In addition to large-scale professional uses, video projectors are becoming popular in offices for presentations and at home for entertainment.
You can get a 100-inch screen for a few thousand dollars, thanks to video projectors. It may not be as great as a TV for the same price, and you might need a darker room for a good view, but it’s still a smart buy.
So, how do you know what video projector is best for you? What features do you need? And what do ANSI, DLP, UHP, and other acronyms used to describe video projectors mean?
Well, that’s what we will be discussing in this blog post.
Let's get started.
How Do You Choose a Video Projector?
Here are some useful tips for shopping for a video projector and the factors to consider before buying one.
The Type of Projector You Want
The two most common options are DLP and LCD projectors.
The main difference is that DLP projectors use digital light processing to create images. Therefore, they make very bright images and work perfectly with 3D projectors.
On the other hand, an LCD projector employs a light crystal display to project its images. LCD projectors are slightly cheaper because they have fewer components.
Light Output and Brightness
The light output on the projector influences the quality of the images it produces. If a projector has an extremely low light output, the images will appear muddy even in a dark room.
When shopping for a video projector, always go for one with at least 1000 ANSI Lumens and above.
You may need less or more lumens depending on your room’s size, light connections, and the screen size.
It’s worth noting that the LCD projectors output equal color and white light, while DLP projectors have less color light than white light.
The Light Source
Video projectors are powered by laser, LED or lamps.
Projectors powered by lamps last between 3000 and 5000 hours before they need a replacement.
On the other hand, projectors that use lasers or LEDs can last up to 20000 hours.
Contrast Ratio
This refers to the black and white portion of a projector’s images.
Video projectors with high contrast ratios show blacker blacks and whiter whites.
Even with a high lumens rating, a projector will produce washed-out images if the contrast ratio is low.
As a rule of thumb, a ratio of 2000:1 and 1500:1 is excellent for a darkened room.
Color Reproduction
Color perception is different from one person to another; what looks pleasing for one user may completely turn off another user.
When shopping for a video projector, check it's color depth and tones and how it changes in the darkest and brightest rooms.
You also want to know their color stability when using different inputs.
Pixel Density and Display Resolution
DLP and LCD projectors have a fixed pixel count. A pixel is a picture element, and it contains blue, red, and green information known as sub-pixels.
The number of pixels that can be displayed on a projector’s screen determines the display resolution of the images.
To know the number of pixels on a video projector; multiply the number of vertical pixels with the number of horizontal pixels to get the pixel density.
If you’re planning to use your projector mostly for HDTV viewing, get a projector with a pixel count of 1920×1080 or higher.
Inputs
When buying a video projector, remember to check whether it has all the needed inputs.
Most of the projectors have VGA, HDMI, and DVI inputs for computers.
However, current video projectors no longer have inputs for older source components like S-video.
The Screen
There are different types of screens, and they all vary in terms of prices, sizes and fabrics.
Some factors that determine the best screen for you include:
- The viewing angle.
- The amount of light in the room.
- The projector.
- The distance between the projector and the screen.
Portability
A portable video projector makes travel easier, but there is more to portability than the ease to carry the projector during trips.
Portability makes the installation process easier and fun as it allows you to try out different angles to get the sweet spot.
Also, if your projector is portable, you can hang your sheet at the garage door during summer and enjoy a movie.
Best 5 Video Projectors
Now that you know how to choose the best video projectors, I’ll go ahead and share some recommendations you can choose from.
Here you go.
1. Panasonic Pt-Dw5100U 5,5K Lm Dlp 15:9 Video Projector
The Panasonic Pt-Dw5100U is a budget-friendly video projector suitable for presentations, houses of worship, and theatres.
It has 5500 ANSI lumens and a contrast ratio of 2000:1, so it provides clear images even in bright rooms.
The projector is built with the DLP single-chip technology and has other great features like the full 10-bit picture, which helps the skin tone appear real and natural.
It also has 3D color management that corrects brightness and color saturation to produce more accurate images.
When it comes to convenience, the Panasonic Pt-Dw5100 can be installed at any up and down angle because it can rotate vertically. It uses two dual lamps, increasing brightness and prevents the lamp from going off during a presentation.
2. Barco F90-4K13 11.8K Lm 4K Dlp 16:10 Video Projector
This video projector is for organizations looking for a projector to use on a 24/7 basis. The Barco F90-4K13 11.8K Lm 4K Dlp 16:10 Video Projector is suitable for retail advertising, theme parks, and visitor attractions. It can also be used for executive boardroom meetings.
The projector has a 4HUD resolution which delivers razor-sharp and detailed images with highly saturated colors.
It uses the DLP technology and has 10,500 ANSI lumens, 11,700 center lumens, and 11,800 ISO lumens. Its optical lenses can move vertically up to 146% and horizontally up to 70% depending on the lens, which gives a little flexibility during installation.
The Barco F90-4K13 light source is laser phosphor and can last up to 60000 hours before needing to change the lamps.
3. Christie Digital Roadster Hd18K Video Projector
The Christie Digital Roadster Hd18K is a great choice for home cinema, gaming, and entertainment.
The projector uses Xenon illumination, which is the pinnacle of adjustability and image color accuracy. You can get a projector with a contrast ratio of anywhere between 1600-2000:1.
Besides using the most current DLP technology, other great features of the projector include 18000 ANSI lumens, 10-image processing, and high-quality optics to deliver accurate images.
The Christie Digital Roadster Hd18K also uses lenses to increase image sharpness. Additionally, it has 2 High-Definition input channels that allow 4:4:4 HD signals.
The video projector is a 3D capable model, but if you have a 2D capable model, you can upgrade it to include 3D model capabilities.
4. Barco UDX-4K32 31K 4K DLP 16:10 Video Projector
This is another high-end video projector from Barco. It’s quick to install, requires optimal management, and is basically lower maintenance.
The Barco UDX-4K32 31K 4K DLP 16:10 Video Projector has a 4K UHD resolution and a light output of 31000 lumens. It also has a Constant Light Output (CLO) that ensures image brightness and color are accurate at all times.
This projector has the widest color spectrum in the market but it doesn’t compromise on the brightness quality. Therefore, it’s fair to say it outdoes the Rec. 709 color space and performs as great as the Xenon quality.
When it comes to convenience, it uses laser phosphor with an inorganic phosphor wheel which lasts for 25000 hours.
5. Christie Roadster HD10K-M 1080 HD DLP Projector
All Christie products offer high-quality performance, and the HD10K-M video projector isn’t an exception. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly video projector and don’t want to compromise on quality, this is your best option.
It has 10000 ANSI Lumens sourced from 350W-dual mercury lamps, which offers high efficiency at low costs by drawing 1320W, giving you full brightness while consuming less power.
The video projector has a variable contrast ratio of 2500-10000:1. It also has embedded image warping and edge-blending abilities, and LiteLOC™ that work together to produce high-quality images.
Lastly, the Christie Roadster HD10K-M 1080 HD DLP Projector has two high-definition input channels that allow 4:4:4 HD signals and is 3D upgradable.
Wrapping Up
Video projectors can improve your office presentation, make your gaming experience more exciting, and allow you to enjoy your Netflix and chill in style.
However, for this to happen, you’ve got to choose the right video projectors for your needs.
We hope our best video projector review gives you the clarity you need.
If you still find this jargon confusing, contact us, and we will guide you on what the best option for you is.
