Cinema

Laser projectors can be great replacements for a big-screen TV, but kids, cats and even fellow housemates can cause you to temporarily lose sight of the action. Ultra-short-throw models can nip such shadowplay in the bud, like the new PL2 from Hisense.

Following a trade show preview last month, Valerion has now launched a funding campaign on Kickstarter for a triple-laser long-throw projector. The VisionMaster Max boasts high-brightness 4K visuals, Google TV and support for super-wide IMAX.

Hisense has announced a new series of smart mini projectors designed to "elevate home cinema to new heights." The C2 series models each feature the company's Tri-Chroma triple laser technology, sit on a gimbal stand and include a JBL sound system.

Optoma has followed last year's short-throw UHZ35ST 4K laser projector with a standard-throw sibling. The UHZ35 boasts high brightness and contrast for lights-on viewing, plus "lightning-fast gaming" potential thanks to high refresh and low input lag.

Preparing for the rise of 8K movies in the home cinema, JVC Kenwood has announced new additions to its high-end D-ILA laser projector family, with the new models able to input and display 8K/60p visuals with boosted brightness and contrast.

Hisense USA says it's looking to redefine the high-end entertainment experience with the launch of the PX3-Pro, a daytime usable, triple laser ultra-short-throw projector that can throw Dolby Vision movies at up to 150 inches.

Back in January, Hisense rolled into CES with an 8K laser projector called the 120LX plus a bunch of 4K ultra-short-throwers. Now the PX2-Pro and PL1 laser cinema models have gone up for sale, so let's have a closer look.

Sharp/NEC Display Solutions in Europe has launched a 14,000-lumen laser projector that's pitched as an ideal replacement for current models using Xenon lamps in small booth theaters or boothless mobile cinema setups.

DJI has announced the launch of the successor to 2016's pro-grade Inspire 2 all-in-one cinema drone. The latest model comes with a full-frame gimbal camera capable of 8K video, more accurate positioning tech and improved obstacle detection.

Last year, Sony fed imaging technology from its Alpha mirrorless cameras into a new entry level full-frame Cinema Line camera aimed at content creators. Now the company has introduced an APS-C version called the FX30.

If you want big screen entertainment in your home but don't want a huge TV dominating a room, ultra-short-throw projectors offer a tidy alternative. The latest 4K UST projector to be released by China's Hisense is the L5F Laser Cinema.

Is it time to turn your TV on its side and embrace the future? Or is vertical video just a passing trend, fundamentally unsuited to how we want to watch things?