What to Look for When Purchasing a Projector for Your Luxury Home Theater

Projector Light Output

This is the most important factor when choosing a projector and is actually one of the first things you will see upon checking a product’s specs. Measured in ANSI lumens (lm), the light output of your device will determine how bright an image will appear when projected on a screen. In short, the higher the lumen rating, the brighter the display. 

The average person might think that a higher lumen rating is better—and they’re not exactly correct. Unfortunately, there is no way of determining which is better, but taking a look at your home theater’s setup will reveal how “bright” your projector needs to be. Benq states that if the room you’re using has a lot of ambient light, then you will want a projector with higher lumens. These are typically rated at above 3,000 lm. Meanwhile, a home theater with little-to-no ambient light would do well with a projector rated at around 2,000 lm.

Just remember to choose one suitable for your setup, as you may end up not seeing the pictures being projected. However, this does not mean that brighter is better! In fact, most home theater-grade projectors actually have a lower lumen rating but a higher color contrast—which means a better display quality when viewed with no ambient light.

Screen Size and Throw Distance

The next factor to consider is the screen size you’re displaying on and throw distance of the projector. When a projector is used, there is an “optimal distance” for it to be placed, which allows it to fill a certain space and display a clear and crisp picture—most manufacturers rate this as a “throw ratio.”

This is more of an arbitrary metric you'll be choosing depending on your viewing setup. If you don’t have a screen yet, then take note of the dimensions of your home theater and ask about which models will potentially work for your space.

Pixel Density

There are a few factors that affect output quality, the first of which is the pixel density. Naturally, a higher pixel density means a clearer and more well-defined picture. 

Most modern projectors have an XGA resolution (1024 x 768), which is fine if you’re a casual viewer. For a luxury home theater, however, you will want a projector capable of a 4K resolution. If one is not available that meets this requirement, opt for a project capable of Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080).

Contrast Ratio

Next, you'll want to check the device’s contrast ratio. This measures how deep of a contrast the darkest colors are on-screen with the lightest ones—which will then affect how well an image is produced and perceived. Getting something HDR-capable is best, but take note that the screen you’re displaying on and the ambient light in the room will have a major impact on this factor.

The Imaging System

The third and last factor that majorly impacts the output quality is the type of imaging system used. There are two systems that are common: DLP and LCD, according to techdifferences.com. DLP systems use the interplay of light on a spinning color wheel and microscopic tilting mirrors to display an image.

This system adds the very distinct “rainbow effect” characteristic to its display. LCD systems, on the other hand, use 3 LCD chips to display more stable color images—but are unfortunately prone to the “screen door effect.”

While the choice between DLP and LCD is more on taste, there is one option that makes the best of both systems: the 3LCD reflective system. Like the DLP, it bounces light, but instead of having the light pass through a rotating color wheel, it bounces on the 3 LCD chips, much like the LCD system.

This makes for a display that loses the “rainbow effect” while also limiting the “screen door effect.” The most popular ones are the LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon), the D-ILA (Digital Imaging Light Amplification), and the SXRD (Silicon Crystal Reflective Display).

The Connectivity

The projector’s connectivity is one of the most basic specifications that you will need to check out. A majority of modern projectors have an HDMI connection available, along with a port for the more basic VGA connection. While it is common among modern projectors, this is not a standard, so make sure that your media player can connect to the projector you’ll be purchasing. 

Another aspect in regards to connectivity is the MHL support. This goes beyond simply connecting a device to display a picture or video, but also making it look “smart” and unified. Smart features include a unified controller for connected devices or sometimes even better quality displays.

There are some models that support wireless connectivity to a device but that isn't always the best idea. While going wireless is definitely convenient, there is usually a drop in frame rate and quality, so it would not be ideal for a luxury home theater.

The Longevity

While they may be delicate equipment, high-end home theater projectors tend to have a longer lifespan than those that are portable. This is because they have better cooling systems, are typically mounted, and manufactured out of more durable materials. As such, when considering the longevity of a home theater projector, look at two factors: the light source and the imaging system being used.

Projectors generally use one of three light sources: Ultra High-Pressure (UHP) lamps, LEDs, and lasers. UHP lamps are the most common, but they also degrade the quickest among the three. LEDs and lasers, on the other hand, last longer because they don’t retain much heat. 

When it comes to the imaging system, LCD systems tend to last much longer than DLP systems. This is because the DLP has a moving part, thus making it more susceptible to breaking. Aside from that, any damage to the color wheel will disrupt your viewing entirely, whereas LCD failures often just end up with a few dead pixels.

Why Should I Opt for a Projector Over a TV?

Given the numerous factors to look over, it might make sense to simply set up a huge Ultra-HD TV instead of picking a projector. Although it is most definitely easier, a huge television does not give the same luxurious ambiance and grand viewing experience that a home theater projector provides. 

Aside from that, investing in a projector has some more simple benefits. The Family Handyman notes the primary being the fact that it takes up less space than a giant television. 

The Bottom Line

A high-end projector is the highlight of any luxury home theater, which is why it’s important to pick the right one for your setup. By keeping in mind the five factors outlined above, you’re sure to pick the projector that will meet your expectations and grant you the best viewing experience.

Sources

• https://www.benq.com/en-us/knowledge-center/knowledge/projector-brightness-lumens.html
• https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/how-to-choose-home-theater-projector/
• https://techdifferences.com/difference-between-dlp-and-lcd-projector.html