How to choose the best screen material for your Projector Screen

Is it important to have masking on my screen?

Yes, it is important. Black Masking borders help absorb light overshoot from your projector and provide a professionally matted presentation. It also helps increase the picture focus point.

What is the advantage of black backing on the screen material?

Black Backing is an important feature that prevents light penetration and increases reflectivity for sharper color reproduction.

What screen material should I get?

Screen material selection will depend on various factors such as type of application, environment, and projector. Please see the screen material selection guide for a better understanding of the materials we offer.

Should I use a standard top masking or an extra drop masking border?

It depends on how high you want to hang the screen. If you are planning on a high ceiling or in-ceiling installation, use a product with an extra black masking border like E24 (24" drop) or E30 (30" drop) model. Aside from that, our general product lines will accommodate your typical home or commercial presentation room ceiling heights. All of our manual and electric screens are suitable for wall or ceiling installations All of our electric wall/ceiling screens have adjustable vertical limit switches to help you achieve the perfect drop setting.

Are Elite Screens High Gain screen materials angular or retro reflective?

Elite Screens StarBright™ 4 and StarBright™ 7 Ultra High Gain screen materials are angular reflective.

How to Extend Projector Lamp life

How to Extend Projector Lamp Life?

Today’s projector lamps last an average of 2,000-3,000 hours. With a typical replacement lamp running around $300 shouldn’t we do everything we can to ensure maximum lamp life? Projectors operated under these basic operating principles will have the greatest chance of lasting through the entire rated lamp life.

1. Test your lamp:

When you get a new projector make sure to run the unit for at least 20 hrs. during the first 1-2 weeks. If the lamp is defective, it will usually fail within the first 10-20 hours of operation. With lamp warranties lasting an average of 90 days it is best to discover any issues sooner rather than later.

2. Clean your vents and air filters:

If your projector has an air filter, make sure to keep it clean. The dust filter should be cleaned every 3-6 months. Clogged filters or vents will not allow the proper ventilation of heat and can cause the projector lamp to overheat or even fail.

3. Allow proper ventilation:

Do not obstruct the intake or exhaust vents on your projector. If your vents do not have room for adequate ventilation you risk the chance of overheating your projector.

4. Choose proper operating environment:

Avoid environments with extreme humidity, temperature, and dust.

5. Allow the lamp to cool before unplugging:

Do not unplug the projector until the lamp has finished cooling. After the projector has been shut off, fans will continue to run to ensure even cooling which will decrease the chance of early lamp failure.

6. Do not move until cool:

Hot lamps are very fragile, never move a projector until the lamp has completely cooled. Shock and vibration may damage sensitive lamp filaments.

7. Minimize on/off cycles:

Do not frequently turn the projector on and off. Each time the projector is turned on, the rush of power causes stress on the lamp filaments.

8. Wait one hour after cooling to turn on again:

After prolonged use (3+ hours) and shutdown, wait at least one hour to turn the projector on again. If a lamp is still warm/hot, the projector will send to much voltage early in the lamp heat-up cycle which will drastically decrease lamp life.

9. Do not handle the lamp without gloves:

Oils and deposits from hands and fingers can cause “hot spots” which results in temperature gradient stresses which result in early lamp failure.

10. Operate in “Economy” or “Low-lamp” mode:

Whenever possible use the “low-lamp” or “economy mode” on your projector. Economy mode is known to increase lamp life up to %50 with only a 20% reduction in brightness.

11. Never leave your projector in the car on a hot or cold day:

If a projector was left outside in a car for example make sure to allow the projector to adjust to room temperature before turning it on. If the lamp is 35 degrees or below it may explode if turned on immediately once brought inside. Further, projectors left in the hot sun have a tendency to overheat if not allowed to cool down before operation.

12. Test replacement/spare lamps:

If you purchase an extra lamp before it is time to replace your existing lamp is recommended to remove the existing lamp and use the old lamp as a spare. If a lamp is defective it will typically fail within the first 10-20 hours, using the new lamp early ensures you do not have a defective lamp and allows adequate time for replacement if you find the lamp to be faulty.

How to Install a New Lamp?

How to Install a New Lamp?

There are many different models of projectors, but fortunately for you 99% of them have a fairly similar and simple lamp replacement process. Before we start, make sure you have purchased the correct lamp for the projector you own as each projector lamp is different.

1. Make sure the projector is powered down (if in use, wait at least 10 minutes for the lamp to cool) and for added precaution remove the power cable.

2. Turn the unit over and locate the lamp panel, once located, unscrew and remove the cover.

3. Unscrew the 2-3 screws holding the lamp in place and carefully slide the lamp out of the projector.

4. Remove the new lamp from its packaging. Make sure not to directly touch the lamp only the outer casing. Oils and debris from hands and fingers will cause "hot spotting" which will lead to overheating and ultimately decreased lamp life.

5. Alight the guides on the new lamp holder with the guides inside the unit and gently slide the lamp into place.

6. Insert and tighten the screws on each side of the lamp holder. When replacing the lamp housing make sure the new housing is secure and seated completely before operation.

7. Place the cover back on the unit and re-install the screws.

8. Plug the projector back into the power supply and restart the projector.

9. After the unit powers on, locate the lamp counter in the menu and reset the counter to zero.

10. Store the old lamp for back-up just in case the new lamp fails prematurely. Typically, if a lamp is going to fail prematurely you will know within the first 40 hours of usage.

Factory Refurbished projectors, FAQ

What are refurbished or factory re-certified products?

Refurbished products are manufacturer-certified products that have been returned to the manufacturer and reconditioned to new or like new condition. All refurbished projectors sold by Projector Supercenter undergo stringent reconditioning and testing processes at the factory and are backed by manufacturer warranties. Each projector is cleaned, quality checked, tested, and repacked by the respective manufacturer. Due to high quality standards and rigorous testing the quality of factory refurbished units is every bit as good as a brand new projector.

Why are refurbished projectors such a great value?

If affordability is a major concern or you simply want to save a little cash, factory refurbished projectors offer a great deal at a substantial discount without sacrificing quality. Factory refurbished projectors are manufacturer-certified products that have been returned to the manufacturer for one reason or another. Any projector that meets any of the following criteria will be cleaned, inspected, tested, and repackaged to new condition by the manufacturer and will be sold as refurbished with a manufacturer warranty.

Why are projector returned to the factory?

Essentially, any projector that is shipped back to the manufacturer for any reason whatsoever is opened, inspected, cleaned, tested, repackaged and finally sold as refurbished units. These items can no longer be sold as new even though the majority of units are in new condition and fully operational. Listed below are a few of the common reasons why a unit is returned to the manufacturer.

1. Customer returns:

Most manufactures have some sort of return policy; any products that are returned to the manufacturer must be sold as refurbished. Most of the time, there is nothing wrong with these units they were simply returned by the customer for whatever reason.

2. Shipping Damage:

Sometimes, packages are returned to the manufacturer due to damaged packaging. Although the projector inside is typically perfectly fine, who wants to put a damaged box on their store shelves?

3. Cosmetic damage:

For a variety of reasons, a projectors casing could have a scratch or other cosmetic blemish that does not affect performance. These units cannot be sold as new, so they are typically repackaged as refurbished. Many companies will actually remove the internal parts and place the projector in a new case before reselling as refurbished.

4. Demo or promotional units:

Some manufacturers allow stores to return demo units which they promptly recertify to new condition and resell as refurbished. In addition, manufactures are known to send promotional units to magazines and other online sites which review their products. Once the review has been written these units are returned and refurbished.

5. Factory defect:

Occasionally, a faulty optical system, power supply, processor or other mechanism may be installed into a batch of projectors making the unit defective. If this is not caught before leaving the factory, the manufacturer will typically have to do a recall to replace the faulty unit and then must sell as refurbished.

6. The box was opened:

If a package is opened in a store or other retail environment and returned to the manufacturer for repackaging the unit must be sold as refurbished. Although the unit has not even been powered on or removed from the package it must be sold as refurbished since it has been opened.

7. Overstock or discontinued items:

When a manufacturer releases a new product model, the older model are sometimes pulled from shelves and returned to the manufacturer. At this point the manufacturer simply reduces the price and sells the units as refurbished to quickly move the inventory.

Refurbished Projectors, a savvy bargain

Basically, whenever a projector is shipped back to the manufacturer for any reason, it is cleaned, inspected, tested, and repackaged for sale as refurbished. Due to the high quality standards and solid manufacturer warranties, refurbished projectors offer deep discounts without sacrificing quality or reliability. Due to an ever increasing market for business and home theater projectors the supply of refurbished projectors will continue to grow and Projector Supercenter will be here to offer substantial savings to our savvy consumers.

Often times consumers are wary of products marked “refurbished” for fear of a product defect. There is no reason why labeling a product refurbished should invoke such negative connotations. Every projector that is returned to the manufacturer for one reason or another undergoes strict product testing by qualified technicians to ensure every component is fully functional. Due to this individual attention and vigorous testing, refurbished units are every bit as reliable as new units. Typically, projectors are returned fully functional for any of the reasons listed above. In the event the product was returned due to a defect than someone purchased a new projector that was defective. Refurbished projectors will not have these same defects as they have been refurbished to new, fully functional condition making these units just as if not more than reliable than new units.

When buying a refurbished projector please make sure to purchase from a company that is authorized by the manufacturer to sell these projectors. Certain companies and individuals will sell refurbished projectors that have been refurbished outside of the factory by an unauthorized individual. These projectors will not be backed by manufacturer warranties and often times are refurbished with non-factory parts. Due to Projector Supercenter’s position within the industry we are able to partner directly with certain manufacturers to bring you factory refurbished units at unbelievable discounts. Projector Supercenter has the largest selection of factory refurbished DLP and LCD projectors online, please check out our selection. As quantities are often limited please don’t let an opportunity pass you by and always check back daily for an updated product list.

Do refurbished projectors come with a factory warranty?

Yes, all projectors listed for sale on Projector Supercenter are supported by manufacturer warranties. If purchasing from another online retailer please make sure to purchase from an authorized reseller as manufactures will typically only honor warranties for items purchased through an authorized retailer. Warranty length differs from manufacturer to manufacturer, below is a list of manufacturers with warranty terms and conditions.
BenQ: 1 year parts and labor, 90 day lamp warranty
NEC: 1 year parts and labor, 90 day lamp warranty
Mitsubishi: 1 year parts and labor, 90 day lamp warranty
EIKI: 1 year parts and labor, 90 day lamp warranty
Optoma: 90 days parts and labor
Hitachi: 1 year parts and labor, 90 day lamp warranty
Epson: Varies by model, 1-2 years parts and labor

Where can I get more information?

For more information view our FAQ on Refurbished projectors.

Do extended warranties work with refurbished products? 

Yes, extended warranties offered through CPS are valid for all new and factory recertified projectors and take effect immediately after the manufacturer warranty expires.

What is usually included with Refurbished Projectors?

Items included in box vary manufacturer to manufacturer. Below is a list of manufacturers we carry and what is included with your projector purchase.
NEC: The projector, power cable, VGA cable, remote, and remote batteries are included with every purchase. Additional cables, batteries, etc. may or may not be in the box. A user manual may be located online in Projector Supercenter’s product section if not included in the box.
BenQ, Mitsubishi, EIKI, Hitachi, Optoma, Epson, Casio: The Projector, all standard accessories, cables, cases, and manuals that are included with new units also come with the factory refurbished projectors.
**On rare occasions the manufacturer may accidently leave something out of the packaging. Please notify us of any missing accessories immediately upon delivery and we will contact the manufacturer to replace the missing accessories if possible.

Are all products shipped in manufacturer packaging?

Yes, all refurbished products come boxed in factory packaging. This packaging may, however differ from the new product packaging based on the manufacturer. On rare occasion if the product arrives at Projector Supercenter in less than optimal packaging we will repackage the item to make sure it arrives safely at your door.

Are all refurbished products reconditioned at the factory?

All projectors for sale at Projector Supercenter have been reconditioned by the manufacturer at the factory. Please be aware however that some retailers will sell refurbished products that are not factory refurbished. These units will not include a factory warranty and may not have been inspected or repaired with factory parts. If purchasing from a private seller or outlet please make sure to verify the origin of the unit to guarantee a quality purchase.

Why buy a refurbished projector?

Buying factory refurbished projectors offers all the quality of a brand new projector at a substantial discount to retail prices.