Short-throw projectors rental

What a short-throw projector actually does

A short-throw projector is a projector that, thanks to a special lens, casts a large image onto a screen or wall from a very short distance. Where a classic projector needs metres of space to fill a wide image, a short-throw model often stands less than half a metre from the screen and still delivers a projection several metres wide. That difference lies entirely in the projection ratio, also known as the throw ratio: the relationship between the distance to the screen and the width of the image.

That property solves a number of persistent problems. In a regular setup the projector stands behind or above the audience, so there is always a risk that someone walks through the beam or casts a shadow. With a short-throw projector the beam falls steeply down onto the screen, which keeps the space in front of it completely clear. Speakers can stand right in front of the image without being blinded and without their silhouette appearing in the projection.

Why you choose short-throw

The main reason to choose a short-throw projector is a lack of space. Not every location has the depth to set up a projector the classic way. Think of a small meeting room, a pop-up space, an exhibition stand or a historic building where you are not allowed to hang anything from the ceiling. In all of these situations the short projection distance is the answer, because you can put the image close to the wall without sacrificing the whole space to the setup.

The technique is also popular for interactive uses. Because no shadows are created, a presenter can stand directly in front of the image to point something out or discuss it. That works nicely at workshops, training sessions and product demonstrations, where the connection between speaker and image matters. As a result the projection feels more like an integrated part of the space than a separate projection screen somewhere at the back.

Ideal situations

At a product launch in a showroom or store there is often little room, yet you still want an impressive large image. A short-throw projector makes that possible without the setup demanding attention. At presentations and conferences in compact halls and at corporate events in unusual locations, this technique is a solution when the depth for a regular setup is missing.

The technology behind the setup

Behind a crisp short-throw image is a series of choices we make beforehand and on site. The steep projection angle places high demands on the precision of the placement. A shift of a few millimetres in the projector’s position translates on the screen into a noticeably skewed or distorted edge. That is why we position the projector exactly square and at the right height, and then correct the geometry in the device’s software where needed.

The image surface also requires attention. Because the light hits the screen at a steep angle, imperfections and creases catch the eye more quickly than with a frontal projection. That is why we prefer to work with a tautly stretched screen that hangs completely flat. If you project onto a wall, we check whether the surface is even and light enough in colour to hold the contrast.

Connecting and testing

The projector is only as good as the source feeding it. We connect laptops, media players and live footage via HDMI and bridge longer distances with professional signal cabling. If you work with multiple sources, we place a switcher or image mixer in between so we can switch without a black screen. Before the first guest arrives we test with your own content, check the sharpness into the corners and walk through the room to see whether the image is clearly legible everywhere.

Considerations specific to short-throw

There are a few things to take extra account of with short-throw projectors. The most important is the sensitivity to the projection angle. Because the image falls diagonally down or up, a small difference in the projector’s position immediately shows up as distortion. That is why a stable, vibration-free placement is essential, whether on a fixed console, a table or a truss.

The ambient light situation remains important too. The short distance does not change the amount of light the projector produces; here too you need enough lumens to stand up to daylight or hall lighting. We determine the required brightness based on your space, the screen size and the light coming in. Where it really gets too bright, we discuss whether a large screen is the better solution.

Finally, we take the audience’s viewing angle into account. Because the projector casts low or high, the placement of the front rows affects what people see. We match the height of the screen and the seating of the audience so that everyone has a comfortable view.

Combining with sound, light and vision control

A short-throw projector rarely stands on its own. The image works best when the sound is clear and in sync and the lighting setting does not wash out the screen. We match the hall lighting to the projection, so the speakers stay lit while the screen keeps its contrast. Within our complete range in the field of video we combine these projectors with vision control and other sources into a seamless whole.

If you want such a setup to run flawlessly, HuurAV takes care of the advice, the build, the test and operation on site, so you do not have to touch the technology yourself. If you only need the equipment without support, standalone rental is available through Speaker Verhuur Amsterdam at SpeakerVerhuur.nl. Request a no-obligation quote and we will put together a fitting image setup for your space.