Projectors have always posed a challenge when it comes to honoring the “home” in “home theater.” But in the last few years numerous brands have launched projectors designed more thoughtfully aware that few folks with an aesthetic eye would want to live with a large lens-tipped box situated prominently in the middle of a room (or on the ceiling). LG’s latest announcement ahead of the 2024 CES is representative of this welcome trend, revealing one of the most pleasing projector designs in recent memory – a new 4K projector that borrows some design cues from the past.
At just 500 ANSI lumens output, the CineBeam Qube rates as a casual viewing device best used in totally dark environments and projected onto a screen optimized to make the picture pop – or at the least a really white wall. But it does really look the part of a decorative object even when off.
The LG CineBeam Qube (HU710PB, if you want to get specific), is one of the brand’s 4K lifestyle models, meaning the form and design has been fashioned specifically to cater to homeowners seeking the joys of a projection system sans the tech-heavy presence of a traditional projector. To make this a reality, by all appearance it seems LG’s designers really leaned into the whole “stylish interior accessory” vibe, turning toward the film camera era for inspiration. We immediately noticed the Qube’s resemblance to a vintage Brownie Junior box camera already sitting on our bookshelf.
LG describes their projector as minimalist in aesthetic, but those versed in the history of cameras and imaging will recognize box cameras from the film era, like this Brownie Junior, might have inspired the Qube’s styling. Photo: Gregory Han
Par for the course, the CineBeam Qube’s LG webOS operating system offers similar streaming options to the brand’s line of excellent OLED televisions, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. The projector automatically handles setting up an optimal display using an Auto Screen Adjustment system, a feature that’s become more prevalent as lifestyle projectors become more commonplace.
Equipped with an RGB laser light source, the LG CineBeam Qube is capable of projecting a 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) resolution image as large as 120 inches with a 450,000:1 contrast ratio and 154 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
But the Qube has an additional trick up its sleeve to add to a room’s ambiance: users can turn on the projector’s image-mapping function and project a whole new simulated environment across a room and its furnishings.
From the side, the Qube gives off some strong Dieter Rams vibes. The minimalist take on the box camera form ingeniously incorporates a 360-degree rotatable handle with a 3W Mono circular speaker base section (you’ll definitely want to pair this projector with a more robust speaker).
Weighing in at just 3.28 pounds and small enough to carry around the house, The CineBeam Qube’s handle-style design rates as a cute proposition. How cute will depend upon LG’s eventual pricing and availability, details that have not yet been divulged about the diminutive digital device but should be revealed during, or soon after the Consumer Electronics Show.
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