Verdict
burnished and bluff , this compact laser projector from Leica is splendid but pricey
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Leica Cine Play 1 is the second high - end home cinema projector I ’ve picture from Leica . Unlike its forerunner , the Leica Cine 1 , it ’s not an Ultra Short Throw model . Instead this is a short throw designing .
Leica suggests that you may cast an range up to 300 inch , but at just two metres I was watching a picture some 80 - inch big .
It also adopt a compact , transportable plan , with a carry handle that doubles as a base ( or vice versa ) . There ’s no assault and battery supplying , for off - mains viewing , but its versatility is obvious .
Availability
Available now , the Leica Cine playact 1 sell for £ 2,950 in the UK , and $ 3,795 in the US . emptor across Europe can expect to shell out € 3,500 . In Australia , you could pluck one up for AUS$5990 . These Leontyne Price tatter position it at the premium end of the compact 4k projector grocery store .
Design
The Cine act 1 is heavy yet handsome . A compact block , it sits on a circular stand , with an angled swing hinge that allows you to lineal range of a function high or grim . As you beam , auto backbone correction kicks in to give a geometrically convincing picture .
There ’s inevitably some release of trope unity with motorcar chastisement organization , but this may well be the best implementation I ’ve meet to date , on a projector of this type .
The aluminum casework is a dark battlewagon grey , and attend fashionable with its glassy faceplate . The projector comes with an outboard power brick , which is rather less photogenic .
While small enough to transport around the firm , those looking for a more convenient perch have the option of a consecrate Leica Floor Stand , useable as an optional extra . price at £ 335 , this neatly conceals a power connexion to the projector , which keeps cabling to a lower limit .
Features
impudent functionality is relatively in force . The projector launch the VIDAA smart WWW political program , much as you ’d see on a Hisense TV ( and some others ) ; it come with a bunch of streaming service , includingNetflix , Disney Plus , Prime Video , YouTube , Apple TV+andParamount+ . However mainstream UK catch - up TV service are AWOL .
Navigation is straight forward , with the usual track of curated recommendations and pay per scene capacity .
The system packs a sonic punch , but there are easy upgrade to be had usingBluetoothor HDMI eARC .
Connectivity comprises two HDMI input . There ’s also two USB 3.0 connections , a digital optical audio production , 3.5 minijack output and Ethernet LAN to back wireless streaming . The projector works withAirPlayand Screen Mirroring .
Performance
As befits its rather casual demeanour , the Cine trifle 1 is bright enough to be used in a room with high grade of ambient lighting . luminosity is rated at 3000 ANSI Lumens , which translate to a watchable look-alike with the business firm lights up .
apparently , dynamic punch and colour intensity are at their best in a fully black environment , but you wo n’t need to restrict see to isolated movie nighttime .
The Cine Play 1 is a single chip DLP projector powered by a threefold RGB optical maser light engine . It ’s not native 4 K , but instead uses a pixel reposition technique to reach UHD pixel denseness . The technique is remarkably efficacious , and outcome in an picture that ’s blisteringly keen .
The musical scale on Godzilla ’s hide glint realistically in the firelight ( early into Godzilla Minus One , Netflix ) , an telling display of teras lucidness , but this sequence also betrays a want of deep pitch blackness . This optical maser light locomotive engine veers toward dark grey , although overall uniformity is unspoiled . Still , image item is a wow . Looking at the texture in Koichi ’s detonator you ’d never imagine that this was n’t genuine 2160p .
Importantly , the picture is also crisp from the center to the very edges . Let ’s chalk that up to Leica ’s Summicron lense .
Its predilection for wide of the mark vividness is beautifully showcased by the splendid exterior motion-picture photography of Hoyte van Hoytema , in Jordan Peele ’s Nope . The powder blueish skies and verdant greens are sensational .
The projector also makes a corking fist of acquaint brutal Korean period drama Uprising ( Netflix ) . This rich tapestry of robe and riotous action could look categoric on a projector with less stiff clarification , but here the picture pops .
The Cine Play 1 may headline with colour and brightness level , but there ’s stack of less obvious support at looseness ; insidious gradations to colour and apparition enhance image depth . At work here is Leica ’s proprietary LIO engineering , plan to optimise colour graduation and demarcation .
I was sporadically aware of characteristic DLP rainbow flashes , but these were momentary at sound , and were mainly plain when clean subtitle were presented against a dark background .
HDR support extends beyond HDR10 andHLGtoDolby Vision . While HDR on a projector , even a promising model like this Leica , is n’t like a shot like to what you’re able to get from a TV , there is some satisfaction to be had from the fact that balance and key are being skilfully managed .
The Cine Play 1 has a rather neat two-channel sound system , which lay drivers either side of the cube , for the widest soundstage . It also offers a fair amount of welly . When Godzilla roars there ’s no doubt he ’s feeling testy . For casual use , this is fine .
The practiced intelligence is there are several ways to advance this Leica ’s audio . Most plainly , you’re able to connect an outside audio organisation using HDMI eARC , however a soundbar does n’t really fit the brief . More elegant is the projector ’s Bluetooth functionality .
Not only can you mate headphones , you could also wirelessly connect a ( compatible ) home cinema receiver . I pair the Cine toy 1 with aJBL MA510 AVreceiver over Bluetooth . While the tie is stereo , overall playback act well . Operating noise can be considered unobtrusive .
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Should you buy it?
Whether you partner with a screen , or simply choose to exploit a spare white wall , it looks great with movies , thanks to impactful dynamics and convincing colour , and is vivid enough to enjoy fun in a moderately lit living elbow room .
It may be moveable , but you ’ll require to keep the Cine wager 1 tethered to the mains at all time – and the power brick is definitely chunky . If portability is not your prime business organisation , then or else consider an Ultra Short Throw model , like theEpson EH - LS800orSamsung Premiere 9 .
Final Thoughts
The Leica Cine Play 1 brings a welcome stage of delicacy to the compact , portable projection market . surely , it ’s expensive , but it ’s bright enough for afternoon play , and looks suitably filmic in a in full dark environment . It ’s well worth an auditory modality .
Trusted Score
How we test
We try every projector we reexamine thoroughly over an drawn-out period of time . We utilize diligence - standard trial to compare features decently . We ’ll always tell you what we feel . We never , ever , accept money to reexamine a product .
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FAQs
The Leica Cine Play 1 has reenforcement for HDR10 , HDR10 + , HLG , and Dolby Vision .
