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It's understandable to feel overwhelmed by projector specifications and requirements if you're making the switch from a television to a projector for the first time. With our manual by your side, you can zero in on the details that really count. All right, let's go!
Be familiar with your financial constraints.
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What you really need to ask yourself is, "How much do I want to spend?" As a home projector is a substantial investment, typically costing as much as (or more than) a TV, establishing some financial limits upfront is always a smart idea.
You can find a basic model for about $600 to a high-end one with all the bells and whistles for well over $3,000 when you shop online. We advise spending at least $1,500-$2,000 on a quality home cinema setup, but this range is flexible.
Be sure to factor in the cost of any optional extras, such as a projector screen, soundbar, or sound system, and a projector mount. Keep in mind, nevertheless, that there may be some hidden fees. It's easy to spend more on add-ons than the initial cost of the projector itself, even if you pick the cheapest one available.
Now, you'll need to prioritize the projector and any optional extras you want to buy. Avoid the temptation to overspend by purchasing cheap accessories if money is truly tight.
Check out our review of the best home theater projectors on a budget here!
Standard-throw to ultra-short-throw projectors
The time has come to make selections in order to zero in on the precise model of projector you desire. The recommended distance from the screen to the wall for a standard-throw projector, such as the $1,800 Optoma UHD55, is 8 to 10 feet in order to adequately cast a 100-inch image.
Standard-throw projectors typically include ceiling-mount options to guarantee the projector is out of the way, which is especially helpful in smaller theaters where the projector could otherwise be placed in the middle of the seating.
A "short-throw" projector will reduce this distance by a few feet, allowing you to find a projector placement solution other than mounting it on the ceiling.
An ultra-short throw (UST) projector might drastically alter the playing field. Smaller projectors, like the $3,500 Samsung LSP9T Premiere, are great for saving space and time with a home theater because they can be used from just a few inches away from a screen or wall. , but usually at a higher price.
The Light Bulb and the Laser
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A projector's illumination can be provided either by a lamp or a laser. After a few thousand hours, the "half-life" of a lightbulb-based lamp has often passed, and a new bulb should be installed to maintain a consistent level of image quality. Laser projectors (and a close relative, the light-emitting diode (LED) projector) are more expensive, produce less heat than bulbs, and can survive for up to 30,000 hours without needing to be replaced.
Most people can't even second-guess themselves when making this decision. A lamp-based model should be sufficient for your needs if you want to use the projector in a dedicated theater room to view movies or shows on a weekly basis. A laser projector is the best option if it will be used frequently and will be shown in a prominent location in the home because of its durability and higher image quality.
Interesting right? we have all the top listed of best home cinema projectors!
Adjust your light levels till you're satisfied.
"Lumens" is a unit of measurement for how much illumination a projector can provide. You may also see this written as "ANSI lumens," which is shorthand for "ANSI lumens" and refers to the American National Standards Institute, which establishes these standards.
A projector's brightness isn't a major consideration unless you plan on using it during the day in a space with lots of ambient light or with the lights on (like in a living room). Then you'll need at least 2,500 lumens of illumination. The brightness of modern projectors often exceeds 3,000 lumens.
Thus this may not be a problem at all. Yet some projectors are designed for dark theater rooms only and may not have the lumens to cope well with a light room; again, the space and placement are crucial. As a comparison and as a fun fact, a 100-watt light bulb emits around 1,600 lumens, but a candle emits only 14 lumens.
Choose a course of action.
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You shouldn't have any trouble locating projectors with 4K support these days. In order to make the most of the larger screens that projectors support, 4k projectors for home theater is an excellent feature to seek out.
However, the cost of a projector can be reduced dramatically if it has a resolution cap of 720p or Full HD 1080p, as is the case with many inexpensive projectors. We recommend going for the greatest resolution that your budget will allow, as you won't want to spend extra money upgrading to 4K later.
Expanded media capabilities
In order to get the most out of watching movies and TV shows at home, you need to invest in a projector that supports the most up-to-date viewing technologies, which will provide the highest quality image and sound.
But keep in mind that in order to reap these benefits, both your television and audio system, as well as the material you watch, must support these and other technologies. When these features are available, you'll see a little indicator indicating such on CDs or on streaming sites like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
Most popular shows and movies will have format support if you're using a device like Google Chromecast or the smart platforms built into a projector. You might not be able to identify if additional standards are present while viewing files from a USB stick.
FAQs
Is a home theater projector a better option than a television?
Most people's decisions between a projector and a 4K TV are driven by factors including budget, available wall space, and lighting conditions. But, a projector is the better choice if you have the necessary funds and room, but there is little natural light. Finally, for the time being, it's recommended that gamers stick with 4K Screens.
Why not just get a TV instead of a projector?
Whereas projectors are reflective, televisions are emitted. The light that is reflected back to the eye is easier on the eyes. Image sizes from projectors are typically larger. More space between the viewer and the image means less strain on the eyes.
The projected lifespan of a projector.
The average lifespan of an older projector light was between 1,000 and 2,000 hours. Modern projector bulbs, depending on their settings, can last anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 hours, which is a huge improvement.
Final Say
When you're ready to start shopping for a projector, our best home movie projector and best short-throw projectors lists are a wonderful place to start, and they each provide a number of frequently asked questions and answers that go into greater detail about certain aspects.
