The throw ratios of today’s short-throw projectors continue to shrink. In fact, a new category had to be created for these projectors. They’re now called ultra-short throw projectors, and they can be placed extremely close to the screen, while still achieving a massive image. Now, it looks like Optoma might have one of the shortest throw ratio – and brightest – projectors on the market.
Optoma recently introduced the EH320 Ultra Short Throw projector, and it features some impressive specs. Here’s just what that machine is capable of: The EH320UST has a throw ratio of 0.25:1. That means the projector can cast a 100-inch screen from just 55 centimeters away. That’s less than two feet away from the screen, which makes this a great projector for businesses, schools and presenters. Essentially, the projector can be placed behind the presenter, completely eliminating the risk for shadows and obstructions.
What’s more: Optoma says at 1080p Full HD resolution and 4,000 lumens of brightness, the EH320UST is one of the brightest ultra-short-throw projectors available, and it’s one of just a few UST 1080p models on the market. That’s why it’s bound to be a favorite in the space.
The EH320UST’s Great Feature List
Originally, the EH320 was introduced at the ISE 2015, and it was a hit at the conference, thanks to the machine’s useful features. That ultra-short throw ratio is just one of many reasons why the EH320 caused a splash at ISE. Here’s a look at some other useful features:
- Bright Image, 1080p Resolution: Image quality is incredible for the EH320UST. For one, in spite of the 0.25:1 throw ratio, the projector is still rated at 4,000 lumens of brightness. That’s no small feat, and Optoma claims it’s one of the brightest UST projectors. Plus, it’s one of the only UST projectors that can handle Full HD content. In addition, the Optoma has a high contrast ratio 20,000:1 for added image depth, and the machine benefits from Optoma’s advanced color production. In other words, the EH320UST casts a beautiful image from just a few feet from the screen.
- Powerful Built-In Audio: The EH320UST has a 16W built-in audio system. That’s powerful enough to handle mid-sized to large spaces, and the EH320 is above average in terms of built-in audio. Other similarly priced projects fall short in this respect. This is one reason why the Optoma is a great plug-and-play option; presenters don’t have to plug in to external audio to get started.
Optoma EH320UST Rear Inputs - Built-In USB Power: USB is becoming a must-have feature, and the EH320UST has a range of USB options. One is a USB-Power port. That enables the projector to play content from an HDMI dongle, like Google Chromecast, and thus, this is a great option for watching HD video. Plus, the projector is equipped with a range of ports, making connecting to a variety of devices easier.
- Long Lamp Life: In the Optoma’s energy-saving mode, the EH320 is able to achieve a lamp life of up to 6,500 hours. That’s impressive for such a bright projector, and it keeps maintenance costs low for the EH320.
- TouchBeam Interactivity: The Optoma is equipped with next-generation TouchBeam tools, which enables presenters to touch the screen and draw, annotate and zoom. It’s a perfect presentation tool, and makes it easy for multiple presenters to work off the same screen at the same time. This also eliminates the need for a smart pen. The Interactive model is available as an add-on and is billed as the EH320USTi.
Where Can You Buy the Optoma EH320UST
The Optoma EH320UST will be released exclusively in Europe, and it’s will be available soon from retailers. Currently, Optoma says that it is coming soon, so you can expect to own one this fall. Pricing information hasn’t been released, but early predictions suggest it won’t be cheap. As for a North American version, Optoma hasn’t released details about availability, but it’s likely a version for the U.S. and Canada will be on the way shortly.