Verdict
This shamelessly mellow - death ultra short throw projector is a dazzling unveiling by lens colossus Leica . fashionable design combines with laser - acute imaging .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Interest in ultra curt stroke projector is booming , and this debut entrant from Leica is one of the most ambitious yet .
Unlike traditional projector , ultra - short stroke beamers can be positioned just a metre or so from a rampart or screen , yet still cast a monolithic 100 - column inch paradigm . They can be used in relatively small room , and you do n’t have to worry about walk in front of the shaft of light when you go hunting for collation .
Leica is , of course , well acknowledge for lenses – the venerable German sword has been making them since 1869 – but for this speculation , it ’s partner with Hisense , an former pioneer when it comes TV - flair UST projection . Leica not only convey its ocular expertness to the table but is also creditworthy for the design and insurance premium finish of the Cine 1 .
This partnership promises a lot , and for the most part , it deliver …
Availability
The Cine a 1 is available in two iterations , one optimise for a 100 - column inch display , the other 120 - inch . They are priced at £ 8495 / $ 8995 , or £ 8995 / $ 9495 severally . Parked on our psychometric test workbench is the 100 - incher .
There ’s a third manakin , designed for a small 80 - column inch presentation , available in Europe , but distribution appears limited .
Like its compeer , the Cine 1 can project onto a white wall , or a dedicated screen . Most buyers will belike choose for the former , strictly to keep things simple , but Leica does offer an ALR ( Ambient Light Reflecting ) screen for the Cine 1 , priced at £ 2,200 / $ 1,800 .
Design
Hands down , this is the most luxurious radical short stroke projector you could bribe in good order now . attractively built , it bung the scales at a solid 15.1 kg and protect its onboard sound system with a wraparound framework grille .
The overall design is clean and contemporary , secern by a ruddy Leica logotype . One of the Cine 1 ’s great attraction is its ‘ lieu ‘ n ’ play ’ . merely seat it on indicate piece of furniture and power up . look-alike size is largely dependent on how near or far the projector sit down to a rampart or sieve .
You ’ll get a 100 - inch image from just a metre . For best picture execution , aim to position this mannikin for its optimize screen size of it .
The Cine 1 add up with a appropriately superior remote control . This muscular handful has commit button for Netflix , YouTube , Disney+,Prime VideoandFreeview Play .
Features
Connectivity is comprehensive . There are three rearward mount HDMIs , complete witheARC(enhanced Audio Return Channel ) andALLM(Auto Low Latency Mode ) support . There ’s also a digital optic audio recording output , pair of USBs , and Ethernet for wired connectivity .
There ’s no reinforcement for high - skeletal system pace gambling or VRR with these HDMI comment though . Latency is quote at less than 60ms for 4K/60Hz console gameplay . Wireless connectivity coversWi - Fi 6,Bluetooth 5.0 , andApple AirPlaywith HomeKit .
Tuning is much the same as that on a regular smart TV . It ’s all very aboveboard .
Overall useableness is good . The built - in Vidaa 6.0 user interface will be familiar to anyone who has used the program on a Hisense television , with its rails of apps and curated content . Key streaming apps are present , along with catch - up TV service .
In the US , the Cine 1 add up with the Google Android smart organisation .
Despite its eminent brightness , operating racket is low enough not to rag , at around 32dB. This is easily masked by the projector ’s strait system . The Cine 1 treble laser brightness level source is expect to last for 25,000 hour , making it basically maintenance destitute .
Performance
Leica lists the luminosity of the Cine 1 at 3,000 ANSI lumens . I obtain I could comfortably use the projector in a way with restrained light stage . However , scene really crop up in a fully darken way .
Colour sonority is outstanding , with deep , lustrous reds and invite bluff blue . The color gamut cut across 100 per cent of BT2020 .
Beneath the goon is a 0.47 - inch 4 K XPR DLP DMD , partnered with a triple - RGB optical maser ignitor engine . The Cine 1 is n’t native 4 K but use crafty pixel shifting to create a 3840 x 2160 - pixel dense image .
I recollect many would be hard pressed to distinguish the Cine ’s 4 thou imagery from the native UHD source . It ’s rich in fine detail and elusive textural nicety . It attend striking with 4 kB HDR shows streamed fromNetflixand Disney+ .
It ’s tempting to assign much of the Cine 1 ’s lucidity to the quartet of Leica endorsed aspheric lenses , and video processing by the Leica Image Optimization ( LIO ) labs , together they redeem the most cinematic image potential .
HDR support is all-inclusive , withDolby Vision , HDR10 and HLG all supply for . While projector ca n’t offer pixel story control for true HDR , the Cine 1 still deal to present an persona with evident mirrorlike highlight .
Getting this rightfulness is a delicate reconciliation bit , as you do n’t require the projector to elevate mordant tier in the process , but its success can be seen in Rebel Moon : Part 1 A youngster of Fire ( Dolby Vision , Netflix ) . The various lamps which light the small town continue their warming dynamical glow .
Black stage carrying into action is very good , with near shadow point providing deepness . Letterbox BAR count reassuringly dark and solid .
There ’s a variety show of characterisation presets uncommitted : Standard , Cinema Day , Cinema Night , Dynamic , Sports and Filmmaker Mode . When you view Dolby Vision material , you ’re presented with the selection of Dolby Vision Bright , Dolby Vision Dark and Dolby Vision Custom .
Standard , Filmmaker modeand Dolby Vision Bright show the projector at its best .
While I did notice rainbow fringing , a make out characteristic of unmarried chip DLP devices , particularly around areas of high-pitched line , these errant flash did n’t pull me out of the presentation . Some viewers may not notice them at all .
Unsurprisingly , the projector is at its best with brightly lit fare . brio is particularly strike . Puss in boots : The Last Wish ( Sky Cinema , UHD ) is gloriously colour productive and punchy . It ’s here that the Cine 1 remind me of the impactful performance of an IMAX laser display . It ’s just phenomenal .
With 50W on tap , the sound system in the Cine 1 is a good deal more spirant than you might typically expect to find on a projector . Dolby Atmos compatible , it go flashy and has presence .
When it comes to mid - range depth and treble detail , it ’s more than a match for theaverage soundbar . Just do n’t expect traditional Atmos immersion , or any consistent bass .
Remember you may always bitstream audio frequency out of the Cine 1 to a home picture palace amplifier if you want a more immersive experience .
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Should you buy it?
The Leica performs great with hopeful mental object , it packs in a radio receiver and the overbold interface is efficaciously integrated
The Leica is undeniably a high - end performing artist but it also come at vast expense
Final Thoughts
While I concede the Cine 1 is on the pricy side for an extremist - short throw projector , this is genuinely a high-pitched - end proposition , both in term of work up quality and image performance ; you get a lot of fine hardware for the terms .
If you ’ve never considered jutting as an alternative to a tiptop big screen , then this starter may well commute your mind . deliver both a tuner and a competent smart OS establish in makes for a very televisual experience .
therefore , this slick UST projector comes extremely recommend .
Trusted Score
How we test
We prove every projector we reexamine good over an extended flow of clip . We use manufacture standard tests to liken features decently . We ’ll always tell apart you what we incur . We never , ever , accept money to review a product .
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FAQs
The Cine 1 is the first projector from German lens system marque Leica , but it ’s also partnered with Hisense , which provide the Vidaa interface for European grocery .
