Sony puts 4K Ultra Short Throw projector up against the wall

Sony's 4K UST projector sits on the floor alongside any wall with enough space to accommodate its considerable projection size
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After first bringing 4K resolution to lounge room walls in 2012 with its VPL-VW1000ES projector, Sony is making another run at the Ultra HD home theater market, though this time over a much shorter distance. At CES, the company is demoing a prototype of its 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector that has the ability to cast images up to 147-inches in size from a distance of around 20 in (50 cm).

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Designed to look like a piece of furniture, the unit measures 43.3 x 10.4 x 21.1 in (110 x 26.5 x 53.5 cm) and sits on the floor alongside any wall with enough space to accommodate its considerable projection size. A 1.6x power zoom allows for the UHD image to be adjusted to anywhere between 66 and 147 inches in size. Sony says the device boasts 3D capability and will support current video content from internet, satellite and cable providers, along with services such as Netflix and Sony's own Video Unlimited 4K.
Like the VPL-VW1000ES, the device uses an SXRD panel and boasts 4096 x 2160 pixels with 2,000 lumens of brightness, but does so with the inherent convenience that an Ultra Short Throw (UST) projector offers.
In addition to minimizing shadows and removing the need for complex installation or mounting, Sony's UST home projector includes four HDMI ports and two speaker terminals, with separate speaker units able to sit nicely alongside the projector by modeling the same sleek design.
Light is sourced from a laser diode, which the company says will see the display reach and maintain superior peak brightness and color accuracy compared to typical lamp-driven projectors.
At last year's CES we saw the unveiling of the LG UST Laser TV projector, which similarly looked to remove the issues posed by traditional home theater systems. However, LG's version is only capable of offering a 1080p image up to 100 inches in size – although, it is also much cheaper.
The Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector will be available mid-2014 for approximately US$30,000 to $40,000.
Source: Sony