The Definitive Guide to Know Which Projector to Buy

Things to keep in mind when choosing a projector : FORMAT AND RESOLUTION

The format or aspect ratio is the ratio between the width and height of the projected image. Is there any better aspect ratio than the others? No, it will always depend on the content that you are going to see. The most commons are:

• 4: 3 It’s almost like a square and is oriented to presentation type documents, classic films, slides …
• 16: 9 / 16:10 . They are panoramic formats: movies, TV channels in high definition …
• The contents in film formats – such as 21: 9, 1.85: 1, 2.35: 1, 2.40: 1 – usually come adapted to anamorphic 16: 9 for reproduction, either in optical discs (DVD, Blu-ray) or TV channels so that if you want to see the content with the original aspect ratio you can:
  • Play with the zoom of the lens and some image adjustment functions that the projector brings (such as stretching ) to adapt it as much as possible to the format you are looking for.
  • Add an external anamorphic lens to the projector to change the aspect ratio (this solution is expensive and depending on the lens model, you can lose definition in the image).

( TIP: If you are going to dedicate the projector for home theatre: keep in mind that the classic films, the ones before the panoramic formats appeared, have a 4: 3 aspect ratio, so if you are a great big fan of the cinema, look for compatible models, by the way! The series ‘The Wire’ is shot in 4: 3).

The native resolution of a projector is the number of pixels it is able to display to form the images. The higher its value, the greater the definition and detail of each image will be.

There are many resolutions so which one to choose? As with the aspect ratio, it will depend on the content that you are most likely to project:

• Full HD or 1080p (1920 × 1080): perfect for blu-ray, for ps4 …
• HD or 720p (1280 × 720): for HD content.
• XGA (1024 × 768) and WXGA (1280 × 800): usual on laptops and widely used in meeting rooms, as well as older ones such as VGA (640 × 480) or SVGA (800 × 600).
• 4K – UHD (3840 × 2160): it is gaining presence and there is more content in Ultra High Definition.

( TIP: A problem will arise when the content you want to see has a different resolution than your computer: in this case, the projector will adapt or scale the signal to its native magnitude – appearing more or less visible distortions – so that we recommend that you try to stick to the resolution of your video projector)

How to know which projector to choose: STAY ON THE BRIGHTNESS AND CONTRAST

One of the fundamental steps to choose a projector is to know the brightness that you will need. The brightness of the projector, or the light output, are the lumens it can offer, so you should take into account the model’s light source (lamp, LED or laser) since the intensity, consumption and efficiency of each are different. On the other hand, the level of brightness will greatly influence the contrast of the images.

How many lumens should a projector have?

It is difficult to give concrete figures of how many lumens a projector should have since there are many factors that can affect the projection in each situation (the technology, the manufacturer, the orientation of the room …).

We offer you some scenarios-type to give you a general idea of ​​the minimum requirements of control of the ambient light (LA) where you are going to install the equipment and several indicative brightness ranges that can help you to decide which projector to buy :

• For home theatre (little or no LA, 1080p):
  • About 1000 lumens are enough; up to 1500 lumens according to the size of the room and the screen.
  • The 3D function reduces the output brightness.
• For home (some LA, generic content):
  • Around 2000 lumens (maybe more, depending on the level of LA)
• For office / To teach (LA):
  • 2500-3500 lumens (small-medium rooms, diagonals of 70 “-80”)
  • 3500-5000 lumens (medium-large gauges, large diagonals)
• For a bar (sports, celebration events, lots of LA):
  • 4000-6000 lumens (large screens, many people scattered)
• For presentations (small rooms, few people, something from LA):
  • Portable projectors (LED, around 1000 lumens)
• For outdoor with daylight (also at night): From 4000 lumens (more in the case of daytime projections).

Normal Contrast Values In A Projector

What is meant by normal contrast values ​​in a projector? First of all: do not forget that the contrast is the relationship between light and dark that the team is capable of. And remember:

• Native contrast ( on-off contrast ):
  the difference in brightness between a totally white screen and a totally black screen.
• Dynamic Contrast:
  reflects the additional adjustment that the projector incorporates to vary the brightness of the lamp according to the level of clarity of the frame.
• ANSI Contrast:
  When projecting a pattern of black and white squares in the same frame, it measures the average difference in brightness (white brightness / black residual brightness).

Native contrast values ​​from 2000: 1 give a good response (if they are larger, better, if in the specifications only appear much higher values ​​-2 higher orders) it is normal to be dynamic contrast: always be preferable a contrast high native ). For ANSI contrast, if they are indicated, values ​​close to 1000: 1 are high.

In theory, the higher the contrast values, the better the image quality will be, but this relationship is not as direct as there are factors that greatly affect the contrast :

• The ambient light It is what most influences. The color of the walls, ceiling, furniture … The clearer, the worse. A small variation of the light level of the room makes the contrast rise or fall much, especially the ANSI.
• The screen The answer will always improve. Some enhance the contrast in dedicated rooms, others in the presence of light …
• The technology DLP projectors tend to have higher ANSI contrast than LCD and LCOS projectors, which is why they achieve more sharpness in the images (LCD / LCOS projectors tend to soften them).
• The source of light In general, LEDs and lasers give a better contrast response than lamps.

What type of contrast interests you the most depending on the content to be projected? Simplifying a bit: the native contrast improves the content with a higher level of darkness while the ANSI contrast does the same as the clarity of the frame is greater. Therefore, it would be ideal to have a projector with high levels of native and ANSI contrast, as well as a dedicated room. As this situation is not the most usual, try to enhance the On-Off (if it has a dynamic iris, better) since, to be able to appreciate the ANSI contrast at 100%, you will need a room with almost absolute control of the ambient light.

Choosing the best projector: LCD, DLP or LCOS TECHNOLOGY?

Currently, you have to choose between projectors with LCD, DLP or LCOS technology. Which one is the best? Knowing that each one has pros and cons, makes clear what needs you have to decide for one or the other:

LCD PROJECTORS

• Advantage
  • Bright colors (good saturation)
  • High levels of brightness
  • Silent
  • Economic prices
  • Lens shift – lens shift – high (facilitates installation in case of obstacles).
• Disadvantages
  • They weigh and take up more space.
  • The interior is not completely sealed (unlike the DLP and most LCOS) so dust can enter (hence the filters, which must be cleaned).
  • Use of the lamp:
    • Waiting times for ignition (needs to be heated to work) and off (with high temperatures it is more sensitive to shock).
    • Over time the lamp degrades (depending on the hours of use) and must be replaced (they are not cheap).
  • Low contrast ANSI.

DLP PROJECTORS

( There are 1 chip – they generate color with an additional wheel – and 3 chips – one chip per basic color RGB )

• Advantage
  • High contrast ANSI.
  • Good image definition.
  • Good grayscale.
  • Less dimension and weight than LCD.
• Disadvantages
  • Less brightness (and more muted colors) than LCD.
  • Low lens shift capacity (1 chip).
  • The noise produced by the color wheel (1 chip).
  • They can generate a rainbow-like visual effect (not all people are sensitive to it).
  • High price (3 chips).

PROJECTORS LCOS

• Advantage
  • Soft and natural images (almost imperceptible pixel structure).
  • Vivid colors.
  • Depth of blacks.
  • Good gray scale.
  • High contrast on-off.
  • Good response with movement images.
• Disadvantages
  • Lower ANSI contrast.
  • High prices (although there are some models of affordable portable projectors).

Is SOUND important when buying a projector?

Is sound important to know which projector to buy? It can be, of course: as always, it depends on the use you are going to give it.

Some advice’s:

• The loudspeakers that the video projectors can bring are not usually powerful enough, so if you are going to use the projector for home theatre or something similar, they are not an option.
• In those cases, if the projector has audio output, you can take it to a hi-fi or an A / V device.
• “How can I get the sound from the projector if it has no audio output?” For example:
  • Go to the player of the content you are using and use the audio output you have.
  • Use additional elements that separate, for example, the HDMI signal in video + sound for you to treat them independently (the part of video to the projector and the audio to speakers, hifi equipment …).

In this post you have detailed information about the most common possibilities to configure the sound of the projector that you can take advantage of.