Ultra Short Throw vs Long Throw Projector - LG HU85LA vs Epson 5050UB 

A few people have mentioned that the laser light source (lamp) can't be replaced. LG has assured me that it is indeed replaceable and that dealers have replacement lamps available. So there's no need to throw the projector out when the lamp dies. This is welcome news.

Love your reviews Chris. Not overly long, yet you cover all the details needed. I suspect you will have a lot more subscribers in the not too distant future. Keep it up!

Cracking review as always Chris with loads of excellent real world considerations for both options. Keep these reviews coming!

Great video. Can’t imagine the amount of work it took to get this video done. Thanks for the info

I mean you've convinced me on the short throw, now I just need to convert a wall space and scrounge up 7 grand and im set! Love the reviews!

so im moving to a new home. the current owner has a 82" Samsung on the wall. but it looks like a 40' because the wall is soo huge. now im definitely in the market for a projector and im on here doing all the research I can. this video helps tremendously. keep em coming

The best review I ever seen, specially because you compare dark and light environment with the same video synchronized and I know that took I time to do that. Awesome job my man.

I built my theater based off of your knowledge. Keep it up Chris! You have covered a lot , maybe an updated budget smart home video? Or do your old picks hold true as far as “ best home security camera “ or comparing some of the newer smart home hubs. You always have great insight and I’m sure some other people that are new to this would love the feedback.

I'd love for you to make a video about "Best Projectors at $1k, $2k, $3k, $4k, and $5k" or something similar. I know there are preference differences like living room vs home theatre but it's nearly impossible for a first time buyer to know what they're doing without clear, well-explained comparisons. Great videos! They help a lot.

I am in the market to have a home cinema in a year or two. I have to say of like 12 different channels that I have seen, including professional retail channels, this is by far the best. Informative. Entertaining without trying to hard to be funny (you have that natural charisma). I am not an official subscriber.

Great video Chris! I have been on the fence on which type to buy when my LG 65” OLED goes kaput. We have a large family room, and would like to have at least a 100” screen eventually. I like the short throw for the simple reason that I would not have to tear up my walls to run the cables for a standard projector mounted in the ceiling, all the wiring is right where my current tv sits. Short throw is the way to go for me, thanks for the information!

Chris thanks for all your info through the years. Just purchased the Epson 3800. I love it. Would love to show you my build. It was easier thanks to your advice.

Great article, thanks Chris, have been looking for views on comparing short to long throw, although I think I've concluded long throw is still probably the better option for me.

Chris, great informative vid. Hadn't even heard of the short throw projectors, but you covered all that I felt that I needed to know. And, in a no nonsense, straight to ya, video. Thx.

Awesomely done! Sharing this video as a result of how really great the info in this video is!! Damn, keep it up!!

Hi, great summary ! there one more point worth to note about UST projectors, their very short angle of projection will magnify even the least defect or wave in the screen. I had very bad experience with elite screen motorized tensioned in ceiling screen. I see horrible horizontale lines in the image highlights (eg sky, white back ground). Customer support claimed this is a weakness related to UST projection angle and that UST projector shall be used (only) with fixed frame screens... now I’m switching to a regular throw projector...

I would add that long throws are much more forgiving of screen alignment and flatness. With the short throw PJs you need to have everything lined up really well, with a nice flat screen, etc.

I have my Optoma p-1 behind my Center channel speaker which worked out. Also it’s in a dedicated space with no windows and works really well on the screen I’ve had for five years, a Silver Ticket 120”

Great video. I had my home theater built last April with the LG HU85LA. Good timing just as lockdowns were being enacted everywhere. I have to say that the image quality is great. The brightness is awesome. I can even watch with the curtains open on a sunny day, though it's definitely better with them closed. I have to admit that the LG is a little finicky, though. Getting it aligned just right for a nice, square image takes a bit of work. Any inconsistencies with your wall (and thus your screen mounted to it) are a lot more noticeable with a UST. My biggest complaint, however, is the WebOS on the HU85LA. It's interface is poorly designed and not intuitive at all. And the apps sometimes perform less than great. I keep having issues with it connecting to my PLEX media server--and I have other devices around my house that can connect just fine at the same time that the LG refuses to find PLEX.

Man I love your videos. Thanks for providing such useful information for the less knowledgeable people in this subject. I understand that ultra short throw projectors aren't great for gaming, but can you do a video about the best ultra short throws for the average gamers? (Top 3-5)

I have a built in ceiling center channel speaker and I love it. All of my speakers are in-ceiling and most people don't even realize I have surround until it's on.

Excellent Video, Chris! Great information on the projectors.... Thank You, Randy

Cool TShirt! 😉 Thanks for the in-depth feature rundown!

This video is worth watching! More of this, please!

Some reviewers have noted the out of the box sharpness of the Epson 3 LCD. Epson does get really sharp with it’s image enhancement and super resolution along with pixel shifting, which makes the Epson incredibly tack sharp, you’ll see every facial pore, and along with gamma curve adjustments, the brightness and color are truly fantastic. The LG setup with ALR screen in my opinion, is way too expensive for the picture size it offers and Epson can go way bigger 200” and still look great for movies. In addition Epson has fantastic customer support (LG ?) Thanks for the nice review.

I enjoyed your review, to the point and accurate. It would be great to see a comparison video of Ultrashort and Short throw projector

Can't wait for CES and to see what's coming soon. I need a true 4K version of the 5050UB that retains the great color and black level detail but now has all the sharpness and detail that was missing.

Would be cool, to have a video on the best portable projectors . Awesome channel!!

Watched several of your videos today. I really like how you get right to the point. Consider me subscribed! 😁

iv had lg since March & i love it! awesome!!! 120"

Very good explanation....wonderful....so much information in such a short presentation....very well done...thank you

Thanks Chris for the great review comparing both ultra short projectors vs standard ones. I have a question regarding the sound installation on the ultra short LG projector. I believe you mentioned that you need to install an amplifier right below the projector, but I am not sure why you would need that. In my case, I will install an amplifier next to the projector in order to drive the sound to my Technics speakers. Many Thanks!!

Your videos are excellent, lots of detail and well produced. What do you recommend for outdoor projectors?

Great review. I recently bought LG HU85LA and absolutely loved it. I still have my Optoma 4k UHD50 and watch it once in a while to appreciate the brightness and picture quality of my LG projector. Do you have some advice on picture calibration for LG projector for an exceptional image quality?

Home theater tech keeps getting better. I just rewired my living room for a traditional projector, now this is available! Aren't lasers bad for the eyes?

Really good sumup of the differences. Just wanted to point out that there is a 3LCD ultra short throw projector from Epson (LS500) so if you're allergic to DLP rainbows there is an other option. One advantage of standard throw projector like UB5050 is motorized lens that enables using different zooms for different content. That is a must if you want to use 2.39:1 screen instead 16:9. Also more costly option for this, the anamorphic lens is also only usable with standard throw.

Dammmm Chris 😳. I m more confuse than before 😂😂😂. Nice video 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽. I will watch ur next one for sure 🤩

I like that center channel speaker. Now I'm trying to find out what model it is. Keep up the great content. Love the videos!

Hi Chris, glad you mentioned screen size limitation in this video. After subscribing & watching many of your vids, along w/hours of research & calls, seems UST specific screens / horizontal lenticular i could find all over up to 120" (possibly a limitation of material?) or 150" some ALR but non UST. Many of us with UST projectors supporting 150" would trade 150" larger screen for some screen contrast loss. For frequently watching with lights on/some daylight through windows, would love your thoughts on if 150" UST specific screen isnt available, what could be the next best option ALR at 150" for a UST such as the Vava 4K UST?

Awesome video as I just subscribed. Could you do a video on determining best screen size based on a given wall dimensions taking into account both types of projector throw? I’m moving and want to know the biggest screen size for each type to help me in deciding.

Super helpful video! Great stuff, man.

I started wanting one of those Anker Nebula projectors, but of course I entered the worm-hole of projectors and am now heavily weighing towards the 505UB. I am looking for something under 3K that I can put in my 12'x23' room. So much to consider.

Nice video, thenks. Would you recommend an ultra short throw projector for a house with a toddler that can touch it or move it?

Would love your take on the new Phillips Screeneo U5 that was just announced. I placed my order, and they ship in March. Crossing my fingers that its a good purchase.

Great Chris have missed your videos. Are any new better UST's coming out?

Hi thanx for the great video .I understand the UST projectors needing to be at a certain distance from the wall but there's no real reason you can't flip the ALR screen and mount the UST projector on the ceiling Just a option I thought of that you didn't mention

Love your energy - no matter what you talk about 😊 subscribed

Hey Chris! Since many of the laser projectors have good built in speakers- can you use the projector as the middle speaker and run it through your AV receiver as a part of your entire surround set up? Thanks!

Thanks Chris! An IMPORTANT video for me. My short list is HISENSE L9 vs the 5050UB Or LG HU810PW. Chris, WHO WINS, for picture quality ?

Thanks for very informative video. I've been planning to replace my TV but still not completely sure if UST projector can really replace TV. I do have quite a bit ambient lite in my leaving room (no separate room for home theater) during day time where I do casual viewing and don't want to make the room dark every time I want to watch TV. I want to understand if the experience of UST projector is similar to regular TV. I'm okay to use ambient light rejecting screen if that helps. Thanks again for the informative videos, I'm subscribed to your channel.

Another great video. Thanks Chris!!

Black levels can be greatly improved when using a more ideal ALR screen with a UST, especially those designed specifically for it, thus incompatible with standard throw projectors. The gain is typically 0.4 - 0.8. The one used in in the videos, at 0.9 is a bit high, so black levels will suffer.

Maybe talk about input lag if no one has mentioned that already. Great video. 👍

Hey Chris just watched a video and enjoyed all the helpful information ..so my question is, is the 6050ub Epson a better equivalent comparison to this LG then since it is true 4K? …..Just really starting to find out about the short throw projectors and I’m torn between purchasing a wall mount or one of these

Love your set up what speakers model ? And whats the best real 4k projector

Hey! Thanks for your videos! What do you think... Which is the UST projector with the best black levels for daylight using?

If they release a newer version of the 5050UB with 4k that'll be incredible

How do they compare on brightness in different lighting situations? Like in normal room (with windows) in daylight, normal room in the evening, home theater room (no windows) with dim lighting, and home theater room with all lights off. It seems the UST would be brighter overall particularly in normal brighter lighting situations since it has less distance to throw through? With any projection, yes, you're always going to want the room as dark as possible, but, if one of these projector styles does better in normal brighter lighting situations, that could be a deciding factor for a lot of people.

Chris Majestic hello friend I like how you explained every details about the projectors you have. I have 150" inch zero edge fixed frame projector screen give me your advise, do you think Ultra Short Throw projector will work better for 150 inch screen?

Thank you. Good overview. Q: Do YOU see rainbow distortion on the LG HU85LA? I saw them on earlier DLPs but I have no idea what the latest ones are like.

I think this is a good video, covering a lot of questions. -But one question I have is: How well does the short-throw projector perform on a "white wall". I know that a standard projector will work just fine (yes, I know you can get better picture if you use a screen, but that's not why I'm asking the question at all). The reason for me to ask the question, is that the screen for the short-throw projector is "special", it has angled horizontal segments. I can imagine that the picture would look directly horrible on a plain flat white wall. Besides, it's only because I'm curious about it; I have no plan on buying a short-throw projector and using it without a screen. -But maybe I'm just expecting too little. Could you try this out and post a short video or just write a comment saying "A screen is definitely a requirement, there's no way you can use the projector without it." ?

Great stuff man. i definitely needed to see this!

thanks for informative video, how about showing the viewers the difference. It seems no one has done a visual comparison between the LG and this Epson..as well as the LG versus the Optoma X1 or X2 short throw.. I am wondering if LG requeseted not to have video posted of comparison visually?

Heya thanks so much for the video! Its v helpful. I'm researching projectors for my Masters project and was wondering what kind of projector you would advise for example to project small images onto a surface like the human body? I know this is a bit of a niche question! Just trying to find out where to look! Thanks, M

Should I go with a Yamaha RX A730 or Sony STR dh790? I know it has nothing to do with this video but you’re always a big help. Thank you

Thank you for explaining. I am using Xiaomi laser projector. It cost me around 2k USD. Though it doesn't have a good interface like LG, and the OS is in Chinese, I have connected Nvidia shield TV Pro for media playback.

Cool, what would be the best projector for shining shows onto a building? I often hear just a short throw, but really, which is best?

If you go with the UST, you have to have a fixed, perfectly flat projection screen. Any wrinkle or imperfection on the screen will show up in the picture. I love my UST, but there’s a few trade offs.

Picked up a 6040ub for only 1700$!! Full 3 year warranty as well. It’s so nice even with an old bulb. I would get yourself one before you are stuck buying a 3000$+ projector

What your suggest for bright office? What would be optimal lm for projector? And aren't short throw projectors brighter, because they are floser to screen?

It depends on so many specific issues with the shape of the room! In my case, an ultra-short would end up being in the way of people moving around. A short-throw is best for me, but I need a VERY short throw. Most short-throws stop at a 1.2 ratio, but if I could find one with as low as a 1.0 ratio I would have the perfect screen size!

Hi Chris , can you please share the ceiling mount that you have used . Thanks.

I am in the middle of installing an ultra short throw projector in my living room, and plan on using blackout motorized blinds as the screen. I would love for you to give your thoughts on this.

Does this projector have a fully focused screen from top to bottom and corner to corner? cos lamp projectors (even expensive projectors) always will have only one part of the screen focus and the rest is horrible

Hope you can provide some info and review for short throw projectors (not ultra short) , thank yoy

My current media room is over 10 years old and used a 1080P DLP projector with a standard (for that time) screen. I would love to see a video showing how to upgrade such a setup. I know that upgrading the projector to 4K will require upgrading the receiver, but will I need to do the screen at the same time? Will long throw 4K laser projectors work with the old style screens? Everything that I have seen, so far, assumes that I will be starting from scratch.

Awesome video, as always! I'd love to see your thoughts/recommendations of a "rock bottom" budget projector that's

This is an old posting, but hoping you can tell me what system you use for the reactive LCD surround light behind the screen. I like this setup because it's subtle.

Cool video. Let me know when I can buy an affordable ultra-short-throw projector because my current set up is meh (Anker Nebula prism)

Thanks for the video! Are there any LCD projectors that can reproduce 3D?Seems like the Qumi2 could project 3D. You said LEd projectors reduce the rainbow effect and give better colors, so maybe in the future I should look at LCD projectors. Currently I am very happy with my Optoma 343x long throw. Only had it a year or so and only use it on some weekends.

Hi Chris, which Cinema projector could you recommend to watch football in wide venue?

Making a home theater in the basement of our new house. Which projector would you recommend? I'd like to go bigger than 130 inch. This may or may not be specifically for the Snyder cut

Thank you for comparising. Can you test LG vs Epson LS500? Price very close and Epson looks interesting.

Gaming vs Media. While I know there are always exceptions, would you say that UST's are "better" for movies, and the standard throw have "better" options for someone into gaming? I see a lot of your reviews, and many of the short throw's seem to have a higher latency on average (4K gaming).

I just want to see side by side pictures of the same content in the same room of a good long throw and good short throw projector. I need to replace my old long throw and can't decide if I want to go with the formovie or some regular long throw

I think the recently released Epson LS500 will eventually displace LG as the segment leader as it is [to my knowledge] the first 3-LCD UST design. May I ask what type of cabinets you are using? My setup is similar to yours in layout and I like what you've done. As always, thanks for another great video

Are you able to mount a short throw to the ceiling? Or does it have to be from below the projector screen?

good idea for a video would be projector screens. Not too many videos about screens and compatibility with ultra/short throw and std projectors. Would be also good to highlight budget, mid tier and high end screens in relation to usage type

What is the BEST paint on screen paint to use for a short throw projector?

Thinking about getting the LG projector. But also wanted to know what elite aeon clr series screen do you recommend with the LG short throw projector. I see there are three series ? Can find series 1 available currently in the market, should I wait for a particular screen ?

Would love to see a video on sound treatment for a home theatre!

Nice TV stand for short throw projector @ 6:14

A fairly unique room has led me to wonder about the ability to ceiling mount the UST projectors. I know that the newer vavas do have mounting options for the ceiling so it *can* be done with them, but can the HU85LA? It is the most attractive option, feature and performance-wise. Obviously you couldn't use an ALR screen, but the rather specific design of the UST projectors makes me wonder how many of them would even have the ability to flip the image for ceiling mounting.

2 years have passed since this video was made, have ultra short throw projectors' picture quality caught up with long throw? If you had to choose between Epson LS12000 or ForMovie, which would you recommend?

Trying to figure out which type of projector to get as I purchased the Sony 325es but would like to know your opinion on UST that may be better with contrast and HDR?

Thank you for very informative video. Can LG HU85LA be connected to notebook by wireless connection to make screen mirroring? I hope that you can make a video about that.

Chris, how come you have not talked about anachromatic lens or projecting on to 2.35:1 wide screen. Getting full picture on wide screen is very desired and there is not much info about which projectors can do it automatically. Thanks for your work

I see you have the laser 4k projector on top of the Klipsch what looks like to be a 504C center channel. When movies are playing and the sound is at a good level does it cause issues with the image quality with the last bouncing around?

The biggest issue for me was center channel placement and mounting the UST projector low enough. A standard height TV stand is much too tall when trying to throw a 120" picture on a wall with 8 foot ceilings. The top of the picture will end up almost on the ceiling. Ideally, you want your eyes centered at 2/3rds of the way down the screen when sitting. I ended up having to make a custom piece of furniture that is 11" in height for the projector to sit on with a cubby hole on the bottom to hold my center speaker on the bottom. The lower shelf that holds the center channel has a ridge in front to help 'aim' the center speaker directly at the listeners ears when in the seating position 13 feet away. It isn't ideal to place the center near the floor, but it was my only option.

If you sit the device on top of the center channel speaker, does vibrations from the speaker not transmit to the picture?