Your Ultimate Guide to Purchasing Your Perfect 4k Projector
As a leading AV installation company, we know that choosing the right equipment for your home cinema can be a daunting task. When it comes to projectors, the latest and greatest technology is 4K. But with so many models on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide to help you understand the benefits of 4K projectors and choose the right one for your needs.
Benefits of 4K Projectors
The most obvious benefit of 4K projectors is their ability to display incredibly detailed images. With four times the resolution of Full HD, 4K projectors deliver sharp, lifelike images that make you feel like you’re part of the action. But that’s not all they offer. Here are some additional benefits:
- Large screen size: 4K projectors can display images up to 300 inches or more, making them perfect for creating a true cinema experience in your home.
- Future-proof: With 4K becoming the standard for home cinema, investing in a 4K projector is a wise decision that will future-proof your system for years to come.
- Better value: While 4K projectors are more expensive than their Full HD counterparts, they offer better value when you consider the larger screen size and superior image quality.
- Flexibility: Projectors are more flexible than TVs, as they can be moved and placed in different locations depending on your needs.
Types of Projectors
There are three main types of projectors:
- Long throw projectors: These projectors require a lot of space to project a large image and are best suited for dedicated home cinema rooms.
- Short throw projectors: These projectors can be placed closer to the screen than long throw projectors, making them a good choice for smaller rooms.
- Ultra-short throw projectors: These projectors can be placed very close to the screen or even right up against it. They’re great for small rooms and can even be placed on a TV stand or shelf.
Here are some features to consider when choosing a 4K projector:
The lumens of a projector indicate its brightness. If you have a bright room, you’ll need a projector with higher lumens to combat the ambient light. A second factor to consider is the contrast ratio. This is the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of an image. A higher contrast ratio will result in more vibrant colours and deeper blacks. This can help enhance shadows and darker tones within a program being watched. As a final point, HDR support is worth highlighting: HDR images are more realistic and contain more detail, even in dark areas. If you want the best possible image quality, look for a projector with HDR support.
Built-in Speakers: While most projectors have built-in speakers, they’re usually not great quality. If you want better sound, you’ll need to invest in a separate sound system.
Top 4K Projectors
Here are some top picks of 4K projectors on the market and their pros and cons:
Sony VPL-VW295ES: This long-throw projector is one of the most expensive on the market, but it delivers outstanding image quality with HDR support and a high contrast ratio. As a result, it’s best suited for dark rooms since it’s not as bright as some other projectors. A projector like this would be suited to someone who enjoys watching movies or genres that may tend to feature darker tones such as horrors or thrillers.
JVC DLA-NZ8: This long-throw projector offers excellent colour accuracy and HDR support, but it’s also one of the most expensive projectors on the market. We all love sports here at EAV! With that in mind, we have to mention this amazing projector perfect for watching sports, allowing you to grasp every detail and colour while watching your favourite team with your family and friends.
LG CineBeam HU810PW: This short-throw projector offers excellent image quality and supports both HDR10 and HLG, making it a versatile option. However, it’s not as bright as some other projectors. Due to this, we see this projector as a perfect solution for all occasions, as it does not favour darker tones, but rather performs an amazing job for those who do not have a particular preference for genres but still wish to enjoy a wide variety of shows at the highest quality.
When it comes to brightness, 4K projectors tend to be less bright than their TV counterparts. This means that they might struggle in brightly lit rooms, and the more light there is, the less vivid the projected images will be. Hence, it is best to use 4K projectors in a home cinema set-up with controlled lighting conditions.
However, if you’re looking for a big screen, then 4K projectors are a great option. They deliver bigger images than even the biggest mainstream TVs, and the price differences start to disappear at larger sizes. Additionally, 4K TVs become very expensive at their largest sizes, making projectors a more cost-effective choice.
One of the most significant considerations when purchasing a 4K projector is the ultra-short throw technology. It reduces the distance needed between the projector and the wall or screen surface, making it a great space-saving measure. The laser light module used for ultra-short throw projectors creates crisp images, but it does come at a higher price point than non-laser long-throw models.
Additionally, ultra-short throw projectors have better built-in audio than other projector types, along with built-in streaming capability for popular apps. This means that you won’t have to invest in separate speakers or media players, making it a more convenient option.
When it comes to size, a standard projection screen size is 100 inches, though larger and smaller screens are also available. It is best to measure the wall you have at home and check whether the projector you plan to buy can beam an image at the size you have in mind from the distance where you plan to install it. Some high-end models can go up to image sizes of 300 inches, making them flexible devices that can be housed in various parts of your home.
In terms of compatibility with streaming services, higher-end long-throw projectors are generally displays, with no built-in smart TV interface or ability to stream video directly. However, some of today’s projectors, particularly UST models, are as capable and connected as any smart TV, with many models running Android TV or another TV OS and offering streaming apps from big-name services such as Prime Video or Disney+ pre-installed.
If your projector does not have built-in streaming capabilities, you can still connect a device such as a laptop or Apple TV via the HDMI connector or put a streaming stick such as an Amazon Fire TV Stick into the HDMI port and use that as your video source. You can also stream wirelessly from a device such as a laptop, Chromebook, phone, or tablet using standards such as Google’s Chromecast or Apple’s AirPlay 2.
4K projectors tend to be more expensive than comparable TV resolutions or HDR support, especially dynamic HDR. In many cases, a projector makes a better choice because of its compact form and flexibility, but it might not be the most cost-effective solution.
In conclusion, 4K projectors offer an excellent viewing experience for home theatre enthusiasts, with their high resolution and large image sizes, making it perfect for large family movie nights. The ultra-short throw technology and built-in streaming capabilities make them a convenient option for many, but it’s essential to consider the price and lighting conditions of your viewing area before making a purchase. With the right research and consideration, a 4K projector can be an excellent investment for your home theatre set-up. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see how we can help you take the next steps towards building your dream home theatre set-up!