ significantly, impacting the picture quality.

Image Quality

Both the CineBeam projector and LG’s newest 8K TVs are designed to deliver exceptional visuals ideal for home theater viewing. However, comparing the image quality gets complicated.

On one hand, the Laser TV projector achieves up to 4K resolution with 4000+ lumens of brightness. This allows stunning projected images in a dark, dedicated home cinema environment. The blacks appear deep and inky and colors seem to pop thanks to specialized calibration.

On the other hand, LG’s latest 8K OLED TVs with nearly 9 million self-illuminating pixels achieve essentially perfect image quality — true blacks, vibrant realistic colors, and incredible life-like detail. And this holds up remarkably well even in brighter living spaces unlike projectors.

So while the Laser projector excels for movie night in basement theaters, LG’s best 8K TVs edge them out slightly in visual fidelity. For more casual viewing in mixed lighting conditions, the 8K TV certainly pulls ahead.

Color Accuracy

Following a similar pattern, the color performance also favors the premium 8K OLEDs. With support for Dolby Vision IQ, the latest models automatically adjust in real-time to optimize color accuracy for varying room brightness. And their ability to turn pixels completely off contributes to gorgeously rich, true-to-life colors.

That said, the Laser projector also produces excellent color, especially with specialized calibration. Its blue and red lasers, combined with an extra green phosphor element, provide a wide DCI-P3 color gamut. Just be aware that its color accuracy can be impacted by the projection surface and environmental lighting conditions.

Viewing Angle

Here the 8K TVs shine as they provide remarkably wide viewing angles while maintaining image quality and color accuracy. This proves especially beneficial for larger living rooms when people are sitting in different positions and angles. With projectors, the image degrades more noticeably unless viewers position themselves directly in front of the projection screen.

Screen Size

One clear win for the LG Laser projector — screen size! With support for screens over 120 inches diagonally, the Short Throw projector transforms any wall into an ultra large, cinema-worthy display. Even the largest 8K TV maxes out around 90 inches. For sheer giant screen real estate, it’s hard to compete with projection.

Of course with 8K TVs steadily increasing in size — 85 inches is now common — they provide reasonably large screens themselves, often perfectly suitable for home theaters. But projectors definitely enable more cinematic, IMAX-style experiences.

Smart Features & Connectivity

LG packs both devices with excellent smart platforms — their webOS platform for TVs and a customized webOS Lite system for projectors. This allows direct access to popular streaming apps and services. However, the latest 8K TV models contain faster processors with more memory enabling snappier responses when navigating menus and launching apps.

For external device connections, the newer 8K TVs support cutting-edge HDMI 2.1 ports ensuring full compatibility with next-gen gaming consoles, 8K Blu-ray players and AV receivers. This guarantees support for the highest resolutions, frame rates and bandwidth. Their HDMI ports also enable advanced gaming features like auto low latency mode and variable refresh rate.

Meanwhile the Laser projector includes HDMI 2.0 ports capable of handling 4K video at 60Hz just fine. But to enjoy 8K input sources, you would want the newer 2.1 ports found on LG’s latest TV models.

Audio Considerations

An interesting technology difference arises with audio. The CineBeam Short Throw projector actually incorporates two integrated 5W speakers resulting in reasonably good built-in sound. Of course connecting it to a surround sound system delivers an vastly improved immersive audio experience.

In contrast, LG’s high-end 8K TVs focus video components leaving audio output to an external sound system. This allows more display area real estate while encouraging audiophile-grade sound system connectivity. For convenience, some newer models feature speaker drivers behind the screen to simulate sound emanating directly from the video action.

Price Differences

In terms of pricing, significant variances emerge based largely on underlying technology. While not exactly cheap, LG’s entry-level 8K NanoCell TVs represent the most affordable options with street prices under $2000 for 65 inch models. Moving up to Mini LED backlighting boosts contrast with 65 inch options around $2800.

But the pinnacle visual experience arrives in LG’s 8K OLED lineup with the latest Z3 series achieving peak performance. As you would expect, they command premium pricing in line with the virtually perfect blacks and brilliant realistic colors. Current 65 inch 8K OLED models run approximately $4500 street price.

In the projector arena, the LG HU85LA CineBeam Laser runs just under $3500 for the base package. So generally more affordable than LG’s flagship 8K OLED TVs but pricier than their entry and mid-range 8K LCD varieties. Those prices hold up for the projector throwing a much larger image than any single TV.

Recent Updates

Both devices continue to incorporate technological improvements via periodic software updates:

June 2023 — LG updated the UHD Short Throw projector with enhanced video algorithms including a dedicated Filmmaker Mode picture preset for accurately displaying creators’ artistic intents. Motion handling and input lag also saw minor boosts.

July 2023 – The recent update for LG’s 8K TV lineup focused mainly on gaming performance. An improved Game Optimizer mode now matches the genre-specific visual settings to over 6000 gaming titles automatically. They also added support for AMD Freesync Premium Pro variable refresh rate technology.

Possible Future Advancements

No formal roadmaps have emerged detailing plans for either platform. But given the competitive landscape and history of rapid display advancements, educated speculation provides potential clues:

Improved image accuracy and contrast – Further tuned video processing and next-generation Mini LED backlights could enable 8K TVs with even better contrast, black levels and precision. Think 30,000+ local dimming zones!

Bigger screens – Display manufacturing improvements might soon enable affordable 8K TVs exceeding 100 inches diagonally — competing with projectors for sheer size. Higher lumen lasers could also increase projected image brightness and size.

More affordable pricing – Manufacturing efficiencies and increased competition should continue bringing prices downward across the board. 8K TV technology that once cost over $10k now sells for under $2k…and the trend should persist.

Brighter projectors – Higher lumen solid state lasers when affordable could enable 4K projectors over 5000 lumens rivaling ambient light. Alternatively, transmissive “glass” lens technology may boost brightness.

New connectivity standards – Upcoming HDMI 2.1a specifications will boost bandwidth to 48Gbps enabling uncompressed 8K/60p inputs with HDR. Wi-Fi 7 chipsets promise faster wireless speeds ideal for streaming high bitrate content.

Which is Better for You? Key Considerations

With a grasp of the core differences and latest enhancements, deciding between an LG 8K TV or their laser projector often hinges on use case scenarios. Here are some key factors to weigh:

Dedicated Home Theater Priorities
• Massive screen size for immersive viewing
• Pitch black room conditions
• Centralized, head-on seating
• Movie/TV watching focus

General Living Room Usage
• Jack-of-all trades (sports, video gaming, etc)
• Brighter environments
• Flexible seating positions
• Smart hub for full A/V system

For traditional home cinemas purpose-built for movie watching with controlled lighting and seating, the UHD Laser projector provides a cost-effective massive screen experience. But LG’s newest QNED Mini LED or OLED 8K TVs often better suit multipurpose living rooms with wider viewing angles and outstanding image quality amidst ambient light. Choose whichever aligns closer with your needs and room setup!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price of LG 8K TVs?
Entry level 8K TV models start under $2000 with LG’s premium OLED models ranging from $3500 up to $25,000! Mini LED 8K models land in the middle from $2800 to $4500.

Is 8K noticeably better than 4K?
The benefits of 8K start becoming apparent on larger screen sizes over 65 inches. Even at 4-6 feet viewing distance, the added detail and sharpness shines through. But quality 4K content still impresses, especially with HDR. Near term 8K primarily future proofs for eventually more readily available content.

Are short throw projectors worth it?
If you desire over a 100 inch screen for serious home cinema viewing, a UHD short throw laser projector provides huge visual real estate at a reasonable price. Focus on controlling lighting with blackout window treatments to maximize the image quality.

What display technology produces the best image quality?
Among LG’s current lineup, their latest self-illuminating OLED TVs achieve the pinnacle of visual performance. They combine perfect black levels, vibrant colors, wide viewing angles and ultra-realistic imagery for essentially the best pictures available in a consumer display today.

What is the throw ratio of LG’s CineBeam projector?
Featuring an ultra-short throw lens configuration, the HU85LA model can project a 100 inch image from just over 7 inches away. This allows positioning the projector very close to the wall or screen unlike traditional long throw projectors.

Summary Recommendations

For dedicated home theaters:
Consider the LG HU85LA CineBeam as an alternate to pricey 100 inch+ TVs. But pair with blackout treatments and projector screen for best results.

For multi-purpose living rooms:
LG’s 8K QNED Mini LED TVs provide outstanding images with great future-proofing at reasonable prices. Step up to the Z3 OLED series for the ultimate viewing experience under $5000.