When it comes to purchasing a projector, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Don't make the mistake of assuming that any projector within your budget will suffice. If you're choosing a projector for a home theatre project, it's definitely worth doing some research before buying a product.
Projectors can be finicky products -- they're much different from TV screens. If you don't have a projector with the right specifications for your setup, you'll end up with an image that's too small, cut off, or washed out. Different projectors are designed for specific uses and environments, and you'll want to consider a few key factors before making a decision.
Before you start shopping, consider the following:
- Where you'll be using the projector: Is it for a permanent home theatre setup or will you be traveling with it?
- Room size: If it's for a permanent setup, what is the size of the room you'll be projecting in?
- Projector placement: Are there any limitations on where it can be positioned and how much flexibility do you have for placement? Can you mount it on the ceiling or will you place it on a stand?
- Media source: What will you be projecting and what are its resolution specifications?
- Room lighting: How much control do you have over the lighting in the room?
- Screen size: What is the size of the screen you'll be projecting onto?
By keeping these questions in mind, you'll be able to determine the type of projector that's right for you.
What Type of Projector Do I Need?
If you're in the market for a projector, it's important to know the different types available and what they're designed for. To help you make an informed decision, let's take a look at the various categories of projectors.
Pico projectors, also known as pocket projectors, are small and portable, making them great for travel or versatile use in different environments. While they are generally more affordable, they have limited quality compared to standard projectors and have significant restrictions on image size, brightness, and optical zoom.
Multimedia projectors are the most common type of projector, designed for general use. They are often used for casual applications like PowerPoint presentations or photo slideshows, and have brightness levels ranging from 2500 to 4500 lumens. They typically have a zoom range of 1.5x and VESA computer resolutions instead of HD video resolutions.
Short throw projectors are a subcategory of multimedia projectors, designed for a throw ratio of less than 1:1, meaning they project from a very short distance from the screen. They are best suited for small screen sizes and do not offer zoom range.
Home theatre projectors are designed specifically for home theatre setups, prioritizing image quality over versatility. They offer lower brightness capabilities and higher zoom ranges, but require full control over the lighting in the room. They tend to have advanced cooling systems to minimize noise, but are bulkier and heavier than most projectors, and rarely support inverted installation. They follow HD video resolution, with most being Full HD or 4K.
Large-venue projectors, also known as fixed-installation projectors, are designed for commercial-sized venues with fixed professional installations. They offer the highest brightness levels, ranging from 4500 lumens to 20,000 lumens and beyond, and often have interchangeable lenses instead of zoom range. They are typically used in movie theatres, stadiums, churches, and lecture halls.
What Is Throw Ratio?
When selecting a projector, it's important to understand throw ratio. Simply put, the throw ratio measures the proportion of the distance from the projector lens to the screen to the width of the screen. For example, if the distance from the screen to the projector is 20 feet and the screen width is 10 feet, then the throw ratio is 2:1. To determine the best projector for your home theatre, it's important to consider the dimensions of the room and the desired screen size. Make sure the throw ratio of the projector you're looking at is compatible with your home theatre dimensions. If you have limited space, a projector with a shorter throw ratio might be necessary. Ideally, you should place the projector as close to the screen as possible, to maintain a clear image and lower brightness requirements.
If you haven't yet purchased a screen, aim for a screen size that is 1/5 of the distance from the furthest intended viewing point. Alternatively, you can opt for a home theatre package that includes a projector and screen designed to work together.
Brightness and Lumens
Choosing the right brightness level for your projector is crucial, and it depends on the amount of light in your home theatre room. A projector's image quality is at its best with minimal ambient light, so it's ideal if you can create a dark environment at any time of day. Otherwise, you'll need a projector that can accommodate brighter environments, and this might come at a cost or at the expense of other image quality specifications.
A projector's brightness capability is measured in lumens. The brighter a projector can project, the more lumens it has. Keep in mind that more lumens don't necessarily mean a better image or projector. High-quality, vibrant images with optimal color contrast are often achieved at lower lumens, and even projectors with high brightness capabilities may struggle to deliver a clear picture in bright rooms. If you cannot fully control the lighting in your room, opt for a projector with a minimum of 3000 lumens, which is typically in the multimedia projector category. To avoid disappointment, avoid the mistake of purchasing a high-end projector without considering the lighting in your room, which may affect its performance.
Resolution
While the resolution of a projector is often viewed as a crucial factor, it's actually less significant compared to the other specifications. Today, most projectors have a resolution of at least XGA (1024 x 768), and many have a wide-screen resolution of WXGA (1280 x 800).
A projector with XGA resolution is sufficient for most casual users and will still provide a fully functional experience. For more discerning viewers, a higher resolution such as UXGA (1600 x 1200), WUXGA (1920 x 1200), or Full HD (1920 x 1080) may be preferred. Most home theatre projectors will have a resolution of Full HD or 4K. It's also crucial to keep in mind the resolution limitations of your media source. Just as with TVs, many manufacturers boast 4K capabilities, but most content offered on major streaming services is only available in 1080p.
Keystone Corrections and Lens Shift
Most projectors for consumers come with a certain degree of horizontal and vertical keystone correction. Keystone correction is used to fix the distortion in a projected image when the lens is not aligned correctly with the screen, which results in a trapezoidal image. Keystone correction can adjust this digitally, but it can also reduce image quality. This is a neat feature if you plan on using your projector in different settings.
If you're unable to align the projector properly with the screen, you can also opt for a projector with lens shift instead. This allows you to manually correct the image without sacrificing quality, by physically adjusting the position of the lens. If you plan on permanently mounting your projector in a home theatre, this may be an expensive feature that you won't need.
DLP or LCD?
When choosing a projector for your home theatre, it's important to understand the differences between the two main imaging systems: DLP and LCD. Each system offers unique benefits that may align with your personal preferences.
DLP projectors boast a high color contrast, a compact design, smooth motion for fast-paced scenes, and deep blacks that produce a film-like picture from Blu-ray, HDTV, and DVD sources. On the other hand, LCD projectors are known for their quiet and energy-efficient operation, high brightness capabilities, sharp and detailed images, and absence of the "rainbow effect." While DLP projectors are less reliable due to their spinning color wheel, an LCD projector operates without any moving parts.
Other factors to consider include HDR and 3D capabilities, although these are more specific use cases. By taking into account all the factors discussed, you'll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and choose the right projector for your home theatre.
