We tell about the varieties of projectors and the criteria for their choice.
Not so long ago, there was no competitors. But now projectors are actively using the home space. For the price they are quite comparable, but by the magnitude of the "picture" the TV clearly loses. We will analyze how and what projector for home the cinema is better to choose.
All about choosing a home projector
Pros and cons of projectorsVarieties of equipment
Criterias of choice
- Permission
- Format.
- The size of the projection
- Lamp type
- contrast
Mini-rating of the best models
Pros and cons of projectors
With the help of the projector, you can create a real cinema hall at home. Moreover, the price of equipment will be lower than that of a similar diagonal of the TV. View does not give a large load on sight, since the picture is projected onto the screen and reflected from it. With watching TV, everything is different: light rays are directed into the eyes.
If necessary, viewers can change the image format. His quality does not suffer. The equipment is compact and does not take up much space.
True, there are a number of shortcomings. The screen and speakers for viewing must be purchased separately, which increases the cost of living a home cinema. Before viewing the room you need to prepare: omit the screen, close the windows with curtains. In addition, the cooling system is quite noise, it may interfere with viewing.
The most unpleasant - the projector lamp periodically requires replacement. Depending on its type, the cost of repair can be comparable to the price of the device. In some models, the lamp is not provided. But there are few flaws. Pluses of multimedia and the desire to get a cinema in your own house outweigh all the cons.
Varieties of equipment
Before deciding which projector to choose for home instead of the TV, you need to figure out what they happen. Depending on the installation method, three types of projectors distinguish. Massive stationary weigh from 3.5 kg and more are installed at a permanent place. These are powerful multifunctional devices with a bright light stream. Reproduce a high-quality image of the greatest possible sizes.
Portable weigh up to 4 kg, they can be transferred and installed in a new place. The quality of their pictures can give up stationary, but remains high. Miniature devices are placed in pocket. Their technical characteristics are low, the functionality is limited. The main plus is the ability to view anywhere.
One of the main characteristics of the multimedia installation is a projection technology that is used in it. There are several options.
- LCD. Equipment of shift type with one LCD matrix. The lamp located behind it generates the light stream, which is displayed on the screen. Instruments of this type are the cheapest. The image quality is low, there is a "grid effect", that is, when approaching the picture disintegrates into small squares.
- 3 LCD. The device of shift type with three matrices-LCD and an additional system of mirrors. Thanks to this, the "grid effect" is missing. 3 LCD media is a good color reproduction and a good image. Of the minuses it is necessary to note the low contrast and the need for constant heat dissipation. High temperatures are harmful to the matrix.
- DLP. DMD chip is used to form a picture. Together with the system of rotary mirrors, they form a matrix. The light moves through the color wheel and falls on the chip. This technology gives a contrast image with clear shadows. The main disadvantage is the "rainbow effect", but some simply do not notice it.
- The LCOS technology is a combination of the last two options, combines their advantages and leverals shortcomings. It is not yet very accessible to a mass user, its price is too high. More often used as professional equipment for the cinema.
How to choose a projector for home 5 criteria
To choose a decent TV replacement, you must consider several important criteria. Let's talk in detail about each.1. Resolution
Determined by the number of points pixels that build a frame in width and height. Denoted by two digits. What they are more, the picture is clearer. As well as more size diagonal screen, where it can be viewed without loss of quality. The resolution of 800x600 can provide a view of the Multimedia DVD quality, no more. For the content of the HD class, the value is not lower than 1920x1080. 4K format requires permission not less than 3840x2160.
2. Format or aspect ratio
Multimedia use not only for games or watching movies, but also to show slides, presentations, etc. Therefore, the aspect ratio of the frame may be different. For home cinema is best to choose the format 16:10 or 16: 9. But the 4: 3 ratio is not suitable, it is convenient for the demonstration of documents, graphs, presentations.3. The size of the projection
Measured diagonally. The indicator defines the greatest and smallest dimensions of the projected frame. The size depends on the focal length in the lens, which may vary, but slightly.
When choosing a projection ratio, that is, the ratio of the projection distance and the image width is usually, the more distance to the screen, the greater the picture. Exception - ultra-threaded devices. They give a large picture from a small distance.
4. Type of light converter
To create a light stream, lamps of different types are used. We list the main options.- LED. Their brightness, on average, from 1000 lm. With LED lamps, you can not dow place the room completely. The average life of such a converter is 3,000 hours, which is not very much. Most often replacement for a new lamp.
- Laser. Combine good brightness with a long service life. It is at least 6,000 hours. Possible projection on any surface.
- Xenon. The brightest, but short-lived. Heat greatly, so you have to use a powerful cooling system.
There are models with mercury lamps, it is outdated and potentially dangerous technology. Manufacturers gradually refuse to use them. When selecting a lamp, it is important to navigate the value of the light flux. What it is lower, the stronger will have to darken the room when viewing. For example, the lamps of 400-900 lm make it possible to watch movies only with full dimming, devices 1,000-1,900 lm can operate with partial lighting.
5. Contrast
The ratio between the brightness of the black and white tones. The contrast "answers" for the saturation of the shades, the depth of the black tone color reproduction, the display of weakly contrast parts. Weak contrast makes the image in an inexpressive and fading. It is not always clear what kind of contrast applied the manufacturer. Therefore, it is not necessary to rely on the characteristics specified in the passport. It is better to estimate the picture visually.
Of the additional features, it is worth paying attention to the ability to play content from a USB drive and TV tuner. Then the multimedia device can be used without connecting the TV or computer. But the support is 3D most often just formality. You can only get a good stereo effect when playing polarized stereo. This is only expensive models complete with special screens.
Mini-rating of the best models
To choose the multimedia device it was easier, we suggest to get acquainted with the mini-rating of the best models of 2021.
- Sony VPL-HW45ES / B. Stationary middle class device. Uses SXRDX3 playback technology, this is the exclusive development of Sony engineers. Widescreen picture, support for HDTV and 3D. Projection distance from 1.5 to 7.9 m, image sizes from 1.06 to 7.6 m.
- Xgimi H2. Portable ultra-thread-focus projector with DLP projection technology, built-in stereo system. Full HD format, supports HDTV and 3D, Android operating system. LED lamp, service life in economy mode - 3 000 h.
- Epson EH-TW5650. Widescreen stationary device with LCD X3 playback technology. There are built-in speakers. Supports HDTV and 3D. UHE lamp is installed with an additional mirror reflector, original development from Epson.
We figured out how to choose a projector for home theater. It should be understood that it will not be enough for the arrangement of a good home cinema. It will take a sound system, screen and dimming system. All this must be placed in the room, the dimensions of which are suitable for the selected equipment. Only after that you can enjoy your favorite films.
