Choosing a Home LCD Video Projector
In the home, an LCD video projector is a good choice for creating a big screen movie experience. However, it’s important to keep a few things in mind when choosing a model.
Look for models with low blue light to reduce eye strain during extended viewing. Also consider factors like brightness, contrast ratio, and screen size.
Brightness
The brightness of a projector is a key specification for a home theater system. The higher the brightness, the better the image will look especially in well-lit rooms.
The optimum brightness will vary depending on the room size, ambient light and screen size. In general, the larger the space, the more lumens will be needed to show a satisfying image.
Lumens are the internationally recognized measurement of a projector’s brightness. Other measurements such as watts or LUX are not accurate and should be avoided as they are not reported according to the standards set by the industry.
The type of content you plan on watching also has a significant impact on a projector’s brightness requirements. Some types of media Home LCD video projector – such as text-heavy documents or presentations – require less brightness than others, such as movies and gaming.
Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio of a Home LCD video projector is important because it allows for more distinction between the darkest and brightest parts of an image, making colors and details appear more vibrant. This enhances the visual experience in a variety of applications from home theaters to business presentations and art exhibitions.
The simplest method for measuring contrast is to measure the brightness of a white screen against a black screen and divide by two. This yields a number that’s easy for manufacturers to cite, giving them an advantage in the marketing department. However, this method doesn’t reflect real-world viewing conditions as most content contains a mix of light and dark areas.
Instead, look for a projector with a high ANSI contrast rating. ANSI measures the brightness of a white screen against varying levels of black screens, taking into account light reflections that aren’t picked up by standard light meters. This gives a more accurate reflection of how a projector performs in real-world scenarios. You can also read industry forums and watch YouTube videos by respected influencers for honest impressions of a model’s contrast performance.
Screen Size
The screen size of a projector determines the viewing distance, which in turn affects overall picture quality. Consider what type of content you want to view, and then choose a screen size that matches. Getting the size right from the start will save you time and frustration later on, when you are trying to enjoy your home theater.
Larger screens create a cinematic experience and are ideal for dedicated home theaters. They require ample wall space for installation. Choose a widescreen format (16:9) or a 4:3 format to match the available content you intend to view.
Once you have chosen a screen, use black electrician’s tape to mark the corners on the wall where you plan to place it. Make sure that the corners match the aspect ratio of the projector. Also, make sure that the planned screen height will be close enough to eye level without causing neck strain for the viewer. Many projectors allow for fine-tuning of image size and position via zoom and lens shift features, so you can adjust your screen to the ideal height without sacrificing image clarity.
Wireless Options
There are a couple of options available when selecting a wireless projector. First, you can choose one that offers built-in WiFi or a USB wireless adapter for connecting to your network. The latter is usually supplied with the projector pack, but some manufacturers make it optional in order to allow users to purchase it separately.
Many smartphone and tablet devices can be mirrored to the screen of a projector with an AirPlay or Android TV feature, depending on the device manufacturer and operating system. This allows the user to simply show a photo, presentation or video from their phone/tablet, without the need for cables and additional equipment.
The other option is to select a projector that supports HDMI 2.1, which can connect directly to a television or wireless wifi projector media player that has an HDMI input. This provides the highest possible image quality, but requires the use of expensive AV hardware and can be difficult to maintain in some environments. Another option is a rear projection cube wall, which is often used by corporate customers to create impressive AV displays in their control rooms. These tend to have less harsh bezels than LCD walls, allowing them to look high-end and professional.
Portability
If you want to use a projector for home theater and don’t have the option of a darkened room, you need a video projector that works well in ambient light. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available to you, including ambient-light-rejecting screens and more powerful “pico projectors” that are pocket-sized.
Invented by Gene Dolgoff, who started one of the first dedicated LCD-projector companies (Projectavision, now Epson), this type of projector uses small translucent LCD panels to display images, just like those found in large flat-panel TVs. White light emitted by the projector is split up into red, green and blue beams by “separation prisms”, and then each of these colors are displayed on an LCD panel before being combined through a lens to create the final image that’s projected onto the screen.
The downside to LCD projectors is that they can suffer from a noticeable pixelation effect known as the “screen door” effect, because the individual pixels are visible due to their size. However, newer technologies have reduced the impact of this problem. For example, the Xgimi Halo Plus has an advanced LED light source that makes it less susceptible to this issue and also features Android TV built-in for streaming content.