If you’re looking to project a clear, vibrant image, you’ll need a high-resolution projector and a few simple techniques
When it comes to sharing your favorite movies and TV shows with friends and family, there’s no substitute for an HD projector. Short of renting out a movie theater, it’s hard to find a bigger screen. Combine that scale with the crystal clear images an HD projector can produce, and you’ve got a recipe for success.
But how do you know which is the best HD projector for your needs? What features should you look for, and how should you configure the projector once you have it? This guide will help you answer those questions.
Features to look for in an HD projector
High resolution
Just like a computer screen, each projector has a resolution measurement. This number expresses the number of pixels it uses to create its images. In general, the more pixels in an image, the clearer and more detailed it will be.
Standard resolution projectors can range from 800x600 pixels up to 1280x800 pixels. At the upper end of that range, they cap out at just over 1 million total pixels in an image. For business presentations or lessons in the classroom, that may be enough to get the job done. But if you’re showing photos or videos, you’ll likely start to notice fuzzy, indistinct images at this resolution. The issue compounds as you scale that image up.
Today’s HD projectors, including models with WUXGA (1920x1200) and even 4K (3840x2160) resolution, provide over 2 million pixels for stunning image clarity. Compared to standard-definition projectors, the upgrade to an HD projector is dramatic, making these models the preferred choice for everything from business presentations to home theaters.
Bright picture
No matter its resolution, a projector will always have to compete with all the other light in a room. The brighter that room is, the more light the projector has to put out to create a clear picture. If it’s not bright enough, your image will appear washed out and hard to see.
Projector brightness is measured in lumens. To get the clearest possible image, you’ll want to choose an HD projector that puts out at least 5,000 lumens. It’s also worth noting that there is such a thing as too many lumens. If you see projectors boasting a lumen count over 10,000, those projectors probably are designed for use in large event spaces. Trying to use them at home may result in an overlit, washed-out image.
Advanced light source
Most projectors use one of three possible light sources: lamps, LED bulbs, or lasers. Lamps are the most affordable of the three, but what you save in the short term you may lose in the long term. The mercury bulbs used for projector lamps can have the shortest lifespan of any of the three options. Buying new bulbs can add up over time. So can the hassle of replacing the bulbs, each of which requires special disposal methods because of its mercury content. Finally, lamps are typically the dimmest of the three options.
LEDs tend to cost a little more than lamps and project a similar amount of light, but they offer several advantages. For one, they last much longer before they need to be replaced. They also project deeper, more accurate colors and use much less power.
Finally, you have lasers. These are the most expensive of the three options, but they pack the performance to match. They typically last longer than lamps or LEDs, and their image quality is unparalleled. If you’re after the best HD projector, choose one that uses lasers.
High contrast ratio
Brightness comes with a caveat. If there’s no contrast between light and dark colors, it doesn’t matter how bright your projector is. Contrast helps create image definition. When you watch “The Godfather,” for example, the film’s inky blacks and brilliant whites make full use of the light spectrum. Without adequate contrast, all the drama of those lighting cues can be lost.
To gauge contrast, manufacturers measure the brightness of the lightest white and darkest black in an image and then convert it into a ratio. For example, a contrast ratio of 1000:1 means pure white is 1,000 times brighter than pure black. In general, the higher a projector’s contrast ratio, the clearer the image will be.
When shopping for an HD projector, look for ratios measured using ANSI contrast. This method of measurement more accurately represents how a projector’s contrast performs in real life, rather than in a lab setting. ANSI contrast ratings are typically lower than other rating systems. An ANSI contrast rating over 500:1 indicates great performance. A rating of 1000:1 should be top of the line.
Did You Know?:Thanks to its laser projection technology, the PJ WUL5A50 can operate for up to 20,000 hours without maintenance. That can save you money in the long run. Click here to learn more.
Understanding short throw and ultra short throw projectors
Every projector has what's called a throw distance, which is how far it needs to be from a wall or screen in order to display an image clearly. Most standard throw projectors have a throw distance of around 10 feet. Some homes may have the space for that, but many do not. Projecting from so far away also makes it easy to block the projector. That's great for shadow puppets, but it's less than ideal during a movie.
Smaller rooms tend to benefit from short throw projectors, which can sit just a few feet from their surfaces without sacrificing image size or quality. For example, the RICOH PJ WUL5A40ST can produce a 150-inch picture from 4.8 feet away. Ultra short throw projectors can cut that distance down even further to just a few inches. For instance, the RICOH PJ UHL3660 projects from just 1- 38 cm away. These projectors can work particularly well in home theaters where space is at a premium. They can also help avoid shadows cast by children or pets who wander in during the movie.
Getting the best picture quality
Even the best HD projector will need a little fine-tuning to do its best work. The most important step is to eliminate as much light from the environment as possible. Here are some other tips for achieving a peak viewing experience.
Positioning your projector
Most basic projectors have to sit at a very specific angle and distance from the screen. Otherwise, the image they produce will either be too small for the surface, too large, or warped. Your projector should include a throw angle and throw distance that you can use to guide your placement. The shorter your projector’s throw distance, the easier it should be to position and adjust. Start with those measurements in mind, and then adjust via trial and error until the image perfectly fits your screen.
For more flexibility in your positioning, look for projectors with lens shift and zoom capabilities. Lens shift allows you to move the projected image vertically and horizontally. That’s especially helpful if your projector can’t sit in the center of your screen. Zoom, on the other hand, lets you scale the projected image up or down in size without moving the projector itself. Both of these functions are easier to use if they’re motorized, as that saves you from the potentially tedious work of repositioning the projector.
Focusing the image
It doesn’t matter how high your projector’s resolution is if its image is out of focus. Just like a manual camera, you’ll have to adjust the lens for the best picture. Most projectors include a focus adjustment tool. Some let you control it using a remote, others require manual adjustment.
To dial in your focus, start by projecting a very bright image. Stand next to it and examine it as you adjust the focus. Using a short throw projector makes this much easier, as you won’t need to go back and forth from one end of the room to the other between adjustments. Once you can see the sharp edges of individual pixels, your image is in focus.
Using an HD projector screen
Although any flat, white surface can serve as a projector screen, a dedicated HD projector screen can noticeably improve your image quality. Walls are often textured and covered in small imperfections. They’re rarely pure white, and they don’t reflect as much light as a projector screen. Those dark images also narrow your viewing angles, making it even harder to see if your audience isn’t sitting directly in front of the image.
Sheets are a popular alternative, but they aren’t much better. They suffer from all the same problems, with the added challenge of removing wrinkles and folds. These can distort your image and hurt the viewing experience. They’re particularly ill-suited to short throw projectors, which require a perfectly flat surface to project properly.
Projector screens, meanwhile, are designed to be perfectly smooth and highly reflective. They keep your images bright and clear. Plus, they’re designed to maximize both viewing angles and color accuracy. Screen reflectivity is measured as gain, and the industry standard of 1.0 should satisfy your projecting needs, allowing you to sit anywhere and still enjoy a vibrant, clear, and bright image.
Did You Know?:Don't let its compact size fool you — the PJ WUL5A50 can project stunning HD images up to 300" in size and at up to 5,200 lumens. Click here to learn more.
Our recommendation: RICOH Projectors
RICOH projectors are the perfect choice for small or medium-sized offices or meeting rooms. With brightness options of up to 9,600 lumens, they project a clear image even in bright environments. RICOH projectors feature a laser light source that powers up fast and shuts down quickly, with a projected lifespan of over 20,000 hours. Compact models make setup a breeze, short throw and ultra-short throw models can save you precious space, and our high-end models feature advanced projection enhancement capabilities such as edge-blending. Click here to learn more or buy now.
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