Remember when CRT displays meant the biggest TV you could get was 32-inches? Then LCD, Plasma, and now OLED made 32-inch to 85-inch TVs the norm. You can go bigger, but the logistics of shipping and installing 100-inch+ displays, let alone the cost of buying one, means they only have a niche market. But then we have projectors, and Dell just unveiled one capable of projecting a 100-inch display with a 4K resolution and HDR support.
The Dell Advanced 4K Laser Projector (S718QL) is actually aimed at the boardroom and classrooms, but it is sure to gain attention as a possible solution for the home. And there's some key shortcomings of projectors Dell has managed to overcome with this new model. First of all, it's an ultra-short throw projector, meaning it only needs to sit 4-inches away from a wall to project that 4K display. So no more shadows blocking content when you stand in front of it, and no more complicated wiring when projectors needed to sit several meters away from a wall.
Another annoyance of projectors is the bulbs they use. They don't last that long, run very hot, and are expensive to replace. Dell literally removed the bulb problem by not using one and opting for a laser instead. Based on an eight hour workday and five days a week, Dell claims this laser projector will last 10 years. One thing not mentioned is power consumption. However, Dell's existing 7760 projector also uses a laser and power consumption is rated at 455 watts, so the S718QL may be similar.
Then we have the image output and connectivity. This is a high brightness projector which Dell claims can be viewed even in daylight conditions. It's got a 4K Ultra HD resolution with support for HDR, which translates to an 8.3 million pixel output across those 100-inches of screen space. The projector can also be hooked up to a local network and wirelessly receive up to four different inputs simultaneously. There's also Bluetooth allowing for an easy and wireless audio output connection, and USB for direct media playback by the unit.
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The Advanced 4K Laser Projector is by no means cheap at $5,999, but when you consider the size of the display it projects, the predicted lifetime of 10 years, and the fact it doesn't require expensive and regular bulb replacements, it looks like much better value. Look at the 85-inch 4K LED TVs on the market today and you'll see similar pricing, too.
If you're interested, Dell expects to launch this projector on July 19 via the Dell.com store for US customers.