How to Choose Home Projector for Gaming?

January 09, 2020

Projectors today have raised the gaming experience to a whole new level. And finding the right gaming projector has the potential to improve your gaming experience. The ability to project your video game to a bigger screen will allow you to an exclusive gaming experience. However, there are many projectors available today, and some of these devices are less than desirable for gaming.

If you are not sure about what you need in a projector for gaming, don't worry, we got you covered. In this post, we'll tell you what you need to know to choose the right option for your needs. Now, let's take a look at how you can choose a home projector for gaming suitable for your needs.

1. Response Time and Refresh Rates

 Assuming you own a gaming monitor, then the odds of you knowing what refresh rates are and their importance is very high. But if you don't know what refresh rates are, it's all right – refresh rates are the number of times your screen is refreshed per second and the higher your rate, the better experience you get with smooth gameplay which is free from roughness even when you play games that are intense on graphics. 

So, the refresh rates your projector for gaming requires depends on your needs. Although we recommend the 120Hz, but also admit that a refresh rate of 60Hz can also get the job done without cutting any corners. With response time, you need the lowest time possible because higher response times result in image blurring and motion artifacts when playing graphics-intensive games with repeated camera movement.

However, projector manufacturers rarely disclose the response times of their projectors, so you may have to do some digging to find the response times of any particular projector for gaming. As a matter of fact, unless you are used to playing games on high-quality gaming monitors, you might not notice the difference. Otherwise, any high-quality home projector will have enough response time for your needs. All in all, while it will cost more to make sure you get the right response time and refresh rates, it can make your projector deliver a better gaming experience.

2. Resolution

Video games today are becoming more cinematic, which is why the projector resolution is crucial. The gaming world is slowing changing from Full HD to 4K as the prevailing resolution. However, the transition has been a bit slow due to the sheer hardware power needed to play games at a native 4K resolution. Ultimately, you shouldn't select any projector for gaming under 1080p. SVGA and XGA projectors are more suitable for business and classroom presentations, so they just won't cut it for gaming. 

So, if you want the best results without spending too much, go for a true HD projector for gaming, with a native 1080p resolution – this resolution will make sure you get the best image quality. Fortunately, a full HD projector for gaming is becoming more and more affordable. And if you have extra cash to spare, you can keep a projector for gaming with 4K capacities in mind.

3. Game Mode

Look for a projector for gaming that features a game mode setting. And in some devices, it is also referred to as "fast mode." One of the issues with home projectors that are not mainly designed for gaming is a lag time – this is the time it takes for your game to load and play.

This is because advanced gaming graphics use more resources than standard video. Images that freeze up or lag time could be unacceptable in the gaming world. However, you may have to sacrifice a little bit of picture quality when using this setting, but responsiveness and improved speed mean you will live to fight another day.

4. Contrast Ratio

Contrast ratio is also another performance measure for choosing the right projector for gaming. When it comes to a home projector for gaming, the higher the contrast ratio, the better. While the contrast ratio won't significantly affect the quality of your gaming experience, a projector with a higher contrast ratio will give your pictures a greater depth, especially when playing in darker scenes.

Moreover, if your home projector contrast ratio is not high enough, the latest games might not look good – its either the impressive over-saturated lights effects lose all their power or the shadows are too light. If you do play games in well-lit space, you will want to push for a higher contrast ratio or dim the surroundings.

When you are shopping for a new home projector for gaming, a good benchmark for getting the right contrast ratio is about 15000:1; this means you will get a gaming experience that has depth and deep blacks. Besides, if you get a home projector with good resolution and lots of brightness, you can get away with a contrast ratio of about 40,000:1.

5. Brightness

Lumens are the measure of brightness, and the brightness of a projector is usually determined on two factors – the ambient light and screen size. For example, if your gaming room receives a fair amount of sunlight during the day, you may need to go for a brighter gaming projector. Home projectors for gaming with a brightness rating of 3,000 lumens or more would be suitable for a gaming room with a lot of natural light. On the other hand, you can choose a projector with less brightness rating if your space is very dark.

In addition, screen size can also determine the brightness you will need for your gaming projector. The general rule is that the bigger the screen sizes, the more brightness you require. So, if you want a huge image, you will need a brighter home projector for gaming, especially in the gaming room, with a lot of ambient light. For instance, the massive screens of about 100+ inches demand brighter projectors with gaming, which is rated at 3,000 lumens or higher. Moreover, a smaller screen from about 50-100 inches requires a gaming projector rated at 1000-2000 lumens.

6. Throw Distance

There are multiple types of gaming projectors, which include long throw, short throw, and ultra-short throw. This usually refers to the distance between the image on the screen and the gaming projector. Projectors with long throws are usually cheaper but often limited to the size of the gaming room you have. Ultra-short throws are often used for displaying presentations for classroom or business meetings.

The most common throw distance is the short throws and is the most suitable option for a home projector for gaming, especially if you are a tall individual playing a game using Xbox connect or PlayStation eye. So, make sure you check out the throw ratio listed on the information for the gaming projectors, before choosing one.

7. Projector Screen

The screen has a significant impact on how the quality of the images and contents will be produced. The way the screen receives and projects an image is way very important for anyone – this is true, but it also depends on the way you use the projector. So, if you plan to use your gaming projector while moving from one place to another, you may not have control over the type of screen you choose.

Nonetheless, you could control the other types of home projector screen you have around. You may decide to get a roll-out screen on a tripod that is easy to move and set up anywhere. And if you favor a fixed set-up, then you can consider buying a special screen or using a distinct projector screen paint on the wall you'll be projecting your content on.

8. Budget

Projectors for gaming are a costly investment, but they come in a wide range of prices. It is more important to get the best home projector for gaming you can afford without breaking the bank. Also, don't go shopping without considering extra gaming items you will have to purchase as well. Projector stands, 3D lasses, and screens are just a few of the extra items that you may need to buy to better enjoy your new projector for gaming.

You have a lot to consider when choosing your home projector for gaming, because each factor from resolution to brightness will drive costs, so you need to decide the part of the home projector for gaming that are most important to you and how much you are willing to spend. With all that being said, you can choose a good quality home projector for gaming for less than $1000.

Conclusion

Those who have played games using a gaming projector will say that you are missing out on the best gaming experience. If you are looking to stay ahead of your opponents and keep up with the high-tech gaming world, then it is time to get one of the best home projectors for gaming.

If you use the tips above, you are going to find the home projector for gaming that is perfect for your lifestyle. Also, ensure you include everything you need when shopping for the right product.

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