Deciding on the type of projector to buy could be quite technical for someone without a deep knowledge of electronics. However, we are here to make that decision less complicated and stressful. To the untrained eye, all projectors are the same because most look quite similar, but they vary in their specifications, so choosing randomly is not advisable.
There are numerous brands and types of projectors in the market, so picking a suitable one could be a chore, but if you know what to look out for in buying a projector, it will help narrow your choices.
What To Look For in A Projector.
Whenever I go to buy basic items like fruits, I make sure to check if they are up to my taste. If it’s mango, it must be soft enough that it is ripe and, at the same time, hard enough that it is not spoiled. In like manner, there are various things to look out for and consider when selecting a projector.
Size
You should consider the size of the projector you need before selecting one because projectors come in different sizes. Portability is important if you intend to use your device for outdoor and indoor activities, so choose the one you can carry around. Also, the size is essential regarding the size of the room in which the projector would be placed.
Connectivity
A good projector should be able to flexibly connect with other devices, for instance, the HDMI port, USB, VGA, and even Bluetooth. It should be compatible with devices like Apple TV, Chromecast, computers, and even smartphones.
Purpose
Before buying a projector, it is important to consider the purpose of purchase. Projectors have different functions, so selecting one that best suits your needs is essential.
Screen Resolution
The clarity of the images on a screen is determined by the number of pixels in the screen resolution. The less the number of pixels, the blurrier the images would be. Hence, if you want to watch movies or play video games with your projector, it is highly advisable to look for one with a high amount of pixels, like an HD projector with a 1920×1080 resolution or a true 4K projector which usually has a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels.
Color Technology
Projectors vary in how they combine and reflect the primary colours, and checking for those that reflect natural color tones and hues would help choose a great one. Most projectors use Digital Light Processing (DLP) or Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
A colour wheel is combined with microscopic mirrors in DLP projectors to display colours. The light which reflects through the mirrors and displays on the screen is passed through the color wheel first.
In LCD projectors, the primary colors, red, green, and blue, are assigned to three chips which light passes through and displays images on the screen. Note that these projectors provide better colour quality, contrast, and brightness than the DLP projectors.
Brightness
If your projector will be used for outdoor activities, you must remember that it has to have a high light output. Most projectors have a high sensitivity to brightness, hence the need to be used in dark rooms. Regardless, some projectors with high brightness output can display clear images in lighter areas. Brightness is measured in lumens, and only projectors with over 3000 lumens are suitable for outdoor activities.
Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio is the difference between the light from an all-white image and an all-black image. It is also regarded as the difference between the lightest and darkest color tones in an image. A projector with a 2000:1 contrast ratio depicts the white image as 2000 times brighter than the black image. The ability of a projector to define a balance in contrast between the colors determines how good a projector is. The higher the ratio, the clearer and more detailed the displayed images, and the better the colours on the images would blend.
Some Projectors You Can Go For.
Having explained the things to look out for when buying a projector, here is a list of great projectors you can choose from.
ViewSonic 3600 SVGA Projector.
This projector is cost friendly, with an average cost of $370. It produces ambient light and crystal clear images and has an easy setup. This can be used for outdoor and indoor activities as it has a brightness of 3600 lumens. It is portable and offers spectacular colour technology and gradients for the production of images.
It has great audio features for excellent sound and a long lamp life that makes it shine and lasts 15,000 hours. It comes with remote control and both power and VGA cables. The device is compatible with Blu-ray players, DVD players, Windows and Mac Computers, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, and even Amazon FireTV.
Key Specifications
- 3600 lumen for brightness
- 2W internal speaker
- (800×600) SVGA Resolution
- HDMI 1,4, VGA in (x2), VGA out, 3.5mm Audio In, 3.5mm Audio Out, Mini USB Type B for flexible connectivity
- 22,000:1 Contrast ratio
- 5,000hours average life
BenQ W2700 Projector
This projector has an average price of $1400. It has extensively great features that ease connectivity. It may not be the brightest in the market, with a brightness of 2000 lumen, but it makes up for it in other areas. It has a short throw lens, allowing large images to be created from a close distance.
It projects images and videos like a movie screen and can give you a cinema feel in your own home, so although it can’t be used for outdoor activities because of its brightness, it is amazing in indoor spaces. It also has zoom features that enable users to adjust the lens and images to their heart’s content.
Key Specifications
- (3840×2160) 4K Resolution
- 2,000 lumen for brightness
- 30,000:1 Contrast ratio
- 1.3x Zoom
- Single-chip DLP
- Six-segment colour wheel (RGBRGB)
- 4,000hours average life
Yaber V7 Pro Projector
This projector is very affordable, with an average price of $250. It is a simple projector, suitable for watching movies and other TV shows. It can be used for indoor and outdoor activities with a brightness of 9000 lumens and a standard resolution of 1080 pixels. Its feature for automatic image adjustment is also amazing. This device is great for someone on a budget as it is affordable, has standard features, and can easily move around.
Key Specifications
- 9,000 lumen for brightness
- 1080pixels resolution
- 12,000:1 Contrast ratio
- Basic technology level
BenQ TH585 1080p Projector
This projector has an average price of $725 and a standard resolution of 1080 pixels. This HD resolution makes all the difference and would convert your living room to a movie theater with an equally amazing brightness of 3,500 lumens. The sound quality is also superb and loud with a built-in speaker of 10W, making it exceptional for watching movies and playing games.
Key Specifications
- (1920×1080) HD resolution
- 3,500 lumen for brightness
- 10,000:1 Contrast ratio
- 18.1×13.5×7 inches dimension
- 10W speaker
- 15,000 lamp life
XGIMI Halo+ Projector
This is one of the most portable projectors and has an average price of $750. This seemingly small projector has an HD resolution of a 1080p DLP chip. It also has a great sound capacity and a brightness of 900 lumen, which is brighter than most projectors of similar size and is suitable for indoor activities.
Key Specifications
- 1080pixels resolution
- 900lumen for brightness
- Single-chip DLP
- Six-segment color wheel (RGBRGB)
- 30,000hours lamp life
Epson VS260 XGA Projector
This projector has an average price of $370 and is amazing with the features it has. Most reviewers have said that the device is a great outdoor projector with a brightness of 3,300lumen. The device is compatible with smartphones, tablets, Blu-ray and DVD players, Cable boxes, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon FireTV, and game consoles. It is also easy to set up and portable.
This projector produces great images and has a VS260, allowing you to zoom the images on your screen easily.
Key Specifications
- 3,300 lumens for brightness
- 3-chip LCD technology
- 15,000:1 Contrast ratio
- XGA resolution
Conclusion
You don’t select a suitable projector like people select clothes in a store. You have to be well informed on the things to look out for in a projector to make the best decision.
In selecting a great projector, it is important to take into consideration the size, colour technology, screen resolution, contrast ratio, connectivity, brightness, and purpose of purchase to make a well-informed decision. Most people believe that only highly expensive projectors could have great quality, which is false because there are great budget-friendly projectors.
