Short Throw vs Ultra Short Throw Projectors: A Complete Comparison

If you‘re looking to transform a wall into a theater-sized screen for movies or gaming, projectors are a fantastic option. They can cast enormous cinematic images that no TV can match.

But projectors also pose challenges like mounting, light control, fan noise, and of course cost. With all the variables to juggle, deciding between short throw and ultra short throw can be head spinning! You need to obsess about throw distance, optimal screen size based on room dimensions, image resolution, and brightness versus your viewing habits and seating position–not to mention drilling holes in your ceiling. Yikes!

Don‘t worry – I‘ve got your back. As a seasoned home theater projector consultant, I‘m here to demystify the variables and make recommendations tailored to YOUR space and budget. I‘ll help you understand the ups and downs of both projector types with detailed comparisons that leave no stone unturned. As your fellow cinephile and gamer, I want you to avoid frustrating blind spots and maximize the exhilaration. Let‘s dig in!

Overhead View Comparison

Before we begin, here is an aerial diagram showing how the projection and screen would differ in a typical living room:

Note how the ultra short throw projector (UST) sits right underneath the screen and blasts upwards. It‘s out of the way for clean sight lines with no front blocking furniture required.

The short throw projector (ST) is mounted farther back, higher on the wall. It projects on a downwards diagonal to the screen. This requires mounting hardware kits and professionally routing cabling through ceilings and walls typically.

With this positioning context in mind, let me outline eight key projector considerations…

Resolution

Gone are the days when projectors delivered blurry, dull, desaturated pictures. Both short throw and ultra short throw models now offer:

• Full HD 1080p resolution – 1,920 x 1,080 pixels
• 4K Ultra HD – 3,840 x 2,160 pixels for 8.3 million total pixels and 4X the clarity of 1080p

While you can save money opting for a 1080p short throw unit, I strongly recommend 4K. Why? Because…

4K upscaling – You can feed 4K projectors lower resolution content from Blu-ray discs, streaming, or gaming and they‘ll upconvert the signal close to 4K clarity using advanced internal video processing chips. This leads to crisper text and graphics ideal for computer monitors or presentations.

Future-proofing – New TV shows, movies, and consoles output in 4K now. So protect your investment!

Bigger screen support – 4K resolution also allows flawless image integrity on 100 to 150" projected screen sizes. Pixelation artifacts plague lesser 1080p projectors over 100" since the pixels get stretched too thin.

So while 4K short throw models cost more than their 1080p cousins, it‘s worth it. And prices continue trending down under $3,000 for 4K short throw while still out of reach for many buyers on ultra short throw.

Brightness

A projector needs to emit sufficient light, known as lumens, to overcome ambient room light and dark surfaces. Different models offer:

• Entry-level: 2,000 to 3,000 lumens for small darkened rooms
• Mid-range: 3,000 to 4,000 lumens for controlled light
• High-end: 5,000+ lumens for well-lit rooms

An ultra short throw sitting right underneath a ceiling fan requires brightness on the higher end for watchable images with lights on. Short throw projectors can use lower brightness ratings thanks to less direct overhead glare. Still, I suggest a luminous 3,500+ rating.

Here are a few current 4K short throw projector picks with sufficient punch:

As you can see, brightness varies even within 4K short throw models. And expect to pay over $3,500 for equivalent lumens in an ultra short throw. Prioritize luminance for your goals.

Contrast Ratio

Contrast ratio indicates how vividly a projector renders shadows versus highlights – like the glowing lava and dark castle walls in Game of Thrones. Look for:

• 50,000:1 – Excellent for deep blacks without crushing shadow details
• 100,000:1+ – Spectacular for the inkiest blacks outside of OLED TVs

Entry-level projectors dip as low as 15,000:1 which lead to washed out, grey-ish blacks. Like buying a dim underpowered car, don‘t sabotage incredible 4K clarity with subpar contrast. Most video content scales between 100 and 400 nits brightness. So I suggest 50,000:1 minimum but ideally 100,000:1+ contrast across affordable short throw and premium ultra short throw.

Throw Distance

A projector‘s throw ratio determines placement flexibility. As a rule of thumb for image size versus distance:

Ultra Short Throw

• 90” Screen = 2‘
• 100" Screen = 4‘
• 120" Screen = 6‘

So maximum between 8 to 10 feet for most settings.

Short Throw

• 90" Screen = 5‘
• 100" Screen = 6‘
• 120" Screen = 8‘

And short throw maxes out around 16 feet. Now manufacturers fudge maximums a bit. So leave a 20% buffer if possible.

While long throw projectors require 12-30 feet, short throw and ultra short throw models excel for tighter room configurations where you sit close.

Room Size Requirements

To avoid distortion from odd projection angles, consider your room‘s size. Ultra short throw projectors work best in smaller spaces like:

• Master bedrooms under 15 feet wide
• Living rooms around 20 feet wide
• Man caves or dorm rooms

The max screen size ultra short throw supports falls between 100 to 150 inches diagonal.

Short throw projectors accommodate larger rooms better including:

• Living rooms up to 30 feet wide
• Basements or lofts
• Conference rooms or lecture halls

Short throw maxes out around 300 inches for commercial applications. But home theaters typically land between 100 to 200 inches diagonal.

Measure the wall you intend to install the projector carefully with a tape measure. Then map out seating to prevent distortion on the edges from extreme side angles.

Ambient Light Rejection

Projected images wash out easily when competing against lamps or sunlight. So you‘ll need complete light control for ideal picture quality.

For ultra short throw projectors, an ALR screen is mandatory. ALR stands for ambient light rejection. This specialty screen material has a multi-layer optical coating to block overhead lighting. Rather than diffuse light like conventional 1.0 gain screens, ALR screens aim for higher contrast by absorbing ambient light while boosting on-axis projector brightness.

ALR screens cost 2 to 4X more than basic screens though. And they come in various gain levels for wider or narrower viewing angles. So factor this added cost into your budget if you want an ultra short throw projector.

For short throw projectors, you can use traditional white or gray screens without the ALR coating. Blackout window treatments are still suggested. North facing room orientation works best to avoid direct sunlight.

Fan Noise Considerations

Projectors require active cooling fans and ventilation to channel heat away from delicate optics and video processing boards. Some models run noticeably louder than others.

Short throw projectors ceiling mounted behind viewers direct fan noise away from the audience effectively. Table placement also helps buffer fan noise.

But ultra short throw projectors blast from underneath screens directly into your room. So shop carefully and read reviews on noise ratings. Look for:

• Under 25 dB idle/eco mode for whisper quietality
• Sub 30 dB max fan speed for reasonable white noise

Also ensure any projector avoids buzzing from an unbalanced spinning fan or clicking from an impacted blade. Professionals take decibel readings to identify acoustic issues.

Input Support

To interface all your video sources, seek projectors with:

• HDMI – To pipe uncompressed video from 4K Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, or computers
• HDMI-ARC – For routing TV audio into a sound system without extra cables
• 12V triggers – To automatically power on screens when you turn on the projector

Plus wired Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or USB media support streaming sticks, hard drives, or wireless screen mirroring apps. Avoid legacy VGA and composite video ports though since analog signals can‘t handle 4K‘s bandwidth.

While most projectors carry basic audio outputs or weak onboard speakers, I suggest routing sound separately into a quality sound bar, headphones, or surround system through an audio receiver.

Installation Factors

Projection requires meticulous positioning and adjustment known as "four corner alignment" for perfectly rectangular images. The projector needs to align square with the screen from centered lens height.

Ultra short throw projectors skip much of this setup frustration by design. You simply place the compact box on a credenza directly underneath the wall or screen. Then use the handy vertical/horizontal image adjustments like digital keystone via remote.

Short throw projectors demand professional installation for routing power and HDMI cabling through ceilings and walls to hid wires. Plus mounting at ideal height and distance ranges to allow tweaking zoom, shift and focus. Failure to perfectly line up images leads to crooked, distorted pictures.

So while ultra short throw models cost more, they save substantially on installation labor and save you headaches.

Operating Costs

Home theater projectors run $500 up to $10,000+ for high-end units. But the projector is only part of your total budget. Expect to spend at least:

• Projector – $1,500 to $5,000
• ALR Screen – $800 to $2,500
• Cables – $50
• Sound System – $250 to $2,000
• Installation – $200 for ultra short throw or $500+ for short throw
• Calibration – $300 for customized fine tuning

So realistically budget $3,000 to $10,000+ for the full setup. Ultra short throw costs exceed short throw for the projector itself. But short throw adds expenses for commercial duty mounting gear, cable routing behind walls, and precision placement aligning images. Either way, projection requires an investment going in.

Over time projectors also save hugely over equally sized TVs when you calculate lifespan costs. Expect between 5 to 7 years of flawless operation for 20,000 to 30,000 hours. Compare that to the average LCD TV needing replacement every 5 years or so. Projection wins for value long-term.

In Summary…

Projectors enable awe-inspiring 100"+ displays no LCD or OLED TV can rival. Short throw and ultra short throw models excel for smaller spaces where you want theater-sized images close to the seating position without distortion.

Consider ultra short throw projectors if you want:

• Installation right underneath a wall-mounted screen
• 4K resolution on 100-150" image sizes
• No need for professional wiring or acoustic treatments

Consider short throw projectors if you want:

• More affordable 1080p options under $1,500
• 4K clarity but need bigger 150-300"+ images
• Don‘t mind professional ceiling mounts and wiring

I hope mapping out these key factors helps narrow your options. It‘s an exciting project transforming a bare wall into a cinematic wonder! Let me know if you have any other questions come up on your projector journey. I‘m always happy to help a fellow home theater enthusiast. Enjoy!