How to choose a home theater projector.

Both technologies have found application in budget models of projectors and in the middle segment of the market. LCD projectors produce more realistic colors, natural tones and stable picture without distortion. DLP projectors provide high contrast levels, rich blacks for “depth” of images and high definition. In some cases, when projecting a moving image from a DLP device, you may notice a “rainbow effect” - a colored outline. This is due to the relatively slow rotation of the color disc. In addition, the use of a disc with a transparent sector in DLP projectors leads to an increase in the brightness of the white and, accordingly, the rest of the faded. Where high brightness of the projector is not needed (just in home theaters, where it is supposed to darken the room), options without transparent sectors are used, but then the brightness becomes minimal, and it will be uncomfortable to watch a movie in daylight.

The disadvantages of DLP (in particular, the “rainbow effect”) can be eliminated by using three chips instead of one. Each of them receives its color through the filter, at a time, and not sequentially forming an image. Accordingly, there is no loss of brightness, the image gets realistic colors and depth. However, this is a solution for expensive projector models.

… and consumer properties

If the quality of the picture is not a priority (in a darkened room at a distance of 3-4 meters from the screen, the flaws are smoothed out), then you should pay attention to the reliability and durability of technologies. DLP projectors are considered to be more reliable, and the lifespan of mirror chips is significantly longer than LCDs. In addition, the design features of the projectors allow us to talk about tightness and, accordingly, protection from dust in DLP models, while LCDs most often involve the use of dust filters. Accordingly, the cost of equipment and maintenance requirements increase.

Another important point: LCDs are much more susceptible to mechanical damage, so if the projector is supposed to be often carried or transported, it is worth taking care of its safety. DLP projectors that use LEDs instead of a UHP lamp are more compact and less noisy (even pocket-sized), but they cannot provide image quality even at the source level.

LCoS projectors for hi-end

The most expensive option today is LCoS projectors. The technology is based on the specularity of one of the matrix layers. When the light passes through the appropriate filter, the unclaimed part is completely reflected, which gives a high degree of contrast and rich blacks. There are practically no unpleasant effects when using this technology, but you have to pay for it in real money. Yes, sometimes you will come across other abbreviations in the characteristics of projectors. Do not forget that SXRD and D-ILA are the same LCoS, only named by the developers in their own way. For advertising purposes, apparently. When the projector is installed far from the screen and the viewer (near the ceiling or at a distance of more than 5 m), the noise is drowned out by the acoustic system, closer - it serves as a very effective irritating factor. So decibels should be appreciated - the less the better. Budget models are usually very noisy. So much so that it’s easier to go back to the monitor than to endure the noise that deprives the home theater of the atmosphere.

The connection interfaces for home theater projectors are nothing special. Most models have composite video input, component, DVI or VGA, S-Video and HDMI, as well as standard audio outputs and mini-jacks. USB ports are also required for modern projectors. For many stationary models, a built-in DVD player is a good option.

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