Top 5 Features to Look for When Buying a Video Projector or Computer Projector
Resolution – Detail of the Image: (Always look at Native Resolution, not maximum resolution)
SVGA – 800 X 600 Pixels – 4:3 Aspect Ratio – $300.00+
XGA – 1024 X 768 Pixels – 4:3 Aspect Ratio – $450.00+
720(p)(i) – 1280 X 720 Pixels – 16:9 Aspect Ratio – $700.00+
1080(p)(i) – 1920 X 1080 Pixels – 16:9 Aspect Ratio – $1000.00+
4K Ultra HD – 3840 X 2160 Pixels – 16:9 Aspect Ratio – $7500.00+
*Prices vary depending on features*
(p) Progressive updates the entire picture in 1/60th of a second.
(i) Interlaced updates half of the picture in 1/60th of a second.
– Multiply the horizontal pixel resolution with the vertical pixel
resolution & you get the total image resolution.
Lumens – Brightness of the Image:
6′ Image Width – 1000 lumens with no ambient light & 2000 lumens with ambient light on image.
10′ Image Width – 1500 lumens with no ambient light & 3000 lumens with ambient light on image.
14′ Image Width – 2000 lumens with no ambient light & 4000 lumens with ambient light on image.
*Approx. Minimum Requirements Above*
F.Y.I. – When the lamp weakens over time, so does the brightness!
Lower lumen projectors can produce a larger image, but normally won’t be bright enough.
Warranty – Tells me about how long the projector will last:
Beware of projectors with a 1 year warranty or less, I have seen many that don’t last.
A 2 year warranty is sufficient, but a 3 year warranty is the longest in the industry and therefore is most desired (the only exception is Dukane, which offers a 5 year standard warranty, but you are really buying a Hitachi with a Dukane Sticker for about $100.00 more than the Hitachi would cost).
Technology – Different types of projectors:
LCD – Liquid Crystal Display – Uses three color panels to create the image. No moving parts, other than fans. Every LCD has a filter(s) that needs to be cleaned, but the new projectors only need a filter cleaning when you replace the lamp. LCD Projectors can get about the size of two laptops stacked on top of each other, but not much smaller because of the red, green, and blue panel setup. LCD prices range from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars.
DLP – Digital Light Processing – Uses tiny mirrors and a spinning color wheel to create the image. The color wheel has been known to throw a color segment or seize up. Very few DLP projectors have a filter. This technology does allow for a smaller projector. There are some good and bad things about DLP projectors, but just refer back to the warranty and try to get 2 to 3 years.
Most new movie theaters use DLP technology, but they are paying $50,000 to $70,000 for each projector. These high dollar projectors use three DLP chips (Red, Green, Blue) to create the image. DLP prices range from a couple hundred to tens of thousands of dollars.
LCOS – Liquid Crystal on Silicon – Uses three liquid crystal panels with a reflective mirror backing to create the image. This is a combination of the best aspects of both LCD and DLP technologies.
LCOS prices range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
Brand – The name on the projector:
Look for a trusted brand that supports their products and offers replacement parts. Infocus is one of the most recognizable names in the industry and a lot of customers are happy with the product. Except for the people that have issues after the warranty expires and seek repair. No parts and no technical help is available, but they will offer you a discount on a new unit (which continues the circle of throw away projectors). Dell and HP projectors don’t stand up over time in my opinion, people assume that since they make a good computer, they should make a good projector. Hitachi is the work horse of the industry, but isn’t the economical choice for high definition projectors. There are a lot of good companies on the market, but your specific needs would change my recommendation. If you want an economical high definition projector that is real bright, today I would say to check out the Optoma #TH1060P projector for approx. $1400.00. It is 1080p resolution, 4500 lumens, DLP projector with a 3 year warranty.
http://www.optomausa.com/products/detail/TH1060P
If you want an economical high definition projector that is bright, you should check out the Optoma #TH1020 or the Viewsonic #PRO8300 projector for approx. $900.00. Both are 1080p resolution, 3000 lumens, DLP Projectors with a 3 year warranty.
http://optomausa.com/products/detail/TH1020 –
http://www.viewsonic.com/us/pro8300.html
Most high definition projectors below 2000 lumens are considered home theater. Epson has a local home theater distributor in the DFW area, but there are many good home theater projector brands.
https://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/HomeEntProjectors/Home/HomeCinema.do?
Misc.
Contrast Ratio – Ratio of black to white on the image (Blacker blacks and whiter whites, provide overall better colors). The problem is people were basing there projector purchase on these numbers. Some manufactures where very liberal and some were very conservative. Mostly DLP had very high numbers (50,000:1) and LCD had lower numbers (1500:1). When you look at both projected images, I still liked the LCD image the best. Today LCD is catching up to DLP in contrast ratio, but I would not base my opinion on these numbers. Currently LCOS offers the best looking picture with a high contrast ratio, followed by LCD and then DLP.
Inputs – Make sure the projector has the inputs you want or need. Some of the new projectors can do everything through the network cable.
Lamp – A lamp will need to be replaced within a couple of years (depending on use). Every technology uses lamps, but Casio which uses DLP technology and a laser light source that won’t need to be replaced.
Positioning – Every projector has a different lens, so make sure your projector will work where you want to put it.
Projector Extra’s – Screen, Projector Mount, Ceiling Mount, Cabling, Wall Plate and Audio.
Located in Fort Worth, Texas – we offer free consultations and free estimates in the DFW area.
Audio Visual Up sells all projectors / accessories and supports them after the sale.
Besides Sales AV UP offers On-site Fix, Repair, Rental and Turn-key Installation on all Audio Visual or Media Equipment.
Contact Jonathan Pierce for any questions!
JVC DLAX590R D-ILA HDMI Home Theater Projector with 4K e-shift4 and HDR (Retail $3699). It has 1800 lumens of Brightness, 400,000 : 1 Contrast and a 2 year Warranty (no auto lens cover). – Upgraded for 2018, JVC’s DLA-X590RBK remains the industry’s most affordable Custom Install D-ILA projector. It delivers stunning picture detail and an unprecedented value thanks to JVC’s exclusive 4K e-shift5 technology. It accepts native 4K 60P (4:4:4) content through Full Speed 18Gbps HDMI/HDCP 2.2 compatible inputs and up-converts existing 1080P sources to 4K precision.
Sony VPLW285ES SXRD Projector with Native 4K Resolution and HDR (Retail $4999). It has 1500 lumens of Brightness, (Contrast not Published) and a 3 year warranty.
Vivitek HK2299 DLP Projector with Native 4K Resolution and HDR (Retail $2,999). It has 2000 lumens of Brightness and 120,000:1 Contrast. (The Benq DLP has a sharper image)
Another problem is that most Microprocessors (The Brain) are soldered on by a robot (or other technique) that is almost impossible for a human to replace (since most have 50 legs that are about the size of a hair). So at that point – You probably need to order a new board.
