Leica announces Cine 1, 4K laser projectors with 100″ image from 30cm away

Leica is mainly known for its premium cameras and recently for partnering with various smartphone companies to make smartphones with advanced photo capabilities. The projector area is one that Leica has been active in from time to time, but where it hasn’t made big waves. This year at IFA, Leica announced two new Cine 1 laser projectors with high capabilities, price points to match, and the ability to operate just inches from the wall.

Leica Cine 1 projectors use the industry’s most powerful components

Short-throw projectors aren’t exactly new, but Leica says it uses some of the most advanced technology available in the space. It’s Hisense RGB lasers and Texas Instrument’s DLP processor to make two Cine 1 projectors, one that can display a 100″ image from a foot away from the wall or projection screen, and one that can display an 80″ image from a distance of just six inches.

However, it seems that Leica is not just offering this information to be listed somewhere, but is suggesting that these are the optimal distances and sizes for projector use, and will even offer dedicated projection screens, sold separately, and produced by UST. The 100″ screen will cost US$1,800 and the 80″ screen “only” US$1,600.

The projectors are otherwise extremely high performance. The Leica Cine 1 with 100″ projection comes with 2,500 lumens brightness, while the smaller model comes with 2,100 lumens brightness. This amount of light exceeds that of most TVs on the market and will provide higher contrast than on LCD TVs.

Prices match the brand

Being modern projectors, both will display 4K images at 60Hz and will benefit from three HDMI ports, one of which is eARC compatible, one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 each, an integrated TV tuner and a CI card slot. The projectors will also be equipped with Dolby Atmos 4.2, thanks to the integrated audio system, and will most likely run Android TV. The company says they’ll be decent for gaming too, with a latency of 30ms.

Prices, however, are in line with the brand: $7,900 US for the 100-inch model and $6,900 for the 80-inch variant. The launch is scheduled for next spring in Europe.