China Emerges as the Global Engine of Projection Industry Innovation
This is how industry analyst RUNTO defines China's current role in the projection market.
Breakthroughs Across the Board
By late 2024, Hisilicon and ZG Optics had unveiled China's first complete domestic LCOS supply chain and the world's smallest native 4K projector prototype. In spring 2025, Shinco became the first to mass-produce 2LCD projector systems. By April, global leader Epson chose China as the launch market for its revolutionary "Tri-Chip Tri-Color" 3LCD optical engine.
On May 8, industry giants XGIMI and Vidda (subsidiary of Hisense) unveiled their next-gen triple-laser flagship projectors. These products answer the question: "After achieving 4K and triple-laser technology, what's next for premium smart projectors?"
Lens Innovation: Different Paths, Same Goal
Both brands focused on optical breakthroughs to enhance user experience:
• XGIMI RS20 Series debuts the Xmaster Red Lens featuring:
- 1.2-1.5:1 optical zoom
- ±105% vertical lens shift (all models)
- ±40% horizontal shift (ProMax/Ultra models)
- First sub-$1,500 projector with professional-grade shift lens technology
Unlike digital keystone correction that sacrifices resolution, optical shift maintains perfect 4K quality during angled projection. The 9-element lens uses aerospace-grade materials with 14-layer nano-coatings (as thin as 5nm per layer).
• Vidda C3 Family introduces four models:
- C3 Ultra/Pro: 0.9-1.5:1 zoom (industry's widest range)
- C3S/C3: 1.0-1.3:1 "Golden Ratio" zoom (first in sub-$850 segment)
The 0.9-1.5:1 zoom projects:
- 100" from 6.5ft (2m)
- 150" from 9.8ft (3m)
With 23% better light transmission than previous gen.
Both approaches solve space constraints—XGIMI through flexible positioning, Vidda via adaptive zoom. Notably, Vidda's upcoming C5 will add lens shift, showing the industry's push to democratize pro features.
Interestingly, XGIMI's "Red Ring" and Vidda's "Gold Ring" lenses mirror the Canon/Nikon rivalry in DSLRs—signaling optics as the new battleground.
Laser Speckle: 99.9% Elimination
The other major advancement addresses triple-laser's Achilles' heel—speckle:
• XGIMI combines:
- Quad-speckle reduction (dual fly-eye, dynamic LSR, etc.)
- 99.99% reduction rate
- Multiple new patents filed
• Vidda leverages 100+ speckle patents to develop:
- RGB Spectral Precision Control
- 99.9% reduction ("virtually imperceptible")
Global triple-laser projector share jumped to 30% in 2024 (up 11.9% YoY), reaching 53% in China. As speckle becomes negligible, experts predict triple-laser will dominate all projectors above $700.
Cinema-Grade for All
Both brands emphasized professional cinema certifications:
• Vidda C3 adds Dolby Vision to its IMAX/HDR10+/Filmmaker Mode credentials, collaborating with Hollywood DP Wade Muller on reference demo content. The Ultra model earned China's first Home Cinema Certification from the National Film Technology Institute.
• XGIMI RS20 achieves full certification sweep (IMAX/Dolby/HDR Vivid), plus:
- New SGS color standard
- Da Vinci Color Master system
- Industry-first Adobe RGB ΔE<0.8 certification
The Big Picture
From late 2024 through 2025, China's projection industry has entered an innovation golden age—from LCOS breakthroughs to MEMS micro-mirror production (key for DLP tech). These developments cement China's position as the global projection technology hub, where premium features rapidly trickle down to mainstream products.
Key Takeaways:
1. Optics are now the premium differentiator
2. Triple-laser speckle is effectively solved
3. Cinema certifications become table stakes
4. China leads both innovation and adoption
As one expert noted: "Projectors must master spatial optics—that's the core advantage over flat panels." With these advancements, smart projectors are redefining home entertainment.
This is how industry analyst RUNTO defines China's current role in the projection market.
Breakthroughs Across the Board
By late 2024, Hisilicon and ZG Optics had unveiled China's first complete domestic LCOS supply chain and the world's smallest native 4K projector prototype. In spring 2025, Shinco became the first to mass-produce 2LCD projector systems. By April, global leader Epson chose China as the launch market for its revolutionary "Tri-Chip Tri-Color" 3LCD optical engine.
On May 8, industry giants XGIMI and Vidda (subsidiary of Hisense) unveiled their next-gen triple-laser flagship projectors. These products answer the question: "After achieving 4K and triple-laser technology, what's next for premium smart projectors?"
Lens Innovation: Different Paths, Same Goal
Both brands focused on optical breakthroughs to enhance user experience:
• XGIMI RS20 Series debuts the Xmaster Red Lens featuring:
- 1.2-1.5:1 optical zoom
- ±105% vertical lens shift (all models)
- ±40% horizontal shift (ProMax/Ultra models)
- First sub-$1,500 projector with professional-grade shift lens technology
Unlike digital keystone correction that sacrifices resolution, optical shift maintains perfect 4K quality during angled projection. The 9-element lens uses aerospace-grade materials with 14-layer nano-coatings (as thin as 5nm per layer).
• Vidda C3 Family introduces four models:
- C3 Ultra/Pro: 0.9-1.5:1 zoom (industry's widest range)
- C3S/C3: 1.0-1.3:1 "Golden Ratio" zoom (first in sub-$850 segment)
The 0.9-1.5:1 zoom projects:
- 100" from 6.5ft (2m)
- 150" from 9.8ft (3m)
With 23% better light transmission than previous gen.
Both approaches solve space constraints—XGIMI through flexible positioning, Vidda via adaptive zoom. Notably, Vidda's upcoming C5 will add lens shift, showing the industry's push to democratize pro features.
Interestingly, XGIMI's "Red Ring" and Vidda's "Gold Ring" lenses mirror the Canon/Nikon rivalry in DSLRs—signaling optics as the new battleground.
Laser Speckle: 99.9% Elimination
The other major advancement addresses triple-laser's Achilles' heel—speckle:
• XGIMI combines:
- Quad-speckle reduction (dual fly-eye, dynamic LSR, etc.)
- 99.99% reduction rate
- Multiple new patents filed
• Vidda leverages 100+ speckle patents to develop:
- RGB Spectral Precision Control
- 99.9% reduction ("virtually imperceptible")
Global triple-laser projector share jumped to 30% in 2024 (up 11.9% YoY), reaching 53% in China. As speckle becomes negligible, experts predict triple-laser will dominate all projectors above $700.
Cinema-Grade for All
Both brands emphasized professional cinema certifications:
• Vidda C3 adds Dolby Vision to its IMAX/HDR10+/Filmmaker Mode credentials, collaborating with Hollywood DP Wade Muller on reference demo content. The Ultra model earned China's first Home Cinema Certification from the National Film Technology Institute.
• XGIMI RS20 achieves full certification sweep (IMAX/Dolby/HDR Vivid), plus:
- New SGS color standard
- Da Vinci Color Master system
- Industry-first Adobe RGB ΔE<0.8 certification
The Big Picture
From late 2024 through 2025, China's projection industry has entered an innovation golden age—from LCOS breakthroughs to MEMS micro-mirror production (key for DLP tech). These developments cement China's position as the global projection technology hub, where premium features rapidly trickle down to mainstream products.
Key Takeaways:
1. Optics are now the premium differentiator
2. Triple-laser speckle is effectively solved
3. Cinema certifications become table stakes
4. China leads both innovation and adoption
As one expert noted: "Projectors must master spatial optics—that's the core advantage over flat panels." With these advancements, smart projectors are redefining home entertainment.
