Floodlights: 11 points to consider
Just 20 years ago, the best-selling TV format was the 27-inch square tube-screen...
The "big" screen for the TV enthusiast used to be a Lilliputian 32 or even 36 inches! Times have changed, however, and year after year, people are buying more and more large TV sets, as evidenced by the fact that 75" and 85" formats are selling well these days.
For as long as I can remember, one type of screen has remained in vogue, and is even increasingly coveted: the TV projector, which has been sold in increasing numbers since the 70s. Like the rest of the TV industry, the projector stagnated for much of its commercial life, but like conventional TV sets, it's now progressing at breakneck speed, so much so that projection now offers performance approaching that of standard TV, but with a remarkable presence!
History of technologies.
70s-80s
In the early days of projectors for the general public, 3 cathode ray tubes were used to reproduce the image, using a system of magnifying glasses and mirrors. Lifespan was short; low luminosity and degradation of the images generated were very rapid, sometimes taking as little as a year...
90s-2000s
In 1994, manufacturers opted for liquid crystal panels backlit by a metal vapor lamp. This new concept almost completely eliminated image marking. Intense device heat for longer life and superior brightness were irrevocably an improvement over CRTs (tubes), but color quality and contrast were still perfectible.
From 2000 to today.
DLP(Digital Light Processing) was born at the turn of the century. Developed by Texas Instruments, the DLP chip is an assembly of millions of micro-mirrors that direct the flow of light towards the screen, and in the case of black, towards an absorption material known as a "light dump".
To direct the right pixels to the right mirrors, a color filter wheel was initially used, which rotated in time with the creation of the image. This principle was not recommended for people suffering from epilepsy in particular, and many people perceived the image flicker created by the vision of a rainbow when they moved their head. The benefits of this principle were superior luminosity, more intense colors and an image that could not be damaged by marking. On the weak side: color streaks in moving images, or the "rainbow" effect. Flicker was a nuisance for some.
Today, all constraints have been addressed by the use of 3 chips corresponding to 3 colors: red, green and blue. A prism then decomposes the image illuminated by the light source, displaying the full range of theoretical hues (which is in the billions!), resulting in a highly detailed image.
All new designs since the abandonment of cathode ray tubes require a light source, whether high-intensity or laser.
Samsung First laser projector
What you need to know to compare
Now that we've seen how it works, it's important to know that the result is not the same from one model to the next. At the same price, performance will vary for a number of factors, including the following:
1. Resolution
Just like standard TV sets, there are now 2 types of image resolution. Full HD, which uses 1080 x 1920 pixels, is gradually being replaced by the second, 4 K, which offers 2160 by 3840 pixels. Since the image is so large, we advise against buying Full HD, as the limitations will be perceptible in image precision, particularly in grainy images.
2. Brightness
It's important to keep an eye on this point, because the lower the brightness, the more you'll have to watch the image in full darkness. In the past, we had no choice, but nowadays, good projectors allow you to view in broad daylight. Brightness is measured in LUMENS; below a factor of 1000, it's clearly insufficient, and this is where the cheapest projectors come in. Ideally, a factor of 2000 lumens or more is what will enable daylight viewing and cause fewer constraints in general use.
EPSON 5050be
3. Contrast ratio and HDR
A bright, non-contrasting image is the equivalent of lighting, like a big lamp in a room! If dark shapes and bright ones are not differentiated, you'll see little detail, only brightness...
Contrast comes in two ratios: "native" and "dynamic". For example, assuming a ratio of 1500:1 "native" means that the brightest image will be 1500 times more intense than the lower limit just before the black point. This ratio defines the physical capacity of the matrix. The second ratio, known as "dynamic", highlights the result of luminosity in a dark room. This ratio takes into account the result of the many technologies used to enhance image quality and dynamism. Among these technologies,
variable backlighting to adapt brightness to the scene being projected. HDR (High Dynamic Range) certified circuits greatly enhance the contrast of the final rendering. This kind of ratio is in the 30,000:1 range on budget models, and exceeds 1 million:1 on the best units.
Contrast with accurate colorimetry is the key to a realistic representation, an image we recognize from what we see in everyday life. I'd call this the wow factor in projection! The HDR standard is a must!
4. Colorimetric rate or color space
A color space is a set of colors, also known as a gamut. The gamut of a screen or video monitor represents all the colors it is capable of displaying.
It's sometimes expressed as a percentage versus a standard originally instituted by the film industry, but now used by TV manufacturers. This normative standard is called DCI-P3. Of course, it's important to get as close as possible to this standard, and it's best to aim for 100%. The better the color nuances are reproduced, the more you'll be able to discern the richness of hues, the transparency effect, pearlescent colors, etc.
5. Operating distance
There are two principles of projection, the "standard", which requires mounting 10 feet or more from the screen to the wall, and the "shortthrow", which is mobile and used just a few inches from the screen.
If it were up to our Sonxplus experts, we'd only make short-throw projectors. Indeed, new products of this kind allow the projector to be positioned just a few inches from the screen, which means you no longer have to make a fixed installation on the ceiling, no wires to run through the walls. What's more, sound comes from the front of the unit, not the back. People on the move never clash with the image (shadowing), and this gives you the option of storing the projector when not in use.
SAMSUNG FIRST short-distance laser.
6. Speakers and Bluetooth
Believe it or not, there are still projectors that only project the image, forcing you to turn on your sound system or sound bar to listen to your shows!
7. Ease of installation
It will be interesting to see if the device you're looking for has automatic settings and an intuitive on-screen guide. Your sales consultant can give you a demonstration to see which products are best suited to your needs.
Initial adjustment should only require a few steps. Having a manual adjustment button on the projector means you don't have to access the menu to change your adjustments. Automatic adjustment offers an even greater advantage, allowing instant alignment without the need for user control of any kind. Most projectors have some degree of adjustment, but some are more advanced than others. Here are the adjustments required to get the most out of your projector:
8. Horizontal and vertical keystone correction
When a projector is not centered directly in front of the screen, but tilted towards it, the resulting image will be distorted into a trapezoidal shape. However, trapezoidal correction will correct this so that the image is perfectly rectangular. This can be done manually or automatically.
With automatic correction of this distortion, the projector will automatically detect and correct the distorted image simply by pressing a button on the device, remote control or mobile device app.
9. Lens shift (focus)
The lens shift allows the lens to move vertically or horizontally inside the projector to provide a perfect image with straight edges and uniform focus. This allows more installation options and more flexible placement of the projector, without loss of resolution. In the past, this parameter was subject to punctual misadjustment, and the lens had to be manually rotated to eliminate blurring in the image.
Once again, look for auto focus.
10. Maintenance interval, lamp life
The lighting system should last a very long time, to avoid frustrations and costs. A lamp with a life of 3,000 to 5,000 hours is the bare minimum. A lamp doesn't produce a uniform glow all the time; it degrades and weakens gradually. That's why the new laser technology, with its lifespan of 20,000 hours, should be favored in your choice. When it comes to safety, it's good to know that laser lighting is safe, as it incorporates a presence detection system in front of its light projection that interrupts the light flow in the event of glare hazard. They've thought of everything!
11. Price to be paid
As with all things, the price usually goes hand in hand with the desired result.
For less than $1,500 you'll get a low-efficiency projector, that's how it is.
Between $1501 and $4000 spent, you'll get 4K performance and an acceptable brightness and contrast ratio.
The best value for money is to be found in the $4001 to $8000 product family. This is where you'll find the most automation, HDR and DCI-P3 certification, a 20,000-hour life for the laser emitter, and the projector's new short-throw principle. Of course, these functions can be found in less expensive devices, but here you get the whole package in a single unit.
As for the $10,000 and up, we'll get into specialization; it all depends on how important home cinema is to you. Most people won't go there.
Sony specialty brightness 10,000 lumens $85,000
In a nutshell:
- Set yourself a realistic budget based on what you're looking for.
- Give preference to a three-chip system rather than a single-chip one, as color accuracy will be affected.
- Demand DCI-P3 compliance for 100% color gamut, as well as HDR for high contrast and object distinction.
- Look for a brightness level of 1500 Lumens or more for daylight use. Ideally, 2500 is a must for everyday listening.
- Maintenance-free life: The laser is preferable with its 20,000 hours.
- Projection principle. The "short throw" method is preferable, as it is easy and flexible to install.
- Automation of settings.
Choice from the Sonxplus team. Samsung LSP-9T