Buyer's guide - Video projectors

For presentations and video games

If you're looking for a video projector for "traditional" use, such as giving presentations, then most models will do the job. Since the majority of video projectors are light and easy to transport, they're ideal for users who are often on the move.
To get the best out of your projector, you should find out about the lighting conditions in the room you're going to be using it in. The ambient light will influence how visible your presentation is on the screen, so it's well worth taking into consideration! This is when the brightness of your projector, expressed in lumens, really starts to matter. If the room is fairly bright, you should look for a projector with a brightness of at least 2,000 lumens.
You can also use your video projector to enjoy video games on a big screen thanks to the 4:3 format for super-sized standard-format images!
What's more, it's easy to connect a projector to a games console or computer. For breathtaking image quality, go for a projector with a minimum contrast ratio of 600:1 - and don't forget to draw the curtains!

The silver-screen experience

If you dream of big-screen viewing but you don't have much room at home - don't worry! You can now enjoy exceptional-quality viewing without having to clutter up your living room! [#url typecms=m;id=1973,type=pm#]video projector are now more compact than ever, and projection screens are easy to mount and tidy away. Plus, gone are the days of having the projector unit obscure your view, as they can now be mounted to the wall or ceiling, and some don't even need to be pointed directly at the screen!
For an authentic cinema experience, you should look for a projector with a 16:9 (widescreen) image format for full-on sensations with no unwanted noise. When in operation, modern projectors rarely emit more than 30 dB of sound, and some even integrate silent fan systems, so you really can sit back and enjoy the show!
Video projectors aren't just about films though, they can be used to enjoy images from all kinds of sources, so you can use your projector with a [#url typecms=m;id=8,type=pm#]television, computer or camcorder with compatible connectivity.

Projection screens

Any sceptics out there can rest assured that a projection screen isn't just an expensive alternative to a wall! A good screen can improve the picture quality considerably for the ultimate viewing experience!
Whether fixed on a tripod or wall-mounted, you can find screens that pull down manually or which have smart electronic controls. All the different models are easy to install and use. With a wall-mounted screen, it's just like having your own personal cinema, especially if you choose a widescreen (16:9) model. Once rolled up, these screens are incredibly discreet and can be hidden away above pictures or paintings.
For compatibility with the majority of video projectors, your screen should measure between 1.80 m and 3.30 m. For anything bigger, you'll need a projector with the kind of extra-strong light output that you'll only find in top-of-the-range models.
You should also watch out for the screen gain factor. This is a measure of the screen's overall reflectivity. The screen surface can either absorb or reflect light from the video projector. The screen gain represents the amount of light reflected and dictates how your images are displayed in relation to the surrounding lighting conditions.
You should choose the screen gain in relation to the intensity of the projector's light output. A gain factor of less than 1 can help moderate projectors that are too bright, and which offer little contrast. A gain of more than 1 will boost the brightness of the images displayed, and is more easily used with a majority of projectors.
Did you know you can now even position your home cinema speakers behind certain screens with no loss in acoustic quality? Just look for an audio-transparent or micro-perforated screen! Such models ensure that only a minimum amount of sound is lost (2 dB in general) without compromising image quality.

Connections

Analogue

From composite and component video to S-Video, VGA and the classic SCART, most projectors offer a wide range of connection possibilities for hooking up all your video devices.
Why not connect your projector to your computer or camcorder to relive your memories or surf the web on the big screen?

Digital

DVI and HDMI cables are now starting to replace VGA and SCART leads, and offer improved connection quality.
HDMI cables are used to transmit high-definition sound and images in a boosted resolution that's particularly well-suited to big-screen viewing. DVI connections ensure the flawless diffusion of images from digital sources with no loss in quality, as no analogue/digital conversion is required.

Different types of technology

The most common technology used is LCD and DLP.
DLP (Digital Light Processing) offers high-contrast images, although these can also be quite harsh, as they are highly dynamic. LCD offers improved colour gradation. The main difference between these two types of technology is the "rainbow effect" associated with DLP.
This means that with a DLP projector, some people may notice brief flashes of colour in highly contrasted scenes. This is caused by the colour wheel used in DLP technology. Basically, light passes through a coloured wheel, which rotates very quickly to select the colour needed. In most cases, the wheel moves too fast for the human eye to distinguish the individual colours, but a small number of people are able to see them. This effect is accentuated in certain models of projector, notably when their colour wheels include more segments that are coloured.
A small selection of top-of-the-range projectors uses LCoS technology, which offers improved picture quality for HD images. With LCoS, the contrast is excellent, and images are clear and dynamic without being harsh.

Brightness and contrast

The projector's brightness is just as important as your intended use when it comes to making your choice. Remember that in a very light room, you'll have trouble seeing what's being projected, even with the most high-performance models.
To optimise the images displayed, you can adjust the brightness and contrast of your projector. If it's too bright, blacks will look grey, but if it's not bright enough then you'll start to lose detail. Plus, the larger the screen, or the further away it is from the projector, then the less bright the image will appear. For improved results, you'll need a more powerful projector, although such models consume more electricity.
For added depth and intensity, you should try adjusting your projector's contrast. When the contrast is too high, highlighted areas will start to go white and you'll lose detail. If the contrast is too low, however, white shades will look dull. You'll also find that images are displayed more clearly on a screen than a white wall.