Contrast ratios are measured in each lamp and iris mode (when available). Test patterns, sent from CalMan, are then used to adjust the various picture settings so the projector looks its best before measurement and evaluation. Every lamp-based projector is 'burned in' for 50 hours before measuring, and all projectors are initially set up using their most accurate color temp and color modes. The data is collected and collated by Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software, which helps us evaluate every PJ we review. We use specialized test equipment, including a Photo Research spectroradiometer, a Minolta LS-100 luminance meter and an AEMC CA813 illuminance meter. This is because many highly portable and budget models use the Aptoide store, which won't have as many streaming app options, and those it does have often have compromised functionality (no HD, difficult to navigate, and so on).ĬNET puts projectors through a rigorous and unbiased testing process that's the culmination of more than two decades of projector reviews. If you're looking for some kind of 'all-in-one' device with speakers, make sure it has a full version of Android TV inside for streaming, otherwise you'll want to connect a streaming stick like Roku. Lens shift and zoom are handy if you want more flexibility in placement. Just get one that has great picture quality and high brightness. What features should you look for?: If you're connecting the projector to an audio system (and you should, either receiver/speakers or soundbar), then you don't really need many features in the projector itself. Great picture quality, but they're well beyond what we usually test. Above $3,000 there's a big jump in picture quality again, and from there the sky's the limit. Spending more gets you incremental improvements. They're not as bright, but they're great for their intended use.

Some highly portable and battery-powered models are far less. Less than that usually requires a compromise of some kind. How much should you spend?: $1,000 is the sweet spot with projectors, where you can get great picture quality and brightness. A claimed 2,000 lumen projector is probably brighter than a 500 lumen projector, but 1,500 and 1,700 lumen projectors are probably the same.

But the specs are largely divorced from reality.

Companies claim million-to-one contrast ratios, insane brightness ratings, and even more. For mixed-use rooms where it'll be hard or impossible to totally control the ambient light, or if you want an outdoor movie night with an image the size of the side of your house, one that prioritizes light output will be better, because the contrast ratio won't be as noticeable. Where are you using it?: For light controlled rooms and home theaters, a projector with a high contrast ratio is better than one that prioritizes light output. However, a brighter projector will be easier to see with some lights on, and can create an even bigger image. A projector with a great contrast ratio but only average light output is going to look better than the opposite. Even so, there's a wide range of picture quality even among projectors of a similar price. Want a TV that's 100-inches or more? Only a projector can do that, if you're not ultrarich. However, they largely make up for it with absolutely massive images. Picture quality: Projectors lag behind TVs when it comes to overall picture quality.

Optoma projector short throw