How to select a projector for the house

Projective relation

The first question which itself needs to set, selecting a projector for the house, concerns conditions of its use. What size of the screen I should receive and at what distance from the screen I will be able to deliver it? Parameter which is called the projective relation, i.e. the distance relation from a projector to the screen to width ^[1] will help to answer this question.

Why this parameter is so important? There are several types of projectors with different optics. For example, the ultrashort-focus projector can be set in only 30 centimeters from the screen and to receive the picture with diagonal about 100 inches. Medium-focus models, and their majority, usually suspend under a ceiling or put on a rack — such projectors will give the same 100 inches already from distance not less than 2.5 meters.

There are special projective calculators which help to calculate the maximum diagonal at the distance set by the user to the screen.

Also the following functions will help to simplify installation:

• "shift of a lens" (the projector more to the right or more to the left, above or lower without image quality loss will allow to locate) and
• function of trapezoidal correction of geometry (an opportunity to locate a projector under a vertical or horizontal angle to the screen).

House cinema hall or living room?

The following item "Brightness and color brightness" should be selected proceeding from premises illumination conditions. This characteristic is called simply "brightness", it is measured in lumens (Lm) and displays the power of a luminous flux. But it is not always necessary to use the maximum brightness. Usually the user selects the image mode suitable for itself, proceeding from lighting conditions indoors. For example, the mode of Cinema will be suitable for viewing in the darkened room, and the Bright Cinema or Dynamic modes – for viewing with the turned-on light in the living room.

House projectors can be separated into two groups conditionally:

• For the home theater — in this case we speak about specially prepared darkened premises, and the projector with a low brightness, but good indicators of contrast is necessary here. Only in the darkened premises it is possible to estimate contrast and a black level of color, and in high brightness there is no need.

• For the living room — as it is about well lit premises, the more light indoors, the more it is necessary for brightness. Also when choosing a projector it is necessary to consider the screen size since this value is in proportion dependent on projector brightness. I.e. the more the screen, the above there has to be projector brightness — at the diagonal of 80 inches in complete darkness enough brightness and 600 Lm, and the diagonal of 130 inches will demand at least 1500 Lm.

There is one more important parameter — color brightness. Not all producers specify this parameter in characteristics, and meanwhile – it is very important. The indicator of color brightness shows, how brightly the projector reproduces color images. And based on the ratio of indicators of brightness and color brightness it is possible to understand, a color rendition, how qualitative at a projector. For example, at three-matrix projectors color brightness is always equal to their maximum brightness - it is a guarantee of the high quality image even in the brightest mode of a projector. At one-matrix models happens different, it should be specified always separately.

Quantity of matrixes

Projectors for the house are one - and three-matrix. The principle of work of three-matrix technology is very simple – basic colors mix up using a prism in a projector, as a result of people perceives already ready picture. In one-matrix technology of color are projected in turn, and the ready image forms already "in the head" at the viewer. Epson makes exclusively three-matrix projectors with the patented technology 3LCD.

Contrast

This parameter characterizes the relation of the maximum brightness of a projector to minimum, i.e. as far as the projector is capable to block light at display black how black turns out deep, dark. The contrast, the black nasyshchenny is higher.

Effect of a rainbow

Three-matrix projectors in principle have no so-called "effect of a rainbow" — a colored trail which in a varying degree is present at one-matrix projectors is best of all noticeable exactly in the dark.

Permission

As it is simple to guess, the permission is higher — the more accurately fine details therefore for watching movies in the full HD format this indicator should be 1920х1080 are displayed. Besides, permission has the fixed screen form. For example, projectors with the resolution of 1024×768 (XGA) have an aspect ratio 4:3 (more square), and projectors with the resolution of 1920×1080 (full HD) — 16:9 (are extended in horizontal direction).

Format 4K which assumes permission 4096×2160 or 3840×2160 became one of the last new products of a movie world. The projectors capable to work with it, not budget, but there is an opportunity to show such content and using HD matrix full. There are models which can show content 4K within more modest permission. Due to "digital" shift of pixels the image turns out more detailed.

Signal source

At last, except technical characteristics it is worth paying attention to existence of necessary connectors. The commonly accepted standard are the HDMI and VGA interfaces, but also the projector can have a connector Audio In for separate connection of a sound (irrespective of video) and an input for the microphone. If signal transmission is required further — VGA Out output connectors are necessary and Audio Out.

Service of a projector

Difficult service the projector does not need — to open enough a compartment cover with the filter, to take out it and to vacuum. It is recommended to do it at least, than once a year. The simple procedure prolongs a working resource of the device. Certainly, it is necessary to mention about service life of lamps – in modern projectors of a lamp are expected long work. On average, during the daily work for 1.5 hours a day – there will last lamp for 10 years. And replacement, for June, 2019, will cost approximately 100 dollars.

So, to select a good projector not really difficult even if you have no technical education and you poorly understand such devices. It is important to consider products of the known brands with good reputation in the market, without being tempted on the ultralow prices. Buying a projector of the known brand, it is possible to expect, at least, that all its characteristics correspond stated (that, unfortunately, is not obligatory for technology of doubtful brands at all). Select the "big screen" and derive a maximum of pleasure from the favourite movie!

Notes