The living room has always been a hub for entertainment, and with the rapid advancement of audio-visual technology and shifting consumer preferences, people are increasingly seeking the immersive experience of a cinema-like large-screen display at home. For nearly 60 years, television has dominated this market. Despite efforts by TV manufacturers to develop ultra-thin and large-screen models, these products are limited by LCD panel manufacturing technology and high costs. The price range can jump from a few thousand yuan to hundreds of thousands in an instant, making them unaffordable for the general public.
When smart projectors emerged with the visual impact of a 100-inch screen, they sparked excitement across the home entertainment display market. Compared to traditional TVs, smart projectors offer several inherent advantages: a larger screen size, rich content resources, diverse application scenarios, and more affordable pricing. These benefits have made smart projectors a hit among consumers, much like a "pig on the wind" — riding the wave of popularity.
Since 2014, the smart projector industry has experienced rapid growth. Companies like Pico received significant funding, followed by other brands such as Nubia, which secured investment from celebrities like Li Bingbing and Huang Xiaoming. By 2015 and 2016, both Pico and Nubia had raised hundreds of millions of yuan in financing rounds. This boom led to a surge in sales, with unit shipments increasing from 500,000 in 2015 to 1.5 million in 2016, maintaining an average annual growth rate of over 45% (data source: Zhongguancun Online). New brands emerged rapidly, and even internet giants like Alibaba entered the market with the “Tmall Magic Screen.â€
For a time, smart projectors were the talk of the town. As a tech enthusiast, I started with a 1080P smart projector from a well-known brand. The 100-inch screen paired with Harman Kardon sound transformed my living room into a mini theater. I was excited to watch a classic film, "Braveheart," and enjoy a cozy weekend evening.
However, after about 30 minutes, the image began to blur, and I had to refocus repeatedly. The problem persisted even after multiple adjustments. Over the next few days, the issue became worse when viewing PowerPoint presentations, where text appeared blurry and ghosted, making it hard to read. I checked the manual but found no mention of this issue. After contacting customer service, I was told that it was a “normal†phenomenon that couldn’t be fixed. Frustrated, I decided to return the product.
Curious about what others might be experiencing, I reached out to friends who also owned smart projectors. Many reported similar issues, and some mentioned that retailers refused returns based on the same “normal†explanation. Determined to find answers, I consulted experts in the projection industry and reviewed technical documents. I discovered that the issue was called “thermal defocusing.â€
Thermal defocusing occurs when heat generated by the projector’s light engine causes slight shifts in the lens focus, resulting in blurred images. This is a common defect in projectors, especially in compact smart projectors where the lens and light source are closer together. Traditional projectors, with their larger cooling systems, experience less thermal defocusing, while smart projectors often suffer from this issue, particularly those using resin lenses.
After uncovering this hidden flaw, I wanted to expose the industry's shortcomings and raise consumer awareness. I tested several mainstream smart projectors, including models from Pico, Xiaomi, and others. Each showed signs of thermal defocusing after 15–20 minutes of use, requiring frequent refocusing. One model, however, stood out — a painting projector (a brand known for its innovative features) automatically adjusted focus when the image became blurry, restoring clarity without user intervention.
This feature, called “dynamic focus adjustment,†is a game-changer. It eliminates the inconvenience of manually refocusing, making the smart projector experience much smoother. I reached out to the company and learned that this was a proprietary technology, not widely known in the industry.
In conclusion, while smart projectors offer many benefits, thermal defocusing remains a critical issue that needs to be addressed. Brands like a painting are leading the way with innovative solutions, setting a new standard for the industry. I hope more companies will follow suit, ensuring a better experience for all users.
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