Leica may well be known for its cameras, but optics extends beyond imaging, with projectors the next space, and compact models, at that.
Big screens may be the focus of the living room, but if you like a big picture of any wall, you might look to a projector. Grab a large screen, a sheet, or even an empty wall, and with the right gear, you can effectively turn it into a cinema-like experience without a whole lot of effort.
Projectors exist in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but the technology is getting smaller, as companies work out how to package lenses and light into more compact devices.
In fact, in recent years, laser projectors have become positively pint-sized, and it’s an area Leica is looking to play in.
This week, the company has launched an addition to its growing projector range, delivering the small-sized Cine Play 1, a diminutive device aimed at delivering a big picture without the heft.
The hardware sees a relatively small projector made from aluminium, with a Leica Summicron lens at the front and triple RGB laser technology inside able to project a 4K resolution with a brightness of up to 3000 lumens. Leica hasn’t said whether the Cine Play 1 is technically a Hisense projector inside, but given the previous collaborations between the two, our guess is going to be a “yes” for this one.
There are also two speakers, small as they are, offering two 15 watt speakers with support for virtualised spatial sound, allowing you to use the speakers without needing to plug anything else in.
However, you will need to plug in a power cord, because there’s no built-in battery here. Leica will make a stand with a power supply inside, but we wouldn’t think of the Cine Play 1 like a portable projector: you’ll still want to be near a power point in some form or another.
The design sure looks minimalist, but the price doesn’t quite nail that brief. Leica isn’t exactly known for inexpensive gear, and priced at $5990, the Cine Play 1 definitely isn’t that.
With the stand fetching an extra $790 and the whole thing coming together for $6690, Leica’s semi-portable projector is interesting if only because it brings the Leica quality to a device you can take around the house with you. It’s still not made for camping, not in the way other portable projectors are, but for folks who can afford it, that might not matter, either.
