Streaming services and advanced entertainment technology have broken the boundaries of home entertainment. They now allow families to enjoy their favourite movies, series and even games on large, high definition displays.
When it comes to the ultimate home entertainment experience, a quality home projector is now the way to go for any family that’s looking for outstanding quality, and scalable screen size, to enjoy their favourite entertainment at home.
Projectors vary in features, technology and even size, and so choosing the best projector for your dream home theatre setup is a decision that’s best made after careful consideration of the options that are currently available. But choosing the right projector for your home can be tricky. Here is what to consider when choosing the best projector for your home:
The light source to best suit your needs
First, consider which light source in the projector will best suit your needs and budget. Choose from a lamp, LED, or laser light source. All three options have their advantages and disadvantages:
Video projectors that use lamps require the lamp to be changed after about 3,000 to 4,000 hours of viewing. However, some projectors deliver upwards of 5,000 hours of viewing. On the other hand, video projectors that use LEDs and or lasers as a light source have a much longer life — often as much as 20,000 hours or more.
Despite being the newer technology on the block, laser projectors have transformed the home entertainment space. These projectors produce higher quality images, offer greater efficiency, and allow for more compact projection technology designs than their light bulb counterparts.
Light output and brightness
It’s best to opt for a projector that will work well in both low-light and brighter surroundings. Without sufficient light, a projector will not be able to display a bright image. If the light output of your projector is too low the image will look blurry and soft, even in a dark room. The best way to determine if a projector outputs enough light to produce bright images, check the ANSI Lumens rating. This will tell you how much light that a projector can put out.
Relatively speaking, projectors with 1,000 ANSI Lumens or greater have sufficient brightness for home theatre use. Room size, screen size/distance, and ambient room light connections will also affect the need for more or fewer lumens. Although video projectors’ light output capabilities have improved, they still work best in a darkened room.
Check the projector’s resolution
Another feature to consider when choosing a projector for a home theatre space is screen resolution. Resolution describes the clarity of a projected image based on the number of pixels that can be displayed.
Most projector resolutions range from SVGA at 800 x 600 pixels up to 4K UHD, at 3840 x 2160 pixels. For high-definition home movies, consider purchasing a projector with a resolution of 1280 x 720 or above, capable of displaying content in a widescreen aspect ratio (the most popular being 16:9).
Of course, the ideal projector resolution for you will be based on what the projector will be used for, the room size, and the display surface. Be sure to research this in detail before buying your projector.
Consider connectivity inputs
The next thing to consider when purchasing a new projector is choosing one with all the connectivity inputs and outputs you need to enhance your at-home entertainment experience.
Most video projectors available today have HDMI inputs as well as VGA or DVI inputs for computers. Search for a device that has additional inputs/outputs options, like Bluetooth and stereo mini-jack audio output, which will enable you to connect the device to a soundbar or even project content from your smartphone, tablet or gaming console. This way, everyone can project their favourite movies, series and games from their devices.
Is portability important to you?
Is having a portable projector important to you? Families looking to make the most of South Africa’s warm summers by enjoying a movie in the garden, or even under the stars should consider purchasing a portable projector.
Portability is important, not just in terms of moving or travelling with your projector, but in simplifying the installation and setup at your home. It also makes it easier to try out different screen sizes, distances, and rooms to see which arrangement works best for you.
Epson EF-100 projector.
Portable projectors like the Epson EF-100 are lightweight enough to move between rooms, place outside, or even take along on family vacations. They’re also easy to install, set up and arrange for the optimal viewing experience.
Get the best model you can afford
A home theatre setup with a video projector can really help to elevate your home entertainment experience. Purchasing a projector for home entertainment is the way to go for any family that’s looking for outstanding quality, scalable screen size, and the best quality home entertainment that can be enjoyed from just about anywhere.
But, it’s important to not be tempted to buy whatever model is promoted or on sale. Consider the key points above and then invest in the best projector you can afford. Video projector prices vary widely, depending on all the above factors. Plus, unless you plan to project onto a flat wall, you also have to consider the cost of a screen to project your image on to and perhaps even a bracket to mount your projector from the ceiling for the best viewing position.
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