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.
Vankyo recently launched a new model of Leisure series, Leisure 470. This Wi-Fi HD Video Projector is a feature-packed Wi-Fi projector that offers excellent and impressive image quality. It comes with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels and can bring a true HD image to complete your home cinema experience.
Imagine that you stay comfortably in your living room, eat popcorn and enjoy home entertainment... Nothing could be more pleasant than this! Watching blockbusters on a giant screen that can extend to 120 inches, alongside a contrast ratio of 3,500: 1, you build yourself a truly immersive home theater easily.
While delivering excellent projection with its true HD resolution and vibrant colors, the Leisure 470 also allows you to enhance your home theater experience by connecting external devices such as speakers or game consoles through its multiple input options. This mini portable projector is designed to offer maximum versatility, whether you’re enjoying movies, gaming, or sharing content from your smartphone or tablet wirelessly. Enjoy a larger-than-life screen and create a cinematic atmosphere right in your living room!
Another remarkable feature or perk of this mini LED movie projector is that it supports wire-free screen mirroring. It can project high-quality videos wirelessly from IOS or Android devices. This Wi-Fi LED projector is not only compatible with smartphones, but also with tablets. And it can save you a lot of time and effort if you’re a heavy user for movies or gaming.
Consider the following benefits that this Vankyo Leisure 470 Wi-Fi projector can show you:
Vankyo Leisure 470 has the latest LED technology and has a service life of 50,000 hours. This duration will allow you to use the video projector for a fun time without having to replace the lamp regularly.
To solve the problem of overheat and noise, Leisure 470 adopts the dual-fan system as well as the advanced noise reduction technology. So you will hear less whirring noises coming out of the cooling fans.
To learn more about our Leisure 470, head over to the Leisure 470 Movie Projector page.
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.
Home projectors are an incredible way for homeowners to truly experience the big-screen without going to the movie theater, thus saving money, time, and effort. The key is to pick the right home projectors for your needs. VANKYO has a good reputation in the projector industry, and they have a lot of incredible options, including the Leisure 3W Mini Projector and Leisure 3 Mini Projector, which are in the same price range.
You might've heard about these products, but there are little differences between each of them. In this detailed article, we'll get to know the similarities and differences between both home projectors.
These home projectors from VANKYO have a lot in common - both are budget-priced mini projectors that are very compact and designed for users who want to be able to take their projector with them to events or around on a whim. They also come with their carrying case for more effortless mobility. Both of the devices offer native 1920 x 1080 resolution, the visible details and sharpness each delivers are essentially indistinguishable from those with full 4K resolution.
Beyond that, both devices share nearly identical physical design, and only a small cosmetic detail makes them easy to tell apart. According to VANKYO, they also offer identical lenses and lens control mechanisms. Despite the similarities between the VANKYO Leisure 3W Mini Projector and Leisure 3 Mini Projector, there are also important differences – most notably, a wireless screen mirroring function. We will discuss this and more in detail below.
Both of the devices' lens are covered by rubber cap, and the keystone, Focus, and hardware control buttons are placed on top of the case.
The keystone correction wheel on both devices is located at the back of the focus wheel, though the keystone is about half the size of the focus wheel. Some information about both home projectors suggests they are capable of being ceiling mounted. However, they don’t have any drill holes or built-in mounting brackets. That means without using an aftermarket mount or adjusting the home projectors; you can’t put them in the ceiling.
While the control buttons consist of directional arrow keys and four different buttons which offer all the essential functions you need to run these projectors. The home projectors layout makes it quite easy to use the controls, with easily identifiable back, power, menu, and input source buttons. On one side of these projectors is the power cord input, while the other side features an HDMI, USB, VGA SD card, 3.5mm headphone output, and the 3.5mm AV port.
Both home projectors also have their speakers located on the back of the devices. On the bottom of the devices is the thumbscrew-style kickstand, which allows you to adjust the vertical angle. Furthermore, the feet of the devices are flued-on, non-slip rubber pads. Another exciting feature in both projectors is an incredible cooling system with heat dispersion. However, at 2.1 pounds, the Vankyo Leisure 3 is lighter than the Vankyo Leisure 3W that has a weight of about 3.51 pounds, making it a bit heavier to move around.
We found the setup process for both devices to be quick and simple. You can easily plug it in and turn it on. When you press the auto-detect button, your computer screen will come up on the projection surface. And the USB connections and SD card were quick to establish in the same way – when you plug into the port, any of the home projectors will recognize your device.
Both projectors also have kickstands at the bottom, which you can use to raise the image higher on your projection surface and adjust the picture. You won't have any issue getting the right setting for the keystone. Also, they both have Focus dial on top that can help adjust the Focus.
When it comes to picture quality, there is no much difference between the projectors. Both Vankyo Leisure are single-chip LCD projectors that make use of white LEDs as their source of illumination. Both projector resolution supports content up to 1080p, and the two delivered the same image quality and also produce solid color accuracy – the colors are nicely saturated, bright, and vibrant on both projectors. The projectors can fill screens in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from 32 inches to 170 inches diagonally.
At the end of the brightness scale, both projectors claim a peak light output of 3600 lumens, which is very high for their low-price tag. The Leisure VANKYO Leisure 3W Mini Projector and Leisure 3 Mini Projector also claims a contrast ratio of 2000:1. The contrast ratio looks incredible in semi-dark rooms. And the fan noise is lessened with suppression technology to ensure you hear what is going on too. The Projectors are true to their names as they are more suited for watching TV shows and movies at home.
Both VANKYO Leisure run custom software with all the traditional options. It is easy to understand and navigate through the hardware or remote buttons on the frame. They include adjustment options like luminosity, brightness, and contrast. They also have a cinema mode, which is decent and custom mode, which you can customize to the setting you prefer.
Almost every quality of the VANKYO Leisure 3W and Leisure 3 are intended to help them serve within a home theatre. The projectors built-in sound is decent – a pair of 2W speakers create a total 4-watts of audio output which is also almost the same with those found in 40 inches television.
Moreover, both projectors have a headphone port that serves as audio output, and you can connect them to your stereo system with a 3.5mm cable. Small speakers could massively improve the sound output, and immediately make the projectors far more ideal for its intended purpose.
Most projectors remotes have been replaced by app-based control. But the Leisure 3W Mini Projector and Leisure 3 Mini Projector are more traditional, and they come with remotes. The design of the remotes is identical, and they make the ease of use simple. The design of both projectors remote is almost identical to the control panel on the top of the projectors.
Once you’ve learned one of the controls, you can easily operate both. The only special buttons added to the projectors remote include volume buttons, mute, purse/play, fast reverse, and fast forward button - figuring out the buttons only takes a fraction of a second. However, keep in mind that both remotes work with infrared. They need to have a line of sight with the home projectors to work. Moreover, they don’t come with batteries, so you will need to get some AAA batteries.
One of the most significant differences between VANKYO Leisure 3W Mini Projector and Leisure 3 Mini Projector is the wireless screen mirroring function. This function can be found on the Leisure 3W Mini Projector and not on the Leisure 3 Mini Projector. As the name suggests, wireless screen mirroring function allows you to mirror what is on your smartphone and show it on your projector. You can display the contents of your smartphone onto the projection screen with just a few simple steps.
Whatever appears on the device, will show on your display as well. With Leisure 3W Mini Projector, you can mirror games, apps, photos, and videos on mobile devices to the big screen without the hassle of adapters, cords, and dongles.
The wireless screen mirroring function works perfectly in the VANKYO Leisure 3W Mini Projector. That said, it is important to know that the wireless screen mirroring function works differently, depending on what content you want to display. In addition, the VANKYO Leisure 3W Mini Projector will enable you to benefit from Keynote’s or PowerPoints presenter mode. While your audience views your presentation on the projector, you can watch the presentable on your smartphone screen along with the notes you have prepared.
The VANKYO Leisure projectors are very affordable and sell in the $80 to $100 range. However, the VANKYO Leisure 3W Mini Projector is a bit more expensive. These products are a good value for their level of quality and affordability.
Besides the weight factor, the most significant difference between the models is the wireless screen mirroring function. And only Leisure 3W Mini Projector offers this function. The wireless screen mirroring function provides more versatility and comfort, which makes the Leisure 3W more attractive.
However, the decision on which is the better home projector between the VANKYO Leisure 3W Mini Projector and Leisure 3 Mini Projector is one that mainly depends on the home projector's user basically because they understand their needs best.
At the end of the day, the choice is not so complicated. If you want a great compact projector that gives you the ability to mirror contents on your phone to the big screen without cables, you definitely opt for the VANKYO Leisure 3W Mini Projector.
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.
Using a home projector at home is a trend that keeps increasing. More homeowners are choosing to experience the optimum quality that an excellent projector offers, with the high-quality projection that helps viewers feel like they are at the movies from the comfort of their own home. Though big TV is available for purchase, they still can’t give you the customization that a home projector offers.
However, to get the best picture quality possible, you’ll need the right type of projector. Buying a home projector can be challenging because there are several models to choose from, each with its unique benefits. The key to streamlining the process is to determine what you need and then finding home projectors that fit your needs. We have put together a list of the things you need to consider when shopping for a home projector to help you choose the right one most suitable for your needs.
A projector resolution is simply the number of pixels that a projector has to create an image. The higher the resolution of a home projector, the more pixels it has, and the more expensive the projector will be. The benefits of projectors are that it can display more detail in the image, and they also reduce the visibility of the pixel structure on the screen. Home projectors come in a variety of resolutions including:
1280x720 – this is one of the most popular home projector resolutions. Most of this resolution provides incredible DVD video quality while also doing a great job of displaying a 1080-line video. Also, the projector with this type of resolution is budget-friendly.
1280x800 – the 1280x800 is a resolution that can display 720p high definition images as well as standard PC resolution WXGA (1280x800) and XGA (1024x768) without scaling. In this case, your viewing materials include video, PC data, and internet surfing; this projector resolution will allow you to view the data signals in their most definite form.
1920x1080 – this projector resolution can display 1080i signals, and 1080p and 1080i from Blu-ray disc players, all available in native format without scaling. This resolution gives you the most detailed and sharpest pictures available from most common HD material sources.
4K – the 4K, also known has is the latest projector resolution available. This projector resolution makes use of a native pixel matrix of 3840x2160 or 4096x2160, which is 4x the pixels of 1080p. Although 4K content is scarce currently, and 4K projectors are still expensive, but a lot of projectors that use this new technology are now coming to the market.
To get the best image quality, you need to match the resolution of the video source you plan to use frequently to the projector resolution.
The aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height of a screen or image. Most of the projectors on the market can project in multiple aspect ratios. However, the native projector resolution usually determines what ratio they are enhanced for. For instance, a 1080p projector is optimized for 16:9, while an 800 x 600 home projector is perfect for 4:3.
Projecting a 16:9 picture on a 4:3 home projector will lead to a loss in resolution as it truncates the images vertically. As a result, you end up with a picture that uses the total width of the pixels but contains black spaces at the top and bottom of the image, which pixels not used. Usually, you won’t lose resolution when you project a 4:3 image on a 16:9 home projector; however, you will get a smaller image.
That happened because most of the 16:9 projectors have 1080p resolution, and they have a lot of pixels to display the full 800 x 600 resolution of most 4:3 pictures, but they cannot make it fit the whole screen without cutting off the top and bottom. The conclusion is that 16:9 offer more versatility than 4:3, so you can get a product with a native resolution that boasts of 16:9 ratio.
Screen size for a home projector is an essential point you need to consider before purchasing a home projector. Getting the best screen size for a home projector mostly depends on the projector itself. One of the most critical considerations for the best experience is the aspect ratio of the projector. So, do you want a square screen (say, a 4:3 aspect ratio) or a rectangular screen (for instance, 16:9 aspect ratio).
The type of content you plan to watch on your home theater projector will play a significant role in determining the best screen size you can choose. For example, compared to presentations with charts in a boardroom or complex data, widescreen format movies will require a different setup.
There are two types of projectors available – one is where the image is displayed with laser light while the other is where images are shown through lamplight. There is no much difference in the quality of the image displayed by both the lamp and laser projector as they both have the same amount of picture quality and clarity, and have similar brightness levels.
The most significant difference between the two is how often you your home projector. If you will want to watch TV often on your projector screen, a laser projector is the most suitable investment. These projectors are an excellent choice for regular use because they have no issue with overheating, unlike lamp projectors. You won’t need time to cool down before restarting or have a problem with them cutting out. But if you plan only to use it occasionally, you can opt for a lamp projector as it is cheaper.
Brightness refers to the amount of light your home projector can shoot onto a screen through the lens. The brightness of a projector is one of the most important decisions you need to get right because a washed-out, dim image can render your home projector useless. You don’t necessarily need to purchase the brightest projector you can afford. Still, if you are not sure of the product-specific application, a brighter projector is always a safer bet.
Brighter projectors can be made dimmer, whereas you can’t make a lamp that is too dim brighter. 1500 to 2000 lumens work great for home theater applications. You can still get a brighter model, but they will be more expensive.
Another vital factor to consider for an incredible viewing experience is the contrast of the projector. In addition to brightness, contrast is what you require to ensure your images are well balanced and illustrate all the essential details you require. Contrast is also described as a contrast ratio – this is the ration between black and white aspects of the image projected.
High contrast ratio produces blacker blacks and whiter whites, hence offering you a full and deep visual experience. A projector may provide a good Lumens rating, but if the device contrast ratio is low, the image projected will look washed. A contrast ratio of about 1,500:1 is suitable for a darkened room, but the contrast ratio of 2,000:1 or higher is perfect.
Throw ratio is the distance from the projector lens to the screen, divided by the width of the image that is projected. For instance, a projector with a throw ratio of 1.5:1 creates a 1-foot-wide image when it is 1.5 feet away from the screen. Sometimes you will see home projectors of throw ratios with two figures at the start, like 1.4-1.5:1. The other two figures are included because most home projectors boast of an optical zoom that allows the user to zoom the image, thus offering a range of throw ratios.
Bigger zooms offer more versatility and can be helpful if you will be using your projector in a variety of different settings. Throw ratio is vital as it makes it easier for you to place your projector in the spot that will offer the image size you require, or how large an image you can get when you place it in your desired location.
Home projectors comprise of three types of image systems, which include DLP, LCD, LCoS. DLP device is a popular choice today. People who intend to use a projector for business, school, or home application may benefit from a DLP projector.
However, if you need the highest quality of images for bigger audiences, LCoS may serve as the best option. For homeowners who plan to use their home projectors in a setting where it cannot be easily maintained or replaced, an LCD projector may be a perfect choice.
A home theater projector can create a more satisfying movie-watching experience compared to a big screen TV. And over the years, home projectors have become increasingly affordable. However, selecting the right home projector can be challenging, as there is a lot of things you need to put into consideration. The guidelines above will help you determine the product that is best for your space and needs.
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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!
Do you have a home cinema setup with a projector and a widescreen? You should consider adding a soundbar to the mix to truly bring the cinema to your home.
Your projector most likely came with a speaker. However, the design of the hardware in a typical projector makes it impossible to have speakers that will produce quality sound that is loud enough for everyone in the room to hear video conversations properly. How will you hear the beautiful sound effects that combine with the visuals to create a holistic viewing experience?
With a soundbar, you can hear all the bullet shells dropping and enjoy all the minute detail in that perfect movie score!
So, how can you connect a soundbar to your projector? Once your projector is already set up and ready to broadcast to a screen, take the following steps.
Choose the right audio cable to connect your projector to your soundbar. Most projectors will require the cable to have a 3.5-mm stereo plug on one end. The end of the cable that will go into your soundbar can either be the 3.5-mm stereo plug or two phono plugs. Most modern soundbars will not have room for analog phono ports so confirm the ports on your projector and your soundbar before you choose a cable.
Turn off the soundbar by pressing the “Power” button on the remote or on the body of the soundbar.
Insert the 3.5-mm plug into the Audio Output port on the projector. The port may be called Audio Out on some projectors.
Insert the other end of your cable into the Audio Input on your soundbar. If you are using two phono plugs on a soundbar that supports it, the red plug should go in the port for the right sound channel while the white (or black) plug will go into the jack for the left channel.
Turn on your soundbar, and choose your preferred volume level to begin enjoying your cinema experience.
Do you want to avoid the unsightly look of running wires around your home theatre? Connecting a soundbar to your projector wirelessly is the best solution. Fortunately, many modern soundbars and projectors come with Bluetooth connectivity.
If both your soundbar and projector support Bluetooth connections, you only need to turn on the “scan” function on any of them to find the other device. Once found, pair them and start enjoying the streaming experience.
If your soundbar supports Bluetooth connections, but your projector doesn’t, it may be difficult to get the wireless connection to work even with third-party Bluetooth adapters.
The alternative is to use a wireless dongle to connect your soundbar to the projector, but this will also require having a soundbar that supports Wi-Fi connectivity or at least has USB ports to accept Wi-Fi dongles.
To connect a ceiling-mounted projector to a soundbar, you have two options:
If you can only go with the second option, you should consider how the aesthetic appeal of your home theatre will be distorted by such a connection, especially if it is permanent. You can use cable pins to hold the cable down across the ceiling and the wall or run the cables from inside the ceiling and downward into the soundbar.
If the connection process proves to be too tasking for you, seek advice from your local projector store.
When looking for a soundbar to pair with your projector, the first thing to keep in mind is the kind of content you’d typically watch. If you intend to stream content from third-party services like Netflix, Amazon TV, YouTube or cable connections, you need to choose a soundbar that comes with the dialogue enhancement feature.
This way, you will not have to struggle with the standard sounds delivered by the TV channel or streaming service. If you watch DVDs, however, or have the option of only buying or renting digital video content in HD or 4K quality, you can go with more generic options.
Similarly, if you also want a soundbar that will work great when you are just streaming music, then you have to pay attention to the bass settings.
Soundbars come in various sizes allowing you to scale your sound to fit the room. If you choose a soundbar that is too small for your home theatre space, the sound experience will be of less quality.
A quick tip is to choose a soundbar that is the same size as the width of your projector screen. The logic behind this is simple: the larger the screen, the farther away you need to sit for a pleasant viewing experience. So, if you have a big projector screen in your home theatre setup, you will need to sit far away from the screen, hence the need for a soundbar that will still reach you in the viewing position.
With a 42-inch screen, for example, you should sit 84 inches away from the screen (multiply the size of the screen by 2 for the right sitting distance). In this example, your chosen soundbar should be at least 42 inches in width for you to enjoy crisp sounds during your viewing sessions.
When you have made up your mind on your soundbar, your next consideration should be your budget. Match up your sound needs to your budget to simplify your decision-making process. Where possible, ask for a demonstration from your dealer before you make a final decision. Don’t forget to consider the space the soundbar will take up.
After you have chosen the perfect soundbar, there are a few more things you can do to ensure a quality experience with your Soundbar:
As we mentioned above, your projector speakers are most likely ineffective. This is why you have spent money on a soundbar. If you allow sound from the projector to mix with the soundbar, you will get a diluted sound experience. Mixing sounds at different frequencies or decibels end up distorting the general quality. Look through your projector settings and turn off or mute the sound.
Most soundbar setups come with a separate subwoofer. The low-frequency output from it will help you get more immersed in the sound experience. Move the subwoofer around the home theatre space to find the optimum spot for it. Many people just put it right next to or in front of the soundbar, but you can also get powerful results if the subwoofer is behind your viewing position. Granted, such experiments work best if you have purchased a wireless soundbar. However, if your subwoofer gives excellent feedback from a certain position and you can’t connect it wirelessly, you can invest in longer cables rearrange your set up in a way that hides away all the wires.
If you are using a wired setup, the quality of your cables can have an impact on the overall experience from your soundbar. For example, a projector that allows you to connect to your soundbar via an HDMI cable will provide higher-quality sounds than one that only allows you to use AUX cords.
HDMI cables don’t only ensure higher quality sounds, they also ensure less clutter around your screen area. With AUX or similar cords, you’ll need a separate connection for sound and picture. However, this is all dependent on what kind of connections your projector allows. If you can only use AUX cords, ensure you get the very best in the market.
Wired connections are not only meant for when your soundbar doesn’t support wireless connections. Even when your soundbar supports Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, you may still find that a wired connection delivers richer sounds.
Most modern soundbars come with apps that will feature software equalizers. You can use this to enhance or tweak the sound from your soundbar for optimal results. Most of the equalizers come with presets you can use, but you can also change the treble and bass levels in isolation. Check the user manual for your soundbar for instructions on how to use the equalizer.
Connecting a soundbar to your projector is super easy. All you need to do is to ensure wired or wireless compatibility between your projector and your soundbar and you can replicate the cinema experience in your home. Soundbars are cheaper options to the traditional surround sound that allow you to take your projector-based home theatre to a whole new level. Mount your soundbar and use the connection options available to you to transform your viewing experience!
Whether you are using your projector for business or pleasure, a dull rendering can ruin the viewing experience. If you can get more brightness out of the projector, you can enjoy a viewing experience with more vivid colors and images that won’t strain your eyes.
There are several things you can do to increase the brightness of your projector. However, you need to keep in mind that there is a limit to which you can push your projector. Once you have reached this point, you have to start considering other alternatives to improve your viewing experience such as making the space darker, changing your projector lamp, moving your projector from its original installation point, etc. We’ll cover all these and more in this article.
So what can you do on your projector to increase the brightness?
If you haven’t cleaned your projector lens in a while, dust and other forms of dirt can cover the lens. This will block off some of the light it emits and in turn lead to lower brightness on the screen.
Does your projector have a removable air cleaner? Consider removing and cleaning it. A projector that runs on its maximum light output will generate more heat, and will, therefore, need more airflow to stay cool enough to project crisp images.
If the spring cleaning steps above don’t yield any results, go over your lamp’s settings and increase it. If you are running on modes such as “quiet”, “eco” or “long life”, it means that the projector is performing at the optimal level to:
This setting will cut back on the power sent to the lamp, which in turn affects the brightness level. You can remove your projector from this quiet mode by navigating the “Lamp” menu. If you can’t find this menu, check for any menus that allude to energy savings or noise-reduction.
Many modern projectors come with pre-defined brightness modes such as Video, Movie, Cinema, and more. Some of the modes reduce the light to give more detail to the projected images, especially if you choose the cinema preset. Other modes such as Bright and Dynamic increase the brightness settings of your projector to the highest possible level. It is not uncommon to find projectors that emit 1050 lumens in Cinema or Movie mode giving outputs of 2100 lumens or more in Bright or Dynamic mode.
If you’ve been using your projector over a long period, consider changing the bulb to increase the brightness. Some projector bulbs may remain bright for their projected lifespan, but in many cases, the light outputs fall over time. By the time a bulb gets close to its lifespan, some of them would have lost more than 50% of the estimated brightness level.
What should you do if none of the above suggestions apply to your projector?
To maximize your projector’s brightness, close your windows and blinds if they are open. Direct sunlight will always take away from the brightness of a projector even at more than 4,000 lumens. Similarly, ensure turn off the lights in the room, especially if they are bright enough to reach the screen. If you reduce the amount of light competing with your projector’s brightness, you will get sharper images.
A grey screen, for example, will absorb much of the light emitted by your projector. This will lead to dull images. A white screen, on the other hand, will reflect all the light emitted, ensuring a sharper image all round.
High gain screens are fitted with special surfaces that increase the impact of the emitted light, thereby ensuring higher quality images. However, these screens make it harder to view projected images from any angle that isn’t directly in front of the screen.
The brightness level of your projector (measured in ANSI LUMENS) should be determined by your specific use case. The room conditions and your purpose of using the projector should help you decide on the optimal brightness level for your projector.
The optimum brightness level for a home theatre projector or a projector used for indoor business presentations only is 2000-3000 Lumens. Going higher than this brightness level in a dim room can lead to eye strain.
Projectors largely used in a well-lit room need to have between 3000 and 5000 Lumens brightness. This is to ensure that the image is visible in all corners of the room. Your decision should be guided by the amount of natural or artificial light in the room.
Projectors are either ceiling-mounted or set up to be portable for use on tables, desks, etc. With ceiling-mounted projectors, the installation is neater and keeps the projector firmly secure. However, you need to know the distance between the installation point and the projector screen. This is referred to as the throw ratio. If your installation doesn’t consider the throw ratio, the projected image could be dull and grainy, even at the highest brightness setting.
With portable or table-mounted installations, on the other hand, you can move the projector around easily so the throw ratio will be less of a factor on the overall brightness of image renderings. However, before you choose a tabletop installation instead of a ceiling-mounted installation, consider the following:
If you don’t intend to use your projector outdoors frequently, a ceiling-mounted installation with attention on the throw ratio is usually the best option.
If you have used all the tips we have recommended above to clean your projector bulb and lens, without any results, it may be time for you to replace the projector lamp. Projectors can lose up to half of their original brightness as they age. Check your projector user guide for an estimate of how long you should use your projector lamp. In some projector models, the lifespan of the projector lamp is calculated. Check the menu to see if you have this feature on yours.
Projector bulbs have an expected lamp life expressed in hours. This is the number of hours you can use the lamp before it starts working at half the full brightness capacity only. There is no fixed number of hours for a projector lamp to work as this is determined by the lamp technology and the projector’s configuration. However, many lamps can give you 2000 hours of use if you use your projector for less than five hours a day in a dust-free environment.
There are a few things you can do to improve the durability of your projector lamp:
You can contact your original vendor for replacement lamps. If you can’t reach your vendor, a quick search online with your projector model can show you where you can get a new projector lamp.
A wide range of factors can impact your projector’s brightness level. By taking adequate care of your projector, you can keep the brightness levels high. Don’t forget to confirm that the lighting situation in the room is still the same as excess lighting can overpower the brightness on most projectors. If everything else fails, consider changing your aged projector lamp.
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.
Family movie nights can be a lot of fun if everyone has a good time. Of course, there is something there for everyone to cheer for, especially the kids. Maybe you and your partner can agree on any movie as long as you both watch it together and enjoy it. But watching the same movie with your kids can be a whole new ball game!
Your kids most probably won’t agree with your movie choice for the night. They want something for themselves! And of course, you want them to be happy and be a part of it as well.
Let’s face it! You can’t hit happy hour cocktails and sushi anymore because now you are parents. But you can still make your Friday nights full of fun but in a different manner.
If there is a tradition in your family, like a family movie night, then you are not going to need much. Popcorns, warm blankets and of course a movie that goes well with everyone in the house.
But if you are looking to make your movie night a whole lot of fun, then check out these ideas!
This is arguably the most important item on the list because if you don’t have this then there is no point in having the entire event. Anyone can watch a movie on a laptop or on TV but if you want everyone to sit in one place and have fun then you will need a good quality video projector. And if you want to be a legend in your parenting circuit then you can project the images on a giant screen even outside.
Of course, you will need a good quality projector for that. Therefore, if you don’t happen to own one then we strongly suggest that you should make an investment here and you will be the king of your cave big time!
It is better for you to go for your family favorite movie, the one that is loved by everyone in your house. Another option for you to try is going for a recent hit that your family hasn’t seen yet! Both these movies will keep every member watching the moving closely and everything will go out well according to your expectations.
But you have to choose the movie wisely here. If you are going for something new, then you have to choose it carefully. If your kids don’t like it they might end up being bored or terrified out of nowhere. Make sure that your movie doesn’t find them in troubling waters.
The first thing you have to do for your family movie night is to round up the warmest, comfiest blankets for everyone. Of course, if it is summertime then you won’t need that, but something plush would definitely do the trick. Any of those oversized plush velvet blankets with foot pockets will be great.
They are essential because everyone needs to be in their comfort zone with an entire focus on the movie.
The next key thing you must-have for your family night is a supportive pillow. You guys might start by sitting on a bed or a couch snuggling together, but eventually, someone of you will get tired and end up on the floor.
In such a situation, many of them are going to need a pillow or a cushion. It needs to have a supportive backrest and armrests. You need to place more than one pillow because you’ll find many persons going to end up on the floor after a short while.
Okay now, there are a couple of ideas that we are going to share with you here. First of all, if your family loves theme parks then you can go for those old-school kettle popcorn makers. That will not only animate things up but your kids will love it. And obviously, you are going to make popcorn, so why not add it as a décor to the entire movie event! You will definitely score a few points as a cool retro parent too!
Another throwback you can add here is 4 packs of Jiffy Pop. You can cook them on your stove just like when you were kids. Everyone will love this homage to life back in the day when there were no microwaves. And for a complete movie theater experience, you can also add those popcorn buckets. Just fill them up to the full, have a seat and enjoy your movie while munching on these delicious corns.
If you are interested in making this family event a real one then you need to get your creative juices flowing. We are talking about creating your own tickets for the movie event. You can print out an online template or you can also grab some cards. When the time comes for the credits to roll, ensure that no one sneaks in and you have collected all the tickets for the show.
And then you can take it to the next level by rolling the red carpet for your guests with the help of your red blanket or something. Of course, you have invested in a giant screen and a projector, it is special and everyone needs to feel the same way.
Now that you have made your snacks, what have you thought about the drinks? You are looking for a perfect movie night with your family but you don’t want to spill soda all over the furniture too! Therefore, you need to go for the soda can lid with straws. They are completely reusable and your kids will have those drinks with fun while your bed or couch stays dry.
These days, it’s all about immersive experiences and one of these in trend is the Secret Cinemas. However, you don’t need to leave your house to enjoy all that. You can always give your movie night a twist.
You can get them to dress up and be in line for the coming evening. For instance, if you are planning to watch Moana then why not do some of those hula-skirts and have some cocktails. If you are really going for it then you can serve these cocktails in a coconut with some fancy umbrella straws. You can also do something else for any other movie you are going to watch. We bet your kids will love it!
This will be a whole lot of fun for your kids as they will be looking forward to it but it’s better to keep it a surprise or your kids will lose interest in the movie. You can always do that little pause at a cliffhanger moment and make some popcorn or drinks.
When everyone is refreshed and ready to get back on the adventure then dim the lights and get started with your movie again. This will serve to be a well-deserved break and no one will feel tired either.
Your projector is not going to be very helpful if you don’t have that giant-sized screen to go with it. We are not talking about projecting the images on a clean wall. We are talking about the real deal here! If you truly wish to make your family night a fun night, then you need to go for a giant projector screen that will show the movie to your family just like cinemas do.
Now it is better for you to bring a projector screen that goes well with space and distance you have in the room that you are going to set it up. It must also go for the format of the media you are going to play on it. Everything you see on it needs to be clear and perfect. After all, no one is going to have any fun if they are not able to see what’s going on the screen.
Family movie nights can be a great time for everyone only if everyone gets a piece of it. It is better for the kids to watch a movie but you can also make it a lot more fun by getting something educational out of it.
Ask your kids what have they learned from the movie or what could any of those characters have done better? Provide them with different scenarios and then ask questions.
You can also do this during the intermission and ask them about how the movie will go by from this point forward. You will really love those creative endings that your kids will come up with. And they might be even more interesting than the original movie.
Ask everyone about different ideas that they can come up with and try to blend them all in. This way you will be taking all the opinions and building hype for the event. Everyone will be waiting for the weekend to come and will be looking forward to doing all those things that were part of the plan.
Today, smartphone and tablet manufacturers have made device screens big enough for comfortable consumption of media. The two major ecosystems, iOS, and Android have excellent gadgets with screen sizes that are big enough to handle a wide range of activities. Unfortunately, it is still not enough.
Your beautiful Samsung or iPhone will not be useful when it is time for a meeting with potential clients, stream a live sports show during the yearly extended family dinner, or a romantic outdoor movie night with your special one. For any of these occasions, your 65-inch UHD TV may still not be enough. You have to pull up the big screens and connect your device to a projector.
This piece shows you how you can connect your Apple or Android device to a projector for large size viewing whenever you need it.
You can connect your Apple/Android device to a projector by using wireless streaming adapters or via built-in solutions in your projector. Some of the wireless solutions will need you to download an app while others will require you to have access to the wireless network in the projector environment.
This is one of the easiest ways to hook up your Android device to a projector without any cables. You can get the Chromecast streaming adapter for less than $40 at your local electronics shop. You can use the device by plugging it into the HDMI port of your projector. Once plugged in, click on the “Cast Screen” icon within the Chromecast Android navigation app on your device, and you can share your device screen.
Many people also use Chromecast for everyday media consumption from streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, Disney+ and more.
If you are a Samsung owner, Smart View allows you to connect wirelessly to many devices, including projectors. Once you find “Smart View” on your phone, activate it to scan for the Chromecast or Miracast device you have connected to your projector.
Select the device to connect to, and your phone will be hooked up to your projector.
This method works with many Android devices. However, your projector must have built-in support for Wi-Fi direct for it to work. The general process of connecting your Android device to your projector using Wi-Fi direct is listed below (may vary depending on your Android brand).
For some Android devices, the “Wi-Fi Direct” option may be found inside the “Wi-Fi Preferences” or “Advanced” sub-menu within the original Wi-Fi menu.
Once you have turned on Wi-Fi direct, the device will find your projector if it is compatible. Select the option to connect to the projector, and then complete the connection by following other instructions.
Most modern projectors today are designed with the capacity to accept wireless streaming from various devices, including Androids. If your projector is a Samsung or LG product, there is a high chance that you don’t need any unique gadgets to connect your device to the projector.
All you need to do is to find the right bridging app for the manufacturer in the Play Store. If you are not sure about your projector’s support for wireless connectivity, search the user manual or look up the features of the specific model online, using the model number.
As is the case with most things Apple, wireless connection to a projector using an Apple device is a bit tricky. The main option available is through manufacturer-designed wireless connections as already described above.
Check your projector brand and model to confirm if it supports wireless connection from iOS devices. If this is not available, you may have to use any of the wired connection options (discussed below).
However, if you only need a projector to broadcast content on a larger screen indoors, there may be other options that will not include using a projector.
In some work environments, projectors have been replaced by Apple TVs and HDTVs. If this applies in your situation, you can use AirPlay to send the media file to the Apple TV from your device by taking the following steps:
Your device will appear on the screen at this point, especially for newer iOS versions. For older devices or iOS versions, however, you may have an additional menu displaying a slider.
Do you have a smart TV from popular brands? Do you have conventional TV screens but with Amazon Fire TV, Roku or Google Chromecast connected? You can stream your media files onto the big screen from your iOS devices without a projector. An Xbox 360 or Xbox One can also do the job.
All you need is the AllCast app (available in the App Store). The app is designed to fill in when using devices that do not support AirPlay. Once the app is installed on your iOS device, select the right connected screens and launch your presentation.
Wireless connections are seamless when they work. However, there are times when only a wired connection to the projector is feasible. Fortunately, there are several wired device-to-projector options for both Android and iOS devices.
Many projectors have a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port built-in to allow wired connections. Some Android devices have a Mini-HDMI port that enables the connection from the device to the projector. If your device doesn’t have this port, you can buy the right HDMI cable for your device. For Android devices that have a USB-C port such as the newer Samsung devices, you can use a USB-C to HDMI adapter to connect your device to the projector.
These connections are usually plug-and-play as there is nothing else you need to do on your end apart from connecting the cables appropriately.
HDMI supports audio and video, which means that you only need to cable to supply sound and video to your projector.
If you are going to keep the device connected for long periods, you need to make provisions for the battery power as most USB-C to HDMI connections will not charge your device during usage.
Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) is a new standard supported by some manufacturers. MHL cables are a special variant of HDMI cables that allows video transmission from your device’s micro-USB port. A benefit of connecting your device to a projector using MHL is that the device stays charged during the presentation. If you are not sure about your device’s MHL compatibility, check to confirm that it is supported.
The best way to connect your Apple device to a projector is to use the right adapter cable for the device. Most iOS devices do not come with a standard video port so Apple sells adapters that will ensure easy connection to an adapter. The two options available are Lightning to VGA Adapter and Lightning Digital AV Adapter. The former goes in the Lightning port of newer iOS devices and then connects to typical VGA video cables while the latter connects the device to an HDMI cable.
If your iOS device comes with the older 30-pin Dock Connector, you can also find video cable adapters for your device on the Apple website or on Amazon.
If you own a projector, you already know the type of cable used in your connections and by extension, the type of apple adapters to buy. However, if you are a busy professional that will hold presentations at various places with different models of projectors, it may be best to buy both adapters so you can use VGA or HDMI cables depending on the situation.
Connecting your Apple or Android device to a projector is a straightforward process once you can figure out the capabilities and limitations peculiar to your existing hardware. Work out the chinks, get the right hardware (adapters and cables) or software (apps), and you can take your video files to the big screen. Remember to take steps to avoid embarrassing moments when mirroring your screen in public. Setting up “Do Not Disturb” or similar options on your device before the presentation is all you need. Alternatively, go on “Airplane Mode” when on a wired connection to the projector.
Whether you are replicating a drive-in movie experience or hosting a barbecue and movie night for your friends, portable projectors add a new twist to outdoor activities. When you need to unwind without retiring to your man-cave or couch at home, using a projector can be the perfect solution.
Portable projectors can remove the boredom from your summer months. However, it can be a tad tricky to get things right, especially if you intend to use the projector outdoors during the peak of the day. Projectors are designed to be used indoors or during the dark outdoors. This piece discusses how you can use a portable projector for outdoor activities during the peak of the day.
There are various types of portable projectors available. If you intend to get one that can be used outdoors, you need to ensure that it has the right level of brightness to cope counter the ambient light outside during the time you intend to use the projector. The brightness of portable projectors is measured in lumens. Apart from the level of ambient light outdoors, the exact type to go for will also be influenced by the size of the viewing screen. Here is a rough guide:
|
Screen Size (ft) |
Minimum Lumens |
Recommended Lumens |
|
40x22.5 |
5500 |
12000 |
|
25x14.5 |
5000 |
10000 |
|
20x11 |
4000 |
5500 |
|
16x9 |
3500 |
4000 |
|
12x7 |
3000 |
3500 |
|
9x5 |
2500 |
3000 |
For quality and highly vivid images, use the HD model of any portable projector with the right unit of lumens. Non-HD projectors can do a job outdoors, especially at night. However, the image quality won’t be the same as a portable projector model with a 1280 x 800 resolution or higher.
There are many options available when it comes to the video source for your portable projector. A wireless router, Amazon Fire TV stick or Apple TV, Chromecast adapter, or Roku stick are good wireless options. Alternatively, you can use HDMI or MHL cables to connect your video source to the portable projector. A portable DVD player can also do a job if you are displaying content on a Blu-ray disc.
You need to confirm that you have the hardware for the connectivity options available on your portable projector. Don’t forget to pay attention to the type of media you want to consume. For example, the connection needed to watch a live sporting event or a rented movie will be different.
Your portable projector may be loud, but most of the popular models will not have the right sound power to serve outdoors, especially in large spaces with many viewers. Complement the built-in sound on your portable projector with a separate outdoor speaker. There are several Bluetooth speakers available today if you’d like to purchase a new sound system. Your existing indoor sound-system may also be enough.
Regardless of the quality and brightness capabilities of your portable projector, the viewing experience will be severely hampered if the projector and the screen are directly in the sun. Check out your preferred location for the outdoor viewing experience a day ahead to find the optimum position for your screen in relation to the impact of sunlight. Take into account factors like the sitting position, movement, etc.
If your portable projector is directly under the sun, it can overheat.
Most outdoor events hold when the weather is accommodating. However, depending on your location, things can change pretty quickly. Rain or snow can damage your portable projector like any other electronics. Similarly, if you are using the projector at a pool party, be sure to keep it away from water splashes or the barbecue fire!
An excellent portable projector will cost hundreds of dollars, so it is an investment that is worth protecting. To ensure your projector is working at full capacity, you need to maintain the air filter regularly.
Your projector model will determine the time between each episode of filter cleaning or replacement, the number of times it is used outdoors, and the prevailing outdoor conditions. Clean air filters ensure there is adequate airflow to keep the hot bulb and projector housing cool. A clogged filter will shorten the lifespan of your projector a great deal.
Fortunately, it is easy to clean the air filter on most portable projectors. You only need to slide the filter out with a finger and wash or blow off the dirt depending on how dirty it. Only remove the filter when the projector is off. If you washed the filter, wait for it to dry before replacing it.
When you think of outdoor uses for your portable projector, it is easy to only think about watching movies or a live sports event. However, there are other special uses for your portable projector. They include the following:
Projectors are commonplace in brick-and-mortar academic institutions. You can borrow a leaf from them and organize an outdoor class if you are a trainer in any niche. If you are a physical trainer, gardening expert, self-help expert or similar, you can fix a cool evening class for your clients and use your portable projector to display your notes. If you are using your projector in this manner, consider getting remotes to control the slides without touching the media source.
The mood at most parties is set by using laser lights. You can recreate this during your evening parties with the portable projector. There are lots of open-source options that allow you to create laser light shows at home. Download the software and bring the club to your backyard!
If you’ve always wanted to paint but don’t have the talent to stand up to some of the greatest artists in history, you can use a portable projector to paint a mural. To get started, project a black and white version of the image you’d like to draw on the screen, and then trace over the lines in the image using a pencil.
Use any paint color of your choice to complete the artwork, and you’ll have a beautiful mural. If you are looking for an interesting pastime, you can put your portable projector to good use on any spaces that can be improved with a mural within and outside your neighborhood (as long as you are not breaking any laws).
Playing video games with your friends in the basement is cool, but what if you can organize a massive video game competition and invite dozens of people over? Your portable projector allows you to broadcast the gaming sessions for a large group. Throw in some drinks and food, and you have a fantastic atmosphere!
There are lots of video games that can feature in these competitions, including FIFA/PES, Call of Duty, Mortal Kombat, Need for Speed and other multi-player games. With a portable projector, there is no limit to the type of games you can play. Some mobile games like Temple Run or Candy Crush can become very interesting when some competition is thrown into the mix.
If you’ve always wanted to create a puppet show, your portable projector simplifies the process. Using your projector and a white screen, you can create your shows. You can either use your hands or create cardboard cutouts.
A portable projector is an excellent piece of hardware to own. It can give a new meaning to your evening relaxations and get you to spend more time outdoors. However, when deciding on a portable projector to buy, ensure you choose the one that best meets your needs in terms of durability, brightness capacity and connectivity options. If you are not sure, make a list of your needs and read reviews for some popular portable projector options.
When you finally start using your portable projector, do not forget to take good care of it as an investment. As a rule of thumb, avoid leaving it outdoors after an event regardless of the usage frequency.
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.
