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
How does the contrast ratio affect image quality?
The contrast ratio is the difference between the brightest and
darkest parts of the image. The greater the distance the higher the
contrast ratio. With home theater projectors, the contrast ratio is
arguably the most important measurable quality. A high-contrast
projector will produce a delightfully vivid image with crisp, deep
blacks and well defined shadow detail. The contrast ratio is essential
for choosing a projector which will create crisp, clear, and vivid
images.
Is there anything I can do to get a higher contrast ratio?
Yes, as you have likely noticed, commercial and high end movie
theaters are always dark, including black walls and ceilings. Movie
theaters and high end installations go through all this trouble because
projectors look their best when there is no light in the room. In high
end installations this even includes stray light reflected off of the
projection screen. Stray and ambient light will reduce the contrast of
the image and work to make the blacks appear more grey, essentially
washing out the image.
A projector does not projector black, black is
the absence of light. Any light falling on the screen from a source
other than the projector will raise the absolute black level and reduce
the contrast. Ideally, a home theater should have little to no ambient
light present. However, most people do not want to darken the walls of
their home theater or multipurpose rooms just to achieve ideal theater
conditions. The other option is to purchase a high-contrast gray screen
which will improve black levels and the contrast ratio of the projector
image. For the best possible image, proceed with any steps necessary to
eliminate ambient light and reflective surfaces on the walls and
ceiling.
What resolution is best for me?
Another crucial factor to look for in a home theater projector is the
projectors native resolution. A projectors native resolution is made up
of the number of pixels it can display, for example, a full 1080P
projector will have a native resolution of 1920x1080 which can produce
2,073,600 individual pixels. Generally, the higher resolution the
projector, the higher the cost. Higher resolution projectors produce
more detail and also reduce the visibility of pixel structure, two
highly desirable qualities in a home theater projector.
Common home theater projector resolutions:
1280x720 (720p):Home theater projectors which have a
native resolution of 1280x720 (720p) are now within budget range and
cost as little as $700. A 720p projector will offer excellent
reproduction of DVD videos. They also offer the ability to reproduce
1080-line video, such as 1080p found on Blu-ray discs or 1080i found on
broadcast HDTV. If you are serious about your home theater, consider
nothing under 720p resolution.
1280x768:This is a hybrid resolution which is ideal
for applications in which video as well as computer signals will be
used. This hybrid resolution allows you to produce video in the standard
1280x720p resolution as well as standard computer resolutions such as
XGA (1024x768) and WXGA (1280x768) without scaling. This format is ideal
for viewing video, computer, or web surfing. Note, this resolution has
an aspect ratio of 15:9, not 16:9 like the other two resolutions on the
list. When viewing a 16:9 video there will be tiny black bars on the top
and bottom of the image. While these black bars are annoying while
viewing video they are responsible for allowing the projector to produce
XGA computer signals.
1920x1080 (1080p):1080p will give your home theater
the sharpest and most detailed image available today. These projectors
will produce Blu-ray and 1080i HDTV broadcasts at full resolution
without any scaling which will result in a beautiful, detailed image.
Due to the high number of pixels (2,073,600) pixel structure is
virtually non-existent. Currently, the cheapest 1080p projectors will
set you back $1,000 while the high end models can creep up into the
10,000+ range. The best bang for your buck right now typically lies in
the $2,000 - $3,000 range for home theater projectors.
Selecting the right resolution for your home theater:
Depending on your budget, we recommend either a 720p or 1080p
projector for 16:9 widescreen viewing. However, if you want your
projector to double as a data projector, 1280x768 is an appealing
alternative. With new units selling for as low as $700, 1280x720p is an
attractive choice for creating a great theater on a budget. However, if
you want the sharpest image quality and have the money to spend we would
not recommend anything but the best, 1920x1080p. When selecting a
projector it is also important to take into consideration the input
sources. If you want full, uncompressed resolution from a Blu-ray player
you will need to get a 1920x1080p projector. If you are only going to
be watching DVD or similar resolution formats then you will be able to
skate by with a 1280x720p unit just fine.
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.
What cables and connections will give me the clearest image?
To get top performance from your audio and video equipment it is
essential to use the highest quality cables to connect your devices.
Projector Supercenter recommends that your home theater projector have
at least one of the following inputs to guarantee the clearest and
sharpest image quality: component, DVI, or HDMI. The highest quality of
these two are the HDMI and DVI, both of these cords have 19 dedicated
channels for video and will produce the same image quality. Before
purchasing any cables please check out the dedicated cable guide here.
The guide will walk you through the different cables available as well
as the maximum cable lengths to ensure optimal quality.
Where should I install my projector?
Home theater installations can take a number of forms, you can mount
the projector on the ceiling in front or behind the screen as well as
set the projector on a shelf or table in front or behind the screen.
Each option carries its respective pros and cons.
Should I mount the projector on the ceiling?
Typically, mounting the projector on the ceiling will provide the
most polished and aesthetically pleasing look to your theater. This will
also keep the projector safe from accidental spills, eliminates running
cords across the floor, as well as provides ideal ventilation for the
projector which will improve the lamp life. Keeping the projector
installed will also allow for little to no setup when you are ready to
use the projector. The downside, however, is the unit becomes less
portable as it is sometimes difficult or time consuming to un-mount the
projector in the event you want to take it on the road or over to a
friend's house.
Ceiling mounting a projector also requires more planning, you will
need to know the screen size you want to use as well as the throw
distance required to produce the image. The larger the screen size you
plan on using, the further the projector will need to be from the
screen. Before purchasing a screen or mounting your unit make sure to
research the throw distance necessary to produce the desired image size.
When looking at a unit on Projector Supercenter's website click
downloads and follow the link to an image calculator where you can look
up these details for each specific model. Don't know how to use the
projector image size calculator, click here to read how.
What about placing the projector on a shelf or table top?
Placing the projector on a shelf or table you will give you the added
flexibility to pick up and go at any point. The downside, however, is
that you will have to set up and take down the projector more often and
will also miss out on the nice polished look of a ceiling mounted
projector. Be sure to leave enough room between the projector and any
surfaces to allow proper ventilation. In addition, any noise from a
table mounted projector will be more prominent as you will be on the
same level as the projector. When choosing a projector for any home
theater but specifically a table mounted unit make sure to purchase a
unit with less than a 30dB noise rating.
Can't decide between ceiling or table top mounting?
If you cannot decide between ceiling or table top mounting Projector
Supercenter recommends a ceiling mount which will allow a quick release.
A quick release mount will allow you to quickly remove and reattach the
projector from the mount for those special occasions where you need to
take the projector on the road. In addition, it is best to keep an extra
set of cables handy for road trips. Cables running to a ceiling mounted
projector are usually installed in the walls and difficult to access
making a spare set of cables a necessity if you plan on using the
projector at another location.
How far away does the projector need to be from the screen?
To make projectors easier to use in a variety of rooms and
applications, projectors are made with different zoom and throw ratios.
When choosing a projector, first determine the image size you want to
project on the wall or screen and then see if the projector you are
looking at will produce the desired image size within the limits of the
room size and throw distance that you have to work with. Also, when
mounting or placing a projector it is best to position the unit as close
as possible to the screen with the zoom fully opened. Zoom lenses offer
greater placement flexibility and are necessary for many applications
but can result in a lumen drop of %25-%40 at full zoom. If you want to
maximize light output it is best to use the shortest throw distance the
lens will allow.
What do I need to know about projector lamp life?
Home theater projectors typically have lamp life between 2,000 and
4,000 hours. This specification is actually referring to the half life
of the lamp which is the point in which the lamp produces 50% of the
original new lamp brightness. Choosing a projector with a longer lamp
life will result in paying less to maintain your projector. Replacement
lamps typically cost somewhere between $200-$400. This clearly seems
like a steep price to pay and might deter some users from purchasing a
projector. However, it is good to note that this equates to roughly
$.1-$.2 per hour for a 2,000 hr. unit or $.05-.1 per hour for a 4,000
hr. unit. The average home theater used for movies and special events is
used 8-12 hrs. per week, this results in an average lamp life of around
4-5 years with a small monthly cost of $4-$6. Regular filter cleaning
and proper use will increase the operational lamp life of your unit, to
see hints and tips to extend your lamp life click here.
Are there any special features or capabilities I should look for?
There are a number of different features and capabilities that will
set one projector apart from another, these can include but are in no
way limited to: Lens shift, Picture-in-Picture, Hollywood Quality Video
tuning, Back lit remote controls, Internal scalers, screen triggers,
Various image modes, dynamic iris', Noise reduction, Gamma and color
management features, frame creation with motion blur, clarity
processors, smooth screen technologies, auto input search and many many
more. For a general overview and description of projector features
please check out our guide listed here.
I have read the guide, now what?
Now that you have read the home theater buyers guide you hopefully
have a greater grasp on what you are looking for, take your time to
peruse the home theater projectors available for sale by Projector
Supercenter by simply clicking here. If you have any questions or want a
recommendation for your particular situation please feel free to
contact us with any questions, we are more than happy to help with your
projector search. Above all, avoid buyer's remorse. There will always be
a new projector/technology on the pipeline and it is easy to become
discontent with your purchase. Do not let this worry you, sit back and
enjoy your new home theater, that is after all the point of a home
theater. Just relax and don't be afraid to become immersed in the drama,
comedy, action, and excitement of viewing a movie on the largest screen
you have ever had in your home! Search now at
Projector Supercenter
