Choosing an aspect ratio

When choosing a projector for a home or business application it is important to choose a projector with the correct native aspect ratio. If you need help deciding which aspect ratio is best for your needs please read the brief guide below or feel free to click on my store listed at the bottom of the guide and send me a quick message!

What is a native aspect ratio and what should I look for?
The native aspect ratio is the width to height ratio of the native displayed image. The most common aspect ratios are 4:3 (standard computer monitor and television), 16:9 (widescreen images), and 15:9 (Hybrid between 4:3 and 16:9). Most projectors are capable of producing an image in various aspect ratios but what we need to focus on is the native resolution.

What is the best aspect ratio for a dedicated home theater?
A 16:9 aspect ratio is the best choice for a home theater as this widescreen format was produced specifically for HDTV and widescreen DVDs.

What is the best aspect ratio for a multi-purpose projector?
Nearly all projectors are capable of displaying an image in a number of different aspect ratios, however, when displaying their non-native signals you will encounter black bars on the top or bottom of the screen. For example, if you have a native 4:3 projector and are viewing a widescreen movie the projector will produce black bars on the top and bottom of the image. If you plan on using your projector to produce video and computer data signals the best choice may be something with a 15:9 image. This will allow you to produce a native video and computer data signal without scaling.

What sources work best on a 4:3 aspect ratio?
Recommended applications for 4:3 aspect ratio include: Standard DVDs (not widescreen), Standard American television (NTSC), Computer data signals, VHS tapes, Older video game consoles and computer games.

What sources work best on a 16:9 aspect ratio?
Recommended applications for 16:9 aspect ratio include: Blu-ray, HD DVDs, Widescreen DVDs, HDTV broadcasts, Newer video game consoles and computer games.

Check out site www.projectorsupercenter.com for a wide selection of projectors to choose from to meet all your needs.

How bright of a projector do I need?

When searching for a Home Theater Projector most buyer's are inundated by a an endless supply of stats and specifications. One of the most important one is the lumen count or brightness of the projector. How bright of a projector do you really need for a home theater? Please read the guide below and feel free to click on my store link at the bottom of the guide.

How bright of a projector do I need for my home?

Brightness is measured in ANSI lumens for home theater projectors, the higher the lumen count, the brighter the projector. Home theater projectors typically range between 800 and 2,000 lumens. When determining the brightness of the projector one needs to consider the projector viewing environment. When it comes to home theater projectors, brighter is not always better. The ideal compromise is to find a unit that adequately produces enough light to fill your screen with a high contrast image, but not too much light as to create eye fatigue during extended viewing.

How big of screen will you be using?

Each projector has a set amount of lumens, the larger the image you are projecting the darker the image will be as lumens are spread over a bigger area. Conversely, the smaller the image, the brighter the image will be. That being said, the larger the screen, the brighter the projector will need to be.Will you be using a projector screen? If so, what is the gain? Projector screens are highly reflective and are manufactured to reflect the light from the projector back at the audience. A good projector screen can make a large difference in regards to image brightness. The reflectivity of a projector screen is measured in gain, the higher the gain, the more reflective the screen. Typical home theater screens have a gain of 1 to 1.5 and come in either white or gray. White screens result in a brighter picture while gray screens will result in a higher contrast ratio. For more information on choosing a screen check out our screen buying guide here.

How much ambient light will there be in the theater?

Finally, you need to consider the amount of ambient light in the theater from household lighting and windows. High to mid levels of ambient light will require a brighter projector (higher lumen count), whereas low levels of ambient light will allow you to get by with a lower lumen unit which usually have higher contrast ratios. A brighter picture will help compensate for the loss of contrast due to ambient light. Projector Supercenter recommends the following brightness levels for home theater units: Dedicated home theaters need a projector rated at 800 lumens or higher Rooms with low to medium ambient light will need at least 1300 lumens Areas with medium to high ambient light will need 2,000+ lumens depending on the application

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.