Tips for choosing video projectors
Video projector Is a modern device, the purpose of which is to broadcast information from external media (computers, laptops, camcorders, CD and DVD players, and others) to a large screen.
What it is?
Movie projector - this is the basis for creating a home theater.
Although TV manufacturers are constantly improving their products, increasing display size and image quality, but at this stage, projectors for watching videos and games are still out of competition.
Perhaps, in the near future, something will change.
If you compare with a TV, then the video projector has the following advantages: excellent ratio of cost and screen diagonal, a TV of appropriate dimensions will weigh and take up more space than a set of a projector and a screen.
The key parameters are:
- matrix resolution;
- brightness (luminous flux intensity);
- presence of various sockets for connecting information sources;
- weight.
The resolution of video projectors is probably one of the most important parameters. The quality of the image transmitted to the screen will depend on it.
There are many definition formats, and over time they change in the direction of improving the quality of the picture.
If earlier the image standard was VGA (640x480), then now the most common format is Full HD (1920x1080)... Manufacturers have made a lot of progress in this direction, and now it is possible to purchase a device with 4K resolution (4096x2400). These numbers tell us about the number of pixels: the first indicates the number horizontally, and the second indicates the vertical of the image.
There are also less popular sizes of resolution of matrixes of projection installations - XGA (1024x780); SXGA (1280x1024) and many others.
It is also important image format. The most common for training and business projects is still 4: 3, and among professional and home devices, widescreen matrices 16: 9 or with similar parameters are confidently taking the lead.
Light flow characterizes the amount of light emitted by the projector. The more powerful it is, the better the screen image will be.
Now about interfaces. The most common connector is HDMI, but it is also quite common: Type A (for flash drives), Type B (printers), mini USB, microphone inputs, "tulips" and an output for connecting an external mini Jack audio system.
Weight stationary projectors 18 kg and more, portable - from 9 to 19 kg, portable - 4-9 kg, compact - 2.5-4 kg and ultra-compact - up to 2.5 kg.
Views
Before buying a video projector, you need to decide how it will be used. According to the method of application, these devices can be conditionally divided into three types.
- Stationary. They are used in movie theaters and other forms of the entertainment industry.
- Homemade. For watching movies and games.
- Media projectors used in business projects and professional education.
And a special category can be attributed to ultra-compact mini-samples of modest weight, up to half a kilogram. And also it should be noted devices that support 3D technology.
The projectors are split and by the method of production of matrices. There are several of them, but the most famous are three types, and they constantly compete with each other: 3LCD, DLP and D-ILA.
In principle, they are all equivalent, and generally few people pay attention to them when choosing.
In order to highlight the technology of the matrix device, a separate review is required. At this stage, the first two are the most common.
Progress does not stand still, and something new constantly appears, for example, a laser instead of a lamp is increasingly becoming a source of light. But even a projector with a powerful luminous flux will not be able to transmit high-quality information in daylight, so it is necessary to provide dimming in the room.
Top Models
At the moment, you can make rating of the most successful models of projectors by sales and user reviews.
Among the expensive devices in the price range from 1000 USD e. a leader can be safely called LG HF80JS... This is an excellent device with wide capabilities; there is a full set of interfaces on board. The light source is a long-life laser emitter.
It is followed by Epson EH-TW5650. This sample has a good matrix with a physical resolution of Full HD. Under normal use, it will last at least 4500 hours.
The third place is deservedly taken BenQ W2000 +. It is equipped with good acoustics at 10 watts per channel - enough for viewing in a standard room. The light source is a 2200 lumen lamp and can operate for 6000 hours in economy mode.
Average price range from 250 to 700 USD e. Here the first place belongs to Optoma HD142X. At a cost of about $ 600, it can display Full HD and supports 3D.
On the second step Byintek Moon BT96Plus. At $ 300, it has pretty decent specs and comes close to the top models.
Epson VS240 closes the top of the leaders. You will have to pay about 350 USD for it. e. Has a high luminous flux and can be used in a room without dimming. But it has a matrix resolution of 800x600.
Among the "state employees" one can single out such samples with more or less acceptable characteristics. it AUN AKEY1 - has a compact size and decent image quality. Supports wireless connection and almost all common video formats. It costs about $ 100.
AUN T90 uses Android as the operating system. Has the ability to work with wireless networks, but summed up the image quality (1280x 768).
AND Thundeal YG400. This device has modest parameters, the maximum can reproduce a picture of 800x600, but there is a Wi-Fi receiver and the price is not high.
It should be understood that these inexpensive models have low resolution and will not be able to play large video files. The set of connectors on them is also very limited.
In principle, you can pick up a projector for any money, but it would be most reasonable to look at the middle price category. They are, of course, more expensive than budget models. But thanks to this difference, you can get a device that will be of much better quality and will be able to provide a decent picture.
How to choose?
When choosing a projector, the main focus should be draw on the brightness and resolution of the imagethat this device can broadcast to the screen. These two parameters have a key influence on the price, and a banal desire to save money can send you on the wrong road.
You can buy a device with a low luminous flux power if you plan to use it only in a darkened room.
If the device will be used for training, presentations and the like, then high brightness is simply necessary. For day work you should buy a projector with a brightness of at least 3000 lumens.
If the device is used for work, and there are no small graphs and diagrams in the image, then you can use projectors with a resolution of 1027x768. Choosing a lower quality may result in a blurry picture and few people will be interested in your presentation.
When using the projector as home theater the minimum recommended resolution is 1920x1080.
The next thing to be sure to pay attention to is the physical ability of the matrix to produce an image.
If it has a value, say, 800x600, then even if a higher quality image is fed to the projector, it will still be broadcast what the matrix can produce.
An equally significant parameter is distance over which information will be broadcast... Simply put, the distance between the projector and the screen. To make viewing comfortable, and the picture completely fills the screen, and not more or less, you need to correctly calculate this distance. There is a standard method for this calculation. Let's say you already have a 3-meter wide screen, and the projector documents indicate a projection resolution factor of 1.5-2. This means that the width needs to be multiplied by the corresponding indicator, we get 4.5-6 meters.
Moving on to interfaces. Before choosing a projector, you need to find out what connectors your PC or laptop has. It is necessary that at least one of the connectors on the external source matches the selected device. If suddenly this does not happen, you will have to buy an adapter.
Some samples can be equipped with USB-connectors or slots for memory cards, this allows you to broadcast information without the use of additional devices.
All projectors for viewing films in most cases have computer and video inputs, but you should always be interested in their presence. Some manufacturers, in order to save money, may not install any connector.
And the final distinguishing feature that influences the choice is picture format... The most common are 4: 3 and 16: 9. Some projectors are equipped with an aspect switch. If this option is absent, then the image will not be able to fill the screen. There will be stripes on the top or sides.
And also worth taking care about warranty and post-warranty service.
What is the best projector to choose for home, see the next video.
The comment was sent successfully.