The use of projectors has become widely popular over the years. From watching movies at home to delivering presentations in university classrooms and screenings at large events, projectors have become an indispensable part of our lives.
It’s easy to overlook all the important steps that happen in between – from the moment you turn the projector on to the moment you see the image being projected on your screen. A projector lens probably performs the most important function of it all, it’s not only responsible for properly magnifying the image, but also controls the colors, sharpness, and illumination of the image as well.
Temperature imbalance can lead to a foggy lens. Often the lens inside the projector can get all foggy due to the temperature imbalance of the atmosphere it is placed in. This, in turn, affects the image quality, reducing its sharpness and producing unclear, blurry images. Dirty projector lens, if not cleaned on time, could also cause technical fault inside the entire equipment, reducing its overall efficacy and leaving it of no use.
Cleaning the projector lens is a practice that should be followed from time to time to ensure top-notch quality of the images produced and to prevent condensation to permanently build inside the lens. However, defogging the dirty lens could be a tricky task since it requires following a specific cleaning technique so that the lens doesn’t get damaged.
We’ve made a list of all the important steps you need to follow in order to ensure that you defog your projector lens without causing damage in the process.
To ensure a risk-free cleaning of the projector lens, you will require:
Remember, you’ve paid a hefty price for this projector and its life depends greatly on the quality of its lens. The glass that is used to manufacture this lens is exceptionally sensitive and cannot bear any sort of mishandling. The projector consists of optical components that require delicate handling.
When cleaning the projector lens, you must be very careful so as to prevent the lens from any kind of unnecessary damage. For example, if you’re not careful you may notice smudges on the projector lens or you may cause irreparable damage as a result of unconscious mishandling - which may ultimately require you to get a lens replacement which can be costly.
Things that MUST be avoided while cleaning projector lens
Any sort of abrasive liquid that isn’t designed specifically for cleaning projector lens could badly harm it. Similarly, using towels or tissue paper would clean the fog from it but the harsh particles of their fiber could easily scratch the lens surface.
Moreover, handling the lens with your bare fingers could leave the lens extremely dirty. Hence, it is advised that you use the specially designed microfiber cloth with a solution sprayed on it to wipe off any sort of fog or smudge from the lens.
Again, you are not cleaning your regular camera lens or glasses here. Cleaning a projector lens is a tricky business and you need to follow all the specific steps in order to ensure that the lens is thoroughly cleaned, without putting the efficiency and functionality of the projector at risk. Any sort of carelessness or mishandling could cause you to spend a fortune on its repairing.
The first thing you need to do before you begin with the cleaning process is to power off the projector and unplug it from the electric supply. Let the machine inside it cool down so that it is easier to touch. This is an important step as it will reduce the risk of any hazards related to a plugged-in electrical device.
It could be high on voltage or could may contain excessive current. You could also mistakenly press a button and cause a technical fault. In the meantime, you can quickly go through the user manual, as it contains important maintenance tips that are specific to the model you will be defogging the projector lens of.
Open up the projector with the utmost care by following the step by step guide given in the manual. A careful study of the user manual should help you get a grip on what is to be done. There can be a simple button, or a set of screws that need unwinding, or furthermore a latch that needs to be pulled. Any other conditions for the safe removal of the projector casing must also be adhered to. These may include humidity settings of the room you are in.
Take a can of compressed air and blow it near the vent. This will push away all the dust out of the vent. Be sure to stand at least 6-7 inches away from the lens part when you are spraying the compressed air as it can cause collateral damage to the lens in the form of cracks. Also, get the correct type of compressed air which is specifically made for this purpose.
The lens cap acts as a shield to the lens and keeps it safe from all sorts of external damages like scratches, fingerprints, wipe marks, etc. So, make sure you remove the lens cap extremely carefully to prevent the lens surface from being damaged. Do not put too much pressure while trying to remove the cap or else you might require projector lens replacement. See the directions given on the cap for safely removing it.
Do not overuse the solution. Do not drown the cloth in the solution. Just put two drops on the microfiber cloth and let it absorb it. That is more than enough for cleaning and wiping the smudge on the projector lens. Excessive usage of solution would only cause scratches on the lens surface, making it more sensitive to damages as the solution is made of harsh chemicals. Overusing it will only harm the delicate lens and cause you trouble.
This is one of the most important steps to follow while cleaning the projector lens. The way you wipe the lens using the cloth makes a significant difference in its cleanliness and efficacy. Many people make the mistake of wiping it from left to right or up and down, which leaves a lot of dirty marks on the lens. Aggressive rubbing is also not an ideal way to clean as it can easily cause damage to the lens and even cause it to break. The best way of defogging the projector lens is to gently move the cloth in circular motions on the lens so that it wipes it off from a 360-degree angle, without leaving any more marks on it.
After you are done cleaning, wait for a short while for the lens to get completely dry. Then, gently put the lens cap back in its place without applying too much force on it.
Sometimes in a hurried situation, people tend to ignore the safety of the lens and try to force the cap on the lens with lots of pressure. This is an extremely wrong practice and can cause permanent damage to the glass surface of the lens, making it useless forever. Always put the cap back on the lens safely and securely.
All machines require maintenance and exquisite upkeep. This allows them to perform their tasks efficiently without losing their core functionalities. Periodic cleaning of the parts of the equipment is one of the few ways you can prevent damage.
Just like a well-tuned motor car requires an oil change as a part of its maintenance, a projector requires its lens to be periodically cleaned for maximum efficiency. This may include removing dust particles, smudges and scratches off the lens as well as the removal of humidity that can build over time.
In the case of projectors, perhaps the most important component is their lens. The quality of the image produced by the projector is entirely dependent on the lens. A projector lens that is subjected to undue humidity may fog the lens.
So, it makes sense to periodically clean the projector lens as it ensures that every time you turn the projector on, you get a high-quality output. A clean projector lens produces a bright and sharp image every time. Therefore, removing condensation from the lens is vital to the efficient functioning of the projector itself.
The world of technology has continued uninterrupted through an evergrowing evolution and advancement of its own mechanisms. Just a few years ago, tablets where known to be specialized niche devices for a very specific audience. They use to be expensive and sold by a few brands. Today, you can find quality tablets manufactured with excellent components and precision running at very affordable prices. In this article, we will take a look at two types of the most popular budget tablets in 2020, Vankyo S20 and S30 tablets.
We will compare both of them to see which one comes out on top in terms of price, battery life, hard drive, processor, ram, graphics processor, connectivity, operating system, camera, and unique features.
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Weight：499g |
Weight：1.14kg |
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1280x800 native screen resolution |
1920x1200 native screen resolution |
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Price: $159.99 |
Price: $169.99 |
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8 MP back camera |
13 MP back camera |
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10-hour battery life |
15-hour battery life |
Nowadays, tablets stand strong in terms of specs, price, and performance. They are usually divided by price ranges, cheapest on the lowest end, and priciest on the higher end. Vankyo S20 and S30 tablets fit within a very unusual sweet spot within the marketplace, where budget tablets begin to transition in terms of features and specs towards the higher end characteristics.
In terms of price, the S20 tablet is just ten dollars less than the S30. The price difference isn’t nearly as wide to warrant the S20 taking a winning position here. The Vankyo S20 is an excellent mid-range budget tablet with powerful specs, but it lacks standard features like 1080p resolution. Users will gain a better viewing experience by spending 10 more dollars. In this case, Vankyo S30 wins as you get much better features for a slight price increase, which is no more than the cost of a quick lunch.
Nobody may refuse to enjoy a larger battery capacity that handles long sessions of browsing and movie watching. The battery capacity of S30 and S20 vankyo tablets are the same as they are both 6000mAh. However, the battery in the S30 tablet is more robust that gets an increase for up to 50%, which is about 15 hours. While S20 tablet is built to last a maximum battery life with 10 hours.
Hard drives are the storage units for computer devices that can be classified into two types: internal and external. Internal storage is usually held within the hard drive itself. External storage refers to a type of drive that can be connected directly to the device. When it comes to storage, both the S20 and S30 tablets boast a rather small 32GB hard drive.
Both the two tablets have an average internal system memory that is able to hold a sizable library of music, a few movies, and games; however, they are not enough to guarantee ample storage. But users can insert a micro SD card if they like so that they can easily upgrade their system storage significantly. Since there is no difference between Vankyo S20 & S30 with regard to storage space, we will hereby judge them equally.
Processors are the internal brain of computer devices. They handle the inputs and send information across the device, which is very significant when it comes to performance. Both S20 and S30 vankyo tablets have an impressive 8-core microprocessor with a frequency of up to 1.6GHz.
This is a very powerful piece of hardware that ensures both tablets are able to run most of the applications smoothly and effortlessly. When it comes to the higher-end applications, you might have encountered a few hiccups in processing power. We would recommend both types of tablets if users only focus on processors.
RAM refers to Random Access Memory. It is a type of memory that is allocated for running system applications which include the OS. A Higher RAM means being able to open up several applications at once without getting any sort of performance decrease. Both Vankyo S20 and S30 tablets have 3GB RAM memory. However, the S30 has DDR3 RAM memory, which runs a bit faster than a standard DDR2 the S20 tablets have. The difference is slightly noticeable, so we consider both of them to be pretty equal with regard to RAM.
A graphics coprocessor is what renders or creates the graphical images you are able to see on the screen. It can be found as a separate component, or as an integrated component on most devices motherboards. On the S20 and S30 tablets, there is an IMG8322 graphical coprocessor that fits comfortably on the mid-range position, which allows users to play games smoothly. However, don’t expect a higher-end graphically intense games to run, because both of the tablets sport the same type of graphical hardware. In the circumstances, we consider them to be pretty equal.
Connectivity is normally a key feature for most people to make or break the decision to purchase modern devices. Connectivity featured the devices that brings our lives with unparalleled levels of efficient communications. There are integrated wireless Bluetooth 5.0 on the S20 and S30 tablets, in which not only you’ll gain a splendid network experience for its quicker response while less interference, but a faster and more stable data transfer between different devices. Moreover, both tablets come with embedded GPS connectivity technology. On account of the same connectivity features, neither of them stands out in this case.
The operating system allows you to use all the hardware components in synergy. The OS brings the entire potential of a system together by using software that renders a user interface. There are two big-league players that have a monopoly on mobile device OS: Android system developed by Google and IOS system developed by Apple. Both of our Vankyo tablets use Android Pie 9.0 or above, which features an industry-standard of smooth, compatible, and efficient functionality. Both the S20 and S30 vankyo tablets stay modern in this case.
The rapid development of camera technology is breathtaking. Cameras are getting smaller, with higher quality and efficiency by the day. Thanks to the industrial output of modern mass manufacturing, most people have a pretty good camera embedded in their mobile devices. The S20 and S30 vankyo tablets come with slightly different camera qualities. They both have front-facing cameras for video calls, and back cameras to capture the amazing world around us.
The back camera of the S20 tablet is an 8MP camera, while the S30 stands at 13MP. Both of the tablet’s come with 5MP front-facing cameras. As far as the resolution of the camera is concerned, we take Vankyo S30 tablet as a priority. Simply because users get a noticeable improvement in picture and video quality, which compared to Vankyo S2 with 720p resolution, Vankyo S30 delivers stunning viewing experience with native 1080p HD screen resolution.
One of the biggest distinctions between the two tablets is the weight. Vankyo S30 weighs twice more of Vankyo S20, which makes it a slightly bulkier tablet. If you are looking for a slim, lightweight, and handy device, Vankyo S20 tablet may be a better choice for you.
Even though both tablets excel in terms of quality for their price range, the slight difference in price between Vankyo S20 tablet and S30 tablet seemingly makes it difficult for users to choose. Nevertheless, you get several higher-end features on the S30 that S20 doesn’t have. Besides, the battery life of S30 lasts 50% longer. If the price of the S20 tablet is a bit cheaper we would consider its place in the market, but as of now, the price difference isn’t high enough to warrant it a winning position.
All in all, we have made a comparison between Vankyo S20 and S30 in terms of functionality, features, and the price in this article. It turns out that with the inconsiderable price difference, Vankyo S20 can hardly stand out. On the other hand, various comparisons made in battery life, hard drive, processor, RAM, GPU, connectivity, OS, camera, and unique features indicate that Vankyo S20 and S30 tablets are pretty similar to some extent.
If you want a slim and lightweight tablet to carry around, and you don’t care about picture or camera quality too much, Vankyo S20 is an appropriate option for you. Whereas, if the price is not the top consideration, the weight does not exceed your expected range, Vankyo S30 tablet with a better quality probably suits you more. Remember always to check the specs of any tablet before you make a decision as you can base on it to help you find a better one for a particular use.
It occurred to most of us, you are watching a movie on your projector, or perhaps you are in a conference room with all your colleagues, all of a sudden, you begin to notice the fan inside your projector humming, louder and louder. You can’t hear the sound of the movie clearly, or you get distracted in the middle of your presentation, the projector's fan is going crazy! In this article, we will answer the question of how to reduce the projector’s fan noise? We will also explain the main reasons why does the fan produces loud noises. As well as some solutions for you to continue using your projector undisturbedly.
Fans are essential parts of many electronic products. Nowadays, you can find fans in every corner of the globe. As a matter of fact, as you read this blog, the computer or smartphone that you are using needs a fan to work properly. Fans are incredibly important which is mainly to disperse the heat so that the machine is able to work smoothly. They are also essential for people, as fans are colloquially known as a cheap and effective way to keep you cool during hot days.
Fans make noises due to the rotational movement of the blades. As the blades stimulate airflow, there are several sources of noise you can hear.
●Air being pushed around.
●The fan motor.
●The projector's components vibrating due to movement coming from the fan blades.
●Dust accumulating inside the projector’s components.
If you are encountering problems with your projector, our first advice is to call the dealer and turn to their customer service. They will handle any issue you might have professionally. Most of the time they will ask to return the faulty one and deliver you a new device. So don’t be panic, it will get fixed eventually.
Vankyo projectors are excellent devices that enable you to open easily and get it repaired. Parts can be swapped easily, and what you need are a few tools. Remember that if you are to open the case to do any modifications, you will lose the guarantee. Most of the time the issues are not as severe to require replacements, simply open the case might reveal a loose screw which may cause the issue. Just make sure not to remove the guarantee sticker that comes with the device.
Let’s take a look at what are the best ways to check what type of projector you have.
●Look at the user manual.
●Check for the sticker attached to the device.
●Do a quick internet search of the manufacturer.
●If purchased online, go to the seller’s webpage.
●If purchased physically, go to the store directly.
Take Vankyo Leisure 3 projector as an example in this blog, we will use the relevant manual to get to know how the device works.
Now let’s look at the problem. There are a few steps for you to follow which can help you understand what is happening.
●Audible cues.
●Visual cues.
The fan inside our projector sounds like a vacuum cleaner running at full power. We decided to look online for a replacement that is more silent, which leads us to our next point.
If you want to install a new fan that is more silent, you need to check compatibility first. There are several ways to do this, the most important thing when you decide to buy the replacement is to know the model and brand of your device very well. Then you can follow some easy steps as below:
In our case, we contacted online merchant to purchase a silent fan. Unlike the original fan that sounds like vacuum cleaner noise, it is a 92mm fan which sounds like a fading breath. The description had specified that the model is compatible with the device, so we double-checked and it was indeed able to be installed on our Vankyo projector.
This is a step where things can get tricky. Most people are not used to opening their electronics, much less a projector. After some research online, it is easy to find some in-depth videos, documents, and articles describing how to apply such a modification. Most Vankyo projectors, and other Chinese brands, assemble their projectors in pretty much the same way. We recommend you follow certain guidelines if you are new at disassembling any device, no matter they are projectors, laptops, or phones.
Follow the instructions and change the parts accordingly. Easy as that, be careful with the way you handle the components. Chips, cables, boards, and power supplies tend to be sensitive to moisture, heat, and sunlight. Make sure to hand these components in an environment that you are able to control, like a workbench, desk, or table.
You are almost there, be sure to assemble the projector the same way you disassemble it. This is where the screw trays and the list of locations become handy. Make sure all the parts fit in their place neatly and tightly, any loose screw or component may hinder the performance or create more noise.
Now that everything is ready, plug the projector back in and run some tests. Watch a movie, play some games, or simply let it run for some time to see how the new fan works. Pay special attention to any visual or audible cues that hint you things aren’t working properly. By now, you should be available to enjoy your newly modified Vankyo projector. If the results aren’t satisfactory, there are a few things you can do.
If you have already troubleshot your projector and found out that the noise levels are still high, there are a few things you can do. The problem may due to some simpler details like temperature, time of use, and the conditions inside your room. Some of the most common processes to follow will be listed below.
Vankyo projectors are not supposed to run for 24 hours continuously, which may stress the components. Eventually, the heat buildup can accumulate to the point where the fan gets to work harder. The sound coming from the fan will be audibly louder as it happens. To avoid this, you have to shut down your projector after the use.
The temperature of the room where your projector is working is very important. If you are using the projector in a room without much ventilation, the projector is bound to overheat, resulting in decreasing the performance. One of the reasons for overheating is the stress on the fan, which will cause the speed up to maintain the breathability of the components. And this will increase the noise.
Make sure your room is cool and well ventilated, for it can help the device run smoother, and heat buildup will never be much of an issue.
If you followed our recommendations, while your projector is still acting up, you can always open it again to have a closer look. Maybe some of the wires are misplaced, or maybe you left a screw dangling around in there. Make sure to re-check any modification you did.
We recommend you to follow the bullet points to perform the modification. Tick all those boxes as you go through them one by one. You would be surprised at the number of small mistakes that we tend to overlook. Sometimes something simple may screw the cover back on. Just a little tighter, and you can do the trick.
There you go! We hope this article will help you deeply understand your Vankyo projector. We’ve discussed some of the main reasons why your projector makes noises. We’ve also listed several methods for you to solve the problem. Now that you know how to reduce the noise of your projector and how to change the original fan, you can now enjoy the amazing experience of projecting your favorite media on your newly silent Vankyo projector.
In this blog, you will learn how to clean your projector lens in the right way, for people doing it wrong every day!
The normal idea that comes to your head is to clean it with the T-shirts you are wearing right now and maybe with your breath. This can cause serious damage to the projector lens and in most situations, you will need a new lens if you do so, which may cost you more than just use the right tools to clean them.
If you want to become this kind of person who does it the right way and enjoy their movies in HD quality, you can just take a look at all the information given in this post and find the best solution for your problems.
These are frequently used items when cleaning the projector lens.
a) Turn off the projector and then unplug the cable, leaving the projector to cool down for a minimum of 40 minutes.
b) Take a box of compressed gas.
c) If you want a perfect cleaned lens, you will need a brush. So don‘t forget to take it.
d) A particular spray cleaner for a lens and a microfiber towel is particularly needed. If you don't have any of those, pop into a shop that is nearest to you and grab one. The incorrect product can only damage your lens.
Don't use your old clothes or the T-shirt you are wearing at the moment, they will hurt the lens no matter how soft they are.
Replace the lens of your projector in some dry places and to remember: the dry place should not be not dusty or sandy.
Use only recommended products to clean lenses. Keep it in mind that if you use the wrong product, it will permanently damage the lens.
Last but not least, you must never use the following three kinds of products !!!
All these mentioned above will leave an irreversible trace on the lens coating surface.
Don't use your breath to wipe the lens, because the acid that comes from the breath will leave a trace on the lens coating!
Be careful not to leave any fingerprints on the projector, just keep your fingers away from the lens. Since you don't want to start again, unnecessary cleaning raises the damage risk on lens coating.
Avoid touching the hair of the brush, otherwise, it will leave dirt and spread all over the lens the next time you use it. Besides, store your brush properly!
a) Move the projector to a snug position to make the cleaning easier.
b) Since each model has different details, you will need to turn to the projector's instructions to determine how to open the projector. You may need a screwdriver. Once you open it, the cleaning process can start.
c) Put the box of compressed gas in a standing position and spray the lens with short bursts. Distance should be too far away, make it like 3or4 inches so that you can remove the biggest traces of the fingerprints.
d) If you're using lens brushes to clean the lens, you should use it with gently round movements. This is the only way to be 100% sure the lens is perfectly clean. Please make sure the hair of the brush is clean enough before cleaning.
e) Put some spray cleaner on a dry microfiber towel and take away the last traces of dust and fingerprints, again gently move it in around. The round movement is the only way to clean your lens thoroughly. You must always use a small amount of the spray!!!
f) Now you can enjoy your favorite movies with the perfect quality images that you deserve, but If you haven't planned this for tonight just put the cap on the lens to protect them from getting dusty.
The fingerprints make the standard worst altogether situations. Every time you put your finger accidentally on the projector lens you can see how much the quality drops. You need to be careful when opening the projector cover without touching the lens.
The dust could be a different story, it all depends on what projector we use (LCD or DlP)
LCD (Liquid crystal display) projectors are the most frequently used under home conditions because they're cheap while the dirt doesn't affect the standard of the images too much. This is why this type of projector is perfect for family use.
The LCD projector has to be protected from collecting the trash in the vents. Otherwise it will stop the cooling system, which may cause a serious damage.
DLP ( Digital light processing) projectors, however, are more popular in the cinema industry. The dust will easily affects on the projector when it is working, making the standard of images worse instantly. Thus, you need an extra protection for them.
Use the projector cover, that's the simplest trick to prevent it from the dust. If you go out for a vacation for a little bit longer, you'll see how all of your electronics get dirty.
It depends. Clean the projector as soon as possible if you leave fingerprints on the lens. Just in case you don't want to watch your favorite movie through a blurred screen.
But don't be obsessed. The small amount of dust will not really stop you from enjoying your movies with high-quality images. So try not to clean your lens too much often unless it becomes necessary.
All in all, if you wonder when to clean the lens. Check the lens once you find out something wrong with the projected images, or you may find a blurry area on the lens where you might leave fingerprints on it. These are signs that the lens is getting dirty and you should manage to clean it. Furthermore, clean your projector lens once a month to make sure there is no dust accumulation.
More and more people start to use projectors not only for commercial use but for entertainment. It is important for them to do the daily cleaning, some of them may clean it in a wrong way with just a T-shirt or a breath. Don’t try to save money, go to the nearest shop and take the right tools to clean your lens. This will help you to boost your projector quality so that you can enjoy your favorite movies with your family and friends.
Not too long ago, it was a pipe dream to think of a projector that can seamlessly fit into your denim pockets or a small corner in your backpack. Today, super portable projects are everywhere. The smallest types are the pico projectors that have taken the market by storm.
Pico projectors are pocket-sized marvels that are a great companion for business travelers or anyone else that holds regular presentations of any kind. They typically come as stand-alone projectors, but some models are designed to also function as smartphones or tablets. Additionally, you will find them in a wide range of sizes, with varying specs.
How can you choose the right pico mini portable projector? How can you get value for money? This article holds everything you should consider in your decision-making process.
You can find pico projectors for less than $200, but there are also high-end models that can reach $1000+. Settle on a budget before you continue your search. Create a checklist of the features that are must-haves on your ideal projector to set a realistic budget and avoid any confusion.
Pico mini portable projectors are generally as small as your average smartphone, which is why they can fit anywhere. However, some of them are as big as a 7-inch phablet. The size and weight are usually influenced by the features available. So if you are looking for an ultraportable projector, you should consider a pico projector that just does the basics.
Pico projectors don’t come with the same projector technology. You need to know the various options available and settle for the one that appeals to you the most. The technologies used in most pico models in the market today include:
Most people choose to go with LCD technology, but you may find the other options appealing for other reasons.
Do you want to run a presentation with sound? Look for pico projectors that either allow you to plug-in speakers or come with built-in speakers. If portability is the major reason for buying the projector, the latter option makes more sense. However, the projector will be bulkier than other options, and the battery life will most likely be incomparable to options that don’t have speakers.
The average pico projector is quiet. However, the bigger-sized options may come with built-in fans to keep them cool during a presentation. If the low hum of the fan on these pico projector models can cause a distraction, you need to pay attention to the design of the projector and avoid options that have a fan or any component that can generate noise.
LED bulbs are the main light source in most pico projectors. These provide you with a long lamp-life and will not drain the projector battery as fast as other options. However, projectors featuring any of the various types of laser technologies discussed above will use lasers as the light source.
These options deliver images you can view comfortably from any corner of the room. However, don’t forget that laser technologies are not as bright as technologies with an LED light source. The former typically has lower ANSI lumens ratings than the latter.
The quality of your image will be determined by the contrast ratio. With pico projectors, the contrast ratios generally fall between 1000:1 and 5000:1.
The resolutions on the average pico projector will vary between 640X480 and 800X600. However, you can find options with resolutions as low as 480X320 and as high as 848X480 or 854X480. Before you choose a projector, confirm that the resolution works for you.
After the technology and the resolution, the battery life of your pico projector is the next important consideration you should make. The average pico projector comes with a half-hour battery life. This will not be enough to complete most presentations. However, there are some options that can deliver up to two hours of battery life.
If you decide to buy one of the options with weaker battery life, you should consider getting power cables, or purchase an upgraded battery. Are you thinking about watching a movie with your projector? You should consider getting other projector types as it is just not convenient on a pico. However, such options won’t fit in your pocket!
Many pico projectors come with built-in storage space that can hold file sizes of up to 1GB. Some high-end models can allow onboard storage of up to 4GB. If these options are too limiting for you, consider going with a pico projector that offers the flexibility of an SD card slot so you can use memory cards. However, don’t forget to confirm the supported card sizes as some pico projectors can only work with memory cards of less than 32GB capacity.
If you’d like to save to an external drive using cables, you need to pay attention to the overall functionality of the setup. How will it impact your presentation? What kinds of cables are supported? Many pico projectors support USB Type C cables, but don’t forget to confirm!
Although the main reason for getting a pico projector is for the portability, you may still need to connect it to other devices occasionally such as cameras, DVD players, mobile phones, and your computer from time to time. Many people use their pico projectors as the primary projector for business which will involve a direct connection to a computer most of the time. If this applies to you, the best pico projector models for you are those that have all the relevant ports.
Some of the options you should watch for include VGA, RCA, and composite ports. Some models also support HDMI connections. Choose a pico projector model that agrees with your devices.
Wireless connections always trump cable in terms of functionality, so you should consider choosing pico projector models that support Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections. This will allow you to run presentations from your mobile phone or PC without worrying about cables, ports and compatibility issues. However, pico projectors that support wireless connectivity are generally bulkier.
How long will you use your projector before the lamp needs to be changed? You need to find a pico projector model that supports a decent lamp life. Most LED options can last up to 5000 hours. Treat the advertised lamp life as a suggestion. If you use the projector daily, it is highly likely that you’ll need to change the lamp long before the projected end date.
Can you quickly set up the projector? Are the controls and settings easy to navigate? Don’t choose as pico projector with a steep learning curve, especially if it is going to be your main driver for business. Go for options that have intuitive interfaces or user manuals you can grasp in minutes!
When you have found the ideal pico projector for you, it is time to check what other people think about the model and the brand in general. If many people are happy with the projector, you’ll probably be too. For an extra layer of protection, look for money-back guarantees when buying your projector so you can either get a refund or a new projector if you are unhappy with yours.
Pico projectors are unrivaled in terms of portability. With this guide, you now know what to look for when comparing various models. However, don’t forget to put your needs first every step of the way. A pocket-sized or affordable pico projector is only useful when you can use it for your presentations without any hitch.
A Pico projector is a handheld device designed to project content from a range of sources including smartphones, computers, cameras and more onto a screen.
Anyone can buy a pico projector. Busy professionals use them for on-the-go presentations, but they can also be used for leisure purposes.
Yes, you can use your mobile projector outdoors, but only at night. Most pico projectors are not powerful enough to show clear images during the day.
The brightness of a projector is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a model. It is expressed in ANSI lumens or lumens and is a major selling point in most projector marketing brochures or product descriptions. Why is this so?
At the simplest level, the higher the brightness of a projector, the brighter the image it will produce. So, all things being equal, a projector with a high lumens rating will deliver sharper, crisper images than one with a lower rating.
Lumens are the unit of measurement for calculating the level of brightness from any light source. The ANSI abbreviation stands for American National Standards Institute. The light source in a projector is the lamp; therefore, brighter and more powerful lamps will deliver better images.
However, it is important to remember that ambient lighting can have a big impact on the overall brightness of a projector regardless of the documented ANSI lumens rating.
For a clearer picture of the ANSI lumens measurement, here are some examples of other light sources and how they measure up:
The brightness of a projector determines just how much it will be affected by ambient light. It also determines how further away from the screen you can be to enjoy the viewing experience. Images from projectors with lower brightness levels are best viewed in dark rooms.
Here’s a rough guide on the projector brightness level required for each ambient light situation:
|
Space Condition |
Projector Brightness Required |
|
Dark living room |
1,500 to 2,000 lumens |
|
Enclosed spaces with dim lights |
3,000 lumens |
|
Outdoors at night |
3,000 lumens |
|
Enclosed spaced with moderate lighting |
5,000 lumens |
|
Lit living room |
4,000-5000 lumens |
|
Commercial movie theatre |
20,000 lumens |
While judging a projector’s brightness, keep in mind that the brightness rating is for the projector’s peak performance. As it ages, the brightness will continue diminishing, until the lamp can only give out around 50% of the advertised brightness levels. Similarly, running your projector on “eco” or other similar power-saving modes will reduce the brightness output.
To understand how projector brightness works, think about your car headlights or your phone’s flashlight. Both light sources look more powerful as the lighting condition darkens. It is impossible to miss car headlights or any flashlights from late in the evenings, and deep into the night. If you take your flashlight into the basement during the day, it will be more visible than using it in broad daylight.
However, the floodlights in a football stadium will be more noticeable early in the evening when compared to a flashlight or a car headlight. This is exactly how ambient lighting interacts with your projector. If you have to use a projector in a well-lit environment, it should have the right ANSI lumens rating optimal for the environment.
So, if you are setting up a projector-based home theatre with a 120-inch screen, in your living room or basement, you can get by with a 2,000 lumens projector if the lighting is dim and your curtains are drawn. If you like to keep the lights on, however, you should get a 3,000 lumens projector and then adjust the brightness to match your needs.
Projector lamps, which are responsible for the light output in a projector, do not remain at full capacity forever. The exact lifespan of your projector lamp will depend on a lot of factors, including the projector model and your usage.
Ideally, you should only use your projector three to five hours per day or risk having the lamp burning out long before it approaches its advertised “lamp life”.
Similarly, using your projector in a dusty environment can lead to clogged air filters. When this happens, your projector lamp will overheat. Even with the best care, your projector’s lamp will have to be changed at some point.
You may be thinking about just buying a very high lumens projector to ensure excellent viewing quality. However, this isn’t always the best option. If you are using your projector for home consumption, you need to choose the best fit otherwise you will get poor color and contrast performance.
Your eyes may also become strained. In this case, you may find yourself spending more time looking for a safe position to watch your movies or tampering with the projector settings.
To ensure you have chosen the best projector for your space, pay attention to the proposed distance between the projector and the screen and then the light situation in the room. Don’t make a decision based on the lumens count alone.
Is your projector’s brightness dimming? Here are a few things you can do to remedy the situation.
If you use your projector in a dusty environment, dirt will cloud the surface of the lens. Cleaning off the lens could be all you need to restore the brightness of your projector again.
Your projector’s air filter is responsible for allowing air to reach and cool your projector lamp. If it is blocked, the lamp will overheat shortly after you start a presentation. This will lead to lower brightness and dull images. Keep the air filter pathway clear at all times by cleaning it periodically.
If dirt isn’t a concern, it could be that you are running the projector on a power-saving mode. Check to ensure you have not enabled this feature accidentally. If you intentionally want to run in that mode, however, you have to be ready to lose some of the projector’s brightness as such settings will not allow the projector to run at full capacity.
The power-saving mode may be labeled “eco” or “quiet” on your projector depending on the model.
Projectors have become more complicated and feature-packed these days. It is possible that you are experiencing low brightness because you have altered the default settings. Check to see if there are any automated brightness modes on your projector.
Activate them and see how they affect the projected images. Some of the automatic brightness options you may find include Cinema, Movie, Video, Standard, Dynamic, etc. Each of these modes will use the brightness power of your projector in different ways so tweak until you find the perfect mode.
Has your lighting situation changed since you bought the projector? Did you redecorate the space? Sometimes the low brightness is because you are letting in too much light. Close the windows and turn off some more lights and your screen can come alive again.
It is possible that it is time to retire your projector lamp. If you have used the lamp for at least 70% of its advertised lifespan, you may not be able to increase the brightness any more than a dozen lumens regardless of what you do. The average projector lamp will lose up to 50% of its brightness output as it gets closer to the advertised “lamp life”.
When you get a new projector lamp, take all the necessary precautions to ensure it takes longer before you exhaust the lamp life. Ensuring proper ventilation for the projector when in use, clearing the air filter, and not using the project for excessively long sessions are some of the things you can do.
If the poor brightness you are experiencing coincided with changing your projector screen, and you have ruled out other possible causes, you should consider getting a new screen. This is especially so if you changed from a white screen to a grey screen.
While the former reflects all the light emitted by your projector, the latter will absorb most of it hence leading to duller images. Additionally, you can consider getting high-gain screens. These screen types are, however, only good if you don’t mind viewing from only directly in front of the screen.
Brightness matters a great deal when it comes to the features of a projector. It is one of the factors that influence the quality of your viewing experience. If you choose a projector with a lumens capacity that matches the ambient light in the viewing space, you will enjoy crisp, clear images.
However, always remember that the overall viewing experience often goes beyond the raw brightness measurement. Taking all the factors that can affect the brightness of the projector into consideration and ensuring better care for the device is the best way to retain a projector’s brightness for a long time.
Technologies featuring video projection and 3D holograms are in trend. They are great to use in corporate events and are equally exciting for entertainment.
From those undulating OLED panel tunnels to hundreds of feet wide LED boards in the stadiums, the development in this industry is on the rise. Size is not a big issue here. After all, you can go as big as possible because you can project these images.
Now the conventional brick and mortar stores will also get aligned with the modern digital age and stay relevant with the color pop. Conference rooms, classrooms, and museums of today are becoming more interactive and offer better entertainment choices for the audience.
From the facades of skyscrapers and cathedrals to the playing arenas, video projections are going rampant, particularly where the fixed display is not possible.
For years, projection mapping has been consistently used in sports. These projections are for various presentations that the companies use to display to the audience. The projection surface is either the arena or the building, and again the size doesn’t matter.
The demand for these projectors across different sectors has significantly increased because people like to engage in video content, and when companies use different types of projection technologies, people become more interested.
Projection mapping is the top choice for 3D projection. Companies use this technology at anniversary celebrations, annual conferences, and seminars.
The use of laser-based technologies is further increasing the clarity of display, and it also increases the ability of an image to overcome the ambient light.
Millennials and Generation Z people find these experience-based technologies more interesting. This audience group tends to focus on experience more than anything else, and soon, this technology is going to be in a huge trend.
The point to consider here is that the use of video projection and 3D technology is not limited to a few sectors only. Apart from the sports and cultural events and companies, more and more firms are looking to hop on the bandwagon and use this technology in their various events.
With the use of smartphones and social media, people these days are more interested in engaging content. Therefore, many companies from different industries, including hospitality, food, culture, retail, and casino, are all looking to get the most out of this technology.
It is due to these demand trends, the introduction of new projector lines has occurred. These new laser projectors have the ability to project and illuminate virtually any material or surface simultaneously. It can either be the narrow shelves or even the glass windows for advertisement.
The conventional display applications are less versatile than their modern counterparts. Flat panels have significantly grown in size, but projectors are shrunk. The manufacturers have also introduced new technologies to create more sophisticated lenses. It allows you to project a brighter, bigger image almost anywhere you like.
Projection mapping is turning any 3D object into a display surface using projection technology, and it has been immensely popular. You can turn any surface into a projection surface and can easily bring an entire building to life.
The entire concept of this projection mapping is to take reality and augment it. Projection mapping has increased in demand with the companies that are looking to advertise and market their products, brand, and services.
Here are some of the key benefits of using video projection and 3D mapping.
Using this technology, the content projected on any surface can be altered as per the projection backdrop. For instance, if you are looking to alter the space from an old drab room to a new ballroom, you can do this with just a click of a button.
It will take care of any necessary physical transformations. You can also use the technology on almost any surface and use it in any setting.
The best part about using video projection and 3D is that there is no need for any props or physical sets. No time is wasted to build all these sets and use the props, and you can use it almost anywhere as well.
Portability and ease of use, as well as less time consumption, become critical factors that become advantageous for any project. You just need a good quality projector, and you are all set to entertain the crowd.
Visual effects and computer technology, the combination of these two, generate endless possibilities. You can do almost anything with it from designing a logo or creating an entire world. You need to have the right kind of technology and program at your hand for your presentation.
This is perhaps another big advantage of this technology that brings out much more from it. You can use it on almost any surface, and it doesn't need to be flat. Therefore, the creators of the presentation feel a lot comfortable in creating the content that they want to project. A quality experience will be guaranteed no matter where you use it.
Another huge advantage of this technology is that the presenter has the ability to use 3D images instead of 2D. The immersive experience for the audience gets closer to reality, and it becomes imaginative too.
These technologies are excellent to work with because they are completely hassle-free. The creator of such content doesn't need any sets or any special props.
In fact, even the need for a proper flat surface is gone. You just need a good quality projector for this and deliver content that can engage the crowds with that wow-factor.
The content can be designed according to the needs and demands of the stakeholders. Any industry can use this technology for any purpose and any audience.
Its versatility is one of the best features of 3D and video projection technology. And it is all going to advance from here into the coming years.
The content is always going to be more engaging because it is based on videos and animation. This type of content attracts the best user engagement.
Today, people look for more engaging content with which they can interact and collaborate, so these animations and projections will work wonders in delivering engaging content that can attract wider audiences.
The cost of producing video projection is far less than the traditional advertising and marketing techniques that involve renting the electric billboards. Now you have to invest one time and reap the benefits over the equipment life cycle.
With the increased use of video projection and 3D technology in recent times, it surely is here to stay. More and more companies are using it as their advertising and marketing tool, but it has surely more to offer. It has so many benefits, and with time, it is being used in various other industries as well.
The creators of this technology are looking to equip it with more and more features, where bigger LED panels and brighter lights, along with the use of the laser, are gaining popularity. The point to be noted here is that with the more innovation and development in technology, the experiences will become more personal where there will be content available for individuals.
At the moment, the content is developed for the masses. And as the trends are on a high, very soon, these projections will be available for the users to experience with more wearable and portable technologies like Google Glass, etc.
The increased use of smartphones, social media, and internet access has made the current users (who are Millennials and Gen Z) more prone to experiences. This makes them more driven towards interactive or collaborative content.
Therefore, the demand for such content will be on the rise. And hence, such kind of video projection is going to be on the rise as well.
Video projection mapping and 3D are here to stay for a long time to come. People these days look for content with which they can interact and collaborate. Therefore, more and more people find these projections extremely engaging.
Another reason is that with the growing usage of social media, internet, and smartphones, people have become more selective in their content choice. And they go for video and animation based content that they can experience. If that experience becomes immersive, then that type of content becomes an instant hit.
That’s not the only matter associated with these emerging video projection technologies. They are super simple to use, and with time, these technologies are becoming more sophisticated.
This technology is gaining momentum in all industries, from education to business. In recent years, it has proved that it is a lot more than just a mere gadget. But only time will tell how well it develops according to the demands of different sectors to be the technology of the future.
a. First, to rule it out as the cause for the fan's problem (e.g. the fan will get loose because of the collision, therefore, it will make noises). You may check whether the fan can work normally without playing any videos or music when the projector is on.
b.There is the heat source of the LED lights inside the projector and it needs the fan to cool down. The noise of the fan should be within 50DB on the date of manufacture.
c.Customers are not allowed to replace the fan by themselves.
a. The use and preservation humidity of the projector should be controlled between 40% and 80%. If the air humidity is not within the range, you may take some measures to reduce the humidity like put a dehumidifier in the room;
b.Pre-heating before turning the projector on can help get rid of the condensation, or you may put the projector in a dry environment for 48 hours.
a. First, make sure the dirt or fingerprints were not stuck to the surface of the lens when the consumers were unpacking the product or during the use of the projector. The dirt on the surface of the lens can be wiped off by cleaning cloth and it will not be a matter to the use.
b.If the dirt or fingerprints are within the lens, the consumers may not be able to deal with this problem by themselves.
c.Before the products leave the factory, the QA technician will carefully check the cleanliness inside the lens; while there is a missing rate of inspection or the accidental drop of the machine may also cause a dirty lens.
a. First, to rule it out as the cause of the speakers' problem. You may switch to other signal sources like HDMI, flash drive play to decide whether it's the problem of the speakers;
b.If other signal sources are normal, you may check if the fire stick has been misused or broken down;
c.VGA signal does not support audio transmission. VGA is a video transmission standard and can only transmit videos or images;
d.It is highly possible that the mainboard of the projector has broken down if the external loudspeakers fail to synchronize with sounds.
The shadow can be a display error caused by oil dirt or other dust.
The burn-in is typical and usually caused by the malfunction of the cooling system. It is suggested that the projector shall not be used under a high-temperature environment and please do not block the air inlet/outlet.
a. The LED lights have thermal protection settings and it will turn off automatically when the temperature is too high. Usually, this problem is caused by the malfunction of the cooling system.
b.Please check if the fan is working normally. Do not block the air inlet/outlet and do not use the projector under a high-temperature environment.
The LCD projector is not dust-proof and the dust can get into the projector through the air inlet or the dust is inside the projector already so that the projection shadow occurs.
Vibration or shock may get the structure stuck.
a. If the LED lights touch the foreign matter, the short circuit may occur and cause malfunction of the lights.
b.The iron will be used during the lights replacement process and the positive and negative of the lights are welded on the power board. Therefore, it is too dangerous for users to replace the lights by themselves.
When the computer is connected with the projector, you need to set the "projection display method" and usually, it is recommended to choose "copy".
a. Projection imaging is a technology that functioned by 10 lenses inside the body. The position or the shape of any lens and the focal length may affect its image shaping, which displays particularly obvious on machines with a resolution of 480/720 pixels.
b. The clarity of products will be through 100% quality inspection to make sure they all meet our specs. Customers can optimize the product by following below if they cannot adjust it properly：
1. Ensure the image is projected in a square, that is to say, the machine should be positioned properly (the left and right side of the screen should be in the same length, so is the up and downside of the screen);
2. Reduce the keystone correction, for it, may change the light path and drift away from the best clear point;
3. Adjust the focal length so that the lens can move from one point to another to refocus. This is to amend the position of the lens that may drift away from being transported or crashed.
a. Make sure the power is on before pressing the startup key;
b. Does the fan work when the machine is on? If it does while there is no image, there may be something wrong with the mainboard or LED/LCD screen, which need to get fixed by the factory;
c. If the machine is with battery, the battery should be checked anyway: Check if the pilot light is on when the adapter is plugged in or compare with other adapters (i.e.mobile phone adapter). This is to check if the original adapter works or not; If not, a new one will be delivered to customers at once; The use of non-original adapters may not be able to meet the power of the projector for playback and charging, resulting in a failure normal startup of the machine. Customers hereby are suggested to use the original one.
a. Confirm the format and capacity of the U-disk (Format: FAT32; 9-32G)
b. DO NOT operate while upgrading
c. DO NOT cut down the electricity while upgrading
d. Please refer to the guide video or manual that is provided. The general guidance is as follows:
1. Customers shall unzip the files and save them into the U-disk (Format: FAT 32; 9-32G) instead of into a folder;
2. Switch on the power and plug in the adapter ( or power cable);
3. Upgrade will be automatically triggered once the power is on (some may need to go to 'settings' - 'local upgrade' to get updated);
4. Power will be switched on automatically once the upgrade is done.
a.Ensure to select the correct signal source, which can be operated by monitor or User Interface.
b.Customers can use other HDMI to test if the problem caused by the cable material or interface fault.
c.There was a problem with the 2.4MacBook output adapter that was 4K and not downward compatible with 1080P when entering the device (such as from HUB, Mini DP to HDMI); Or there's something wrong with the cable(lightning to HDMI) itself.
a.Linux operation system responses slower than Android;
Moreover, Linux buffers data occasionally, which does have impacts as time goes by.
b. If there has some evident pause, customers are suggested to switch the machine off or restore the factory default settings.
a. Take Burger 101 as an example: Theoretically, battery with 5200mAh lasts 1hr & 40mins. However, it may vary from a lower-temperature environment or the place where you set.
b. Ensure if there's something wrong with the battery: Play a movie after the battery is fully charged. It is normal if the battery lasts more than 1hr;
c. Technically, the battery will be charged on and off, meaning the more time it gets charged, the less time it lasts; Customers are suggested to connect an adapter when playing a movie that is more than 2hrs.
a. Active-shutter 3D Glasses are required to use.
b. 3D Glasses in the format of Side By Side, Top Bottom are currently supported; while Frame Packing can be used only through HDMI input that played by blue-ray DVD player
c. Remove those possible lights which may interfere the glasses to receive the signal
a. The format of U-disk is FAT, which maximum supports with 32G.
b. Open the video file information to ensure it is in the correct format; Otherwise, convert it.
PS: There are 2 files when downloading videos by Apple Mac. One of them is available to be played.
Claw hanger in the market usually comes with a size description that complies with all kinds of machines. Customers should purchase the proper one and the machine should be able to claw if they're patient enough.
Clarity of all the products will be through 100% quality inspection to make sure they all meet our specs. Customers can do as follow to get optimized:
1. Ensure the image is projected in a square, that is to say, the machine should be positioned properly (i.e. the left and right side of the screen should be in the same length, so is the up and downside of the screen);
2. Reduce the keystone correction, for it, may change the light path and drift away from the best clear point;
3. Adjust the focal length so that the lens can move from one point to another to refocus. This is to amend the position of the lens which may drift away from being transported or crashed.
The Vankyo projector Leisure 3W does support with the wireless multi-display but not with the wire one, which requires an extra screen stick to receive multi-display.
The recommended minimum distance for projection is: 1.5-2.5meters between the lens and projected images; while the size of images should around 60-80 inches.
No, U-disk upgrade only.
a. Understand the format and capacity of the U-disk (Format: FAT32; 9-32G)b. DO NOT operate the device/cut down the electricity while upgrading. Please refer to the provided guide video or manual.
The general guidance is as follows:
1. Unzip the files when receiving it and save into the U-disk (Format: FAT 32; 9-32G) instead of into a folder;
2. Switch on the power and plug in the adapter ( or power cable);
3. Upgrade will be automatically triggered once the power is on (some may need to go to 'settings' - 'local upgrade' to get updated);
4. Power will be switched on automatically once the upgrade is done.
The available power supply voltage is between 100v - 220v.
Normally a small device comes with 1 speaker while a larger one comes with 2. Details can be referred from the corresponding specification.
There are normally two IR receivers (front&rear) inside the device. Pointing at the device and the images are both available for remote control to receive the signal.
Normally a small device comes with 1 speaker while a larger one comes with 2. Details can be referred from the corresponding specification.
The brightness standard of a projector is presented with ''LM''. 'Lux' may refer to illumination level which normally measured 30cm away from the lens. Normally, 100LM is in accordance with 4500Lux, and 200LM corresponds to 9000Lux.
a. The default refresh rate of our projector is 60Hz which is adjustable.
b. There are differences between framerate and refresh rate. To put it simply, refresh rate functions on the projector while framerate applies to the game graphics card. The fixed refresh rate of the projector is 60Hz which has nothing to do with the graphics card performance. However, the higher the game framerate, the better the graphics card performance.
The power of our device in a small size is about 50W while 150w in large size.
Our projectors currently support USB2.0 rather than USB 3.0.
The maximum capacity comes with 32G.
The angle of keystone correction varies from ±30° to ±50°. You may check from the specification accordingly.
The versatile length of US cable is 1.5m. You may check from the specification accordingly.
a. First of all, the power cable we provide for a smaller device is normally in shape "8“ (see the picture);
b. In addition, the power cord plugs of each country are different, and the power plugs of the same country can be Shared
Our general United States standard HD wire length is 1.5 meters. Details can be referred from the specification of the corresponding machine.
Most remote controls of our company are shareable. Only a few have an extra button for electronic correction. More details can be referred from the corresponding product engineer.
a. Because the APP developer has set copyright restrictions, the video cannot be decoded and transmitted on the same screen.
b. Customers can use the Fire TV Stick or TV Box to play copyrighted apps via HDMI.
a. The projector does not support 5G network. Ensure it is 2.4g network or customers can try to connect it by using mobile hotspot (please refer to the instruction video for connection method)
b. Because of the system response delay, it is suggested that exit the Settings and re-enter it, should the connection be successful.
c. If the WiFi list is not found, it may be the problem of WiFi module, a new one should be replaced for the customer.
d. It is suggested that close to the router to re-test or the customer restore factory Settings to reconnect
A. Youtube APP is a lightweight browser that opens native YouTube videos, and we're a Linux operating system, not as powerful as Android.
B. Due to the reason of 1, APP background maintenance will always do relevant restrictions and filtering; Some video sources have copyright restrictions, which are based on the publisher of the video;
C. Customers can use Fire TV Stick or TV Box to play apps with limited copyright via HDMI
A. The operating system is Linux, which cannot download and install apps like the Android system
B. Customers can use Fire TV Stick or TV Box to play copyrighted apps via HDMI
Are you putting together a home theater and have decided to buy a projector with a projector screen? Do you know the right home theater screen size for your home projector? With projection screens, screen size for a projector does matter. Selecting the right size for your home projector can depend on several factors, and the right size will make a significant difference to your viewing experience.
We’d recommend deciding on the perfect screen size for you before purchasing the rest of your equipment because it is best to build around it. In this article, we’ll look at some things to take into consideration when determining the best screen size for your home projector and offer some recommendations on how to choose the best one for you. Now, let’s get started!
The most popular screen sizes for home projectors fall between 100 to 120 inches, but this mostly depends on the size of your room. People sometimes make the mistake of selecting the bigger screen size they can find, hoping it will maximize their viewing experience. However, bigger doesn’t always mean better, and it could give you some problems.
For instance, a screen that is too big for its setting will be challenging for you to see in its fullness. And if you are too close to the screen, you may have to strain your eyes or move your heads sideways to see the full image.
Furthermore, the bigger screen size doesn’t mean clearer. If you expand a picture over a more significant space, you could lose some clarity, depending on the resolution of your projector. For instance, a bigger screen will increase pixels across a more considerable distance; this means the object will appear less detailed than when you project onto a smaller screen.
However, a screen size that is too small can also be unsatisfying. Although you can rectify this by moving your seat closer to the screen, planning for the best screen size for your home projector will help you avoid these mistakes.
While it is apparent that the distance from the screen to the projector will change the image size, your projector needs to be a particular distance away from your screen to increase the quality of the picture as well. The image will not look as good if the projector is far away, and it may not perfectly fit the screen size you want to use.
The distance of the projector can also affect the brightness of the image because projectors can only produce a maximum amount of light at a time. You may get a dimmer image if your screen size is bigger than the available light in the projector. In short, the size of the screen and the viewing distance of the projector are related.
You can only get a high-quality picture at an exact size with a projector limited by room size. Likewise, the projector screen sizes can increase if you have a more significant space where distance is not a problem; however, this is simply to a particular point before the image quality is lost again. 
Viewing angle is the amount of the screen size you can see at once. So, when thinking about the screen size you want for your home projector, you should consider the aspect ratio for the size, which typically references the central seating position. While the main seating position dramatically influences the viewing angle, it doesn’t mean only the preferred spot should be deliberated; you should also take additional seating into account for screen size.
Factors like height, the width of the wall of the room where the screen will be installed, or the location where the projector will be mounted, can affect the viewing angle. No matter the size of the screen or where you will set it up, you want to make sure your visitors can enjoy their experience without having to tilt or turn their head to get the full coverage.
Each projector screen comes in a variety of sizes, with formats including HDTV (16:9), Widescreen (PC 16:10), Cinema (2.35:1), Video (4:3), and various other AV formats. Let take a look at what size and format will best fit your situation.
1. HDTV (16:9)HDTV screens are the standard format for HD media, which is why it has a width to height ratio of 16:9. The HDTV format provides the right formatting and resolution for standard widescreen home media, such as TV and films, and is perhaps the best choice for your home theater needs. The HDTV format screens come with a native resolution of either 1080p or 4K, but it can also support 720p HD media.
16:10 formats are a more large-screen format of the standard widescreen, and they are primarily designed to be used with ultra-widescreen PCs. The odds of you using this format screen in your home theater is slim; however, it is becoming an increasingly common screen format in-home media center.
If, for instance, you want to connect your projector to your PC instead of your player, the 16:10 would be the right format for you — the ratio pairs with WUXGA, WXGA, and WSXGA+ resolution.
Cinema format is designed for creating a movie screen experience. The ratio is used frequently to view throughout cinema, which makes it ideal for creating a home theater or cinema business.
The 4:3 is the original format for TV media and is still in use for many PC monitors. It is the least commonly used format screen because media are now produced in widescreen. If you are going to be watching a lot of old movies or will be connecting your old PC to your projector, the 4:3 format screen will be ideal.
The format screen doesn’t have a significant impact on screen size for the home projector, as you should be able to find several sizes available in every format. However, it is still useful to know about the various formats as it could point you in the right direction when it comes to picking one. With that said, the 16:9 will be the most suitable for your needs.
Before you can get the right screen size, you need to determine the correct screen height ratio. For instance, the screen height for a 4:3 video should be a minimum of ⅙ the distance from the screen to the furthest chair. This screen height ratio is more idea for a large room. In conference rooms or classrooms, you need the screen height to be ¼ the distance from the furthest seat.
For widescreen 16:10, the screen height should be about ⅓ the distance from the further chair in the room to the screen. The 2.35:1 can also use the same measurement as it relies more on viewers' personal preference so that ¼ distance could be more pleasing.
A projector is built in a way that pictures are projected at a set point. Placing the device at a set point determines the picture size projected at that position and angle. The image has to be smaller than the screen. Sometimes, a projector can be tilted or moved to suit the screen.
Once you have determined the right screen size for your viewing distance, mark the corners of the anticipated screen size on the wall. Then, sit at the proposed viewing distance and examine it for a while to confirm you have made the right choice.
After making the final check, you should have been confident that your choice to go with HDTV, widescreen PC, or cinema screen is the right choice, and the screen size you have selected is the right option. You may be able to move your seating back or up if your room is quite deep.
It also allows you to make adjustments to your viewing distance when required after you have installed the screen. However, if your seat is positioned back as far as the room will allow, you must get the screen size right for optimum viewing experience.
Getting the best screen size for a home projector can be challenging, and is personalized to each home. From the types of entertainment that will be viewed to the layout of the room, and preferences of the owner, the screen size for a home projector is particular to each person. With the factors discussed above, you should be able to determine the best screen size.
To make things easy, you can start with your intended use for the projector, and then you can work your way from there – this will eventually impact all other decisions you make about the best screen size for your home projector. The right screen size is one of the most significant decisions you will make when choosing a screen for a home projector, so you need to put some thought into it.
A home theater is an incredible place to get your family and friends in one place to spend quality time together. And a home projector can provide you with precisely what you need to have an incredible viewing experience without going to the cinema. Moreover, you don't need to spend as much as you would do on a high-quality 4K TV or LCD TV to get an exceptional, bright image.
Now that you have decided to take the plunge and purchase a projector to install in your home, you need to do it right. So how do you get the most out of your home projector? Below we've listed useful tips for using a home projector.
To keep the actor's shadows off your screen, keep the projector high and make sure you tilt it down toward the screen. The closer the home projector is to the screen, the better, so you can mount it from a light bar, and in some cases, your house ceiling. In this case, you may need to use the home projector's keystone settings to correct the image.
You can also consider a short-throw projector; this reduces the distance that your projector needs to be from the screen, while still showing a big backdrop image. Try rear-projection if you have room backstage – this means placing your projector at the back of the stage and project it forward on your screen. However, for this to work, your screen will have to be a little transparent, but not to the extent that you can see the projector light through it.
If you want to keep the image projected from washing out, the best option is to keep the stage lighting and ambient light from pointing directly at the screen. If possible, concentrate your 5 feet off the screen. To do this, you can regulate them or use barn doors to control the spread of light. As an alternative to overhead lamps, you can also try to use light trees in the wings.
No matter what method you use to keep the projection image from washing out, remember that, a bright projector is the answer. However, conventionally painted backdrops can start washing out if they are saturated with excessive light. The bottom line is that you could try to balance the direction of your stage lighting and the amount of light.
The manual that comes with your projector is the best resource you should have at your fingertips. Every home projector on the market comes with an operating manual either in electronic format or hard copy. Taking your time to read through the projector operating manual before using it is the right way to start. The manual will guide you on the best way to use your home projector.
Most of the manuals also come with helpful projector maintenance tips that are suitable for your product. For instance, it can instruct you on how to remove the projector's filter cover. If you have experience with a home projector, each product has its unique features and settings that might be different from what you know.
There is more to positioning your home projector than just finding the location where it will look perfect. It is important to leave at least 6 to 12 inches of space around the projector so that it can get proper heat ventilation. Without the right ventilation, the building heat from your device cannot escape, and this can cause damage to the device's internal component and drastically shorten its life span.
If you think your projector generates a lot of heat, it would be best to avoid positioning it in the path of a direct heat source like heating vent or sunlight. In the case you have your projector mounted on the ceiling, ensure it is not directly next to an outbound vent. It is also a good idea to keep the environment of your projector as dirt and dust-free as possible.
Projector filters prevent dust buildup that, if left unchecked, can insulate the projector. To make sure your filter is performing well, you must maintain them regularly. It is vital because a warranty may not cover damage to your projector as the result of a dirty filter. Usually, it is recommended to clean projector filters once every 3 to 4 months.
Ensure you check the manual to see if there is a maintenance cycle recommended for your projector. If you have been using the projector regularly or notice an excessive dust or dirt buildup, you should clean or replace your filters. The two best ways to clean the projector filter are to use a can of compressed air to blow the dust away or use a portable vacuum attachment to remove dirt from the filter.
While some homeowners prefer a white wall for their projector, other users prefer to use a screen. While white projection screens have been the most used for years, some people opt for contrasting rich gray screens. You should keep the space or area in which you watch movies, TV, or play video games dark. However, if it is challenging to get a completely dark space or room, the gray screen can be an ideal option.
Gray screens don't reflect as much light as white, and they make images beautiful. When it comes to the screen size, you can consider various sizes, and it significantly depends on the size of the space or room.
Determining how much light required in a media room is a common problem. The most important thing is to keep light away from your screen, then you can decide on the amount of light you need to use the media room the way you want. Removing all ambient light is quite easy in a dedicated home theater – turn off the light and enjoy your TV show or movie. But in a media room that you use for purposes like a pool table or wet bar, other forms of lights may come into play.
In that case, you can use recessed spotlighting to light up certain areas of your room without putting much light on the screen or into the rest of the room. With all that said, you can install LED lights around the perimeter of your screen as they look cool and enhance the perceived contrast without impacting the screen image.
Some home projectors come with built-in speakers, but they are not always sufficient. A big screen calls for a bigger sound than those that come with the projector. The best audio complement to a big video projected image is a surround-sound audio system that boasts of home theater receiver and various speakers. With this type of setup, the right connection option would be to connect the audio/video output of your source component to the home theater receiver and then connect the video output to your projector.
However, in case you don't want all the stress that comes with a standard home theater audio system, you can go for a soundbar that would offer a better solution than those that come from the projector speaker alone – and it can be placed above or below your screen. If you have a room of modest size, you can also pair an under-TV audio system with your video projector.
Projectors feature preset image modes, so to get the best image possible, you will need to choose the right mode. The best mode for overall image quality in a dark room is usually Cinema or Movie.
You may want to select a brighter mode if you are dealing with ambient light. However, be aware that they usually have the distort green. Moreover, many of the home projectors on the market have a Game mode, but this type of model doesn't usually optimize input lag beyond what is offered by Movie mode.
After you are done using your home projectors, do not switch off the whole setup at once. For instance, you can switch off the lamp and allow the fan to keep running so that it can cool the lamp gradually. You can do this by using the off button of the remote control.
We cannot overemphasize this precaution, especially when you think about the operating temperature of the device been a thousand degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, most projector lamp fails as the result of rapid cooling.
The best way to optimize the use of the home projector is to be creative. Get your hands on the best home projector, set it up nicely in your media room, and you are good to go. You will keep learning and discovering better ways to create a space you and your family will enjoy and make it look better for the next show. With that said, you can begin with the tips for using home projectors discussed above.
Setting up your video projector along with the screen is pretty challenging if you don't know the trick. Many projectors come with their own settings and controls for zoom and focus on keeping the image projection in the right size as well as sharpness. You can use the adjustment feet of your projectors to get the job done for you.
Another easy way to achieve this is by moving your ceiling mount to ensure that the image falls where you want it. You can also use the keystone correction and lens shift controls to adjust the display. Both techniques can correct your display, but they both also serve different objectives.
For the basics, we are going to list down some of the important points associated with them both so you can differentiate between them conveniently.
Both keystone correction and lens shift enable you to alter the location and shape of the image without repositioning the projector. Now, if the projector is adequately (perpendicularly) aligned with the screen, you can easily solve the problem with the lens shift. However, if your projector is sitting at an odd angle and the display is narrow or wide from one side, then you need to go for the keystone correction.
Lens shift allows you to move the lens assembly of the projector physically. You can move it up or down as well as side-to-side and in any direction as per your requirements. The good thing is that you won't have to move the projector.
With this setting, you can move the lens with the help of a knob or a dial. Some of the high-end models feature remote control settings. You can use that remote control to adjust the lens.
Keystone correction tends digital manipulation of the image before it goes through the lens. This setting is right for the circumstances where your projector is not fully perpendicular to your screen. It will result in an uneven trapezoidal image.
This correction setting will alter the image's source for the creation of a rectangular and even image. You can access this setting with the menu on the screen or a dedicated button on the remote control of the projector.
High-end systems have their own visually dynamic factor. These projectors have a price tag that puts them close to any high-end television.
Many people get that wow-factor from a mid-range projector. And the best thing is that most of the hardware that you find on the market is very easy to set up.
However, if you are having some trouble in correcting your image, then here are a few steps that you need to follow to get the job done.
These steps might seem too simple to elaborate, but they prove to be a bit too much for some people. Many people find these steps so difficult that they scare themselves off from using these projectors.
Once you are done with the installation process of your projector, there are chances that it will not line up with the screen properly. Now you need to do some fiddling.
A rectangle light is coming from the front lens of your projector. Setting an angle is key to getting a square-image on the wall. Some digital tools are available at your disposal to get these things right.
Before you open control through software, you need to make sure that all your hardware settings are right. You need to at the feet and the angle of the mounted projector. The feet of your projector will only be there if it is not a ceiling mounted model.
When adjusting the screen, make sure the top corners of the screen are in a straight line, and for this, you need to adjust the feet and level the projector up. Your entire focus needs to be on the top two corners and their lining up. It would help if you got this done before you move on to the next step.
If you have a ceiling mount, you won't need to fiddle with the feet to level both the top two corners. But a ceiling mount will have its adjustment setting to deal with this issue. You can adjust the projector by adjusting the joint that holds the projector.
These settings will allow you to make adjustments to the angle. If there is no such setting, then you can use the lens shift or keystone correction methods to get the angle right.
The following text elaborates them both in brief detail.
It would be best if you saw whether your projector has any lens shift controls which you can use to correct the angle digitally. You won't have to move the entire projector by feet or by moving the mount. Just move the lens assembly.
Movement of this lens assembly is not a common feature in most budget-friendly projectors. But you can see your projector's user manual to see if it has this feature or not. With this feature, you will be able to modify your lens's actual position. It will allow you to align those two corners as well.
If your projector is adequately aligned with your screen with a perpendicular angle, then you can fix the issue of the odd angle with lens shift.
It will result in an image rendering that is either narrow or wide from the bottom/top or sides. Here you can use the keystone correction to fix the problem once and for all.
Lens shift will enable you to get both your top corners aligned, but you still have to align and straighten the bottom corners. And for that, you will need to use keystone correction. It comes in handy when two corners are either narrower or wider than the other two.
Your keystone correction will come in handy when the image is a trapezoid. It happens because the projector is not placed right in the center of that screen. The projector is somewhere below the screen or above, which makes the light hit the screen at an angle, and you will have that one side wider than the other.
This issue is pretty common with the projectors; therefore, the manufacturers now include keystone correction as a standard feature.
This feature alters the display for fixing the angle. Just by the push of the buttons, you can see the progress. The angles will be fixed in the projection. You can keep on fiddling with the buttons until you see the light rectangle is perfect in its shape. Basically, the top two corners and the bottom two corners, as well as the corners on the sides need to align with each other.
You may have a vertical keystone or horizontal keystone. You need to see where your projector has the buttons or controls for these two types of keystone corrections.
In both, you need to make sure that all corners on top, bottom, and sides align with each other, and you can keep fiddling with them until they don't align.
After you are done with the angle, the rectangle image might still overlap with the screen edges. To fix this, you need to find the zoom function that your projector has. Dial it down/up so that the image gets the right fit to the screen.
You might have to deal with iteration because you have to adjust the top and bottom of the image. Zoom will set things right from right to left. From top to bottom, you will have to use iteration.
Keystone correction and lens shift are useful tools when it comes to correct the image display from your projector. But they are not available in all models. Before using these tools, make sure that you have installed your projector correctly without any alignment issues.
If you're buying a new projector, you should look for the right tools and features to tackle such issues. Low budget projectors won't have such features. And you will have to fiddle with the mounts and feet of these projectors.
Projectors are most commonly viewed as a cheaper alternative to televisions, however, most people don’t understand that projectors actually have a lot of benefits over more traditional products, such as TVs.
If you were not already aware that projectors are great options for home video, then this article is certainly for you.
It is not uncommon for projectors to be seen as poor quality electronics, which is simply untrue. As technology becomes more advanced, projectors have filled a huge gap in the home video market thanks to their convenience, cost, and quality.
As of today, there are more 1080p projectors than ever that will provide you with your very own home theater, all at a fraction of the price of other expensive consumer products.
If you’re interested in learning about projectors and the advantages they have over other forms of home video streaming, then read on!
Are you a fan of watching movies and TV? If you are, an HD projector should be #1 on your shopping list.
Most people don’t realize that having a projector in your living room is as close you can get to having a personal home movie theater without actually having one. As you are probably aware, home theatres are very expensive, so why not get the same value just by purchasing a 1080p projector?
Seriously, a projector is essentially your very own cinema- you are able to set it up however you please and start streaming Netflix, all from the comfort of your own home!
This is the main reason why we love projectors so much, especially models with 1080p image quality- you will not be able to tell the difference from real movie theaters.
A huge benefit of purchasing a 1080p projector for your living room is the cost, which is especially true when you compare the price to that of a 50” widescreen TV.
It’s no secret that televisions are expensive. Depending on the size and quality of your TV set, it can cost the consumer anywhere from $1,000 and up. There are even flat-screen TVs that sell for $40,000!
So how much does the average projector cost?
For a 1080p projector, it can cost you as low as $250. Obviously, this depends highly on the quality of the projector you are purchasing, and some models can be quite expensive, but you certainly don’t need to spend much to get a great high-definition projector for your living room!
Considering the quality and advantages of having a projector for your living room, this makes it a smart purchase that will not make too drastic a dent in your bank account.
One of the main advantages of a projector, as opposed to a TV, is the adjustability of the screen.
With a 1080p projector, it is incredibly easy to adjust how big the ‘projection’ of whatever you are watching is. With most projectors, you are actually able to enlarge the screen size up to about 200” while still producing fantastic picture quality.
For reference, a formal movie theater screen is usually anywhere from 120” to 240”. Why is this such a good thing?
The adjustability means you have total control of what your viewing experience looks like. If you don’t have much space where you are, it is no problem- you can minimize the screen so that it works for your location.
Also, this means you can make your screen as large as you please, essentially providing you with a full-sized movie theater, all from your own living room! The adjustable screen on projectors is definitely one of the biggest advantages of these products.
A common misconception about personal projectors is that the screen resolution is typically quite poor, which is very untrue.
Naturally, if you own a cheap projector (like the models they probably used in your school) then the image quality might not be the best.
However, if you invest in a 1080p projector for your home, then you might be surprised to learn that the picture resolution is as good, if not better than an HD TV!
While both projectors and TVs are capable of streaming 4k video, images tend to look much better on a projector thanks to the large screen size that comes with this device.
Technology these days is advanced, and electronic products are increasingly becoming better and better, and this is true when it comes to projectors. This is especially true if you are purchasing a 1080p projector- the picture quality will surprise you!
Whether you live in a small apartment or a house, compactibility and convenience will always be large factors in why a product is advantageous. When it comes to home viewing of television, this is easily one of the biggest reasons that projectors are so valuable.
Transporting projectors can be likened to moving a laptop- they are incredibly light and take up hardly any space at all. As you may know, this is not how moving large TV sets works, which can be a stressful and physically demanding task.
The size of projectors means that they are extremely convenient no matter your circumstances or intended uses. If you want a way to watch movies from home and don’t want the hefty task of getting a television set home, then purchasing a 1080p projector is the way to go.
A lesser-known benefit of a 1080p projector over traditional TVs is actually the effect that the picture has on the viewer’s eyes.
While it might seem hard to believe, projectors are much easier on eyes which means you can watch a full movie without having the dreaded ‘eye-strain’ that many people struggle with after watching TV for a significant amount of time.
Why is this?
The first reason is simply that the images from a projector tend to be quite large, which is a lot easier on the eyes than if the pictures were smaller.
However, the main reason is that projectors portray images using ‘reflected light’, as opposed to televisions that use ‘emitted light’.
All this means is that projectors allow you to go on Netflix binges without the possibility of giving yourself a headache!
One of the most frustrating aspects of purchasing TVs (or most electronics, for that matter) is the difficulty of getting the product up and running.
As many of us are familiar with, installing TVs can be a daunting and stressful task for anyone -there are so many cords to figure out and the process can sometimes be incredibly daunting.
As far as home projectors go, the ‘installation’ could not be easier. For the most part, all it really takes is up to two cords to plugin; one for the power source, and one for the image feed.
Ease of use makes projectors much more desirable for home video streaming, especially when you consider the relative difficulty of installing TVs.
The final reason that projectors are favored as opposed to TVs has to do with the general versatility in what your projector can be used for.
It is true that TVs these days are usually capable of showing all types and formats of media.
While this is great, it is much more difficult to hook a TV up to a projector.
Most projectors, including 1080p models, make it an easy task to hook up a computer or gaming console to the project.
Why is it so much easier?
Naturally, the projector has much fewer cords when compared to a TV. No more multi-pronged cables or confusing designs- with a projector, all it takes to hook up your computer and watch YouTube on the big screen is one single.
This makes the job of projecting other forms of media a simple one. In this day and age, more consumers than ever are choosing Netflix and gaming sites over films, which means this is an important requirement in which the projector market currently has the upper hand.
The size of projectors also adds to the versatility, since the consumer is able to manipulate the image size depending on what choose to stream.
For example, maybe you are playing a video game and prefer the image to be smaller so that you can see better? Or, maybe you are watching an action movie and want the screen to replicate a formal movie theater?
Whatever your needs are, projectors are much more versatile for your home video needs compared to televisions.
1080p projectors are a must-have for anyone who wants to have their very own personal home theater, anywhere in their house.
While projectors are not only an inexpensive alternative to HD TVs, they also happen to have a number of features that make them a preferred product to have in anyone’s house living room.
If you are interested in completely changing the way you watch media at your home, make sure to check out some 1080p projector models for some amazing value!
When setting up your home theatre, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is the screen format to go with for your home projector. The size and surface are other variables that matter in the selection process, but the aspect ratio is the most important of them all.
The aspect ratio refers to the ratio of width to height of any rectangle. The dozens of projector screen options in the market have a wide variety of aspect ratio formats. The popular screen format options include the following:
HDTV home projector screens come in the 16:9 aspect ratio format. They are the optimal format for most home theatre arrangements because they deliver the best widescreen viewing experience. This screen format works great with projectors that support viewing in:
It is easy to find screens in the 16:9 aspect ratio.
The rise of widescreen PCs has helped to increase the popularity of this home projector screen format. Screens with this format best match up with projectors that deliver:
This screen format option is more likely to be found in an office environment than a home theatre, but it is still a great option for consuming your digital content at home.
The Cinema 2.35:1 format is another great format for a movie screen experience. Also known as the anamorphic format, it is commonly used in cinemas due to its full field-of-view feature. If you are looking to recreate the cinema experience in your home, it should be high on your list.
Do you want a home projector screen format that is similar to the average television? The 4:3 ratio should be high on your list. This aspect ratio has been in existence since the first televisions hit the market and has only grown in popularity ever since. This screen format works best with projectors that allow viewing in:
Many people love this screen format because it allows seamless switching between widescreen viewing and full-screen viewing.
This is another screen format that is popular in corporate environments instead of the home. However, you can choose this option if your home projector is mounted overhead. Depending on the height of the screen, you can easily achieve multiple aspect ratios.
These are the leading screen format options and the home projector types they should match up with. Do you want to choose your screen format for a home projector based on the kind of content you’d like to watch? Read on!
Many people choose the cinema projector screen format for their home theatre because it allows flexibility to watch all kinds of media content without worrying about black borders. Most movies in the market today come in the Ultrawide format. This format sits perfectly on the 2.4:1 aspect ratio of a cinema projector screen regardless of whether you use an anamorphic lens or not.
Do you mostly watch HDTV content in your theatre? The 16:9 ratio projector screen format should be your preferred option. This is the perfect choice if you use your home theatre for more than just movies. High definition content such as sports, news, TV shows, as well as some movies, look great on these screen types.
If you are watching HD content that has black bars at the top and bottom of the screen, it was most likely made for commercial theatres first. This is the case if you are watching movies via satellite or through streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon. So, don’t fret if your High Definition channel is showing content that doesn’t fit with your HDTV screen format. The “fault” is from the source, not the channel.
If you regularly watch HDTV with your projector and also watch Ultrawide format movies regularly, it may be challenging to choose a screen format. In this scenario, selecting a 2 .4:1 format project screen with a screen frame border that is at least 90mm or 3.5” wide is the safest alternative. Consuming video content with the black bars around the screen can take away part of the fun from the viewing experience.
A home projector screen is a white reflective surface hung on a wall a short distance away from the projector. It is where digital files processed by the projector are displayed. Projector screens are the preferred option for home theatres due to the higher reflectivity, which ensures clearer pictures.
No, you can fit your projector screen anywhere you choose in your home theatre. Some screens are mounted on the wall while others are mounted on the ceiling. Some people buy mobile projector screens on tripod stands for use indoors as well as outdoors.
When discussing the format of a projector screen, the focus is often on the aspect ratios. Your choice of the screen should be guided by your unique needs. Although many people buy projector screens that have a 16:9 aspect ratio, you may be better off choosing a 2.4:1 aspect ratio for richer media consumption.
A motorized projector screen is designed to descend from an elevated height when in use, and it retracts when it is not in use. They are often chosen for the fact that they save space and their aesthetic appeal. The external housings on many motorized projector screens are designed to be replaceable.
This makes it easier to blend them into the surrounding environment. The ceiling-recessed motorized projector screens are designed to fit completely inside your ceiling, dropping down only when you need it. Motorized screens are often controlled with a remote or a wall switch. Some options are designed to fit into the larger home automation structure.
A manual home projector screen does everything a motorized screen can do, but extension or retraction can only be done through a pull-cord instead of a motor. Manual screens weigh less than motorized and are generally more cost-effective.
A tripod home projector screen features three legs that can be extended to support the projector screen in your preferred position in the home theatre. When the screen is not in use, the legs can be collapsed for easy stashing away. This is the preferred option for people that want a portable home theatre projector screen. However, the dimensions on a typical tripod home project are not optimal for regular transportation. If you’d like a home projector screen you can move around with ease frequently, a folding screen is your best bet. Most tripod home projector screens only come in the square (1:1), video (4:3) and HDTV (16:9) formats.
There are a plethora of options to choose from, including matte white, high contrast, grey and glass bead. The matte white screen surface is the most versatile and will fit into a wide range of home theatre setups. Glass bead surfaces are the least versatile as they only work with older projectors. Using them on modern digital projectors will lead to poor image quality.
Most tripod projector screens are designed for outdoor use. However, they are not built to withstand adverse weather conditions. Similarly, the lightweight design may lead to the projector falling over in mildly windy conditions. To prevent this, you should either consider using weights to tie the screen down or go with inflatable screens. These screens, often packed with a pump, are a more durable alternative for outdoor use because they can tolerate mild rains.
This depends on the projector screen option you have chosen. Most people can set up foldable or inflatable home theatre projector screens. With more complicated options, however, you may need to call in the technicians. This is especially true for all kinds of motorized projectors as well as ceiling-mounted manual projector screens.
To choose the best screen format for your home projector, you need to pay attention to your projector model and the picture quality it supports as well as your unique video content consumption needs. By choosing the right aspect ratio that best represents your viewing needs, you can ensure a high-quality viewing experience most of the time. Still confused? Ask for a demonstration from your local dealer.
When talking about choosing a projector screen we generally make the decision by choosing the image size that we desire. Apart from that we also consider the space that is available as well as the distance of the spectators from that screen. However, there is a range of other criteria that you need to consider and must not overlook. Otherwise, you will end up buying a screen that has nothing but washed out colors with half contrast images to offer.
You need to think about the projection conditions too. For example,
The answers to all these questions will enable you to find out which type of projector screen will work for you.
To identify the purpose you must find out where are you going to set it up and how frequently are you going to use it? If you are going to set it up in your bedroom or living room to use it in the evening with your family and friends then a portable version will work for you. In such a scenario you don’t need to set up a permanent projector screen. You can also use this portable project for domestic occasions.
If you are going to use it in the same room all the time then you have to set the parameters once and for all. Here, you can either choose a roll-up screen or a fixed one. The roll-up projector screen is either motorized or manual. Some of these models also have inbuilt housing.
If you are thinking about replacing your TV with this screen then you need to go for a proper projector screen and don’t go for a wall projection as most of the manufacturers advise. The short distance projectors are optimized for use in the day and the screen will take care of the ambient light pollution.
Largely there are two types of projector screens. One is portable and the other is a fixed projector screen. Let’s have a look at each one of them briefly.
This is a cheaper solution and you can easily put it into service in your bedroom or living room. The canvas characteristics are there. Some of these portable projector screens also come with unwinding motor with a casing that you can place on the floor.
The biggest advantage of these screens is that you can use them wherever you want in your house. You also get the opportunity to set it up in the outdoors occasionally. Image adjustment according to the screen is effortless because you can move the screen back and forth and you don’t need to use any tools either.
This screen also has a piece of a metal structure fixed to the canvas. Hence, the projection surface remains homogeneous and flat. Some manufacturers also offer double-sided portable projector screens. On one surface there is a 4:3 format available while on the other you can display video in 16:9 ratio.
The main advantage of this screen is the optimized tension of the canvas. As it features a rigid frame, it allows you to stretch the canvas as much as possible. Therefore, you will get an adequately flat surface ideal for projection. This type of screen can also reflect curved frames. This will evenly distribute the intensity of projected light just like cinemas.
A fixed projector screen is effortless to install without a mechanical system or housing. You will find those large sizes pretty easily. Some of the cinemascope format models have 2.35:1 with curtains integrated on either side. You can pull these curtains more/less to get 16:9 or even 4:3 on the projection surface.
A roll-up projector screen is either motorized or manual and it is very practical in nature. You can install the housing on brackets or suspend it from your ceiling. Furthermore, you can even install them behind some formwork or right behind a beam on your ceiling.
This is suitable for occasional use and it is easy to install. You can set it up on your wall or on the ceiling if you want. Just make sure that you can conveniently reach the handle for unrolling it. There is a centrifugal locking system that is similar to a seat-belt retractor. You can easily adjust the screen’s height by grabbing the central handle and pull it down for unwinding.
These screens offer unmatched convenience. The motor organizes secure and progressive unwinding and it also offers image adjustability in a more accurate manner as compared to the manual screen. The motor here features a power cable while some of them also come with remote controls. You can activate them using a button so you can install them at height.
The next point of consideration is what should be the ideal image size and format? It not only depends on the type of programs that you are going to view on the screen but also the available space and distance.
There are different formats available for the projector screens. You can find 1:1, 4:3, 16:9 and 2.35:1 cinemascope. You can make your choice as per the format of all the programs and films that you will watch on the screen. If you are into classics from the 1930s to the 1950s, then a format of 4:3 is suitable. For the modern era, you need to go for 16:9.
The size of the screen will depend upon the available space and distance in your room. The width of the projector screen occupies of horizontal FoV (field of vision) between 30 degrees and 40 degrees. Therefore, in such a scenario the viewing conditions are optimal.
In recent times, image quality has improved significantly and so has video projection. You can now find video projectors with 1080p all the way up to the cutting edge UHD 4K resolution.
Generally, projector screens are made of PVC and most of the models are immersed with fiberglass for reinforcing their hold. Manufacturers also use different types of treatments for improving the lifespan of a screen. These include anti-dust, anti-warp, anti-yellowing, etc.
There are different types of fabrics used to prepare the canvas, ranging from micro-structured fabrics to matt-white. They have a fine texture and gain level. Most versatile of them all is matte white because you can use it in the dark or dimmed condition.
Technical fabric is used for specific conditions. A gray canvas is normally used for high contrast and ultra-short-throw projectors. Transonor fabric is transparent and it is designed to allow the sound to pass through.
Most of the motorized projector screens have wall fittings at the back of the housing and they unroll with an intention to display the image forward. If you’re looking to attach your screen at the back of a beam in your ceiling for hiding the casing, then upon unrolling you will see an inverted canvas. These screens are made on customized orders.
This is a black colored band present right above the area of projection for the screens with their casing present on the ground. You can lower the projection surface when the screen is fixed on a high ceiling and you don’t have to reveal the reflective surface. You can also raise the image to your eye level for the portable screens with their casing on the ground.
The black edges surround a screen and help in increasing the contrast. It can isolate the image from the background significantly. It can also avoid any stray reflections of light in the image’s vicinity. But the projected image format needs to correspond to the projection surface format.
When you are going to pale the screen in the middle of your room or right in front of a window, it is recommended for you to choose a canvas with a blackout back. It will prevent the image pollution caused by the light coming from the back of the canvas.
You must bear all these things in mind before you go out shopping for a projector screen. Apart from all these points, you should choose a room with dark conditions for projector screens to work at their optimal level.
The ceiling, walls, and floors need to be black or should be in a very dark color. It will significantly impact the overall output of your projector screen. These light conditions are appropriate if you want deep blacks and well saturated bright colors.
A projector can transform your home cinema setup, bringing massive screen sizes that do not compromise on details such as resolution, contrast ratio, and brightness. However, many people are often confused when buying a home projector. Some devices are LCD projectors and others are DLP projectors, but which is better?
Let’s start with a brief description of the differences between LCD projectors and DLP projectors in simple terms:
LCD projectors are notable because of their higher image quality and sharp display, while DLP projectors are more portable and offer better reliability.
Delving more deeply into the two types of technology, DLP (Digital Light Processing) uses micro-mirrors within the projector to beam images from a built-in monitor and onto the large display. Many users will already be familiar with DLP as it was used in rear-projection TVs for years. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is another technology that sends lights from a metal-halide lamp through a prism to generate visual content.
|
|
DLP Projector |
LCD Projector |
|
Technology |
Projector technology that leverages a digital micromirror. |
Modern technology for flat-surface displays, such as TVs, and laptop screens. |
|
Functionality |
DLP’s consist of a single chip comprised of 1000s of small mirrors that sync with a light source to reflect digital content onto a surface. |
Projects light onto prism mirrors (3 primary colors: red, green, and blue.) Colors move through 3 prisms on a second prism to move the image onto a screen. |
|
Pros |
Improved video output, pixels less visible, Blacker black accuracy, the potential for higher contrast, more portable |
Better color dynamics across ambient light conditions require less power, don’t get as hot, quieter, rainbow effect. |
|
Cons |
Audible sound when functioning, color saturation, worse yellows and reds, more lumens in ambient light. |
Pixels are more visible, not portable, worse contrast, worse blacks.
|
|
Image Quality |
Can offer good image quality, but not as good as LCD |
Sharper and better images than DLP projectors |
|
Rainbow Effect |
Yes |
No |
|
Contrast |
Higher |
Lower |
|
Portability |
More portable thanks to lightweight components |
Usually bulky |
|
Light Source |
LED or Standard Lamp |
Standard Lamp |
|
Technology Type |
Reflective |
Transmissive |
|
Year Invented |
1987 |
1968 |
As you can see above, the technology used for LCD projectors and DLP projectors is different. For DLP, the DMD is a single-chip technology which makes it more reliable. When light is emitted from the lamp, it moves through the spinning color wheel and passes below the main projector lens. When it reflects off the mirror, the light enters the lens and gets projected from the top cover into what’s called a light-sink.
LCD projectors use what’s known as a transmissive LCD, which provides a light source that passes through a liquid crystal. All LCD displays have three LCD panels and they will also always have transmissive modules.
Because DLP has a universal light-source, what provides the light can change. Usually, DLP light sources (a xenon arc lamp) are replaceable. LCD’s are more restrictive as they use Metal-halide lamps. However, if a small enough lamp is used, LCD projectors can become portable (with a compromise in terms of image quality).
All DLP projectors include what’s called a DLP chip, which is essentially the driving force behind the technology. Sometimes, the chip is known as a digital micromirror device (DMD), but it’s the same module either way. A DLP chip has numerous tiny mirrors, sometimes up to two million. Each of the mirrors moves independently towards or away from light to generate a pixel.
Mirrors moving towards light create a pixel with color, while those moving away generate darks. When the color is generated, it is sent through the DMD by a light emitted from a lamp. In turn, this light moves through a color wheel before moving to the lens. DLP projectors with this setup are able to provide 35 trillion colors. This is the so-called three-chip DLP projector.
These are the DLP chips that are used in major venues, such as cinemas.
LCD is a familiar screen technology that you can also find on TVs, smartphones, tablets, and watches. It is this technology that is used in LCD projectors. Specifically, the LCD module mixed three liquid crystal displays to develop and image across multiple steps.
The process starts with a light source providing while light. Passing through three mirrors, the light is shaped to reflect a predetermined light wavelength. Mirrors reflect blue, red, and green, with each light color passing through an LCD panel. With an electrical signal sent through the panel, the LCD can organize pixels to generate the image.
Once combined in a prism, the LCD projector can create an image with up to 16.7 million colors.
What type of projector you should buy depends on your individual needs. Do you want a projector to use as a home cinema solution? Perhaps you need a projector that is portable and can be taken on trips? Of course, you will also have to pay attention to costs. Other factors may include image resolution, color reproduction, sharpness, and more.
In this guide, we aim to help you decide which is better, an LCD projector or a DLP projector.
DLP projectors are perfect if you want a device to take with you when you travel, or to move between rooms. They are also an ideal solution for home cinema aficionados:
LCD screens are perfect for those who value image quality over everything else:
Here are some of the problems with DLP projectors:
LCD projectors arguably have more potential problems than DLP projectors:
While there are numerous differences between DLP projectors and LCD projectors, price isn’t one of them. You can buy both types of projectors for prices starting at around $200 and rising to thousands of dollars.
An excellent way to get excellent home projector performance and save money is with the Vankyo Performance V630. Simply put, this home cinema projector is a native 1080p (Full HD) device that is one of the best bargains on the market.
Available for around $200, the Vankyo Performance V630 combines some of the best projector technology with an amazing price tag and sleek design. Among the core features of the V630 is a 5000:1 contrast ratio, which means crisp image production and excellent color accuracy. Elsewhere, the device has a 50,000 Hours lamp life, so it is really built to last.
As you can see, there are pros and cons to both LCD projectors and DLP projectors. Deciding which is best will depend a lot on what your specific needs are. Read the guide above to see if LCD or DLP projectors fit with what you need your projector to do.
If you’re looking for a fantastic way to enjoy 4K HDR content, a projector is an interesting solution. For some homes, a projector provides a better way to get high-resolution quality across a larger size for not much most cost.
Importantly, projectors are perfect for consuming visual media. Whether you want to take your gaming to the next level, view photos, or of course watch movies and videos in 4K, a home cinema projector could be the answer to your needs.
Of course, the best reason to get a cinema projector is that you can have a 100-inch plus screen right there in your living room!
Despite the obvious benefits of a home projector, many people never take the big step of buying one. Even many AV enthusiasts keep putting it off and just make do with a big TV. That’s because there are some misconceptions surrounding projectors. Consumers believe projectors are expensive, hard to maintain, and hard to install and setup.
Luckily, they are none of these things and in this article, we will bust some of those myths and explain how a home cinema projector can change the way you consume visual media. Moreover, we’ll also take a look at which home projectors are best for beginners.
Below are some of the best projectors you should consider for your home theater setup.
Vankyo is a brand that is helping to redefine the home projector market. The company is creating best inexpensive projectors with outstanding specs, but at the fraction of the cost compared to other models. For example, the Vankyo Performance V620 will transform your home cinema experience without breaking the bank.
Indeed, the Performance V620 boasts native 1080p resolution and the capability to have a screen as large as 200 inches. Furthermore, it’s 6000 lux and 5000:1 contrast ratio ensures an excellent level of image performance.
Vankyo has also added some of the best on-board speakers on the projector market thanks to Dual Stereo speakers. Importantly, all these high-level specifications are available for less than $300.
As the name suggests, the Performance V630 is the bigger brother of the Performance 620. This home projector provides cutting edge specifications to create one of the most complete home cinema solutions available.
This is a native 1080p projector that has 6500 lux and a 5000:1 contrast ratio for the most crisp and clear image reproduction possible. If you want a massive screen size, the Performance 630 is the ideal solution as it can project up to 300 inches. In other words, this projector is cinema-like quality.
We like that the Performance V630 uses advanced electronic keystone correction technology, and an innovative cooling system. With this advanced technology, the projector runs at optimum performance at all times. Amazingly, the Vankyo V630 costs around $250.
If you want a top-tier grade A device then the LG CineBeam HU80KSW should be on your list. Firstly, this is a true all-in-one projector which will be able to completely replace your smart TV thanks to built-in speakers and power plug.
As you would expect from one of the best home projectors, the LG CineBeam is expensive at around $2,000. However, you really get what you pay for with some amazing specs and performance. For instance, the 4K HDR display looks amazing, with a slightly neutral color reproduction. LG has added 2,500 lumens for a wonderfully bright and sharp viewing experience.
Other noteworthy details of the LG CineBeam model is its built-in Harman Kardon speakers that deliver world-class audio. LG says the screen is good for 20,000 hours of use before you will start to see image degradation.
BenQ is a leader in the home projector market and the company’s HT3550 is one of the best available. While this is a high-end projector, it is more affordable than the LG CineBeam at around $1,250. For the 2019 generation, the HT3550 delivers some interesting features and we love the slick new design.
In terms of raw details, the BenQ HT3550 has some memorable specifications. For example, it allows a screen size up to 120 inches and can maintain 2,000 lumens even at that upper limit. Perhaps the standout feature is contrast ratio - which is an impressive 30,000:1 - allowing for some amazing dynamic image control.
It’s not quite as bright as some other projectors in the price range, but color quality is crisp and sharp.
Of course, not everyone has thousands of dollars to drop on a projector. For those looking to create a quality home cinema experience on a budget, the Anker Prizm II is an excellent choice. With a price tag in the range of $300, this is a solid projector even if you will need to make some compromises compared to more expensive models.
One of those compromises is the aesthetics of the device. Simply put, the Anker Prizm is plain next to more expensive projectors. It’s not ugly but instead looks rather nondescript and bulky. You also won’t be getting 4K here, so if you need your projector to play Blu-rays in full definition this is not the device for you.
That said, the 1080p Full HD output is very good, delivering a solid image quality. If you’re on a budget and understand the limitations of what you’re buying, the Anker Prizm II makes an excellent entry-level solution.
The Optoma UHD51A is a fantastic home cinema projector that has one amazing killer feature. This is a voice-activated projector thanks to an integration with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. It’s worth noting this tool is far more than a gimmick and functions seamlessly within a home cinema environment.
For example, it is just fantastic to be able to speak a voice command to play a movie on Netflix, or to access a part of your projector’s system.
However, at around $1,200, the Optoma UHD51A needs to do more than just listen to you. Thankfully, it does! This is an excellent all-round projector and provides 4K resolution at a lower cost to many other UHD beamers.
As you have seen with the Prizm II, Anker is aiming to fulfill market niches with its range of affordable projectors. The Nebula Capsule II Mini Project fits that goal. As the name suggests, this is a small-sized home projector that is much more portable than others on this list. It is also affordable at around $300.
Again, this is a budget-friendly projector that comes with some compromises. Perhaps the biggest is the resolution, with the Nebula Capsule II only providing 720p HD output. Sure, that’s not great but it is a gateway into home cinema projection.
However, we have also been surprised by how much Anker has packed into this mini portable projector. It boasts a full-sized HDMI port, a USB-C charging port, and Android TV with 3,600 available apps. And then there’s that size (about the same as a can of Coca Cola), which makes this a truly portable projector you can take anywhere.
When considering a home projector, there are factors you should look at beyond just price and size. In fact, the specifications of the projector will determine the overall quality of the viewing experience.
For a good measurement, darker rooms lesser lumen counts such as 1,200 would be great. For brighter or more dynamic lighting environments, 2,000 or higher will provide the best results. It is worth noting projectors with higher lumen counts are better because you can adjust them to function in low-light conditions.
Sure, contrast ratio is not a vital component of project screen quality. However, it could cause a poor display if the ratio is too low. What’s too low? Well, anything under 1000:1 should be avoided and anything above is good to go. Naturally, the higher the contrast ratio the better the projector will handle color differentiation and accuracy.
There’s no doubt about it, higher resolutions deliver a better image that is more detailed and clearer. Although, before charging into buying the first 4K projector you find, it’s worth considering what you need.
Do you have any content that needs 4K? For example, Blu-ray discs or Netflix in 4K. If the answer is yes and you use these a lot, then opting for a 4K projector is a good idea. That said, perhaps your internet connection is not good enough to stream 4K from Netflix and you’ve never collected Blu-rays.
If you have no need for a 4K projector the only reason to buy one would be for future-proofing your content needs. It is worth noting 4K projectors are more expensive than 1080p Full HD models. Full HD should be a minimum requirement for full home cinema projectors as it offers good quality over 720p HD.
That’s not to say you should completely ignore 720p. If you need a projector that is portable or you are on a tight budget, 720p (HD) can be a compromise worth accepting.
As you can see, there are numerous quality home cinema projectors for beginners. Here’s the exciting part, the devices listed above only scratch the surface! There are dozens of models worth checking out. Perhaps the most interesting thing about home projectors is they are more versatile than a TV and don’t cost more.
When you get on board with home projectors, you will be hooked. With the ability to create a massive screen size and maintain resolution, these displays can transform your home viewing experience.
Some of the best home projectors on the market cost thousands of dollars. However, there are many affordable models also available. One question we are often asked is whether it is worth buying an expensive projector over a more affordable one? While it would be simple to just say yes, there are aspects of a projector that must be considered.
Explaining why an expensive projector is best will naturally get a bit technical. Tools and features such as contrast ratio, pixel count, and lumens are important, but the resolution is arguably the defining factor.
So, is it worth paying more to get a better resolution?
You have probably heard of one or all of the resolution types, SVGA, XGA, WUXGA, 1080p, and 4K UHD. What do these mean, and which is the right resolution for you?
In its simplest terms, the resolution is the number of pixels that a projector can display in a single image. Pixels are individual dots on a screen, combined they create the projected picture. Basically, the more pixels that can fit onto the image, the higher the resolution.
This is important because more pixels result in higher levels of detail on an image, allowing for more clarity. However, on its own pixel count does not contribute to overall image quality, because the aspect ratio is also important. The aspect ratio can change the number of pixels, even across the same resolution.
For the consumer, higher resolutions are desirable, which is why 1080p Full HD and even 4K have become popular. And yes, while 8K resolution is making its way into the technological mainstream it has not yet been included in home projectors.
Importantly, when looking for a home projector you should remember that every model has what’s called a “true” or “native” resolution. This is the number of pixels the projector can project. So, a Full HD projector will have a true resolution of 1920 horizontal pixels and 1080 vertical pixels (hence 1080p), for a total of 2,073, 600 pixels.
Native resolution capacity will determine how sharp and detailed the image is. Furthermore, this number will also reflect how well your projector can interact with a third-party device like a PC. Basically, if your PC has a lower resolution (such as 720p), the image your projector is capable of sending out will be reduced.
You’ll still get an image, but it will be compromised in terms of resolution. Luckily, most modern PCs and laptops have at least 1080p resolution support. So, if you buy a 1080p projector you will likely reach its full resolution capacity.
Again, the simple answer is yes but it comes with a caveat. It depends entirely on what you need your projector to do. If you plan on watching movies in high definition or playing games, then a Full HD or even 4K projector is a must. Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, a 720p projector will be ultra-affordable and will still perform solidly.
It is worth remembering that all projectors need an input device, like a laptop, tablet, or PC. It is important that the resolution support on your input device can match the native resolution of your projector. As mentioned, most modern devices are designed to send information to your PC in 1080p resolution or higher.
4K is a bit of a curveball. Home projectors that support 4K are readily available, but they are also expensive. Likewise, input devices like 4K laptops are also available but incredibly expensive. If you watch Blu-rays or stream 4K content on Netflix and YouTube, futureproofing your home cinema setup may be worth it.
Interestingly, there is also another resolution sat between Full HD and 4K. It’s called Quad HD and has a 1440p resolution. It is used across many smartphone flagship devices and is available on 4K home projectors.
Whatever you want to use your home projector for, you’ll want it to have a native resolution that helps you get the most from your content. Interestingly, whether you have Full HD, Quad HD, or 4K, there are benefits to be had.
Many people argue the human eye can only match detail up to 1080p Full HD. In other words, any resolution beyond this is simply overkilling. It’s unclear whether this is a myth, but it is obvious there is a visible difference between 1080p and 4K gaming.
1080p remains an excellent resolution for gaming, especially if you are just starting. Not least because PC gaming remains the only place you're going to get meaningful 4K gaming. Sure, consoles are slowly adopting 4K, but it remains expensive.
Even affordable gaming PCs output in 1080p, while consoles such as Xbox One and PS4 do the same. This means you will be able to affordably buy and set up a project that has a Full HD resolution.
If you are looking to buy a home projector for movies or TV shows, considering a 4K device may be worth it. There are more ways to get 4K content, such as from Netflix, YouTube, and Blu-ray discs. For movie enthusiasts, a 4K projector is a good choice.
Nevertheless, 1080p Full HD remains a good choice for users who may not have access to 4K content. Perhaps you don’t have a fast enough internet connection to stream 4K on Netflix or YouTube, and maybe you don’t collect Blu-rays.
Needless to say, if you don’t consume 4K content then the only reason you should buy a 4K projector is for futureproofing. Interestingly, the majority of modern movies are run in a 16:9 aspect ratio in either 720p (HD) or 1080p (Full HD). However, most movies are finished in 2K (Quad HD) resolution so any projector that handles Full HD, Quad HD, or 4K will be good for movies and TV.
Home theater projectors are perfect for sports because they have contrast ratios that make them ideal. Sports content often pushes screen technology because of uniformed colors (think of a green football field) that can expose poor image quality.
Again, a 1080p Full HD project is a fantastic choice because you’ll get clarity in color accuracy and smooth pixel performance. Furthermore, the price of Full HD projectors and input devices such as laptops is very affordable. If you want to create an enviable sports viewing setup for a low cost, 1080p remains the undisputed choice.
So, what about 4K for sports? Well, there are not many sports broadcasters who are sending out content in 4K resolution. Sure, you could prepare for the future by buying a 4K projector now, but it would be expensive without you getting the immediate benefits.
Whether you’re setting up an outdoor cinema in your yard or taking a projector on a camping trip, having a high-quality image is important. Here’s the problem with using projectors outdoors, it needs to be dark. Simply, the sun is too bright for just about any large screen, so wait until it goes down to the projector (also, check out what we have to say about lumens below).
Yet again, 1080p is the go-to if you want an excellent experience. However, even 720p remains a solid performer in an outdoor night setting. In fact, most resolutions work well as the most important thing for outdoor projection is arguably brightness.
As we have seen, screen resolution is variable and diverse and can change depending on the device in question. Because there are many resolutions available, people tend to be confused about the differences between 720p, 1080p, and 4K.
Before we look at direct comparisons, check out this quick explainer:
|
Resolution |
Pixels (Horizontal x Vertical) |
Other names |
|
480p |
852 x 480 |
Standard Definition |
|
720p |
1,280 x 720 |
High Definition, HD |
|
1080p |
1,920 x 1,080 |
FHD, Full HD |
|
4K |
3,840 X 2,160 |
Ultra HD, Ultra High-Definition |
The numbers on a resolution that ends with p (480p, 720p, 1080p) represent the number of horizontal lines an image can display from top to bottom. This means a 480p projector has 480 lines available and each line has 852 pixels. 720p has 720 lines with 1,280 pixels across each line. In other words, a 720p screen will be around twice as sharp compared to 480p.
The main difference between 720p and 1080p projectors is the number of pixels when two images are compared. Regular HD projectors are becoming less common as Full HD becomes the normal resolution. However, there are some examples available, especially in the budget market.
Like the two comparisons above, the main difference between 1080p and 4K is the number of lines and pixels than can be displayed. However, the difference between these two resolutions is larger than we have previously seen.
Resolution is undoubtedly an important part of creating an amazing home projector experience. However, as we have explained above, simply having a high resolution does not automatically mean the best viewing experience. Carefully consider what you want your projector for and match your needs to the best resolution for you.
Being able to watch your favorite TV shows or movies in your home on a massive screen, with all your friends is an exciting prospect. With the quality of home cinema projectors available on the market, it has never been easier to create incredible entertainment in almost any living space. If you are thinking about purchasing a home projector for movies to make your cinema experience more enjoyable, then there are a couple of things you need to know before you choose one.
Home projectors for movies come in a variety of shapes and sizes and range in price based on a number of factors. In this article, we will focus on how to choose a home projector for movies that meet your needs.
A person who is fond of movies won’t settle for anything less than their own dedicated home cinema room, equipped by an AV specialist who will take care of almost everything. But there are other options. Home projectors today allow you to convert any space in your home into an entertainment zone that can challenge a dedicated home cinema room. Elegantly styled, remarkably quiet, and reliable, they don’t have to collide with other everyday activities.
However, to choose the best home projector for movies, you need to determine the size of the room where the device will be used. The position of the home projector and its maximum distance to the screen is a vital consideration when selecting this device. For small to medium space, the distance from the device to the screen is usually between 1.5m and 2.5m. For more prominent space, a Standard throw ratio projector can project a 100-inch screen from a distance between 2.5m and 4m.
The right home projector brings more emotion and thrills to every movie, from a classic reissue to old favorites and latest releases. The resolution of the home projector determines the quality of the pictures it produces. A home projector with a higher resolution can project images with better detail levels, thus improving your viewing experience. As you are going to use a home projector for movies, it is recommended that you consider a unit with at least an HD resolution (1920x1080p). Most of the movies available today are in HD resolution.
You can also consider home projectors for movies that have a 4K UHD or True 4K resolutions if your Blu-Ray player supports them. However, this type of projector is quite expensive but can project pictures with a great detail level. There is a different class of 4K UHD projectors available, and they use different mechanisms for projecting pictures, and this dictates the image quality.
True 4K home projectors, on the other hand, are top of the line offerings which has better screen resolution than the 4K UHD projectors. However, the true 4K home projectors are the most expensive of the lot, but the pictures projected by this device are equally incredible. So, unless you are satisfied with washed-out images that lack punchy highlights and deep blacks, you must go for at least an HD resolution projector.
If you want to get the best movie experience, you need to pair your home projector with a screen that is up to the task. There is a lot of choices out there, from motorized drop-down screens to a wall-mounted model. You might want to skip purchasing the right screen and project images onto a white wall instead. The chance that even a spotless looking white wall will be truly flat is low. Besides, those tiny imperfections can cause shadows that cause disorder with getting a truly crisp image.
Moreover, ordinary white paint can’t reflect projected light accurately and brightly as a specially-coated screen. That said, a black surface is more suitable when you truly want to capture the darker colors of bright pictures. And since black surfaces absorb more light than white surfaces, blacks are more suitable when you are in a setting with ambient light.
But since you will be watching a lot of movies, you can go for a gray surface. Gray surfaces are suitable because they balance shadows and highlights of images, thus offering an image that maintains a good contrast. Matte is also a great option for home theater, as it reduces glare at the loss of color saturation and cost of image dullness.
Movie directors will tell you that sound is important as what is on the screen. So, it’s not a surprise that commercial cinemas have sophisticated sound systems that flood audiences from all angles with thundering bass and ear-shattering volume. Luckily, you can achieve incredible results without hurting your pocket.
However, how this impact your choice of a home projector for movies is dependent on your technical set-up. For instance, some home projectors only have an audio-in port. You will need an audio-out port to connect up speakers. But there is a way around that; you could instead connect speakers to your media player, which usually comes with an audio-out port. For instance, if playing via a PC, you can just plug the speakers into the PC.
To summarize, you can expect a great video when you purchase a home projector and don’t consider a sound system. But when you include standard audio, you won’t be disappointed. So, if you are looking for incredible audio to go along with your audio, you will need to get a set of an external sound system to deck out your entertainment system. Moreover, you can use wireless speakers to get the level of volume you desire. Plus, you can consider tricks like laying rugs in your movie room rather than bare floors to absorb redundant sound reflections.
Home projectors work best when viewers can watch their movies in darkness. The more light from doors or windows that enter your home theater, the dimmer your home projected picture will be. The image brightness is determined by the number of lumens in the home projector, with most projectors for movies ranging from 1000 to 2500, you can purchase a home projector with fewer lumens.
However, when you submerge the room in complete darkness, you and your audience may struggle to find your drinks and snacks. So, little ambient light might help during the show. For instance, you can keep the light sources towards the back of the cinema room, where they won’t have an impact on the screen. You can also fine-tune lighting levels using dimmers or go a step further with a state-of-the-art room automation system, with which you can adjust light, room climate, sound, and other functions from a dedicated control, tablet, or smartphone.
All the things we have talked about so far won’t do you a lot of good if you don’t have the right device which is capable of playing your movies. This could involve as much as creating a home theater PC or as little as purchasing a Blu-ray player. You should have no issue to buy a Blu-ray player, but if you want to build a home theater PC, you have tons of options.
For instance, installing XBMC and jailbreaking the Apple TV 2 is a simple, great solution. Moreover, you can always run Linux or Windows on the same hardware. And you can buy less RAM, purchase a smaller hard drive, swap in a slower processor, and so on if you want to save some money.
The good thing about home projectors for movies is they require little maintenance. We would recommend that you use some compressed air to blow the dust out of the vents every few months to prevent buildups that reduce internal airflow. You will also want to make sure that the projector lens is very clean before using it, a bit of microfiber cloth and alcohol work perfect to clean it of any debris and dust.
You may also want to check for any dust filters. A couple of the bigger movie projectors will have these installed close to the vent to stop dust from entering. Finally, you need to learn how to replace the bulb once it burns out – this process involves removing a few screws, popping out the old bulb, and fixing the new bulb, and closing it back. Although some homeowners prefer purchasing a replacement bulb with their first order, it might be better to wait because the bulb might not need replacement in the next ten years.
A quality home theater for movies can create an incredible image quality to optimize family enjoyment and movie fun in a variety of environments. There are a lot of things that go into selecting a home projector for movies, but now we have provided you with detailed information you need to know to choose and use a projector.
So, whether you are a home cinema connoisseur or new to home projectors for movies, use this guide to find the right device for a whole new visual experience.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoying a fantastic movie night need not mean going to a crowded local theatre. Since all you love to see is the pop-out effect on a large screen, why not take inspiration for your own home theater from these state-of-the-art bespoke screening rooms? Viewing the latest Hollywood blockbusters in the comfort of your home, or sink into your couch to follow a documentary on the African big cats, that’s a great program! And imagine dozens of other advantages that the home theater can bring to you.
Image is often considered as the main element of home theater. This is not entirely true, but a beautiful picture is essential. To immerse the whole family into the movie, you need to opt for a video projector with fairly high brightness to project XXL images.
If the image must be bright, it must also be contrasted. It's the contrast that creates the depth of the image by offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. In terms of image quality, you can rely on a native 1080p HD display, and we recommend Vankyo Performance V630 full HD projector featuring up to 5,500 lux of brightness and 5,000:1 contrast ratio, delivering high brightness and vivid colors to delight your eyes.
For projector lamps that have a relatively modest life span, you might prefer LED projectors, which are less bright but have a longer life. More than that, make sure you choose a low-noise projector because fan noise can heavily impact on your viewing experience.
When it comes to the optimal home theater, the picture quality is just not enough. The sound is definitely another important element to take into account. In fact, it is the sound that puts you in the center of the movie. The power of the action scenes, the seriousness of the dialogues, the musical atmosphere, all these elements contribute to make yourself immersive in what you see.
To bring the best image quality for impressive viewing experiences, movies are always played completely dark in cinemas. In a dark environment, there is little ambient light and this can keep images from being washed out. The darker the atmosphere, the better the images will be. Make sure that you’re seated in a dark environment before you start a movie. If you don’t have a home theater room, you can provide blackout curtains to create the darkest possible context.
Comfortable seat, it sounds so obvious, but after all, you're better off in a comfortable chair than on a dining chair. Remember to equip yourself with functional furniture for the movie marathon. The better you are installed, the more immersive your home theater experience will be.
Finally, all you need is a beautiful image, a good sound, a beautiful atmosphere, and a little comfort to fully experience the cinema at home. Take your time, follow the above steps, you will meet your expectations.
