How to choose a home cinema projector
Home cinema projectors are primarily designed for screening films and playing games. They typically offer 4K, Full HD, or HD Ready resolution and a widescreen aspect ratios such as 16:9 or 21:9. While most home cinema projectors are designed for use in darker environments, some high-luminosity models are stuiable for use in regularly lit rooms.
Frequently asked questions when choosing a home cinema projector
Can film projectors compete with televisions in terms of quality?
Definitely, yes. One of the main advantages of projectors is their ability to display large-scale images, which only the biggest TVs can compete with. The experience of watching a film on a projector is closer to that of a big screen cinema than a television. Furthermore, unlike large TVs, projectors are lightweight and highly portable.
On the other hand, TVs offer simpler installation, fewer restrictions on where they can be placed, and, unlike projectors, don't produce unwanted noise due to the use of a cooling fan.
What level of brightness do I need?
The ideal brightness level (measured in ANSI lumens) should depend on the light levels in the room as well as the size of the room. When projecting in total darkness, models with a brightness of up to 2000 lm will suffice, while projectors with a brightness of 5000 lm would be too bright for your eyes. For dimly lit rooms, a luminosity up to 3000 lm is suitable. Projectors over 3000 lm can even show films in daylight.
What is the difference between native and maximum image resolution?
Native resolution is often confused with maximum resolution. Maximum resolution is not the resolution of the projector but an indication of the highest possible resolution that the projector can convert to its native resolution. A film with a resolution higher than the maximum resolution of the projector cannot, therefore, be converted and displayed by the projector.
What other devices can I connect to a film projector?
Film projectors can be connected to multiple devices via various cables or wireless technologies.
- To connect to a notebook or PC - HDMI, DVI or VGA
- To connect to a games console - HDMI, component or composite connector
- To connect to a DVD / Blu-Ray or other players - HDMI, component or composite connector
- To connect to a mobile or tablet - WiFi
- For multimedia playback on a network - LAN connector
TIP: Before buying, check what types of connection are supported by your device. If the projector has no common connector, use a reduction cable.
Can I project on a wall, or do I need to buy a special projector screen?
While projectors can be used on plain white walls, images and films will look better on a projector screen. If necessary, you can even use coloured walls, as many projectors come equipped with basic colour correction options.
Types of screen:
Tripod - highly portable
Pull down - a space-saving option; twisted canvas can sometimes cause problems
What else should I consider when choosing a home cinema projector?
Luminous flux (luminosity)
Luminous flux is measured in lumens (lm) and indicates the brightness of the projected image. The darker the room, the less bright the projector needs to be.
Up to 2,000 lm - suitable for darkened rooms with minimal lighting.
2000-3 000 lm - more suited to dimly lit rooms.
Over 3,000 lm - provides highly visible projections, even in daylight.
Contrast
Contrast is an important parameter for film projectors as it directly affects the level of detail in dark scenes. It is given as a ratio between the lightest and darkest tones, with a higher value meaning good visibility even in dark scenes, where black is actually black and not gray. Film projectors require a contrast of 10,000:1 or higher.
Noise
Projectors create a small amount of noise due to the fan that cools the projector body. The smaller the room, the more important it is to have a quieter projector. An acceptable level is up to 30 decibels.
Projection technology
DLP projectors offer quality colour reproduction, high contrast, and low maintenance. One downside is the occasional presence of the so-called 'rainbow effect'. DLP projectors either have a halogen lamp (larger size and higher luminosity) or LEDs (lower power consumption and smaller dimensions).
LCD projectors provide excellent colour reproduction and high durability, but offer lower contrast than DLP projectors as well as higher maintentance.
Useful functions and features
Remote control - for simple setup and operation of the projector from anywhere in the room.
Keystone correction - a function that corrects the output image if a projector is not placed perpendicular to the horizontal centerline of the screen (too high or too low).
Zoom - changes the image size without moving the projector.
PiP (Picture in Picture) - the projection of two images (video or photo) next to each other from two different sources.
Integrated battery - allows a projector to be used without mains electricity for several hours.
Built-in speaker - offers basic audio. Higher quality sound can be achieved by coupling the projector with a home theatre system.
Accessories
Glossary - Projectors
Keystone correction
Keystone correction is a function that corrects the output image if a projector is not placed perpendicular to the horizontal centreline of the screen (too high or too low).
FOV
FOV (Field of view) is the angle formed between your view and the projected image. The closer you are to the image and the longer the diagonal, the greater the angle, and vice versa.
PiP
Picture in Picture (PIP) means displaying two images (video or photo) from two different sources next to each other.
Glossary
Resolution and optimal viewing distance
Native resolution is based on the basic resolution of the image element (DMD chips for DLP projectors, LCD panels for LCD projectors). However, besides the basic resolution, projectors can display resolution lower or higher than native. In terms of quality, however, the picture will be worse, although this may not be visible to the human eye. The optimum viewing distance is derived from the native resolution; the closer you sit to the projector screen or wall, the higher the resolution should be. If the resolution is too low, the image quality will blur and pixelate.
Read about the difference between native and maximum projector resolution.