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Home Theater Projectors
OVERVIEW
While Home Theater Projectors are the least
popular route to big screen home theater,
they can offer a big screen experience that
is the closest to being in a real movie theater.
Unlike the rear projection TV's which project
an image onto the back of a screen, a Home
Theater Projector projects onto the front
of a separate projector screen. Costs start
at around $2000.00 for a decent projector
that supports widescreen and HD formats. Screens
start at $150, but a good quality fixed mount
screen can cost up to $1000.00.
HOME THEATER PROJECTOR
OPTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
New Home Theater Projectors are primaily
available in one of two technologies: DLP
and LCD. Since these technologies are outlined
in our article about rear
projection televisions, we won't repeat
ourselves. Instead we'll compare options and
talk about the unique considerations of incorporating
a Projector into your home theater plans.
THE PROJECTOR
While the cost and specifications of projectors
can range widely, there are a few key elements
to a good quality projector.
Aspect Ratio and Supported Resolutions
Not all projectors support the
16:9 widescreen ratio and not all support
the higher resolutions needed for HDTV and
other high definition signals. Be sure the
model you're considering has what you need.
Brightness
The brightness is usually shown
in ANSI lumens and the numbers can range
from less than 1,000 to over 10,000. The
800 to 1,200 lumen projector, typically
offered for home theater use, require a
dark room in order to display a good quality
picture. Projectors offering higher levels
of brightness can tolerate more ambient
light in a room. Projectors offering greater
than 3000 lumens are generally designed
for larger venues.
Throw Ratio
The throw ratio is the range of picture
size that can be projected from various
distances. The throw ratio and distance
to the screen will determine the size of
screen your home theater can accommodate.
If you already have a screen size in mind
or the distance from your projector to the
screen is inflexible, the throw ratio will
make a difference.
Talk to a knowledgeable
technician in order to determine your projector
needs.
THE PROJECTOR SCREEN
There are three types of screen available.
Electric, Manual and Fixed. Electric screens
are automatically retractable and can be either
tensioned or not tensioned. Tensioned screens
are less susceptible to swaying or rippling.
Manual screens are the cheapest available
and are similar to the projector screen one
might see in a school. Fixed screens are permanently
mounted and tensioned to provide a flat steady
and permanent viewing surface. Fixed screens
are often hidden behind curtains or foldaway
doors when not in use in order to hide them
from view and protect the screen surface,
while the other screen types can be fully
retracted. A good quality screen should accompany
a good quality projector in order to maximize
the use of both.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Style, Color and Mounting
This is largely personal preference.
Consider how you want everything to look
in the room and plan accordingly. You'll
have to live with your big screen set up,
so you don't want a set up that you find
to be an eyesore.
Real World Use
Home Theaters with Projectors generally
require a dedicated room. If you don't want
to dedicate a room to your home theater
you may want to consider another type of
big screen. If money is an object and space
is not, you may want to consider a rear
projection big screen. If space is more
of a concern than budget, a flat screen
may do the trick.
Bulb Life
Projector bulb life is generally about 3,000
hours and the bulbs can cost from $200.00
to $400.00.
GETTING YOUR BIG SCREEN
OPERATIONAL
A few things you might not have thought
of.
Delivery
While not necessarily heavy, your new equipment
may not fit in your car. Be sure to inquire
about delivery options and costs.
Stands and Mounts
Your Home Theater Projector will require
a stand or a ceiling mount, but these are
rarely included in the price. Be sure that
the stand or ceiling mount suits your needs
and can accommodate all of the equipment
you will be attaching to the projector.
If using a ceiling mount make sure that
you can accommodate the attached equipment
without having unattractive cables running
up and down your walls or hanging from the
ceiling. Some in-wall wiring may be required
in order to achieve an uncluttered look.
Your projector and screen may require some
precision alignment and professional installation
should be an option.
Cables
If you're buying your first HDTV
you will likely need specialized cables
to accommodate the higher quality video
connections to your new big screen. These
will not be included with your new projector.
Be sure to ask about what you'll need to
hook up your equipment.
TIPS
With all this new technology, it
may be a good idea to maximize your warranty
coverage. Some credit cards will automatically
double the length of any factory warranty
for any item purchased using that credit card.
A separate extended warranty might also be
useful.
Make sure you have the right
equipment to complete your home theater. While
most of the big screens are HD ready - meaning
they can accommodate a Hi-Definition signal
- you still have to send a HD signal from
your equipment. You may want to think about
a new DVD player or HDTV tuner if available.
Speaking of High Definition, you'll want to
make sure your big screen can accommodate
a variety of input connectors including the
newer DVI and HDMI connections. This will
ensure compatibility with the latest high
definition equipment.
Be sure to evaluate all options
and comparison shop before choosing a home
theater projector.
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