Projectors are perfect for displaying your favourite content either at home or on the move. With exciting features and clever technology, you can enjoy a new viewing experience.
At Atlantic Electrics, we are here to help you find the perfect model for your needs. In our handy Projectors Buyers Guide, we will explain everything you need to know and help you step-by-step through the purchasing process to ensure you find what you are looking for.
Types of projection
There are two types of projectors to choose from that will suit different room sizes.
Short throw projector-
A short throw projector can be positioned quite close to a wall or screen, and can still project a large image. These models are ideal for smaller spaces as they can project from as close as 0.5m to the screen.
Long throw projector-
Long throw projectors are designed to be positioned further away from a wall or screen. These models can project huge images that are perfect for larger spaces as you can project from up to 15m away.
Types of projectors
Projectors come in different shapes and sizes for a variety of purposes. We have separated models into their own groups to help you understand the different types of projectors and their features.
Home cinema projectors-
A home cinema projector can display Full HD resolutions just like a TV. Home cinema projectors can connect to your existing set top box and speaker setup. These models are perfect for projecting large, crisp images and providing you with an immersive experience.
Portable projectors-
Sometimes referred to as “Pico” projectors, portable projectors are small and light. These models have built-in batteries so you can easily watch films or give a presentation wherever you are.
All-in-one projectors-
All-in-one projectors offer all the features of a Home Cinema projector without the need to connect to external speakers. These models feature integrated speakers and 3D capabilities to provide you with an exciting viewing experience. With high contrast ratios and short throw capabilities, all-in-one projectors will produce beautifully crisp and clear imagery in any size room.
Office projectors-
Designed for professional and school environments, office projectors are perfect for presentations. These models include various ports for connecting external devices such as laptops and speakers. Office projectors will project bright, clear images in a variety of lighting conditions.
Compact projectors-
Compact projectors offer all the features of a standard sized projector but in a much smaller design. These projectors combine the best features of a Home Cinema projector with the lightweight design of a Portable projector.
Resolution
Resolution is the number of pixels that a projected image is made up of. Generally, the higher the number of pixels, the more detailed the picture quality will be. We have made a short guide below to help you understand the different resolutions available for projectors.
- Full HD- 1920 x 1080
- HD Ready- 1280 x 720
- WXGA- 1280 x 800
- XGA- 1024 x 768
- SVGA- 800 x 600
- WVGA- 800 x 480
Lumens
The number of lumens relates to the brightness of the projected image as the higher the lumen count is, the brighter the image will be. A lumen measurement of 3000 or more will provide a clear and bright image in any environment. For brighter spaces and lit rooms, we recommend a projector with at least 3000 lumens for an exceptional image quality. For darker rooms and night spaces, the ideal lumens measurement would be under 3000.
Connectivity
Projectors offer a variety of handy options for connectivity availability. You can connect a projector to your streaming devices, Blu-ray players and set top boxes with ease, as well as electronics such as laptops, phones, tablets and game consoles. You can now enjoy enhanced audio by connecting to your sound bars, speakers or headphones.
HDMI connection-
Any HDMI device can be connected to a projector via a HDMI port. This includes devices such as set top boxes, streaming devices (for example Apple TV, Fire TV and Chromecast), Blu-ray players, laptops and gaming consoles.
VGA connection-
A VGA (Video Graphics Array) port will enable you to connect your projector to a number of different laptops.
USB connection-
Most projectors can read content from USB drives which is ideal for displaying photos and videos from your portable hard drives or streaming devices such as Chromecast and Fire TV. Some projectors can be charged from a powered USB A or B port, and you can even charge your phone or tablet whilst you watch and enjoy your content.
3.5mm audio connection-
The 3.5mm audio jack is similar to the headphone port on your laptop or phone. This means you can connect your compatible desktop speakers, a portable speaker or a pair of headphones.
Bluetooth audio-
Some projectors with Bluetooth can wirelessly connect to a compatible speaker or headphones. You can enhance your home cinema experience by connecting to a wireless sound bar or speaker.
Useful tips to consider
Screen size-
Generally, most projectors can display a picture from around 30 to 300”. However, it is best to check if the minimum value is suitable for your everyday viewing needs. Some projectors can showcase a picture from around 50” which may be too large for some living rooms. For each product, we have listed the minimum and maximum projector display sizes so you can easily find the ideal model for your home.
Contrast ratio-
The contrast ratio will determine the difference between the darkest and lightest images the projector can display. A contrast ratio of 5000:1 will ensure that the brightest part of an image will be five thousand times brighter than the darkest.
Aspect ratio-
The aspect ratio refers to the shape of the image displayed. Older films and TV shows are often in different ratios than contemporary widescreen content. Many projectors can display multiple aspect ratios which is perfect for viewing content filmed in different ways. Below is a brief guide of aspect ratios to help you understand the type of image that is displayed.
- 4:3 - Standard PC monitor
- 16:9- Widescreen TV
- 16:10- Slightly wider than a TV, cinema style image.
3D-
Some projectors can display 3D images so you can enjoy an immersive, exciting cinema experience. However, you will need 3D glasses to see the 3D effect. All 3D projectors are compatible with the same devices you would plug into a 3D TV. This means that 3D Blu-ray players and compatible game consoles can provide you with a truly immersive 3D experience at home.
DLP/3LCD-
Colour processing technology will affect how the colours of an image are created within the projector before you see it showcased. DLP (Digital Light Processing) projectors generally offer a better contrast and darker black tones whilst a 3LCD (3 Liquid Crystal Display) projector will produce more vivid and saturated colours.
The reputation of the brand, place of manufacture and quality of the model will all affect the price. At Atlantic Electrics, we will help you to choose a reliable model that provides you with an excellent performance. We are happy to help you with anything you need. So, if there are any questions, simply get in touch with our team.
Telephone: 020 8208 6999
Email: web@atlanticelectrics.com
Our store: 970 North Circular Road London, NW2 7JR
