LG will be showing off its second-generation CineBeam Laser 4K projector at CES 2019. The LG HU85L is equipped with Ultra Short Throw (UST) technology and is the successor to the company’s first 4K projector. It is literally 4K performance in a compact design, being able to project sharp on practically any flat surface.
UST technology allows this projector to be placed near the throw target surface, as little as 2 inches away to project a 90-inch diagonal image. If it’s placed further away the size it is capable of expands to as much as a 120-inch image. The new CineBeam Laser 4K delivers its 4K images at 2,500 lumens.
“The new CineBeam Laser projector marries spectacular 4K viewing experience with the convenience of AI technology,” said Jang Ik-hwan, head of LG’s IT business division. “There is no other product like this on the market, illustrating how LG continues to deliver unique value to consumers.”
Interestingly, there is the inclusion of AI technology which enables the projector to respond to voice commands. LG’s ThinQ AI solution allows greater control over projector operations such as allowing program settings. For example, users can set the projector to turn off after a movie has finished, simply by saying it out loud.
Voice commands are apparently registered using the included Magic Remote. The remote also recognizes gestures has backlit buttons too. The buttons automatically illuminate when motion is detected on the control, so that should extend its battery life.
Laser projectors for home use have been on the rise since introduction in around 2015. The technology involved allows them to reproduce colour on wider gamuts with no compromise to brightness. In essence, laser projectors are able to offer images that have deeper, richer colours. They also require far less warm-up time than traditional projectors and boast increased durability, in some cases up to 10x more operating hours than lamp-based projectors.
The HU85L isn’t available yet but you can still the earlier model now, the LG HU80KA 4K UHD Laser Smart Home Theater Projector.