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Resolution

Resolution is the number of dots or pixels used to display an image. Higher resolutions mean that more pixels are used to create the image, resulting in a crisper, cleaner image. High resolution is important for projecting detailed charts and graphs, text, and high-definition video. The resolution is indicated by a number combination such as 1920 x 1200. This indicates that there are 1920 dots horizontally across the display by 1200 lines of dots vertically, equaling 2,304,000 total dots that make up the image seen on the screen.

Ease of Use

For hassle-free projection, you’ll want to look for some features that enable a quick setup — so you can project right away. These include:

• HDMI — instant and easy digital connection to high-definition devices and allows digital audio through the same cable
• Wireless capability — allows for projecting content without a cable and is available from many kinds of devices
• Vertical and horizontal image correction — allows you to quickly align a skewed image on the screen which is key to setting up in a hurry
• Instant on/off — means no extra waiting for a projector to warm up or cool down

Wireless & Wired Projection

From your computer, there are various ways to project content without needing to use a wire:

• • Select a wireless-ENABLED projector . This means the projector comes with built-in wireless LAN (802.11 b/g/n). Once you plug the included LAN module into the projector, it will project wirelessly.
  • Select a wireless-OPTIONAL projector, and purchase the wireless LAN module that is needed to enable the wireless function. Simply plug the purchased LAN module into the projector, and it will project wirelessly.

DLP versus LCD versus LED projectors

Don’t feel shy about not knowing what is the difference between the DLP or the LCD projector. Well, these are the distinct technologies. The DLP (Digital Light Processing) projectors have got a chip made of tiny microscopic mirrors and a spinning colour wheel. In terms of projection, it delivers sharp images and has got a better response time. On the other hand, the LCD projectors use liquid crystal displays that has no moving parts. Hence, these cost slightly less. The plus point of LCD projectors is the better saturation and lower noise. On the downside, they require filter maintenance and have less contrast. Lastly, LED projectors use tiny LEDs that delivers better colours with lower power consumption. With the lifespan of over 20,000 hours, they virtually require zero maintenance. LED projectors are usually smaller and compact and generate less heat. But they lack the brightness that an LCD or a DLP can offer.

Viewing distance

Just the way the distance between the projector and the wall is important, so is the viewing distance. Ideally, one should sit at least at a distance of twice the image width.

Connectivity

The more the merrier stands true for connectivity on a projector too. While VGA, AVI and HDMI are usually present, prefer having a USB for plugging and playing images and videos. But if you are looking at setting up a big home theatre, where the projector will be ceiling mounted, you can do without a USB too. For such a setup, you will have to keep the projector connected to a DVD or a blu-ray player. Pair it with a home theatre for a surround sound output.

Other Features

Dynamic lamp

Another way to achieve the same dynamic dimming of the image brightness is by reducing the power on the lamp. This has the added benefit of extending its life. Just like with the iris, on certain content you might notice the projector dimming on dark scenes. On other projectors, you might notice the fan speed ramping up and down at the same time. Like the auto iris, this doesn’t improve the native contrast ratio, as in the contrast during any single moment on screen, but it does help a bit to make darker scenes appear somewhat darker. As long as you’re not bothered by it, there isn’t any downside.

4K

Great picture quality is reliant on many factors, including contrast ratio, brightness, color, and yes, of course, resolution. The latter, being the easiest to understand and quantify, typically gets far too much weight when comparing projectors. 4K on a 100-plus inch screen is very cool, but it is just one aspect of a projector’s overall performance. Personally, I’d take a bright projector with accurate color and a great contrast ratio over a dim projector with a poor contrast ratio that happens to be 4K.

3D

Many projectors are still 3D-capable, though they rarely come with the glasses. If you’re super into 3D, you’ll be able to find lots of options. If you’re not already into 3D, I can’t imagine now is the time you’d get into it.

Lens shift

As mentioned above, being able to adjust the height of the image separate from the height of the projector is very handy. It allows for a wider range of placement options without having to resort to the quality-ruining potential of digital keystone adjustment. So lens shift is certainly a benefit, though if you already know exactly where your projector is going, and don’t need lens shift to put a projector there, it’s not a big deal.

Short throw

This isn’t really a feature as much as a category of projectors. A much shorter throw distance means so you can place them closer to a screen for the same size image. For certain rooms it’s very useful. The opposite would be a long throw projector, which, as you’d guess, means you can place it much farther from the screen than a typical projector.

Motorized lens

This can mean motorized focus, motorized zoom or both. Not vital, though handy. Motorized zoom, especially if you can save preset sizes, means you can fill a wider-than-normal screen for movie nights, then zoom down to just fill a 16:9 portion of the same screen for TV shows.

Game mode

For gamers, a mode that lowers the input lag can help tremendously. First-person shooters, racing games, platformers, really anything that requires precise timing between button pushes and what’s happening on screen. Not all game modes are made equal. DLP projectors often have low input lag, and especially low for game modes. LCD and LCoS projectors are more varied.

HDR

More and more projectors are offering HDR-compatibility. Don’t expect a lot. Done right it can look a little better than the non-HDR version of the same content on the same projector. It’s just not as big of an improvement as it is with televisions.