Projectors

Projector Buyers Guide

Has the idea of choosing a new projector left you feeling a little lost? Presenting, the Box Projector buyers guide! Nowadays Projectors come in all shapes and sizes, some are more suited towards home use while there are others that are more suited for boardroom or classroom. With our handy buyers guide, we can help you choose the right projector. With brands such as Acer, Optoma, BenQ and Epson we’re sure to be able to find the right projector for you!

Projector Technology

Choosing the correct projector type is an important step as there are a few ways they can differ from each other. Here are the main types of projector technology:

DLP (Digital Light Processing) – DLP is more useful when you are thinking about a home cinema as it boasts high brightness levels and the best quality 3D experiences.

3LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) - LCD is a great in-between general use system, capable of good quality rendering of blacks as well as good handling of motion and taking care of blurred images.

LED (Light Emitting Diode) – LED projectors have one main advantage over all other projectors, they last basically as long as the projector itself. There is also no cool down or warm up time and you can still get a clear sharp image with high resolution.

Positioning

When choosing a projector the first thing to consider is the space you are going to place it in. If you want the projector out of the way but still accessible, think about a ceiling mounted projector that will clear space on surfaces. However, if you have space on a unit an Ultra/Short Throw projector might be more effective. These units can be placed anywhere from 5cm to 40cms away from the wall and still project a viewing area as little as 70 inches to a massive 130 inches!

Brightness/ Contrast Ratio

The first thing to learn about brightness is, a brighter projector does not always mean better quality. With brightness it all comes down to where and how you will use your projector. If you plan on a home cinema system and are going to have the lights low while you watch your movies, then a lumen brightness level of 1000 will be perfect for producing sharp and large images. On the other hand, if you used a projector and set it to a lumen brightness level of 2000, usually in that same dark environment, you will find it could cause strain on your eyes. Whereas in a lit room environment it will appear clear and more comfortable to watch.

Another factor for consideration is the contrast level of the projector. Contrast Ratio is the difference between the darkness and lightness levels that are projected on to the screen. The higher the Contrast Ratio the richer and clearer the details of the image being projected will look, this is especially important if you are looking to buy a projector for home cinema use. It is important to note that much like a brightness level can be affected by the ambient light in a room, the contrast level can be effected in much the same way. If the ambient lighting levels in a room are too high then the screen will appear bright as a projector adds light, whereas in a pitch black dark room the projection will appear very dark, even if you are a projecting on to a pure white surface.

This makes it important to consider the modes that a projector can work in and, does it focus on the main ways you would use your projector so you don’t lose any quality.

Screen Size

After considering where you want to place your shiny new projector, the next thought is going to be, “what size screen do I want?”. Working to the room where you are setting up your projector makes it easier to work out the size of screen you can fit into your space. There’s no real standard size to how large or small a projector can produce. They have the potential to be as little as 40 inches but equally where you place certain models you could cover a size of about 200 inches! So when you consider what projector to buy ensure that it is able to produce a size that suits your area. While also bearing in mind the surface you want to project on, is it clear of items or, will you need to buy an actual projector screen that can cover that surface while the projector is in use. Here is a link to a handy post that will help you work out the best spot to place your projector.

Speakers

This feature is under a certain amount of debate. Do the speakers you get in a projector compare at all to external speakers? The answer, yes they certainly can. If you are after a simple setup built-in speakers could be the answer for you. There are various options for the power and quality of the speakers available, if you are after a basic office bound or every day projector, there’s an option for you. After a powerful clear speaker for that cinema experience? Again, there is an option! Built-in speakers are a great option to save you money and a lot of effort. Alternatively, if you already have a good sound system and you want to just connect your projector to the system you already have, it’s worth checking to see if the projector you want has an audio out connection so you can get the best sound possible.

Inputs

Now this option will relate more to what devices you would like to use with your projector. Here is a list of the inputs available across the projector range with a little information on how they can be used:

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) - HDMI is the main input used for most multimedia device connections.

VGA (Video Graphics Array) – VGA is the oldest video out standard but can still be found on more modern devices as a basic connection port.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface) – DVI is also an old input but is still viable when it comes to projectors, similar to HDMI they transfer both visual and audio data. For this type of cable, again it will depend on the devices being connected and if they are compatible with DVI.

Composite Video (Recognised as Red/White/Yellow Connectors) – Probably one of the oldest connections around, it is still a viable extra option if the device you are going to connect is a little older.

Bluetooth/Wireless – Instant connection and access from your smart or other WiFi enabled device, a great option if you fancy sharing your holiday snaps or that hilarious dog video on YouTube. Alternatively you can use it to access various online streamers such as Netflix or NowTV. On the other hand, a great option for simple set up and connection in the boardroom.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) – The most common and compatible of all connections, perfect for connecting accessories such as, extra speakers, storage devices and even computers.*

USB Type-A Power - A handy version of a USB port that can be used to power streaming devices such as a Chromecast or Amazon Fire stick, adding further uses and ways to enjoy content with your projector.

*Check to see if your projector has an inbuilt media player that will recognise an external content device before you use it.