Philips Projection’s latest model is further proof that appearances can be deceiving.
The company has just launched an Indiegogo campaign for a new ultra-short-throw (UST) projector called the Screeneo UL5 Smart. Despite its compact size, the device is able to produce a crystal-clear image that can measure up to 10 feet diagonally.
The Screeneo UL5 is basically a pint-sized alternative to Philip’s range-topping Screeneo U5 UST home projector. The newer model isn’t as powerful as its older sibling, but it can do everything you want a UST model to do without taking up all that much space. That’s because the UL5 is small, measuring just 8.1 x 3.7 x 3.4 inches (the U5 measures 19 x 5.9 x 12.8 inches) and weighing 2.3 pounds.
Philips has managed to pack a lot of power and capability into the UL5. The device has a 0.23:1 throw ratio, meaning it can produce a 120-inch image when positioned 24 inches from your display surface—though the brand recommends stopping at 100 inches (which requires a throw distance of 22 inches) for the best picture quality. That image will look great too, thanks to a 1080p resolution, AI-driven autofocus, and HDR10. Brightness tops out at 550 ANSI lumens, though, so you may want to use the device mainly for nighttime viewing sessions. Other features include built-in Dolby speakers (though Bluetooth allows pairing to other devices), dual-band Wi-Fi, and Philips’s LuminOS operating system, which comes pre-loaded with apps for your favorite streaming services.
It may seem strange to see an established company like Philips launch a crowd-funding campaign, but it’s one of several electronic companies we’ve seen go this route in recent years. The strategy seems to be a way for the brand to properly gauge interest in a projector that is a little more niche than its other offerings. Regardless, the UL5 looks to be a safe bet to go into production. With 30 days left to go in the campaign, Philips has already exceeded its funding goal by 3,122 percent.
![Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart Projector](https://cdn.statically.io/img/robbreport.com/wp-content/themes/pmc-robbreport-2017-v2/assets/public/lazyload-fallback.jpg)
The project may have already been funded, but there is still a benefit to contributing. Backers will be able to buy the UL5 for $751, which is 46 percent less than the $1,396 it will cost when it goes on sale. Deliveries of the first projectors are slated to commence next month.