Topics Covered

• How bright should my projector be?
• How much do I need to know about image quality?
• What is native aspect ratio?
• What about 3D home theater projectors?
• What do I need to know about lamp life?
• Should I install my projector or set it on a tabletop?
• Is there more to look for? DEEP Color, Frame Interpolation, and the little things

How Bright Should My Video Projector Be?

Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens. Home theater projectors generally range from 1,000 lumens to 2,500 lumens or more. The brightness needed depends on your viewing environment. For dedicated home theaters with controlled lighting, fewer lumens are required than for spaces with ambient light.

Recommended Brightness Levels

• Dedicated home theaters: 1,000 lumens or brighter
• Rooms with some ambient light: At least 1,500 lumens
• Spaces with high ambient light: Around 3,000 lumens

Watch the video comparison of projectors with 1,600, 2,000, and 2,500 lumens.

Tip: Manufacturer brightness ratings often reflect data output, which may differ from video brightness. For advice on selecting the right projector, consult our Projector Experts.

How Much Do I Need to Know About Image Quality?

The three key factors affecting image quality are native resolution, source material, and contrast ratio. Current popular resolutions include Wide XGA (1280 x 800) and HD (1920 x 1080).

Comparison of Resolutions

Tip: Match your projector's native resolution with the resolution of your source material for optimal results.

What Is Native Aspect Ratio?

Projectors have a fixed resolution known as the native aspect ratio, which determines the image proportions. Common aspect ratios include 4:3, 16:10, and 16:9. A 16:9 ratio is ideal for home theaters, as it matches widescreen DVDs, Blu-rays, and HDTV signals.

What About 3D Home Theater Projectors?

3D projectors offer a cinematic experience by supporting 3D content. Make sure to consider the availability of 3D glasses, content, and compatibility with your projector model.

What Do I Need to Know About Lamp Life?

Typical projector lamps last between 2,000 and 4,000 hours, measured as the 'half-life' when the lamp is half as bright as new. Longer lamp life reduces maintenance costs. Replacement lamps range from $200 to $400.

Tips for Maximizing Lamp Life

• Regular filter cleaning
• Proper projector operation

Learn more in our lamp life tips.

Should I Install My Projector or Set It on a Tabletop?

Deciding between ceiling mounting or tabletop setup depends on your needs. Ceiling mounting provides a polished look and eliminates setup time. Tabletop setups offer portability for use in multiple locations but require setup for each use.

Ceiling Mounting

Ceiling mounting keeps the projector secure and ensures a fixed image size based on the throw ratio. Proper installation requires measuring the distance between the projector and the screen.

Tabletop Projection

Tabletop setups allow for portability and flexibility but may require quieter projectors and careful placement.

Is There More to Look For? DEEP Color, Frame Interpolation, and the Little Things

DEEP Color

DEEP Color expands the color palette and eliminates banding. Look for projectors supporting HDMI 1.3a or higher.

Frame Interpolation

Frame interpolation adds intermediate frames to enhance smoothness for fast-moving scenes.

Additional Features

• Multiple aspect ratio support
• Picture-in-picture or picture-by-picture
• Cinema mode for quieter fan operation
• Lens shift and zoom for flexible installation
• High contrast ratio (e.g., 50,000:1 or more)
• Longer lamp life (4,000 hours or more)