Everyone loves the experience of going to the movie theater. Unfortunately, it can be costly and hectic if you have small children. Depending on the theatre in question and its typical audience, this can make any movie experience less than the perfect you expected. If you want to have the experience of a movie theater without all the hassle, you should consider buying a TV projector for your home.
However, before you rush out to buy one, you’ll want to educate yourself a bit first. Three types of TV projectors are generally made for home use: DLP, LCD, and LED. Each has its pros and cons. Read more to figure out which one is perfect for your needs!
The first step in buying a TV projector is to do some research and figure out which of the three main types of projectors are right for you; the DLP, LCD, and LED.
DLP projectors
DLP Projectors are great because they require very little maintenance compared to LCD or LED projectors. That is because they have a sealed chip design. That means that dust can’t get on the chip and affect the image. DLP Projectors even have 3D viewing capabilities! They are very easy to position and can be an excellent choice for dedicated movie lovers.
This kind of projector does not usually come with shift functions or zoom lenses. Because of this, it is best only to purchase one if you are looking to use it in a small room.
A DLP Projector is perfect for anyone who is looking to use a projector in a bedroom or small office. They are a particularly ideal choice for gamers due to the 3D viewing capabilities.
LCD Projectors
LCD projectors are some of the most commonly used projectors for personal use. They are typically cheaper than DLP and LED projectors, but they do require maintenance. LCD projectors come with a single chip or 3 chips, single-chip LCD projectors are more affordable, but a projector with three chips will provide better colors and lower noise levels.
Most LCD projectors come with zoom and lens shift options, which makes them perfect for large rooms or even backyard theaters. Make sure to take into account that the more you use an LCD project, the more maintenance you will need, which can get costly.
LED projectors
LED projectors are becoming the popular go-to choice for people who want quality and simplicity. A LED projectors have a lifespan of about 10,000 to 20,000 hours, which is a longer bulb lifespan than DLP or LCD. That allows the LED projector to be low maintenance. There is also no cooldown or warm-up time for these projectors because LEDs are energy efficient. They are perfect for rooms big and small.
The only downside to LED projectors is that they produce less brightness than DLP or LCD projectors so you should not use one in a room that has too much light.
Projector Set-up
Figuring out how to set up your TV projector is key to having a great viewing experience. Figuring out the best lighting, what kind of screen to use, and how to get sound from your projector are three key components that you will want to put some thought in to.
Ambient light
Light is the natural enemy of the TV projector. Ideally, a projector would be used in complete darkness. That isn’t always an option though. Too much ambient light in a room can make the images on your screen appear cloudy or faded. You can always turn the brightness down on a projector, but if the room is too bright, you won’t have many options.
The best way to make sure that you can see the projection is to find out how many lumens you will need for the room you’ll be using the projector. Lumens are a form of measurement that gives you the amount of visible light from the projector to the wall. The brighter the room, the more lumens you will want from your bulb. The best way to figure out exactly how many lumens you will need is to use an online calculator.
Screen
Purchasing a screen for your TV projector can be a bit confusing. Many many options and opinions exist on what is best, with some people opting to skip the screen altogether.
There is no doubt that using a projector screen will give you the best viewing experience. There are two main types of screens: mountable and portable.
A mountable screen will attach directly to your wall or ceiling. Manual screens extend and retract by someone pulling on the handle. Electric screens will rise and fall with the push of a button. Neither of these options affects viewing; they are just options that affect the ease of use. A portable screen is held up by two poles and can typically be broken down so that it can be hidden away in a closet when it is not being used.
If you don’t have the budget to purchase a screen right away, then you have the option of using a wall. You can get a good picture doing this if you paint the wall with flat white paint.
Finally, you will have to decide on the size of the screen you want to use. The bigger the screen, the bigger the picture. If you are going for a massive screen, make sure to check with the manufacturer of your TV projector to see if it has a maximum size limit.
Audio
Most projectors either have no sound or tiny speakers, which most people don’t find efficient for watching videos. That isn’t a problem because the majority of projectors have audio outputs that allow for you to plug in external speakers. For the best viewing experience consider purchasing a home theater audio setup. If that isn’t an option for you, then even a nice pair of computer speakers or wireless headphones can do the trick.
Video and Streaming Devices for Your TV Projector
While some smart TV projectors exist, the majority of them will need a device to connect to them to watch TV and movies. There are four popular options.
Blu Ray player
Combination DVD Blu-Ray players are an excellent option for someone who has an extensive DVD / Blu-Ray collection and doesn’t need to connect to the internet or streaming services to watch their favorite movies. If you want to be able to do both, there are Blu-Ray players that also act as streaming devices.
Roku
Roku is a company that makes a variety of streaming devices. Using your internet connection, you can access services like Netflix and Hulu as well as thousands of other services, all of which allow you to watch your favorite programs. Some of these services require you to pay a monthly fee, but others you can access for free. Some of Roku’s devices allow gameplay but be careful. These devices usually require that you use the Roku remote. Since projectors are generally placed behind/above people, it could be hard to use the remote with the Roku unless you have extra long HDMI/RCA cords so that the device can be placed in front of you.
Hooking up a Roku to your TV is as simple as plugging it into the projector’s HDMI port or RCA connections.
Amazon Fire TV
Just like the Roku and Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV allows you to access various streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and of course Amazon Prime TV. The one area in which Amazon Fire TV excels above the rest is their game playing ability. Not only can you download full video games such as Grand Theft Auto, but you can also purchase a Bluetooth enabled game controller that will make you forget you aren’t playing on a standard video gaming system. If you are more of a casual gamer then no need to worry, there are thousands of games in the Amazon Appstore that are similar to the kind you use on your phone. In fact, Amazon has tons of multiplayer games that are great for large gatherings and would work correctly on a TV projector.
If you decide to purchase an Amazon Fire TV for your TV projector make sure that the projector has an HDMI input as that is the only way to connect any of the Amazon streaming devices.
What are You Waiting For?
Having your tv projector is a lot of fun if you choose the right one. They are great for watching your favorite movies, birthday parties, and even business meetings. Make sure to shop around as prices for the same model can vary a lot between different retailers. Now go buy a projector and start planning a movie night!
Featured image: by Jeremy Yap, via Unsplash
