Long Throw Vs. Short Throw Projectors
Smart projectors are often short throw or long throw devices. Long throw projectors come with a throw ratio of 1 and above, making them excellent for projecting from long distances. Also, since they project images from long distances, they are often suitable for viewing in large theater rooms, exhibition halls, and school auditoriums.
In contrast, short throw projectors have a throw ratio below one and are designed to display images when positioned close to the screen, making them ideal for small theater rooms and spaces. Since they can be placed close to the screen, short throw projectors eliminate the risk of accidentally bumping into the projector.
This article will reveal what throw distance is and how it affects image size, discuss how to calculate the throw distance of a projector, and recommend XGIMI projectors with excellent throw ratios ideal for your theater room to give you a fantastic viewing experience.
What Is Throw Distance, And How Does It Affect Image Size?
A projector's throw distance refers to the distance between the projector and the image projected on the screen. The throw distance of a projector and the projected image size are interconnected in the sense that they are proportional to each other so the more the distance between the projector and its screen, the larger the image.
Throw ratio refers to the relation between the throw distance and the width of the projected image, and it reveals the image size which can be projected from certain distances away. For instance, a throw ratio of 1.5 shows that for each 1 foot of image width, the throw distance should be 1.5 feet away. In addition, the smaller the throw ratio, the larger the image is from a shorter throw distance.
How Do I Calculate the Throw Distance To Determine Which Is Best For Me?
Usually, projectors come with various screen sizes like 100 inches, 120 inches and 150 inches which is quite popular. The 150" screen size refers to the diagonal length of the area available for projection i.e without counting the edge of the projector. So for a 4:3 screen ratio on a 150" screen, the projected image's length would be 120 inches while its height is 90 inches.
To determine the throw distance suitable for you, you will need the throw ratio equation and its variations. Using the throw ratio equation, you can calculate the following:
To determine the ideal ratio given the setup of your experience:
Throw Ratio = Throw Distance /Image Width (TR = TD / IW)
If you want to project an image 20ft wide with a projector 24ft away from its screen, you will need a throw ratio of 1.2(1.2 = 24ft/20ft), ideal for use in home theater rooms.
To decide where to place a projector, given its throw ratio and projected image size:
Throw Distance = Throw Ratio × Image Width (TD = TR × IW)
This means that with a throw ratio of 1.2, your projector will produce a 20ft wide image from 24ft away from its screen (24ft = 20ft × 1.2)
The width of the image a projector will produce given its throw ratio and throw distance is calculated as:
Image Width = Throw Distance / Throw Ratio (IW = TD / TR)
Placing your projector with a throw ratio of 1.2 about 30ft away from your screen will produce a 25ft wide image (25ft = 30ft/1.2ft).
Further Reading: What Is a Good Throw Distance for Projectors
Recommended XGIMI Projectors With Ideal Throw Ratios For Excellent Viewing Experience
Here we have long throw movie projectors like the MoGo series and HORIZON series, and the ultra short throw laser projector AURA series. They provide ideal throw ratios and are fit for home theater setup with the following incredible features:
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Final Thoughts
In achieving your desired image size for your room theater, considering your projector's throw distance and the ratio is essential. A projector's throw distance is proportional to the image size produced, while a projector's throw ratio will influence its placement and choice of room use.
XGIMI smart projectors have ideal throw ratios to fit various home theater rooms and efficiently meet your viewing needs.
