Ultra short throw. The H6517ST is tailor-made for small rooms thanks to its ultra-short throw lens. With a throw ratio of 0.5:1, you can put up a 100" diagonal image from 3' 8" (about half of the image's 87" width). The lens is fixed focal length, so there's no zoom; you adjust picture size by moving the projector towards or away from the screen. As such, mounting should be done carefully, and this projector works best on the ceiling or a low table near the screen.

Native 1080p. The H6517ST is inexpensive, so it doesn't have a ton of fancy features. But one thing it doesn't compromise on is resolution. With the H6517ST, you get real-deal native 1920x1080 full high definition. This is ideal for Blu-ray movies and other high-quality HD sources, but even lower-resolution source material will look great scaled up to HD. High resolution is especially important on a short-throw projector, because you're probably going to be sitting closer to the screen than you would on a long-throw projector.

Bright image. The H6517ST's high light output is enough to overpower some ambient light, and that means you can use it in rooms that aren't blacked-out bat caves. However, if you're going to be using the projector in a room with windows or direct sun, it's best to pair it up with an ambient light rejecting screen. Some of these screens are made specifically to work with short throw projectors, so it pays to shop around.

Portable theater. The H6517ST weighs just over five pounds, so it's entirely possible to pack it up and take it with you. The projector comes with a soft carrying case for just this purpose. Its onboard speaker, at 2W, is a little cheesy, but it's better than nothing at all - and it'll get the job done if nothing more powerful is available.

Long lamp life. Manufacturer lamp life estimates are just that - estimated - and lots of factors influence how long a lamp actually lasts. That said, the H6517ST's lamp life estimate is 4,000 hours at full brightness and 6,000 hours in Eco mode, meaning the lamp should last a good long time. The lamp is relatively low wattage, as well, which (though this isn't definitive) seems to contribute to lamp longevity.

Connectivity. The H6517ST has two HDMI inputs, and one of those also features Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL). MHL allows you to use streaming and mobile devices such as the Roku Streaming Stick without running a separate power connection - the device draws power from the projector. Combined with the H6517ST's portability, this gives you a highly portable self-contained theater that can put a giant image on the wall from only a few feet of throw distance.

Almost silent. In small rooms, fan noise can be a big bother. Luckily the H6517ST has a very quiet fan, so even running at full power in its brightest mode the projector produces little more than a whisper of audible noise. What noise does exist is more of a low whoosh of air rather than a high electronic whine, so while you might hear the fan running, it never rises to the level of distraction.