With the rise of home entertainment systems in Singapore, projectors are becoming a popular alternative to traditional TVs — offering big-screen experiences without taking up much space. But before you invest in one, there’s an important choice to make: short throw or long throw?
In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences, compare the pros and cons, and help you decide which projector setup suits your home best.
Table of Contents
What Is a Short Throw Projector?
A short throw projector is designed to display a large image from a short distance. Unlike traditional projectors that may need to sit several meters away from the screen or wall, a short throw projector can be placed just 1 to 1.5 metres away and still produce a screen size of 100 inches or more.
With the special wide-angle lens, the short throw projectors can show the image upward or outward at a steeper angle. As a result, short throw projectors are an excellent fit for small homes or apartments—a common scenario in Singapore—where space may be limited but you still want that immersive, big-screen experience.
Key Advantages:
- Space-saving: You don’t need to mount it across the room. Place it on a TV console or low table near the wall.
- Less shadow interference: Because the projector is so close to the screen, people won’t walk through the beam and cause shadows during movie nights or presentations.
- Easier setup: Many models are plug-and-play, with minimal alignment needed.
- Modern design: Most short throw projectors come with sleek, compact designs that fit well with modern Singaporean interiors.
What Is a Long Throw Projector?
A long throw projector is the traditional type of projector that requires more distance between the device and the screen to produce a large image. Typically, you’ll need around 3 to 5 metres of space to project a 100-inch display or larger. This makes long throw projectors ideal for larger rooms or dedicated home theatre setups.
The long throw projectors are engineered for precision over distance. The lens is designed to project a focused, high-quality image across several metres, making them for cinema-style experiences, classrooms, conference rooms, or any space where mounting or placement at the back of the room is possible.
Key Advantages:
- Better for big rooms: Perfect for landed homes, spacious living rooms, or purpose-built media rooms in Singapore’s private properties.
- Crisp image over distance: Maintains sharpness even when projecting over long ranges.
- Flexible screen sizes: Offers more choices in image size based on how far back the projector is placed.
- Out-of-sight setup: Can be ceiling-mounted or placed at the back of the room, keeping your entertainment space clean and cable-free.
Short Throw vs. Long Throw Projectors: At a Glance
| Feature | Short Throw Projector | Long Throw Projector |
|---|---|---|
|
Throw Distance |
1 to 1.5 metres for 100-inch screen |
3 to 5 metres (or more) for 100-inch screen |
|
Best For |
Small rooms, HDB flats, condos, bedrooms |
Large living rooms, home theatres, landed properties |
|
Image Size Control |
Limited zoom, size determined by placement |
More flexibility in image size with distance adjustments |
|
Installation Style |
Easy tabletop or shelf placement near the wall |
Often ceiling-mounted or placed at room’s rear |
|
Shadow Interference |
Minimal – people rarely block the beam |
Possible if people walk in front of the projection path |
|
Setup Complexity |
Plug-and-play, easy alignment |
May require calibration, mounting, and longer cables |
About Hisense Projectors
As the world’s FIRST laser TV brand, Hisense is proud of its projector technology, which can display the picture with vibrant colours. Here are Hisense projectors available in the Singapore market.
L9H Ultra Short Throw Laser Cinema TV
23% off
Save 26.7%
PX3-Pro Ultra Short Throw Projector Laser TV
19% off
Save 25%
Hisense offers both short-throw options (PX3-Pro & L9H) and a long-throw model (C2 Ultra), ensuring there’s a projector to fit most Singaporean homes. With the comparison guide above, you can easily understand the differences and choose the one that best matches your needs.
FAQs
1. Which projector is better for HDB flats or condos in Singapore?
A short throw projector is usually the better choice for compact spaces. You can place it close to the wall and still enjoy a big screen without the need for ceiling mounts or long cables.
2. Do I need a special screen, or can I project onto a wall?
You can directly project onto a flat white wall. But a proper projector screen improves contrast, colour, and sharpness — especially in brighter environments. For the best experience, a screen is recommended.
For Hisense projectors, L9H purchase will include an ALR screen.
3. Do Hisense projectors come with built-in Netflix, YouTube, and other smart features?
Yes. Hisense projectors come with built-in smart TV systems, VIDDA, allowing you to stream Netflix, YouTube, and more without needing a separate device.
4. Is the projector installation difficult?
Short throw projectors are generally plug-and-play — just place them near the wall and you’re set. Long throw models might require ceiling mounting or cable routing, which can take more time and setup. Hisense Singapore has a professional team which provides free installation for customers.
