Guides

Projectors for Daylight Viewing – Guide to Important Specs for Daytime Use

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Using a projector during the daytime in a well-lit room or the outdoors can present its own problems. The image quality and viewing experience deteriorate considerably. Bright colors appear washed out. Instead of deep blacks, dark areas in the image tend toward grey. The Solution: Selection of an appropriate projector with higher brightness and contrast ratio specs. A projector screen suitable for daylight viewing will further help resolve the image quality issue.

The Problem with Daylight Projector Viewing

You want to watch movies with your family and friends in the backyard in fine sunny weather or are looking for a camping projector. Maybe you’re planning to show a video of the bride and groom at your friend’s outdoor wedding party. Or you are looking for a projector you want to use in your living room where you can’t always turn the lights off.

In all these scenarios, you’ll need a projector that can beat the sunlight and let you have good picture quality. In this article, we discuss the issues faced when you are using a projector in well-lit areas or direct sunlight. We elaborate on the solutions and provide further recommendations to enhance your experience for daylight viewing.

Why Ambient Light Affects Projector Images

Your projector essentially throws out a beam of light onto the screen. In a dark room, the projector image or light on the screen does not get mixed or diluted by any external light source. So most of the projector throw reaches the screen and is reflected in its pristine form. In areas with strong ambient light, the projected beam gets weakened by interference from external light and the image color saturation gets affected. The contrast ratio is not as great as it is in darker conditions

So there is competition between the projector light on the screen and the external light source. In outdoor daylight, the brightness of the external light is even higher and this dilutes the projector beam further. One way of letting the projector light win this competition is to use a high brightness projector or a high “lumen” projector.

Lumens are the unit of measure used to specify a projector’s brightness capabilities. The higher the lumen number, the higher the intensity of light that the projector throws out.

(For more details about this and other projector features and specifications, please read our Projector Buying Guide)

How Many Lumens For an Outdoor Projector?

Below is a good guide for the projector brightness needed for various settings:

  • Indoor use with low (lights out and windows covered) to normal ambient light – minimum 1500 Lumens
  • Indoor use with normal to high ambient light – minimum 3000 Lumens
  • Outdoor use, daylight projector viewing – minimum 4000 Lumens. However, the minimum number will increase the greater the distance between projector and screen, as in very large outdoor venues.

The Screen Matters

Certain screens can deflect ambient light in a direction away from the viewer. These Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) Screens selectively reflect the projector image back to the viewer as long as the projector is positioned in a particular way relative to the screen.

Consequently, ALR screens provide the advantage that projectors with lower lumen brightness can be used to give sharper images with better color saturation. 

Things You can do for an Existing Projector

So we’ve discussed the brightness factor and the screen requirements. But other important considerations will help improve image quality in the daylight.

Place the projection screen on the side of the room where the least amount of light falls on the screen. If you use a projector outdoors, place the projector screen in a shaded area or under a temporary awning or canopy to reduce the direct sunlight falling on the screen. This will help you get better images even with relatively lower projector brightness.

Additionally, If a smaller image size can be tolerated, it is advisable to place the projector closer to the screen. With the increase in image light intensity on the screen due to the close proximity of the projector, you will get a better quality image. Contrast will also be better.

However, for a bigger venue, a larger screen is required making it necessary to place the projector further away from the screen. The image quality is badly affected. If the projector needs to be placed some length away from the screen, your only options are a brighter projector and/or an ALR screen.

Other Things you should care about in Daylight projection

There are some important considerations for projectors used in outdoor viewing.

Projectors are not designed for external use for long periods of time. Because of the higher ambient temperatures outdoors, the projector unit tends to heat up. This is detrimental to the electronics in the unit and, therefore, the life of the projector. Especially the bulb, which faces the biggest brunt of the heat, will require earlier placement.

It is also for this reason projectors should not be installed in a fixed mounting outside. You may decide upon a portable projector for camping or backyard use.

If the projector is required for outdoor use, you may not have a direct electrical outlet to power your projector. Consider a portable projector with internal batteries that can be charged to provide more than 3 hours of viewing. However, keep in mind that portable projectors running on built-in batteries are not able to provide the best brightness, and therefore, the best images. So using a more powerful projector and arranging an extension cord to a power outlet is a better idea.

Conclusion

We’ve discussed the various specifications required to improve your daylight projector viewing experience. Projectors do not like external light. If you can’t dim the light and want to use the projector for your living room or your camping trip, the right projector brightness and screen type combination are the most important considerations.

Guide to Outdoor Projectors: Enjoy your Backyard Movie Experience

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Outdoor projectors for watching movies are quite different from those for indoor viewing. For outdoor use, you need to consider certain additional specifications for the projector as well as the screen. The most important projector specs are projector resolution, projector brightness, screen size and connectivity features. For daylight projector viewing you will need special screens that enhance image brightness. Additionally, you need to account for wind and other weather conditions when setting up an outdoor theater.

We discuss how to use a projector outside and other important factors so that you can enjoy your backyard projector and screen to the full.

What’s so different about Outdoor Movie Projectors?

An indoor home theater is set up keeping in mind the advantages of a controlled ambience. Lights can be turned off and windows can be covered. This means that, in low light, low brightness projectors with better contrast ratios give us images and colors that are vibrant and that have deeper blacks.

Outdoor projectors, on the other hand, have to fight off ambient light. If you plan to watch a movie in the daytime, sunlight falling on the screen interferes with the image and makes the picture look washed out and faded. This issue of image quality is less severe if you plan night-time viewing, but lights from windows, street lights or even the moonlight contribute to degrading the viewing experience.

The input source of your projector needs to be kept in mind. In your backyard, you will need a projector that provides the necessary connectivity to the device that transmits the video.

Furthermore, electrical connections are not a problem indoors because you will find a suitable and nearby outlet to plug in the power cable. Not so, for outdoors. An electrical outlet may be too far away requiring long lengths of cables – or other alternatives have to be considered.

Screens are part and parcel of the home theater set-up. Special screens for better images. In the outdoors, screens also have to be installed such that they can withstand even a light breeze. Therefore, additional screen installation aspects have to be considered for the outdoors compared to indoor setups.

Because you have considerable space outdoors, you might want to accommodate a larger gathering. A bigger screen will provide the best viewing experience. The projector’s ability to provide a large picture with the appropriate resolution and brightness becomes all the more important.

Not only your outdoor projector and screen but also the sound volume and quality also come into play. Here arises the question of whether to use built-in speakers vs external speakers.

You will find a lot of guidelines in our Projector Buying Guide Article here. But as you can see, enjoying your movie in the great outdoors (I’m only referring to your backyard) requires you to take into consideration a lot of important factors not needed for indoor home theaters.

Specs for Projector, Screen – How to Choose a Projector for Outdoor Use

As you read through this guide, you will find that when selecting a projector, there is an intertwining of the most important specifications regarding the projector, the screen, the space available in the backyard and the ambient conditions. One specification or requirement affects the rest. A holistic approach is required where all factors are considered simultaneously. You will, therefore, find that some specifications are grouped together in our discussions below.

Brightness Specs for Outdoor Projection

Ambient light is an important factor for projecting images outdoors. The amount of ambient light present can affect the visibility of the projection, and a high contrast ratio will make the projection more visible in brighter conditions.

Lumens are the unit of measure used to specify a projector’s brightness capabilities. The higher the lumen number, the higher the intensity of light or brightness that the projector throws out.

Indoor use requires projectors to provide a minimum of 1500 Lumens while around 3000 Lumens is a good value to aim for.

An outdoor projector in the daytime, however, requires higher brightness at a minimum of 4000 lumens. However, the minimum lumens for projecting outside will increase, the greater the distance between projector and screen. This would certainly be a factor in very large outdoor venues. As a general rule, a 7000 to 9000-lumen projector will cover most daylight scenarios as the recommended outdoor lumens. In the outdoors, the higher the projector brightness, the better.

For a detailed understanding of daytime projector use, you’ll find a lot of help and steps you can take to improve daylight projector viewing in our article on………

If you plan to restrict your viewing to nighttime only, 3000 to 6000 lumens are highly adequate.

Outdoor Projector Screen Size

A large outdoor screen can turn your backyard into a theater, while a smaller movie screen is perfect for a more intimate outdoor viewing experience.

A projector needs to be placed some distance from the screen so that a large enough image is projected. The closer the projector is to the screen, the smaller the image will be. You’ll want to make sure that you choose the right “throw ratio” specification for your projector.

The throw ratio is the relationship between the distance from the projector to the screen and the width of the image.  

Standard projectors are long-throw projectors with a ratio of usually around 1.2:1 This means that for every foot of image width you wish to achieve, you need to place the projector 1.2 feet further away from the screen. So for an image 5 feet wide, a 1.2:1 throw ratio requires you to place the projector 6 feet away.

You can also purchase a short-throw projector if space is limited. Short throw projectors have a throw ratio that can go down to 0.5:1, meaning that for every foot of image width required, the projector need only be 0.5 feet away from the screen. With an image size and the distance of the projector from the screen, you will be able to decide upon the throw ratio of the projector you need.

While the screen size required relates to the projector position relative to the screen and the throw ratio, it also depends upon the audience’s seating distance. If you have a specific area and viewing distance in mind, simple rules-of-thumb can help you decide what screen size you may need to use.

When viewing 1080 resolutions you will need to limit your seating distance to between 3 times to 5 times the height of the image. For 4K you can reduce the minimum viewing distance to a multiple of 1.5 times the image height. 

In effect, you need to decide the screen size based on the gathering of family and friends you can accommodate or inversely decide upon the projector resolution based on the spacing. A large screen requires a high resolution and bright enough projector. 

As we mentioned earlier, specifications are intertwined and here we just saw how screen size is affected by a combination of projector throw ratio, resolution and viewing distance.

Portability and Connectivity

A projector used outdoors cannot be installed on a fixed mounting. Projectors are not designed to withstand high or very low temperatures, outdoor dust or even humidity on a long-term basis. The components are too delicate. Therefore, you will always have to shift the projector indoors after use.

This means that both features of portability and connectivity – and their associated issues – become an important consideration.

Portability can mean a battery-powered projector. But unless you want to take your projector for a camping trip, battery-powered units are not recommended at all. Batteries do not last long enough and their lower power also means that projector brightness (and therefore image) is compromised. For backyard projector viewing, you should have enough brightness and enough length of power cable or extension cord to connect to an appropriate electrical outlet.

Wireless connectivity is thankfully available in most modern projectors together with HDMI ports.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections are the most popular means of wireless connectivity to allow you to stream Netflix from your mobile or other devices or connect a speaker using Bluetooth. HDMI ports allow connection with casting devices like Chromecast or Airplay. A USB port on the projector can be used to plug in a portable external drive that may contain the videos you wish to watch

To read more about wireless connection, find out more in our article ….. here.

Outdoor Projector Screen Types

An outdoor projector screen is a must-have. A bedsheet or a painted wall will not do at all and will only waste the investment you made on your projector. Two factors play an important role in screen selection – the screen type for image quality and the screen type for installation method.

Ambient Light Rejecting Screens for Image Quality

Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) Screens are special screens that are highly useful in daytime viewing whether indoors or outdoors. ALR screens selectively reflect the projector image to the viewer as long as the projector is positioned in a particular way relative to the screen. Contrary to the projector light, ambient light falling from other directions is directed away from the viewer.

ALR screens are a special projector screen material with a special texture. They provide the advantage of being less affected by sunlight so that projectors with lower lumen brightness can be used to give sharper images with better color saturation. Consequently, ALR screens give a better outdoor movie experience and the lower projector lumens make the projector more versatile and suitable for indoor use as well. This ALR screen advantage should not be discounted.

Screen Gain for Image Quality

Screen Gain is an important parameter that affects the brightness of the image on the projector screen. The gain is a measure of how much light the screen reflects. The higher the gain, the brighter the image will be.

A gain value of 1.0 implies the screen reflects light at the same brightness at which it falls upon the screen. A gain higher than 1.0 means the reflected light is brighter than the original light. A gain lower than 1.0 implies light is absorbed by the screen material and the reflected light is less bright than the original light.

For standard projector screens, the gain is typically between 1.0 and 2.0. Once again, the higher the gain, the lower the lumens projector you can go for.

Screen Types based on Installation

Since even a light breeze can make screens unstable, proper installation measures should be made. Anchoring the screen is imperative. If the screen is set up next to a wall, the stability factor increases.

Overall, there are three main types of screens based on installation method: fixed, foldable and inflatable. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Fixed screens are best if the movie nights are very frequent. They are more expensive, but they’re also more durable. Retractable screens are also available that have an electrical motor that rolls up the screen into a durable casing when not required.

Foldable screens are highly portable and come in unbelievably small pouches. The frame needs to be set up and the screen attached – a process that may not be very difficult if a good brand of foldable screen is opted for. Best used for temporary and infrequent use.

Inflatable screens are less expensive and easier to set up. An air pump is used to inflate the screen and the pump stays on if the screen is a bigger size. Unfortunately, these are not very durable as pin holes can easily form and if the air pump is constantly running, a low but possibly irritating sound will constantly be heard.

Speakers for Outdoor Projectors

For a smaller audience, the projector’s built-in speakers may suffice as some projectors have better quality speakers than others. You will have to do your research here. For larger gatherings, a higher-powered external speaker either hard-wired or connected through Bluetooth will become necessary. Of course, Bluetooth speakers are not limited in placement like wired speakers would be.

There’s more to think about regarding speaker placement. Outdoor speakers can be placed on the ground or on stands. Stands will give you more flexibility when it comes to placement, but they’re also more expensive. Ground speakers are less expensive and easier to install, but they don’t offer as much flexibility.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot to consider before you set up your outdoor movie theater. Projector specs, type of screen and the space available all come into play and are discussed in this guide. Keep these things in mind before your purchase and you’ll be sure to find and build a perfect outdoor projector setup for your needs.

Projector Paint vs Screen

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Many people believe that because they’ve bought a great projector, they’ll get a great image and they just need to cast the video on any white flat vertical surface. Well, that is not true!

It’s not just the projector but the projector-screen dynamic duo which gives you images that are vibrant, with rich colors, deep blacks, and high definition.

But to what extent does a projector screen improve picture quality when we compare them to other alternatives? Are the other options good enough that we can save money on expensive screens?

In this article, we look at projector screens and alternatives – especially screen paint even blankets – to find out which ones fare better and in what circumstances should you go for the alternatives.

What do you need from a good Screen?

The purpose of a projector screen is to reflect the light emitted from the lens of projector back to the viewer. The reflection that forms on the screen is the image that the viewer sees. The projector screen needs to provide that image in the best possible form, clarity, brightness and color to the extent desired.

So what would we consider as qualities of an ideal projector screen? Let’s list them down:

  1. The projector should reflect all the light from the projector. In reality some light is absorbed by the screen material.
  2. The reflected light from the projector should all be directed to the viewer and not to any other direction.
  3. Any ambient light falling onto the screen (ie not from the projector) should not be reflected at all back to the viewer. Either it should be reflected to a direction other than the user or it should be absorbed completely. This ensures that the projector image is not diminished by light from the ceiling or window that would wash out the image.
  4. The surface of the screen should be completely flat without imperfections, especially without any waviness or any small kinks. Any waviness distorts the image and kinks are likely to cast shadows on the image.

This is the perfect screen! We’ve listed what we need but let’s compare each of these points and see how screens perform in reality.

What are the Advantages of Commercial Projector Screens?

Commercial projector screens (which we will refer to as just projector screens from here onward) come in various sizes and shapes, and can be made of different materials. Some projector screens are designed to be hung on a wall, while others are freestanding. The type of screen you choose will depend on your needs and preferences.

Selective Reflectivity

In the market, you will get projector screens made of a variety of materials. Most projector screens are made of canvas, rubber or plastic base with a coating that enhances the reflectivity of light and improves the viewing experience. 

Standard Matte projector screens have good reflectivity based on the above construction. Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screens are special screens that further enhance viewing experience by reflecting ambient light away from the viewer. This diminishes the washing down effect of surrounding light making ALR screens ideal for use in conditions where daytime viewing is desired or where room lights are required to be switched on.

A subcategory of ALR screens are the Ceiling Light Rejecting (CLR) screens. These selectively reflect away any light falling on the screen from an upward direction.

All these features allow you to optimize the projector you need for an excellent viewing experience. With ALR screens, you will not require high brightness projectors because the screen selectively reflects most of the desired light (ie the projector light) back to the viewer.

Projectors with less brightness will provide better contrast ratios and a richer image while at the same time the projector cost will reduce. You will also be able to use the same projector in the daytime with high picture quality without having the need to draw curtains or switch off too many lights.

Surface Evenness

Another advantage or projector screens is that they are well tensioned so that the surface is as flat as possible. As long as you do not damage the screen, the manufacturing process ensures that there are no kinks on the surface.

Downside to a Projector Screen

The downside is the price. It is the most expensive option in hundreds of dollars. If you are setting up your home theatre or want use your projector for gaming then you should not downgrade to any other alternative and the price is worth it.

In general, any good quality projector screen fulfills projector screen quality requirements on all counts and as you will see is the best technical option compared to other alternatives.

Projector Paint vs Projector Screen

If you initially have a white painted wall to cast your image, projector paint will make a lot of difference. Projector paint is highly reflective compared to ordinary white paint and improves the brightness of the casted image considerably. You can use projector paint on wall, wood or even cloth.

As mentioned earlier, smoothness and “flatness” are important characteristics. So you will need to prepare the wall to make it free of imperfections. Unfortunately, however much you may try, you will not achieve the smoothness of a tensioned projector screen.

While projector paint will improve reflectivity, it is by no means selective. So you will continue to get ambient light reflection mixed with the projector light reflection, unlike with ALR screens. Projector screens therefore fare much better but the catch here is that you’ll get your projector paint in much less than a $100.

Is Black or White Better for Projector Paint

White projector paint, no doubt, gives the best reflectivity.

However, grey or silver paint is also available. These help to increase the depth of black especially if the projector brightness is very high.

Black is the least recommended as reflectivity is highly reduced and images become too dark.

Conclusion

You will have seen how much better a projector screen is for achieving the best out of your projector. This is especially true if you have purchased a high quality projector and you wish to enhance your movie or gaming experience.

Projector paint is a cheaper and good alternative in certain circumstances. For example, in a classroom setting where a presentation of mostly text is displayed. If the use is less formal or does not require high definition or color quality, using projector paint is good enough.

Types of Projector Mounts [Complete Guide]

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When setting up your projection system, you will realize that positioning arrangements for the projector need serious consideration. There are several ways a projector can be placed in the room – and each placement method has its own advantages and disadvantages.

A projector mount (ie, the device that holds the projector in its place) helps keep a projector immobile so that it doesn’t move once you have positioned it correctly for your projector screen. You may also want it placed in a way that it is not disturbed by children or pets.

Alternatively, you may consider that you want to move it about often and, therefore, a different sort of support is necessary.

To understand projector mounts, we explain, in this article, several types and categories according to their features. If you have to decide upon a type of projector mount, you need to know what is available in the market and what features you can take advantage of.

Projector Mounts – Placement based

There are several different types of projector mounts available based on where you will place the projector. Each has its own benefits.

  1. Ceiling mounts,
  2. Wall mounts, and
  3. Table mounts

Both ceiling and wall mounts are the most popular type of mount, as they allow you to align the projector easily and keep it maintained in its position.

These mounts also keep the projector out of the way – there is no obstruction of vision, they do not take up valuable floor space and are not easily disturbed by people passing across the room. Since some projectors have mount attachment points at the bottom of the projector, they are installed upside down on the ceiling. Make sure that for such projectors, there is a feature to invert the image on the screen.

If the ceiling is too low, then low profile mounts can be used that effectively seem to stick the projector to the ceiling. If even that does not work, instead of having the projector suspended below head height in the middle of the room, using a projector wall mount is the better option as it positions the projector to one side of the room.

There are certain specialized types of projector ceiling mounts. A sliding projector mount is a mount that allows a projector to be moved along an overhead track. This type of mount is often used in classrooms and conference rooms, where it can be used to project images onto a screen or whiteboard at different distances. Sliding projector mounts typically have built-in adjustment mechanisms that allow the user to fine-tune the position of the projector.

Another specialized type is the hidden projector ceiling mounts. These motorized ceiling mounts hide the projector in the ceiling cavity and using a remote allow you to lower it to a required height. These mounts keep the projector safe in terms of security and keep them out of sight and out of the way when not in use.

Table mounts, projector carts, tripods or shelves are less common, but they can be used where you need to move the projector around easily. However, the tables are not fixed to the floor and it only needs a curious child or pet to have the projector fall over. Therefore, these are more useful in an office environment. The table itself may be mobile (ie with wheels) and with adjustable height. For security, provision for lockable cabinet doors may be available.

Projector Mount – Build and Weight Capacity

The weight and size of the projector will determine the type (wall or ceiling) and size of the mount needed. It is important to buy a projector mount that is made specifically for the size and weight of your projector, as this will ensure that it stays securely in place.

Ceiling mounts have the capability to hold heavier projectors. However, adjustable projector wall mounts have limitations in their range. This is because the horizontal extension acts as a cantilever, and the greater the weight of the projector, the wall bracket is more likely to pry off the wall.

Another important tip. Check out the weight and type of material of the mount itself. Some materials are more durable than others, which means they will last longer. The mount body made of plastic may be strong enough for your projector but for heavier ones you will require metal bodies. It is important to choose a material that is strong enough to hold your projector, but not too heavy so it does not damage your walls.

Drywalls will require careful consideration of how a wall mount can be installed, e.g. using drywall anchors. But watch out, if your projector may be too heavy for drywalls even with anchors, then mount your projector from the ceiling.

Projector Mount Parts

The projector ceiling and wall mount comprise three major components as part of their construction:

  1. the ceiling bracket or wall bracket, ie the part that attaches to the solid immovable surface – ceiling or wall,
  2. the detachable projector mount bracket, ie the part that attaches to the projector.
  3. the extendable arm between the two brackets, this is an option that may or may not be available. The arm connects between the two brackets.

Some projector mounts allow fine adjustments to the projector for angle and position to project the image in the desired location, while others are fixed in place. Projector brackets with adjustment capabilities are perfect for use in classrooms and conference rooms.

An extendable arm in a projector mounts further increases maneuverability. It makes the mount more versatile allowing giving you a range of sometimes a few feet in which you can adjust the projector’s position to get the perfect projection spot and angle.

Maneuverability features to look for in a projector mount include the ability to move the projector in several directions and angles – adjustable height, rotation, tilt and swivel capabilities. Rotation refers to the ability to move the direction of the lens to the walls other than the direction of the screen, while tilt refers to moving the lens upwards or downwards. Swivel adjusts the horizontal angle of the image, ie moves one side of the projector up or down.

A projector mount may have all these movement capabilities but with some, the possible adjustments may be less limited than with others. So you will need to understand what range of angles the mount can provide and to what lengths can the arm be extendable.

Projector Mounts – Compatibility

Before you make a final selection of the projector mount, you will need to check whether the projector bracket does indeed fit onto your projector. Projector mounts can come in different sizes and styles to accommodate different types of projectors. Some projector mounts are designed for specific models of projectors, while others are universal and can be used with many types of projectors.

Universal projector mounts have claws that can be adjusted to fit most projector mounting holes or attachment points. However, it is still possible that universal mounts are not compatible with your projector so that you will have to check with the projector manufacturer to find out which mounts are relevant for their brand. 

Conclusion

The most important thing is to make sure that you choose the right mount, that is one that has all important features and capacities that match your projector. Hopefully, this guide will ensure that you check out all the options available before making a purchase.

Portable Projectors for Camping [A Full Guide]

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Projectors are getting smaller and smaller with time to the extent that you can find a large variety of portable projectors and miniprojectors in the market. While these started out with mediocre specs, the game has now changed. With much better resolution and brightness now available, portable projectors have gained a lot of popularity with campers who do want to take some tech with them to the great outdoors.

Portable camping projector setups have some important specs over and above regular projectors. Just as important are projector screens that need to be suitable for portability. If you are planning a movie night for your next camping trip, read this full guide to help you select the right projector and screen combination.

To find out more about other types of projectors and details on projector specs read our article on…..

Important Features in an Outdoor Projector for Camping

When you think about portable projectors, the significance of the weight of the projector comes immediately to mind. You don’t want to lug around too much extra weight when hiking, so the lighter the better. But there are other things besides compactness and weight that a good projector needs to have to serve you well. Let’s list them out:

  1. Portability /light-weight
  2. Long battery life
  3. High enough brightness
  4. Resolution
  5. Easy Connectivity
  6. Sound quality of built-in Speakers

We’ll be discussing all these features required of mini or portable projectors for camping in detail.

Portability for Projectors

Portability means lightweight and compactness.

Mini projectors for camping with appropriate brightness and batteries can be found with weights down to somewhat less than 2 lb. On average most good projectors will weigh around 3 lb.

Dimensions and shapes vary a lot. Some are flat boxes, others are tall boxes and yet others are cylinders. Generally, you will find two sides of a portable projector measuring more or less 6 inches with the third dimension quite slim – an excellent size to slip into an internal backpack pocket.

Projectors with Long Battery Life

Projectors with built-in batteries are a no-no for regular use in your home theater. They do not provide enough power to cater to high-level specs like brightness. However, the portability need is high for camping projectors and those with internal batteries are really the ones that are the best option.

Generally, battery powered projectors for camping are provided with power time that can last from 2 hours to 4 hours with movies. Projectors with even 6-hour batteries on a single charge are available in the market. Long battery life is obtained with LED projectors that are not so bright, have lower image quality and are restricted to nighttime viewing. Everything in life is a balancing act!

Projector Brightness

Outdoor movie watching in daylight means that you need a very powerful projector with high lumens, the measure for projector brightness. A low-lumen projector will cause your image to appear washed out – not the best viewing experience.

A 4000-lumen projector is excellent for daylight viewing as it can combat sunlight which is the main factor for making the image appear washed out. You will learn a lot about projectors for daylight viewing in our article on …….

But you’re unlikely to get that sort of lumens for a portable outdoor camping projector at a decent price. Look out for something at 2,500 lumens. This will give you a good image if your screen is not very large, ie around 40 to 60 inches in diagonal length (60 inches is still pretty big for a camping screen in my opinion) and the projector is as near as possible to the screen so that the projector light intensity on the screen is as high as possible.

If you restrict yourself to nighttime viewing or to viewing inside a camping tent, a 1500-lumen projector will do you quite well and is ideal for camping. The lower brightness means that other image quality parameters like contrast ratio will be higher (deeper blacks) and the overall price of the projector will be more affordable.

Projector Resolution

The larger the image you want, the higher the resolution you will need to get for your projectors. Portable projectors are available in the following resolutions:

  1. 1080 (Full HD)
  2. 720 (HD Ready)
  3. 480

Of course, price increases with higher resolutions. If you are a group of four or fewer people, a smaller screen and a 720-resolution projector is an excellent option. However, you may be a movie buff and want to go for 1080 with large screens.

Even though for camping purposes, people consider portability and brightness over resolution, I would personally like to stick with 720 or higher resolutions and not go for the 480 resolution. Modern projectors are getting better and making a purchase with the low spec does not make sense to us. However, nothing is written in stone.

Easy Connectivity

You’ll want your projector to have an HDMI port and a USB port to hook up devices containing videos. These devices may include external storage drives and USB sticks. HDMI ports are useful for MHDL cables that connect with your phone.

But the best connectivity features are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. No hassles with carrying or connecting wires. Wirelessly connect your mobile device and stream a movie. Or hook up with Netflix with a few clicks.

Whatever connectivity you prefer, make sure that the projector is compatible with your existing devices. More about different wireless connectivity available in projectors in our article…..

Sound for Portable Projectors

Built-in speakers can be an important feature. You get a whole range of sound volume and quality, ranging from “meh” to pretty good for a small group of people. You’ll have to do some research yourself because what sounds good to some may not be good enough for others.

Again for larger groups or just better sound quality, Bluetooth wireless portable speakers are the way to go. These are also rechargeable and need not be expensive.

Whichever option you select keep in mind that a 4W speaker is a minimum you should go for. But, if possible, check them out before purchase because you may find out you personally prefer stronger and louder ones. Also keep in mind, that what you hear in a store is diluted by external noise. The same speaker will seem louder in the silence of your camping site.

If you’re a loner on a hiking trip, you can consider a good pair of headphones that can connect to the projector. Much more compact and easy to carry.

Pico Projectors

A separate category of projectors called pico or pocket projectors are even smaller than portable or mini projectors. They can weigh less than a pound and can easily be held in the palm of your hand. With one advantage comes many disadvantages. Their size does not allow them to carry high resolution or high lumens specifications – so picture quality is compromised compared to mini projectors. And God forbid, the sound quality! We discuss pico projectors in a separate guide here……….

Camping Projector Screens

What’s a good projector without a good screen? A projector screen is a must-have for any movie night under the stars. A portable projector screen that’s easy to set up and take down lets you enjoy your favorite films anywhere.

Some people prefer to project their videos inside a tent and don’t bother with a separate screen. The images obtained using a projector with the tent wall are okay but not that great. The tent material is really not designed for screening and the likely slope of the tent wall means that the image will not be a rectangle but a trapezium. Keystone correction may be available (but not always so) in your portable projector to correct this shape anomaly. If there are creases on the tent wall, you can’t do much about that either. But all this is okay for some.

If you get hold of a portable projector screen for camping, you’ll find a significant improvement in the quality of the image. A simple screen will not give issues mentioned with tent walls above, like image shape issues and wrinkles. Because the screen material is designed for projectors, the image will have better color saturation and will be more vibrant than using a make-shift alternative.

The frames stretch the screens so they are sturdy and not wrinkled. The screens themselves are suitable for outdoor use and easily washable. You’ll find several foldable screens on the market that can be set up by a single person in less than 5 minutes. 

When packed up, the folded screens together with the frame components are quite small and light to carry, possibly 5 lb for a 60-inch screen.

Conclusion

Camping gear is all about portability. Good projectors are all about technology. Portable projectors for camping that deliver a great performance meld these two features together. This guide has gone through the most important qualities – compactness, good image quality specs, connectivity, and sound – that you need to keep foremost to select the portable projector that delivers.

Ultra Short Throw Projector Screens – Complete Guide

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Ultra Short Throw or UST Projector Screens require much more consideration than standard matte screens. Ultra short throw screens need to have:

  1. Ambient Light Rejection (ALR) and specifically Ceiling Light Rejection (CLR)
  2. Low Screen Gain,
  3. High Viewing Angle
  4. Appropriate Screen Size for the room

In this article, we go into the details of specifications related to screens for Ultra Short Throw Projectors.

What is an Ultra Short Throw Projector?

Standard or Long throw projectors are placed a substantial distance from the screen on which the image is projected. These projectors require a distance of at least 8 feet to produce a large image.

Short throw projectors provide the advantage that they can be placed closer to the screen down to 3 feet to produce the same size of image, requiring less room to perform their function.

A further category of projectors carrying more advanced lenses is the Ultra Short Throw (UST) projector. They can be placed almost right in front of the screen – only a few inches away to produce considerably large-sized images. UST projectors throw the image in an upward direction and the ability to sit in such close proximity to the screen gives them the advantage that they can be placed in smaller rooms.

But the compactness of the UST projection setup means much more than just space advantage. The feature makes them an excellent replacement for TVs. Considering they can cater to screen sizes larger than 100 inches and allow the possibility of achieving variable image sizes, they are serious contenders for the living room TV space.

How well do UST projectors perform?

Besides image size, UST projectors do not lag behind in image quality. They are some of the best in terms of performance.

As far as resolution goes, they offer great resolution even up to the 4K level.

They function well in normal ambient lights because the image brightness is less affected by external light due to the close positioning of the projector. This together with an Ambient Light Rejection (ALR) screen makes projection quality top-notch, once again, making UST projectors some of the likeliest TV replacements on the market.

What lets UST projectors down is mainly the price factor. The tech comes at a hefty cost and requires a special screen to complete the setup. The redeeming factors are that compared to long throw projectors, cable costs are lower because of the lower lengths required and the absence of the cost of installing long lengths of cable. Also fixed mounting costs such as ceiling or wall mounting are avoided since the projector is just placed at the screen itself.

What is an ultra short throw projector screen?

We’ve discussed the quality of the UST projector above, but the picture is not complete (forgive the pun). A projector may have all the great specifications we want but it’s only as good as what the screen can provide. The picture quality game is a combo performance by the projector and screen duo.

Are projector screens necessary? With long throw projectors, you might project on a clear wall and only get some image deterioration. But ultra short throw projectors cannot work well at all with walls. Any imperfection or bump in the wall is magnified because of the projection angle. It’s like a setting sun casting long shadows. You will instead need a suitable ultra short throw projection screen.

What is an ultra short throw projector screen? While standard projectors can use standard screens, the video quality with UST projectors can only reach its peak with a type of screen called Ambient Light Rejection (ALR) Screens.

Standard matte white screens reflect not only the projected image to the viewer but also any overhead light or ceiling light. The result is that these screens will produce a washed-out image compared to the sharper images on an ALR screen. The ALR screen achieves this through an optical surface technology and special screen materials that direct any ceiling light that falls on the screen away from the viewer but reflects light from the projector light toward him.

Because ceiling light reduction is crucial for UST projector screens, Ceiling Light Rejecting (CLR) screens are a type of ALR screen for UST projectors and are the preferred type of screen.

What this does to the image quality is make it more vibrant. The excellent color saturation is miles ahead of any standard screen. Even in the presence of ambient light, the black levels will be deeper and darker so the contrast ratio is improved.

What ALR screen specifications to look out for

When looking for an ALR screen for UST projectors, the most important specifications to consider are

  1. the screen gain,
  2. the viewing angle
  3. the screen size.

The gain is a measure of how much light the screen reflects. The higher the gain, the brighter the image will be.

A gain value of 1.0 implies the screen reflects light at the same brightness at which it falls upon the screen. A gain higher than 1.0 means the reflected light is brighter than the original light. A gain lower than 1.0 implies light is absorbed by the screen material and the reflected light is less bright than the original light.

For standard projector screens, the gain is typically between 1.0 and 2.0. But not so for ultra short throw projectors. These already provide enough brightness because they sit so close to the screen. In their case, we aim to reduce the brightness of lights from sources other than the projector. For UST screens, we target a lower screen gain of less than one. Therefore, you will find ultra short throw screens with gains from 0.4 to 0.6 for your UST projector.

The viewing angle is the angle at which the screen can be viewed without losing any brightness. In other words, if you are outside the viewing angle, the gain reduces significantly. The viewing angle is typically between 160 and 180 degrees which provides for wide viewing.

The size of the screen should be large enough to fit your projector, and should also be suitable for the room in which it will be used. The big screen experience counts.

Ultra short throw ALR screens are typically available in sizes of 80 inches to 120 inches. They can even go up to 150 inches but this is less advisable as the image spread is so large that the brightness is less than ideal.

A point to note is that the screen size refers to the length of the diagonal across the screen. Therefore, a 120 UST ALR screen will be sized with a 120 inch length diagonally from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner. Also, screens are normally available with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Installation Considerations for your UST Screen

Fixed frame screens are installed on the wall. Ceiling-hung screens are also available. They provide an advantage of a longer lifespan since the sensitive ALR screen material does not get damaged during frequent roll-in or roll-out of a retractable system.

Drop-down screens and Floor-rising screens are retractable and offer a very clean set-up. With electrical or motorized screens, convenience and an additional wow-factor is obtained for some.

With the larger screen sizes, consideration also needs to be given to the height of the screen installation. The upward viewing angle with high screens will make it uncomfortable to watch videos over extended periods of time. A rule of thumb is to have the lower third of the screen at the viewing height which is normally between 3 to 4 feet.

Conclusion

We’ve gone through in detail with the specifications you need to consider for UST ALR screens. These are different from specs for screens with other projectors. Armed with this knowledge, you are now all set up to make the right purchase for a super viewing experience.

Short throw vs Long throw projectors – Which One do you need?

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The short throw vs long throw projector – not a matter that can be left to the toss of a coin.

This is one of many important questions to resolve before deciding on the projector you wish to buy. The wrong choice may mean that the new projector of your choice cannot be used in your room at all. And considering you spent a good deal of money, this will be heartbreaking.

In this article, we discuss the difference between long throw and short throw projectors, how they differ in purpose-of-use and what you need to check about your available space before you select the projector you should buy.

What is Throw Distance on a Projector?

The Throw distance is the distance between the projector and the screen. It is in fact the distance the light of the projected image travels from the lens of the projector to the projector screen.

What is the Throw Ratio?

The throw ratio is the ratio of the projector’s “throw distance” to the “width (horizontal length) of the image” it projects on the screen. This is a better specification than throw ratio alone because it provides you with a relationship between the screen size you can use with a given throw ratio of a particular projector.

For example, for a projector with a throw ratio of 2:1, the projected image width will be half the length of the distance between projector and screen. In numbers, one can say that for every 2 feet of distance of the projector from the screen, the image will be 1 foot wide. so if the projector is placed 10 feet away from the screen, the image will be 5 feet across.

Throw Ratio and Projector Position

The throw ratio can be looked at in two ways to derive any benefit from them:

  1. To achieve the same image width or size, long throw projectors with large throw ratios need to be placed at a greater distance from the screen than short throw projectors with lower throw ratios. A 2:1 projector will have to be placed 10 feet away from the projection surface to achieve an image 5 feet across. A 1.5:1 projector will have to be placed 7.5 feet away (5 multiplied by 1.5) to obtain the same size of image.
  2. For the same throw distance or position of the projector from the screen, long throw projectors will produce a smaller image on the screen than short throw projectors with lower throw ratios. Once again, a 2:1 projector placed 10 feet away will project an image 5 feet wide. A 1.5:1 projector placed 10 feet away from the screen will project an image 6.7 feet wide (10 divided by 1.5).

Long throw projectors have a high projector ratio and are placed at a substantial distance from the screen. Short throw projectors with low throw ratios, however, provide the advantage that they can be placed closer to the screen and need less room to perform their function. A further category is the ultra short throw projectors with such a small throw ratio that they can be placed almost right in front of the screen.

So what does this mean for your projector purchase decision?

Determine the projector throw ratio you need by taking appropriate measurements of the screen you wish to buy and where you want to place the projector.

For example, if you want to use a 120-inch size screen, you need to determine the width of the screen from the manufacturer’s notes. Remember, screens are specified mostly (but not always) by the diagonal length of the screen and the width of a screen depends upon the diagonal length and the screen aspect ratio.

A 120-inch screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9 will have a screen or image width of 106 inches. If you plan to place your projector 12 feet (ie 144 inches) away from the screen, you will need to get a projector with a throw ratio of 144 divided by 106, ie 1.35:1.

Throw Ratios of Projectors

Long throw projectors, also referred to as Standard throw projectors, have a throw ratio of around 2:1 down to around 1:1. They can have a throw distance of 5 feet to 30 feet. They are suitable for large venues such as conference halls down to your home theatre.

In case your room is much smaller, you will need to consider a short throw model which can have a throw ratio of 0.5:1 to 1:1. Throw distance can vary from 2.5 feet to 5 feet.

Ultra-short throw projectors can provide throws lower than 0.5:1 and sit in front of the screen less than 2.5 feet away.

Projector throw ratios are not fixed. Every projector has a range of throw ratios. Additionally, zoom lenses are available that can be bought separately to allow further magnification of an image.

Long Throw, Short Throw, and Ultra-Short Throw Compared

Long throw projectors have the advantage that they can display very large images. So you can use them in large venues or even outdoors and you can get highly decent images from a long throw projector costing that is reasonably priced. To keep the projector out of the way, you will need to spend on ceiling or wall mounting and the lengthier cables.

So what is the difference between short throw and long throw projectors? All the above considerations can be made accordingly for short throw projectors. They are suitable for living rooms and smaller spaces with equally good quality at a reasonable price slightly higher than long throw projectors. Cables are less lengthier and you may place them in front of the screen on a table or mount them on the ceiling or wall. Shadows on the screen due to movement are less of an issue than with long throw projectors.

The fact that ultra short throw projectors can be placed so close to a wall or screen, means they not only take up the least area but still produce a large, bright image. They provide the neatest setup that looks high-end and also tend to be very bright, with some models outputting over 10,000 lumens. This means that they can easily work in well-lit rooms or even outdoors.

Since the projector sits right at the wall, movement by people in the room will not cast shadows on the screen. the ultrashort throw projector can become an ideal replacement for the living room TV. The close proximity also allows for shorter cables, lowering accessory costs. Mounting equipment is also not necessary because the projector sits on a table in front of the screen.

Where there are pros, there are bound to be cons. The low throw ratio technology comes at a hefty price compared to the long throw and short throw versions.

Conclusion

Your choice of short throw vs long throw projectors depends mainly upon the screen size you wish to adopt and the room available to you. There are further advantages and disadvantages to each, so you will also need to make your final decision based on your budget.

Projector Buying Guide 2022 – Specs Explained In Simplest Terms

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Our Projector Buyer’s Guide will help you understand the really important specifications so that you make the right choice for your projector. These important specs are Projector Resolution, Projector Brightness, Contrast Ratio, Aspect Ratio, Throw Ratio, Zoom, Keystone Correction, and Connectivity Features. Your final choice of projector also depends upon the settings, ambiance, and scenarios in which you plan to use it.

A Projector Buying Guide for You

You’re in the market to buy a projector.

But as soon as you start looking around you are bombarded with a load full of terminologies. There are so many units of measurement, you can’t decide what combination of specs is right for you.

Are you going to make a projector purchase that costs you an arm and a leg and then regret what you bought for the rest of your life? Or are you going to buckle down to a cheaper option… and then regret what you bought for the rest of your life?

So, to be well versed in all projector features, let’s take a detailed dive into each of the specifications.

1) Projector Resolution — 1080p vs 4K vs 8K

Resolution indicates how sharp the projected image is.

At higher resolution numbers, there will be more pixels in the length and width of a picture (or the screen) and the image will be sharper. Lower resolution results in fewer pixels in the same length and width (or same screen) and the image is comparatively blurry or pixelated.

Resolution Numbers

So what do the resolution specification numbers mean? A 1080p resolution will have 1080 pixels in the “height” of the image. 4K resolutions crank up the number of pixels to 4096 in the “width” of the same image.

Reread the previous two sentences!

For 1080p specification, I referred to the height of the image, while for 4K specification I related the number to the width.

Yes, everybody is out there to confuse you! But to “un-confuse” you (the dictionary says that isn’t even a word.. but we know you understand what we mean), we’ve put down a table below listing resolution terminologies and how they translate into the number of pixels.

As you move down the table, the resolution improves. Also, we’ve restricted ourselves to HD projector resolutions (High-Definition projectors) and higher. In this day and age, the lower resolutions are not worth it for choosing the right projector.

Resolution Image Width x height (in pixels)

  • HD 720p (or HD ready) 1280 x 720 pixels.
  • WXGA 1280 x 800 pixels.
  • SXGA 1280 x 1024 pixels.
  • HD 1080p (or Full HD) 1920 x 1080 pixels.
  • WUXGA 1980 x 1200 pixels.
  • UHD 3840 x 2160 pixels.
  • 4K:  4096 x 2160 pixels.
  • 8K: 7680 × 4320 pixels.

(What!!? … Are there 8K projectors? Yes…and very expensive too!)

Expense

Well.. while high resolution is a desirable feature due to the reasons mentioned above, in some cases lower resolution may not really be a bad thing. It may be the case that they serve your use well…. and save you money in more ways than one. One is the expense of the higher resolution projector itself. Additionally, in situations where you are streaming content, a higher resolution will require high data usage and higher internet charges.

Spacing and Screen Size

Also, do you have enough room and spacing to make your viewing experience enjoyable? If you are sitting at a distance from the screen, you won’t notice the pixelation with the lower resolutions. But sitting too close to a low-resolution image, the pixilation will be annoying. For that, you need to get higher resolution projectors.

The room and spacing also tie in with the size of the screen. Larger images or larger screens will need higher picture resolutions if you want to enjoy picture quality. You can sit closer to the screen without noticing any pixelation.

There is a rule of thumb for viewing distance. For 1080 resolutions you need to sit a minimum distance away from the screen equivalent to “3 times the height of the image”. For 4K you can reduce the multiple to 1.5 times. (As a side note, while these are minimum seating distances, maximum seating distances for good viewability are normally recommended as 5 times the height of the image).

Projector Use

Finally, how do you want to use your projector? Below are our recommendations based on the “Resolution spec” vs “Use” scenarios. Nothing is written in stone, but these recommendations will give you a good guide for your final selection.

HD 720p, WXGA & SXGA Business/education use— cable tv

HD 1080p Business/education use (pushing it to the extent that one should carefully consider whether the intended office/education use really requires this resolution)—-, cable tv—–, Home theater—-Sports—– Gaming

WUXGA Home theater—-Sports—– Gaming

UHD & 4K:  Home theater—-Gaming. Blu-ray Movies. Slowly with time, more 4K content is now available and whatever is available is awesome. It is at this resolution that projectors beat TVs in image wow-ness

8K: Not really for home or office use. Probably better catered for large screen advertisers. In the future certainly, but currently, you won’t find much video content at all at this resolution for your personal or office needs, certainly not for the price.

So finally, is the decision going to revolve around 1080 vs 4k projectors for you? You should consider how you want to use your projector, your room, screen size, and budget, and then finalize the required resolution spec.

2) Projector Brightness – How Many Lumens for a Projector?

Projector brightness refers to the light intensity that the projector throws out.

It should be high enough so that the projector beams sufficient light for it to travel the distance to the projector screen, fight off ambient light on the way and provide enough light intensity on the screen. Too little light intensity on the projector screen and the image will appear washed out.

Brands use various units to quantify projector brightness. Most use Lumens as a measure while some quote brightness in ANSI Lumens. ANSI lumens are a standardized brightness measure. If quoted by manufacturers, they would be an excellent brightness comparison gauge.

The Lumens figures, however, are not determined through a standard methodology. But, unfortunately, almost all manufacturers provide the lumens figures only. So there is not much choice for customers when comparing various projectors.

ANSI lumens vs lumens – what do you do when you have different measurement units? A rule of thumb for estimating ANSI lumens is to divide the lumens figure by 25. This is by no means accurate but gives you some idea.

How bright should a projector be? To help you make the right choice, here’s a useful guide presented in lumens units (simply because this is what you’ll find in the market):

  • Indoor use with low (lights out and windows covered) to normal ambient light – minimum 1500 Lumens
  • Indoor use with normal to high ambient light – minimum 3000 Lumens
  • Outdoor use in daylight – minimum 4000 Lumens. However, the minimum number will increase the greater the distance between projector and screen, as in very large outdoor venues.

Be cautioned! We’ve spoken about how good higher brightness is. But very high levels of brightness will reduce color accuracy. And the glare will give you a headache. At the same time, lower lumen levels improve the contrast ratio of the projected image. Life is always a balancing act.

3) Projector Contrast Ratio – Is it a black & white matter?

The contrast ratio measures how black the blacks are and how white the whites are.

High contrast ratios are more important as the blacks need to be deeper making the image sharper. This is opposed to how much the black is tending toward gray.

In the dark, contrast ratios are more noticeable as part of the viewing experience. For outdoor use, in the daylight, the contrast ratio specs are no longer helpful. There is just too much interference by ambient light.

Unfortunately, manufacturers declare unrealistic numbers which you cannot verify before buying. So it is not a number you can pre-decide or evaluate a projector upon.

For information completeness, you will still need to know what is a good contrast ratio in projectors. Dark rooms will need a contrast ratio of 2,000:1 for good performance. Normal-lit rooms having a contrast ratio of 8,000:1 are good enough. The higher the contrast ratio, the better. As far as manufacturer statements go, you will be able to find contrast ratio claims of 50,000:1.

4) Aspect Ratio – the Long and Short of it

Aspect ratio is the ratio of the width of the projected image to its length.

It doesn’t change with screen distance from the projector. HD resolution and higher projectors provide a 16:9 aspect ratio which is suitable as an all-purpose aspect ratio for cable, movies, sports, and gaming.

Movies, however, are generally filmed in a wider format of 2.4:1 so that you will have black boxes above and below the image when you use a 16:9 projector. Projectors with a 2.4:1 aspect ratio are also available.

Nowadays, you can find multi-aspect ratio projectors on the market, but remember the maximum width of the image will be restricted by your screen dimensions.

5) Throw Ratio, Zoom, and Projector Screen Size

A projector needs to be placed some distance from the screen so that a large enough image is projected. The closer the projector is to the screen, the smaller the image will be.

Inversely, if you already have, for example, a home theatre screen size in mind, you need to know whether the projector you are considering will give you the full image size with the spacing available to you.

Because you may be restricted in how far away you can place the projector, you need to determine the projector throw ratio which is the ratio of “the distance of the projector from the screen (throw distance)” to “the width of the image projected”.

With a projector throw ratio of 2:1, the projected image width will be half the length of the distance between projector and screen. The higher the throw ratio, the farther the projector needs to be placed away from the screen to fill the screen.

Standard projectors, also referred to as long throw projectors, have a throw ratio of around 1.2:1 down to around 1:1.

In case your room is too small, you will need to consider short-throw or ultra-short throw projectors (with throw ratio going down to 0.3:1). The lower throw ratio, however, comes at a price.

Based on the projector’s throw ratio, room available, and the screen size you desire, you can easily determine whether a projector is suitable for your needs.

For a projector fixed in location, some correction for increasing image size can also be achieved if the projector lens has zoom capability.

Lens zoom capabilities are usually available in projectors available in the market or you can purchase an additional lens. With such capabilities, you can double the size of the image compared to default without having to move your projector farther away from the screen.

7) Projector Mounting, Lens Shift, and Keystone Correction

You will not place your projector at a position identically parallel to the center of the screen.

The projector, if placed on a projector stand on the floor, will be positioned at a height approximately corresponding to the bottom of the screen. The image is projected upwards to the screen.

Alternatively, you might want to install the projector on the ceiling with a projector ceiling mount. The image is projected downwards.

It is also possible that the projector is mounted on a side wall. The image is projected sideways.

In all cases, after mounting the projector, the image will have to be adjusted in two ways,

  1. The projection image may fall partially outside the screen. To solve this, you should have a projector with horizontal and vertical lens shift capability. This will allow you to move the image onto the projector screen digitally without moving the projector itself.
  2. Because the projector is throwing the image at an angle, the image falling on the screen will not be rectangular but will be trapezoidal. This means the side of the image nearer the projector will be smaller in length than the side of the image farther away from the projector. Keystone correction in projectors, that have the capability, adjusts the image digitally so that it is a perfect rectangle.

In summary, while most projectors will have lens shift and keystone correction, check the availability of these features before finalizing your choice. Also, make sure they have both horizontal and vertical lens shift features. sometimes manufacturers only provide one.

Keep in mind, that ceiling and wall-mounted projectors are fixed projectors making throw ratio, zoom capability and lens shift important features to have. Projectors placed on a stand or tabletop have the advantage that they can be conveniently moved when required to adjust the image or to other locations.

8) Connectivity Features

For wired connections, use a projector with HDMI connection capability as opposed to older connection options like VGA.

You will also find that USB connection ports on a projector. This will provide convenience for use with USB drives which may contain video, pictures, or presentations for business use.

You might also want capabilities for Wi-Fi or other wireless connection from laptop or iPhone. So look out for these options if you believe this is the desired specification.

9) Projector Speakers

You will need to purchase separate speakers for your projector if you want any sort of sound volume or quality. Very important in most uses, especially with home cinema. The case for built-in speakers may only be made for portable projectors used in small rooms.

10) Projector Technology

Projector Imaging Chip

Projectors are designed with different types of technologies based on the chips that digitally produce the image.

Most popular are DLP (Digital Light Processing) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) projectors. Each one has advantages over the other. But the difference in advantages is not too great. At the end of the day, don’t spend too much time choosing between DLP or LCD projector.

Light Emitting Source

The light emitting source is another part of the projector that can be based on various technologies.

Projectors using lamps are dominant in the market because they are relatively cheap. At the same time, they provide all image qualities up to the highest level. However, their brightness performance reduces with time and, generally, after 4,000 hours of use, the lamp will need to be replaced. That’s another expense. Because of the lamp, they heat up more than the other options mentioned below.

Projectors that use laser technology provide better color accuracy and, because the beam is concentrated and less diffused, they have better brightness performance. Laser projectors are comparatively energy efficient. Their lifespan is another advantage averaging up to 20,000 hours – very high compared to lamps – and with little brightness decline with time.

LED light sources are used where the lumens required are low, such as with pocket projectors. They are the most energy efficient and longest-lasting compared to other light emitting types.

Which is better LED or laser or lamp? LED projectors are for smaller devices. For normal usage, while we would recommend laser projectors over a lamp, for somewhat better image quality at lower energy and maintenance cost, either way is not a deal-breaker.

10) Types of Projectors

A particular type of projector may have some functionality that is useful for your scenario. We have already mentioned some throughout this article. But it may be helpful to list them together,

  • Home Theater Projectors: Projectors for home entertainment are best used in low light conditions where image quality is enhanced. These are long throw projectors so they can serve larger screens.
  • Short Throw and Ultra Short Throw projectors: Their use is important when there is not enough room available for the projector to produce a large enough image.
  • Portable Projectors: You want to go camping? Or do you travel a lot for office purposes and need to give presentations to clients? Portable projectors are the best solution here. They have internal batteries which can last for three hours or even slightly more. Image quality can be pretty good.
  • Pocket projectors: Also called Pico projectors. These are small enough to be held in the palm of your hand. Projector features are limited. They will not give you very good image quality. They won’t have sound and they’re not at all suitable for videos. They do have use because of their ease of portability and in art.

Conclusion

We’ve done a comprehensive and easy-to-understand overview of important or best projector specifications and functionalities. We are sure that this Projector Buyer Guide will save you time in deciding what to look for in projectors and will give you peace of mind that you’ll be making the right choice – whether you are looking for a projector for your home or office use, movies or gaming.