Benjamin Hubert’s design studio LAYER has teamed up with the renowned projector brand XGIMI to create MIRA, a groundbreaking short-throw projector that transforms the landscape of home entertainment. This innovative device is a versatile three-in-one solution, merging projection, audio, and smart TV capabilities. MIRA delivers a stunning 100-inch display on any surface, thriving in various lighting conditions, and effortlessly blends into home decor when not in use. Its design features a subtle fabric-wrapped exterior that challenges the traditional dominance of the “black box” television, offering a refreshing alternative to the stark aesthetics of conventional tech products.
As on-demand streaming continues to gain popularity, the demand for immersive home entertainment experiences has surged. More individuals are seeking large screens for their living rooms, yet a 100-inch television presents numerous challenges. Installation can be cumbersome, the imposing black screen disrupts the home’s ambiance, and the costs can be prohibitive for many families. Additionally, larger screens often consume more power, making them less appealing for the environmentally conscious consumer.
To address these concerns, XGIMI and LAYER undertook extensive user research to uncover what consumers truly desire from their home entertainment setups. The outcome is an elegantly designed short-throw projector that boasts a warm, inviting presence while remaining unobtrusive. When activated, MIRA can project a high-quality 100-inch display, transforming any space into a cinematic experience.
The fabric-wrapped body of MIRA is characterized by gentle curves and a sophisticated neutral color palette, drawing inspiration from interior design rather than the typical “high-tech” aesthetic of home entertainment devices. The combination of textile and metallic finishes enhances the tactile experience, inviting users to engage with the product. This thoughtful design approach amplifies the enchantment of the large-scale moving image, creating the illusion that it emerges from an almost invisible source.
The XGIMI projector screen, often referred to as a curtain, has undergone a remarkable redesign featuring a matte finish and a sleek frame. Crafted with special nano-materials, this ultra-matte surface effectively minimizes glare and reflections from ambient light, ensuring an unparalleled viewing experience. Users can transform their space into a vibrant home gallery by projecting stunning artwork onto the curtain or any other surface. The MIRA projector is equipped with built-in proximity sensors that allow these specially designed artworks to respond dynamically to the movements of people within the room.
In addition to its visual prowess, the sound quality of the MIRA projector surpasses that of traditional televisions. It boasts a 2.1-channel speaker system developed in partnership with the renowned audio brand Harman Kardon, delivering sound directly to the left and right sides of the room. Complementing this is a substantial subwoofer that creates an immersive 3D surround-sound experience, enveloping viewers in rich audio that enhances their overall enjoyment.
MIRA is not just aesthetically pleasing; it also delivers powerful performance in a variety of lighting conditions, whether day or night. With a dark field brightness of 66.7fL, it significantly outshines cinema standards for nighttime viewing. During daylight hours, its picture quality rivals that of a conventional 100-inch television. This exceptional clarity is made possible by two cutting-edge technologies: DualLight, a third-generation projection light source, and Eagle-Eye optics. The user experience is seamlessly managed through XIMIMATE, an innovative software introduced alongside the MIRA projector.