Review: LG Laser Display
By Mike Wheeler
We must admit than when we heard about this product coming to market, to say our interest was piqued, is an understatement. A 100-inch screen for under $10,000? Really? Yes, really. What we like about this unit is how LG has managed to sell something that appears to be a projector, as a big-screen TV.
By Mike Wheeler
We must admit than when we heard about this product coming to market, to say our interest was piqued, is an understatement. A 100-inch screen for under $10,000? Really? Yes, really. What we like about this unit is how LG has managed to sell something that appears to be a projector, as a big-screen TV.
You get three pieces of equipment with the laser display– the television laser DLP device, a twin-tuner/blu-ray player/PVR and the screen itself. Now this isn’t your traditional projector screen made of cloth that is retractable, but a big 100-inch screen with a bezel that is permanently mounted on the wall. And set up? The DLP and PVR devices are pretty straight forward, with a little effort needed to mount the screen on your chosen wall. The latter part would not put us off purchasing the unit.
What about the picture, we hear you ask? It is very good. As the screen is black already, this affects the contrast level, so the blacks are already pretty deep, and we found that what you do get is a nice, clean picture with a full HD image that certainly gives your above-average television a run for its money.
You set the projector device itself up close to the screen, so the throw distance is very short. This also means that you don’t have to worry about people walking in front of you and ‘shadowing’ out the screen while you are trying to watch your programme.
LG says the lamp will last about 13 years if you watch about five hours of television a day. We obviously couldn’t test that theory, but we’ll take their word for it as that seems about right when compared to conventional projector-type products.
Overall, we think that this might turn out to be more popular than some pundits (and cynics) might think. With most big vendors – including LG – coming out with their huge UHD televisions over the next six months, this is definitely an alternative at a much cheaper price. LG might have trouble convincing some that it is more than just a projector, but with its short throw and ability to watch and record television, it most certainly is not.
Pros: Short throw; price; good picture; great resolution
Cons: Might be a hard sell to some television aficionados
4.5 Shacks Out of 5
RRP
$8,999
