Leica Cine 1 NPA front

The name Leica is well known for its high quality cameras and other optics-based equipment like binoculars and scopes. The company also worked with JMGO on the O1 Pro ultra-short throw projector, a Best in Show at the ProjectorCentral Projection Expo 2021, and just this past August announced a partnership with Hisense to produce a new Laser TV ultra-short throw projector. The Cine 1, announced at the IFA conference in Berlin, is the fruit of that collaboration and Leica's first UST.

Details about the Cine 1 are still being revealed—and since the projector is still going through development, those details could change—but as it currently stands, the Leica Cine 1 is a single 0.47-inch DLP chip, tri-laser 4K (3840x2160) projector that will use Leica's Summicron lens with aspherical elements to insure a crystal clear picture from edge to edge and have a 0.25 throw ratio. Rec. 2020 gamut coverage is listed at greater than 95%. There are two versions of the Cine 1 in development, an 80-inch and a 100-inch version, that have a light output of 2,100 and 2,500 lumens, respectively.

Leica Cine 1 NPA front right

The Cine 1 will use the Hisense VIDAA 6.0 streaming OS platform (the US version will reportedly run Android TV), and have a Dolby Atmos 4.0-channel speaker system rated at 2x20 watts. Connections include two HDMI 2.1 and one HDMI 2.0 (one of those three will have ARC support, but it's unclear which), two USB (one 2.0 and one 3.0), optical S/PDIF, two RF tuners, headphone/audio out (with any luck this will support the addition of a subwoofer), and the common interface (CI+) port used to support subscription TV services.

Note that although some current Hisense UST projectors boast HDMI 2.1 ports and the ability to accept 4K/120 Hz signals, limitations in the current generation DLP chipsets that are endemic to the industry force those high frame rate signals to be displayed at 60 Hz. It's unclear if the timing of the Cine 1 models, due out next year, will be able to enjoy the updated DLP technology that projector makers are still waiting for to satisfy the needs of gamers seeking high frame rate at 4K combined with low input lag.

The projector measures 5.87x23.62x14.88 inches (HWD) and weighs 28.66 pounds. Pricing for the 100-inch version is expected to be $7,900, while the 80-inch version will be $6,900. Global rollout is planned for 2023, starting in Europe in Q2, followed by China in Q3 and the US in Q4.

 
Comments (5) Post a Comment
Cory Potts Posted Sep 7, 2022 9:53 AM PST
This is exciting news having owned Leica Binocs, however, It’s a little confusing as USTs have super short throw and less use for high quality lens. Also, any pj expected to release should seriously consider implement majority of HDMI 2.1 spec including 4K120Hz, Dynamic HDR, SBTM, in addition to low latency and high brightness modes. And 95% of 2020? I thought tri-lasers were supposed to be brighter with full P3 color? Maybe they’ll revise targets to be competitive as the launch date nears. Otherwise, it’ll likely be bested by pjs in the <$3000 space.
Todd Posted Sep 7, 2022 2:31 PM PST
Any inside information on an update to this 0.47-inch DLP chip? I feel like it's wearing a little thin. There likely aren't too many more improvements to be made until TI decides to update this chip.
Rob Sabin, Editor Posted Sep 7, 2022 2:47 PM PST
Todd, my understanding is that the DLP manufacturers are very frustrated with how long it's taking TI to deliver this updated chipset. I'm sure Covid/supply-chain related issues were a factor. But right now, I was told off the record by a projector maker that we are probably looking at late next year, and getting it into production could take longer. I hope that it ends up being sooner.
IPD Posted Sep 8, 2022 11:37 AM PST
This seems rather pricey for a .47 chip. I would have expected a .66 chip in this price range.
Tyler Posted Sep 9, 2022 11:39 AM PST
I fail to see the reason to get an 80" projector especially when you could have an 83" OLED for the same price or cheaper and it will have vastly better picture quality. This is coming from someone who replaced an OLED with a UST. These should be 100" and 120" as those are sizes that make sense to buy a projector over a TV as prices of tvs are really expensive once you surpass around 85 inches.

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