Leica is aiming to set “new standards for the future of television,” announcing the launch of Leica Cine 1, its first-ever 4K laser projector in the second quarter of next year.
The announcement was made at IFA, the consumer tech mecca currently taking place in Berlin. Called Leica Cine 1, it is a premium 4K video projector, imagined in collaboration with its partner Hisense.
The ultra short throw projector can display a 4K Ultra HD image (3840 x 2160 pixels), on 80- or 100-inch screens, while positioned just inches from a wall, using the unique “triple RGB laser technology” and Summicron aspherical lens. Its contrast ratio is 1000:1 (up to 2,000,000:1 in HDR), while maximum brightness peaks at 2500 lumens for the 100-inch model and 2100 lumens for the 80-inch version. This remarkable image quality is further supported by an integrated Dolby Atmos audio system for a perfect home theater experience.
On the connectivity side, the Leica Cine 1 has a TV tuner, HDMI (HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.0 ARC) and USB (USB 2.0 and USB 3.0) inputs for connecting external hard drives or additional players such as Blu-ray players or game consoles, as well as an optical output, an audio output and an RJ45 port.
The Leica Cine 1 also impresses with its power consumption and design. Its short-range laser technology consumes significantly less energy than an OLED TV of a comparable size. As for the design, which stays true to the brand’s sleek aesthetic, it features a high-quality silver premium aluminum body with a slim automatic dust cover for optimum lens protection and perforated plates on the sides for better audio output and effective ventilation.
“In the future, optical expertise will become a key success factor in the TV market, the largest consumer electronics market in the world with over US$100 billion in annual sales. I am therefore proud that, in cooperation with our strategic partner and on the basis of our world-leading optical expertise, we have succeeded in creating an extraordinary product with the Cine 1: ‘Optical high-tech meets design.’ With the Cine 1, consumers can experience cinematic pleasure in the comfort of their own homes at the highest audiovisual level – cinema is coming home,” said Matthias Harsch, CEO of Leica Camera AG.
The Leica Ciné 1 will be available in two versions from Q2 2023.