As a Winnetka Home Theater Company, we know all things custom home theaters and are very skilled at the art of home theater installation and frequently we are asked what types of home theater equipment are "the best." Each piece of equipment has its own pros and cons, so it is hard to say which pieces are really the "best of the best." Many times it is based on preference. Have you recently made the decision to use a projector to complete your home theater? Great! So how do you choose which projector is best for you and your home theater? It can be a tough call since there are so many different types of projectors available on the market today. Here are some tips on how to choose the right projector:
1- Your budget: When it comes to purchasing home theater equipment you should always keep your budget in mind. How much are you willing to spend on the home theater equipment that you will be purchasing? Projectors alone can get quite pricey, so your budget really needs to be taken into consideration.
2- Space: Keep in mind the amount of space you have available in the room that you will be placing your home theater and projector in. Space is a big determinant for how the projector will look when you use it, so make sure you have plenty of room.
3- Deals: When you begin shopping for projectors ask yourself first if you will be buying brand new or used. If you are planning on buying brand new you should plan on spending top dollar. Buying used gives you a little wiggle room to save some money. Deal are out there, especially if you check Ebay, Craiglists or other similar deal sources. Another option is going refurbished. There can be some great refurbished projectors out there as well.
4- Lamp check: One of the most important parts of any projector is the lamp. Lamps can get quite expensive especially with some projector models, so find out what type of lamp your projector choices utilize. If you have decided to get a used projector keep in mind that if the projector is older the lamps may be extremely difficult to find. Make sure you are able to get a replacement lamp.
5- Overall performance: When it comes to a projector's overall performance there are two things you need to keep in mind: lumen vs contrast. A projector over 1500 lumen's with a contrast ratio of 500:1 will typically work well in most settings. When it comes to resolution most (but definitely not all) projectors can display 720p/1080i. Newer projectors typically can display at 1080p, but these are usually pretty expensive. While you are trying to make your decision check around to see what multiple models offer.
Have your own experience with using a projector for your home theater? Let us know what you think and leave a comment or contact us.
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