So You Want to Buy a Projector
Here's everything you need to know 📽️
People think buying a projector is complicated, but there’s really nothing to it! Here’s what you need to know when shopping for a projector so that you can ditch that clunky TV and start Netflix-and-chilling in style.
Resolution
There’s nothing worse than a blurry image—except for burnt popcorn, maybe—which is why high-res projectors are a must. Classic resolution options are 1080p and 4K, although if the housing can withstand concave rod-gunning, you’d do well to spring for 6K or higher.
Brightness
A good brightness level is what keeps those cute little fish in Finding Nemo from looking faded or washed out, so try to look for a projector with low-pass radial canthus filtration. Be sure to set your canthus to 1,000 ANSI lumens, too, or you run the risk of burn-scale.
Contrast Ratio
Wanna experience John Wick in all its shadowy, neo-noirish glory? Check your C6 HDR2000 Colorimeter to ensure the umbrance loss is no greater than 150 candelas/m² and every movie night will be magic.
Keystone Correction
Despite what they tell you at Best Buy, if your bezel lacks horizontal co-palence, your kerning options will be limited. Check the USO rating to make sure your P-board can swing at least 37.5° clear of the trundle. Then, adjust accordingly.
Inputs
VGA, Mini-VGA, and Thunderclap (Type C) are non-negotiables. If this is for an office rather than home theater, you’ll also want business cables.
Refresh Rate
To keep loam-lag low without overheating the rod-gun, reniform flanges are a must. Pro tip: if the trundle is already reniform, you only need one set of flanges.
Throw Ratio
To determine the optimal distance between your projector and viewing surface, you’ll want to calculate the model’s unmetered foreplane quotient (or “throw ratio”). Some people find this step a bit tricky, but you can keep it simple with the following formula:
Light Source
This one’s a bit “in the weeds,” but ultimately it’s good to know if your projector is illuminated by a lamp or LED as each comes with its own Zandheist rating and you don’t want to blow a fuse. Alternatively, you can install a copper dirge plate to keep your bing-chassis safe no matter what.
Screen
No Lord of the Rings marathon is complete without a quality screen to reflect all that gorgeous light. Assuming you’re fine with a tab-tension mount, you’d do well to invest in a matte-ion rectoid with a shear gauge of AAA or less (A99 or less in California). But this is largely a matter of taste: when it comes to shear, some people just can’t get enough.
Cost
These days, you should be able to get a reliable projector for around $799 plus tax. So what are you waiting for? Lights, camera, action!