Projectors

US home theatre brand Runco is not generally associated with aggressive pricing. In fact, its most famous, compromise-free products belong squarely in the ‘if you need to ask how much it costs it’s not for you’ stratosphere. Today, though, I’m rather excited - and extremely startled - to be testing a Runco-branded projector that even I could just about imagine affording.

Samsung probably isn't the first name that springs to mind when thinking about projectors, but based on the company's new LSP9T 4K HDR beamer that might be about to change. Christened 'The Premiere', the brand backs the hyperbole with a seriously impressive set of specs that includes a three-colour laser light source, ultra-short-throw (UST) optics, beefy sound system, built-in tuners, and full Tizen smart platform.

When asked by Sharp if we wanted to audition its 3D projector, we weren’t about to say no, even though the machine hasn’t yet been confirmed for a UK release. Oddly, Sharp is prevaricating about whether there’s a market for a 3D PJ with a retail price of around £4,000. But AV retailers’ shelves aren’t exactly heaving with such items. There’s only Sony’s VPL-VW90ES (£5,400) and a trio of JVC models, ranging in price from £3,500 to £9,500. And that’s currently it.

When we found our test rooms invaded by a glut of LED projectors a couple of years ago, we felt confident that LED lighting would soon dominate the projection world in the same way it’s taken over the TV industry. But we were wrong. In fact, since then most of the big names in projector design have quietly but surely backed away from using LED.

With JVC promising all sorts of high-level upgrades for its imminent series of new D-ILA projectors, Sony is under pressure as it rolls out its annual updates to its rival SXRD PJs.