#HTE

Alternate Form Factor for TVs: Sony’s Short-Throw Projectors

Televisions have gone from being pieces of furniture made out of wood to boxes made out of plastic and metal to glass rectangles that hang on your wall. Is its form factor done evolving?

Perhaps, perhaps not. The box-like short-throw projectors of the sort produced by Sony might one day unseat them—well, assuming everyone watches TV in the darkened environments required by projectors, or if projection technology makes some kind of quantum leap in terms of brightness.

Here’s Sony’s Portable Ultra Short Throw Projector, which is about the size of a toaster, yet can project images with up to 80" diagonals while sitting just inches from the wall:

The product’s “lifestyle” video can’t seem to decide if it’s a proper TV or a novelty item:

The limitation of the $1,000 device is its 720p resolution. Those willing to pay a lot more can step up to their 4K model, which is the size of a flattened blanket chest and looks truly impressive:

As for how much more, we’re talking fifty times more. The 4K unit costs a whopping $50,000. I think it’s safe to say the flatscreen will remain the dominant form factor for now.