Buying guide to a home theatre projector
Increasingly, movie buffs are turning to projectors when setting up a home theatre system because they are an affordable large-screen alternative to plasma and LCD TVs. Compared with some of the large size flat panel sets, a movie projector can be had for half the price and is capable of projecting an image more than twice the size. Typically, it also supports widescreen projection, a high contrast ratio and a wide selection of video input ports.
Our quick guide will help you clarify the options and identify the key features that matter most when shopping for a projector.
LCD vs DLP
You'll hear these two terms bandied around most in projectorspeak. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and DLP (Digital Light Processing) are the two main display technologies currently available in the market.
LCD projectors
Older of the two technologies
Generally found in entry-level models
Utilises three colour panels instead of one, resulting in images with better brightness and colour saturation
Generally more "light efficient" with greater colour accuracy
Most LCD projectors are bigger and bulkier
Improved version known as Polysilicon (PolySi) LCD used in high-end projectors
DLP projectors
The more popular of the two formats
Proprietary technology developed by Texas Instruments
Employs thousands of tiny mirrors to reflect light that is used to produce an image
Ability to project images with less pixelation and better contrast
Tend to be more compact and portable
Some high-end models come with three DLP chips for even image reproduction
Shopping specs
Brightness
Contrary to popular belief, the optimum amount of brightness required for home theatre projectors is usually lower compared with those designed for presentations in the office. The reason is simply that most people watch movies in a darkened room environment where good images up to 2.5 meters across can be produced with just a 1,000 lumen projector.
Resolution
Most movie projectors in the market today are SVGA and XGA models which should provide more than sufficient resolution for the mainstream crowd to use for DVD movies, regular TV broadcasts and the occasional console game. There are higher-resolution projectors out there but they won't make a difference in image quality unless you are receiving High Definition Television (HDTV) signals.
DLP over LCD
DLP technology is usually preferred for movie projectors because of its high contrast ratios which produce images with richer blacks. In addition, DLP projectors are widely recognised for their smooth video quality and less visible pixelations over their LCD counterparts.
Aspect ratio
The majority of home theatre projectors offer 16:9 aspect ratio as most movie buffs buy a projector in order as to watch widescreen DVD movies in their full 16:9 cinematic glory. However, if you're using the projector mainly to catch TV broadcasts and movies in the standard 4:3 aspect ratio, it may be worth looking at non-widescreen projectors.
Other nice-to-have features
Increasingly, movie buffs are turning to projectors when setting up a home theatre system because they are an affordable large-screen alternative to plasma and LCD TVs. Compared with some of the large size flat panel sets, a movie projector can be had for half the price and is capable of projecting an image more than twice the size. Typically, it also supports widescreen projection, a high contrast ratio and a wide selection of video input ports.
Our quick guide will help you clarify the options and identify the key features that matter most when shopping for a projector.
LCD vs DLP
You'll hear these two terms bandied around most in projectorspeak. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and DLP (Digital Light Processing) are the two main display technologies currently available in the market.
LCD projectors
Older of the two technologies
Generally found in entry-level models
Utilises three colour panels instead of one, resulting in images with better brightness and colour saturation
Generally more "light efficient" with greater colour accuracy
Most LCD projectors are bigger and bulkier
Improved version known as Polysilicon (PolySi) LCD used in high-end projectors
DLP projectors
The more popular of the two formats
Proprietary technology developed by Texas Instruments
Employs thousands of tiny mirrors to reflect light that is used to produce an image
Ability to project images with less pixelation and better contrast
Tend to be more compact and portable
Some high-end models come with three DLP chips for even image reproduction
Shopping specs
Brightness
Contrary to popular belief, the optimum amount of brightness required for home theatre projectors is usually lower compared with those designed for presentations in the office. The reason is simply that most people watch movies in a darkened room environment where good images up to 2.5 meters across can be produced with just a 1,000 lumen projector.
Resolution
Most movie projectors in the market today are SVGA and XGA models which should provide more than sufficient resolution for the mainstream crowd to use for DVD movies, regular TV broadcasts and the occasional console game. There are higher-resolution projectors out there but they won't make a difference in image quality unless you are receiving High Definition Television (HDTV) signals.
DLP over LCD
DLP technology is usually preferred for movie projectors because of its high contrast ratios which produce images with richer blacks. In addition, DLP projectors are widely recognised for their smooth video quality and less visible pixelations over their LCD counterparts.
Aspect ratio
The majority of home theatre projectors offer 16:9 aspect ratio as most movie buffs buy a projector in order as to watch widescreen DVD movies in their full 16:9 cinematic glory. However, if you're using the projector mainly to catch TV broadcasts and movies in the standard 4:3 aspect ratio, it may be worth looking at non-widescreen projectors.
Other nice-to-have features
- HDMI/DVI digital interface
- High-Definition ready/compatible
- Multiple video connectivity options
- Lens shift capability
- Low noise rating
- Enhanced video processing chip