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Do you want to create an unforgettable sports-watching atmosphere in your pub or bar? Imagine the excitement of cheering for your favourite team, surrounded by like-minded fans. In 2024, some of thebiggest sporting events in the world will take place, including the Summer Olympics and the Euros.You’ll want the best audio-visual solution to make your pub or bar the go-to destination for sports fans.

As a pub or bar owner, you understand the importance of creating a welcoming and entertaining environment for your customers. That’s where we can help. Our carefully curated list of the best projectors and large-format displays for pubs and bars in 2024 will make choosing the perfect solution for your establishment a breeze. With our expert advice, you can be sure to provide your customers with the ultimate sports-watching experience.

First, here is a quick reminder that 2024 is set to be a BIG year in sport. Here are some of the top sports events happening this year!


● Summer Olympics (July 26 – August 11)
● The Euros (June 14 – July 14) England is among the favourites!
● ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (June 4 – June 30)
● Wimbledon Championships (July 1 – July 14)
● MLB All-Star Game (July 16)
● US Open (Golf) (June 13 – June 16)
● Laver Cup (September 20 – September 22)

This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you a good idea of some of the most significant sporting events in 2024 and why you should consider upgrading your audio-visual offering!

Key features for pub and bar projectors
Pub-goers now expect an experience that surpasses what they can get at home with high-definition TVs and top-notch sound systems. So, to get them to leave their comfort zone and visit your establishment, you must provide something better.

If you’re looking to attract crowds and become the go-to spot for sports fans, prioritising the right features in your pub projector is crucial. Stay ahead of the game with the best projector for sports bars in 2024 by focusing on key aspects that will enhance the viewing experience for your customers.Keep reading to discover how to set your pub apart from the rest.

Brightness
For example, a 2.5m wide screen needs a minimum brightness of 3,000 lumens to avoid dim images that cannot compete with ambient lighting. This is especially important in settings like pubs, where natural light is present but cannot always be controlled.

Even more brightness is required for larger screens to ensure clear image quality, especially during crucial sporting events that draw in big crowds. Increasing the brightness to over 5,000 lumens is a smart move in spaces with many windows, skylights, or outdoor settings where natural light can dilute image contrast.

Consider the brightness requirements for your specific setting to ensure your projector is up to the task. Don’t let poor image quality put off your viewers.

Good video performance (and HD resolution)
The models featured in this article have been carefully selected for their exceptional video performance, which is crucial for showcasing sporting events with fast-paced action and dynamic angles. Without top-notch image quality, your patrons may choose to watch the game at a different venue. High resolution is key in providing this experience, offering more pixels per inch to allow your customers to immerse themselves in the finer details.

Flexibility

Pubs and bars vary in layout and design, presenting unique challenges for installing projector screens. From traditional high street pubs with ample wall space to quirky conversions with obstacles like pillars, finding the correct positioning for a projector is key. To effectively navigate these spaces, having a projector with horizontal and vertical lens shift capability is essential. This feature allows you to adjust the position of the lens within the projector housing, enabling you to place the projector off-centre while still projecting a clear and square image without distortion.

Functionality
Modern projectors have many connectivity options, making linking devices like Sky or Freeview simple for a seamless viewing experience. If you want to live stream from a computer, these projectors have you covered.

Our top picks for live sports projectors deliver the functionality to enhance your viewing experience. If you want to explore further capabilities, such as transforming your bar into a meeting or event space, look at our guide on cables and connections or contact our knowledgeable staff for assistance.

Projectors with HDBaseT input connectivity provide a significant advantage for bars and pubs seeking high-quality content over longer cable distances (check out our cables and connections advice guide).This feature reduces installation costs, eliminates maintenance issues during crucial moments, and
ensures a smooth viewing experience for customers.

Laser
While not mandatory, opting for a laser projector can significantly enhance its longevity post-installation. Laser technology offers increased reliability and decreased maintenance compared to traditional bulb projectors. Please contact us if you want to explore the bulb vs. laser debate further.Without further delay, here are our top recommendations for projectors in pubs and bars. (We’ll cover large-format displays, too; don’t worry.)

Best budget pub and bar projector


Epson EB-FH52
● 4,000 Lumens brightness
● 1080p resolution
● Lamp life 12,000 hours’ use in Eco mode
● Contrast ratio of 16,000:1
● 3 Years Return to Base warranty

This budget-friendly projector is suitable for pubs and bars that have a limited sum to splash on a projector. With a mid-range to high brightness level of 4,000 Lumens, it can be relied on to deliver crisp and clear footage of sporting events. Reliable, the Epson EB-FH52 won’t let you down, 3LCD technology means no need to fuss, keeping maintenance to a minimum, leaving your punters to enjoy the best sport of 2024 and beyond.

Best projectors for brighter pubs and bars

ViewSonic LS740HD
● 1080 resolution
● 5000 lumens
● Short lens ratio of 1.13-1.47:1 is ideal for creating large images from short throw distances (for example, a 2.5m wide image from a 2.8m throw)

The ViewSonic LS740HD is a powerful projector designed for bright areas, offering impressive features tailored to the demands of such environments. With its laser technology, 1080 resolution,and an exceptional brightness of 5000 lumens, this projector ensures vibrant and clear visuals even in well-lit pubs and bars.

The LS740HD has a short lens ratio of 1.13-1.47:1, ideal for creating large images from short-throw distances. For instance, it can effortlessly project a 2.5-metre-wide image from a mere 2.8-metre throw distance. This makes it perfect for establishments where space may be limited, yet a large, immersive display is desired.

The 1080p resolution ensures sharp and detailed imagery, making it suitable for showcasing sports events, movies, or any other content with high visual fidelity. Whether displaying live sports matches or hosting movie nights, the LS740HD delivers an engaging viewing experience for patrons.

ViewSonic LS711HD
● 1080p resolution
● 4000 lumens
● Dedicated short throw lens 0.50:1 – large Full HD images from short throw distance (example 3-metre-wide screen from 1.5mtr throw)

The ViewSonic LS711HD is another powerhouse projector tailored for the vibrant atmosphere of well-lit pubs and bars. Again, this projector offers exceptional visual performance even in brightly illuminated environments. It offers laser technology and 1080p resolution but with 4000 lumens of brightness.

One of the key features that sets the LS711HD apart is its dedicated short throw lens with a ratio of 0.50:1. This lens allows the projector to create large, full HD images from remarkably short throw distances, making it ideal for venues where space may be limited. For example, it can effortlessly project a 3-metre-wide screen from just a 1.5-metre throw distance, maximising the available space and ensuring an immersive viewing experience for patrons.

In addition to its impressive performance, the LS711HD offers a range of connectivity options,including HDMI and VGA ports, allowing for seamless integration with various media sources. This versatility enables pubs and bars to easily switch between different content sources, catering to the preferences of their diverse clientele.

Best projectors for peak performance

Panasonic VMZ61EJ
● WUXGA resolution
● Bright 6200 lumens
● Short lens ratio 1.09-1.77:1 ideal for creating large images from short throw distances
(example 2.5mtr wide image from 2.7mtr throw)
● Horizontal and Vertical lens shift for flexible projector placement in relation to screen

The Panasonic PT-VMZ61EJ excels with its outstanding performance tailored for demanding environments. It sets a new standard for visual excellence, featuring laser technology, WUXGA resolution, and a remarkable 6200 lumens brightness.

Its shorter lens ratio of 1.09-1.77:1 allows for large, high-quality images from short-throw distances. For instance, it projects a 2.5-metre-wide image from just a 2.7-metre throw, ideal for space-limited venues.

Horizontal and vertical lens shift capabilities offer flexible projector placement, ensuring perfect image alignment.

With HDMI and VGA ports, it seamlessly integrates with various media sources. Making the PT-
VMZ61EJ a serious contender for venues requiring top-notch visual quality and reliability.

Epson EB-L730U
● 7,000 Lumens brightness
● WUXGA resolution
● Laser light source for 20,000 hours of use
● 3 Years Return to Base warranty.

This projector is a premium option for pubs and bars renowned for live sports. Thanks to the EB-L730U’s 7,000-lumen display, you can reward fanatic fans with brighter, more engaging, and impactful displays even in brightly lit environments.

Have an intricate layout with few placement options? Don’t worry; this model offers brighter, more engaging, and impactful displays even in brightly lit environments. And for that widescreen match day experience, the EB-L730U can throw up to a 500-inch display without reducing clarity or vivid detail!


BenQ LK954ST
● 4K UHD resolution
● Dedicated short throw 0.8:1 lens.

The BenQ LK954ST projector elevates the visual experience with its remarkable features explicitly tailored for such dynamic environments. Boasting 4K UHD resolution and a dedicated short throw 0.8:1 lens, this projector sets a new standard for immersive entertainment in social settings

In addition to its impressive resolution and short throw capability, the LK954ST offers versatile connectivity options, ensuring seamless integration with various media sources. Whether it’s streaming live sports, playing content from a media player, or connecting to gaming consoles, this projector provides flexibility to cater to diverse entertainment preferences.

The LK954ST is designed for reliability and ease of use in commercial settings. Its robust build quality and efficient cooling system ensure reliable performance even during extended operation hours. Furthermore, its user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it easy for staff to operate, allowing venues to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences.

No Room for a Projector? Explore Your Alternatives!

In today’s diverse pub landscape, accommodating projectors can be a challenge to some due to limited space and throw distance constraints. However, the decreasing cost of Large Format Displays (LFDs) presents an attractive alternative. Offering 4K UHD resolution and integrated speakers, these commercial screens provide an excellent solution for venues with spatial limitations. With their compact design and high-quality visuals, LFDs enhance the entertainment experience without compromising on space or image clarity, making them an increasingly popular choice for pubs looking to elevate their offerings cost-effectively.

Sony FW65BZ30L and Sony FW75BZ30L
● 65inch or 75inch
● 4K UHD
● Bright 440cd/m2
● Android TV
● Inbuilt speakers

● 24/7 usage

The Sony FW65BZ30L LFD screen is a testament to Sony’s commitment to innovation and quality. Its 4K UHD resolution, bright display, Android TV integration, inbuilt speakers, and 24/7 usage capability offers an unparalleled visual experience that elevates entertainment and communication in commercial settings. Whether for retail, hospitality, or corporate environments, the FW65BZ30L sets a new standard for excellence in visual display technology.

The Sony FW75BZ30L sets a new standard for excellence in visual display technology. Its 75-inch size, 4K UHD resolution, bright display, Android TV integration, inbuilt speakers, and 24/7 usage capability offer an unparalleled viewing experience that elevates entertainment and communication in commercial settings. Whether for retail, hospitality, or corporate environments, the FW75BZ30L delivers breathtaking visuals and immersive sound that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression.

ViewSonic CDE8630

The ViewSonic CDE8630, with its expansive size, 4K UHD resolution, bright display, inbuilt speakers, and 24/7 usage capability, makes this screen a standout option for hospitality. The CDE8630 delivers breathtaking visuals and immersive sound that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression.

The Key to Unforgettable Entertainment
To create a truly exceptional viewing experience for our patrons, it is crucial to carefully consider the audio setup that complements your projector or Large Format Display (LFD) screen. At ProjectorPoint, we understand the importance of matching top-notch audio systems with your visual equipment to achieve perfect harmony in your entertainment space.

When it comes to setting up your pub or social venue, focusing on catering to sports enthusiasts can make a significant impact. Investing in high-quality projectors, professional screens, comfortable seating, and top-of-the-line audio systems can create an immersive environment that will keep your customers returning for more.

Embracing the latest technological advancements in audio-visual equipment is key to staying ahead in today’s competitive landscape. By working with an experienced team like ProjectorPoint, you can ensure that your entertainment space is equipped with the most innovative and immersive audio solutions available.

For expert guidance and assistance in setting up your projector and screen or Large Format Display(LFD) with the perfect audio setup, please contact us at 0800 073 0833 or fill out our contact form.Let’s work together to elevate your entertainment experience and take your venue to the next level.Enhance your entertainment journey with ProjectorPoint!

It’s not often in our business that I’m impressed when seeing a new projector launched into the market (let’s face it, I see a lot of new projectors), but Fujifilm has recently released a new range of projector, the FP-Z8000/FP-Z6000, which is a significant advancement in projection technology and did make me say “WOW That is cool” when I was invited along to the product launch last week. 

The projectors feature a unique short-throw lens that can be rotated in 6 directions on two axes, making it ideal for immersive space and public display applications.

Check out this video – https://youtu.be/vdkcDSHleXQ?list=TLGGHnkyv0oAnvkxMzExMjAyMw

One of the most impressive features of the FP-Z8000/FP-Z6000 is their ability to produce high-quality images with minimal distortion. This is due to its proprietary folded lens and large-diameter aspheric lens. 

The projectors also have a wide range of features that make it ideal for a variety of applications, including:

The FP-Z8000/FP-Z6000 are versatile projectors that are being used in a variety of applications. Here are a few examples where we see this unit excelling:

The FP-Z8000/FP-Z6000 are powerful and versatile projectors that offer endless possibilities for immersive space and public display applications. If you want a projector that can produce high-quality images and has a wide range of features, the FP-Z8000 or FP-Z6000 is a great option and will be in stock at Projectorpoint shortly.

So you’re in the market for a new projector? Congratulations, you’re in the right place!

As part of the installation and consideration for your projector, you’re probably considering the best screen, and the most suitable projector screen size, for your specific needs.

Despite what some people think, you’ll need more than just any old flat surface to get the best image quality from your projector – especially when you’ve invested so much in the right projector for your home cinema, meeting room or school hall.

Here’s our helpful projector screen size guide to help get you started.

Projector screen size and distance

The most popular screen sizes fall within 100 – 120 inches (2.5m-3m) diagonal, but this largely depends on the size of your room. This is around 2.2m-2.65m wide (based on a widescreen 16:9 projector) and makes going for a projector over a professional display worthwhile.

Sometimes, people make the mistake of choosing the biggest projector screen size they can find in the hope of maximising their viewing experience. However, this can be problematic for a number of reasons.

Firstly, a screen that is too big for its setting will actually be difficult for your viewers to see in its entirety. If they are positioned too close to the image for instance, they may be forced to strain their eyes or literally move their heads side to side to see the whole picture.

Secondly, bigger doesn’t mean clearer.

If you enlarge an image over a greater space, you could lose some of the clarity of your images depending on the resolution of your projector. For instance, a larger screen will magnify pixels across a greater distance, meaning objects appear less detailed than if they were projected onto a smaller screen which will pack pixels in more densely.

A screen size that is too small can also be frustrating, rarely this can be totally rectified by moving your seating closer to the screen. Nevertheless, planning in advance for the best projector size viewing distance will help you avoid both these mistakes.

Distance from screen

The absolute “best” distance between the projector screen and room seating is hard to calculate.

Instead, a general rule is that seats should be located a distance that is no less than double the width of the projected image, and no more than five times the width of the image (the furthest seat from the screen.)

Width of Projector Screen X 2 = minimum comfortable distance

Width of Projector Screen X 5 = maximum distance

Just keep in mind, no one wants to sit at the front row at the cinema. The calculation above may seem quite generous on the minimum distance, but being just 2m back from a 2m wide screen, in our opinion just doesn’t “feel” comfortable and you often can’t see the entirety of the projected image.

And often, it’s equally frustrating if you’re stuck right at the back of a cinema! So, try to offer everyone in your meeting room or event space a decent view of the projector screen.

The 4/6/8 rule

Another handy rule you can follow when calculating the best distance from the screen is the 4/6/8 rule.

This is much more to do with the content that is being presented and the types of meetings you’re having.

While this is only another rough framework, here are the handy principles that you can follow:

Images with fine details and analytical work

Height of Projector Screen X4 = maximum distance from screen

Images with large text

Height of Projector Screen X6 = maximum distance from screen

Images designed for passive viewing (imagery/films)

Height of Projector Screen X8 = maximum distance from screen

Horizontal viewing angle

Another important factor is the horizontal viewing angle, or field of view, which refers to the angle from each corner of the display screen to the centre of the seating position. Basically, you don’t want the image to exceed how much your eyes can actually take in when you’re positioned in front of the screen.

The Best Projector Screen Size &Amp; Viewing Distances

There isn’t one right answer here, but 40-50 degrees (20-25 degrees from centre left and right) is a good angle to aim for with 60-70 degrees (30-35 degrees from centre left and right) being your maximum angle.

Any closer to the screen than this and you’ll be forcing eye strain and headaches on your viewers.

What format do I need for my projector screen?

When it comes to choosing the best format for your projector screen, we recommend going with a screen that is the same format / native resolution as your projector. There are three common aspect ratio options that you need to be aware of:

What about throw distance?

The position of your projector and the size of the projected images will all depend on your room configuration. And this is where the term ‘throw distance’ becomes really important. Essentially, a projector’s throw distance is the distance between the projector and the image on the screen.

If you’re looking to achieve a specific size of image from a specific distance (as installation is tricky), let us know and we can help you decode throw ratio calculations and give you all the options that can work for you!

You may see throw distances categorised like this:

Long throw projectors (or interchangeable lenses)

Creates large images that are great for halls, conference rooms, event spaces or large home cinemas. These projectors can be placed a considerable distance from the screen and are often mounted on ceilings or walls.

Short throw projectors:

Also creates large images, but the projector can be positioned closer to a screen. Generally, a distance of 1 to 2.5m feet can be used for short throw projectors.

Ultra-short throw:

Perfect for smaller spaces and portable projector setups. Often we find customers use these in offices where a projector sits on a table near to the screen rather than mounted on a wall at the back of the room. This typically implies a distance of between 0 to 1.5m from the projector to screen.

A great projector will give you flexibility when it comes to throw distances and should offer a few workarounds when it comes to installing your machine in your office or home. You should definitely consider throw distances before determining the best screen size for your setting.

Looking for more information?

We’ve tried to make this projector screen size guide both clear and comprehensive, but if you have any additional questions or are confused about any of the considerations mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to get touch with Projectorpoint in person.

Any of our friendly staff will be happy to talk you through the best projector screen size for your office configuration.

When it comes to screen size, there’s a natural inclination to follow the old adage of “bigger is better”. And while in the majority of cases this is true, the reality of things is a bit more complicated. This guide looks at how to calculate the right dimensions for your space and use, and demonstrates where size really matters when it comes to display installations.

Form & Function

Room dimensions, the distance of any seating from the main display screen and the purpose of the room in question will all prove important when identifying the best screen size for your space.

When it comes to form, there’s a simple set of equations that offer an excellent base point for selecting the right screen size for your space. Every requirement will vary, however, AV professionals tend to use this guide – known as the 4/6/8 rule – to determine screen size in relation to where viewers are sitting or walking through. Here’s how it works:

The greatest distance a viewer should be away from the screen is no more than four, six, or eight times the image height depending on what the screen is being used for:

For finer details and more analytical work, viewers should be no further away than the four times the image height
For larger text, viewers should be no further away than six times the height of the screen
For more passive viewing – such as films or large images – the viewer should be no further away than eight times the image height

It’s not perfect and there are exceptions, but the 4/6/8 rule is a strong starting point to narrow down your hunt for the right screen.

With this initial gauge established, it’s time to look at the purpose of the room and its display screen: the function. This has a considerable bearing on the size of screen required.

For instance, a display in an office reception space serves a very different role to that of a display in a conference room or collaborative huddle space. While it might look impressive on paper to be able to offer your team the biggest and best screen for their huddle room, in reality, do they really need that overbearing 90-inch display in a meeting room designed to cater to three or four people at a time?

In a reception space, however, the big screen stands out, makes a statement and reaches dozens if not hundreds of people everyday as they come in and out of the building; it’s worth the investment. You could consider video walls here too – as there is often an exponential price hike for screens over a certain size.

Size Isn’t Everything

Let’s be honest, you’ve probably got a smartphone or tablet and are already enjoying the “retina” clarity and how vibrant the screens are. That’s actually more about pixel density than the size of the screen.

This is where gauging the size and resolution of your display at the same time is more beneficial than just looking at the diagonal dimensions of the screen. Take a look at our guide to screen resolution for the full details, but just to show you what we’re talking about quickly:

If you’ve got a 90 inch-screen at Full HD resolution you will only see 24 pixels per inch. But if you go for a 65-inch screen at 4k resolution you will be seeing 67 pixels per inch; that’s a 180 per cent increase on the 90-inch screen.

This demonstrates that bigger doesn’t necessarily mean clearer and if you’re sat relatively close to the screen, this will have a real impact.

For some people, rather than stretching the size of the screen but decreasing the clarity of the image, installing two smaller screens of 65 inches with 4K resolution could be a better solution, especially if your audience is sat closer to the screen, or you’re displaying detailed content such as spreadsheets or using high resolution devices.

Collaboration

When it comes to collaboration, sharing a main display screen with more than one person at a time can really open up the possibilities of what can be achieved working together. But what does this split screen functionality mean for the size of the screen?

Well if you’re dividing up a screen between two or even more inputs, you are cutting down the space that each person’s information has on the screen. So information that would be easily visible on a 50-inch screen is suddenly only allocated a fraction of that space and, if the information on display is highly detailed, not everyone will be able to see clearly what’s being discussed.

The obvious solution is to ensure that you instal a big screen whenever more than one person’s content is to be shared on the same screen. How big you go is of course going to be determined by the things we’ve touched on above: room size, content and the distance of the audience from the screen.

But remember, one big screen is not your only option. You can get clever with the budget and opt for multiple smaller screens that build into a single large video wall; this might be a good option to achieve high resolutions as well as keeping spend down.

Buying the right screen size will help keep teams focused and productive when it comes to the task at hand. Don’t forget to consider screen resolution in conjunction with screen size, however, and remember, buying one big screen is not always your best option, take a look at multiple smaller screens and see if a video wall might be more suitable for your room.

Is a 4K projector screen that different from a standard screen?

Simply put – Yes! This difference is all about texture and how this impacts on the quality of the final image.

When viewed under a microscope (see image), a standard matte white, non-tensioned projection screen surface has imperfections in the physical structure. You can see in the image the tangible texture to this surface.

This texture means that pixel clarity is lost, which creates visual “noise” and an overall softening of the image. Texture means the surface can’t perfectly reflect the projected image.

On lower resolution projectors the improvement offered by a projector screen in comparison a blank wall is sufficient to get a great quality image from the projector and do justice to the device’s capabilities in terms of resolution. But with 4K content producing four times the detail of 1080p Full HD, pixel preservation becomes much more important to the fidelity and clarity of colour in your image, when you’ve invested in a 4K projector.

This is where (and why!) 4K UHD projector screens are different.

As standard, the 4K UHD vinyl material on the screens we sell are tensioned and have a 0.9 gain which is suitable for low ambient room lighting conditions only. We can provide other screen gains on request. The material creates a totally smooth surface, free of microscopic dips or grooves, and allows the screen to disappear and the image itself pop! The result is the best surface for your HD, 4K and Ultra HD projector, allowing you to get the very best out of your investment.

Why Choose A 4K Projector Screen?

Why a tensioned screen surface offers the best image reproduction

Why Choose A 4K Projector Screen?

A flat projection surface gets you the most out of your projector, and makes sure no pixels end up lost or deformed. If detail and pixel preservation is important, a perfectly flat projection area is vital.

Non-tensioned projection surfaces can have waves or ripples, which create shadows and deform the projected image. A tensioned screen, on the other hand, is tensioned both vertically and horizontally, creating a perfectly flat projection surface.

The material we use also impacts on the ultimate tension. Temperature and humidity can have a negative effect of the flatness of the surface, causing it to sag down over time, and again deforming the final projected image. A tensioned vinyl screen is much better equipped to withstand changes in temperature and humidity, giving you a crisper image for longer.

Fixed Frame 4K Projector Screens

Fixed frame projector screens are a permanent fixture in the projection set up. Black velvet borders provide the eye with a focus point. They also eliminate reflection and absorb stray projected light.

The 4K UHD screen material is formulated to provide a screen surface free from microscopic variations preventing pixel loss and noise, meaning that the screen essentially disappears from view, leaving you to focus on what matters: the image.

Like all of our 4K UHD projector screens, our fixed frame screens are tensioned to keep the projection surface under a constant tensioning for a perfectly flat viewing area.

If you can afford to dedicate permanent wall space to your projector then fixed frame projector screens are an excellent choice. You’ll see every last pixel of detail in crisp clarity, ensuring you get the best image from your device.

Why Choose A 4K Projector Screen?

Electric 4K Projector Screens

Why Choose A 4K Projector Screen?

If you need the wall space back when the projector is not in use but a ceiling-recessed installation is not feasible, then a wall-mounted electric 4K UHD projector screen is ideal.

Our recommended wall-mounted screen is the Projecta Tensioned Elpro Concept, which offers a high-end stylish solution for design-sensitive installations, without compromising on performance.

Like all of our 4K UHD projector screens, the Projecta electric wall-mounted screens are tab-tensioned to ensure you have a perfectly flat viewing area.

This screen itself is made with HD Progressive screen material to ensure the smoothest surface possible and a small electric motor is installed to conveniently hide the screen when it’s not in use. There is a huge amount of customisable size options, the potential to remove the black borders if you wish and even the option to paint the case in any standard RAL colour of your choice, and you’ve got one of the best 4K UHD projector screens on the market.

Electric Ceiling Recessed 4K Projector Screens

If your space allows it, an electric ceiling-recessed projector screen is the ultimate choice for a stylish finish in a non-permanent cinema room.

These projector screens are practically invisible after installation, winding back up into a space in your ceiling, but offering the best quality flat surface when in use.

Projectorpoint recommends the Projecta Tensioned Descender Electrol. On a practical level, installation is straightforward and the motor and screen surface remain conveniently accessible for maintenance if required at a later date.

As for performance, like its wall-mounted sister, the Descender Electrol uses a tab tensioning system to keep the projection surface under a constant level of tension, thus ensuring you get the smoothest possible surface.

HD Progressive screen material again ensures the best material for the job, offering image uniformity, pixel preservation, and colour fidelity.

These bespoke 4K projector screens offer numerous customisable features and can be made exactly to fit your space. Get in touch today if you’d like to find out more.

Why Choose A 4K Projector Screen?

It’s a fact that connecting an iPad to a projector can be impressive, not to mention the useful functionality in the office. More and more companies are realising the benefits of using visual aids to improve meetings and collaboration potential and more companies are adopting bring your own device policies too.

These two facts have led to a common question being asked of the Projectorpoint team from first time and non-tech buyers… “Can an iPad connect to a projector?”

Connecting an iPad to a projector isn’t tricky, although you will need the right tools.

Cables

Cables can sometimes seem like the simplest option when connecting your iPad to your projector, but there are some things you should consider.

Firstly, physical cables can be restrictive. Make sure you have the space you need first when using cables, thinking about the length of the cable and where the iPad will be placed. You have to consider the presenting style and whether that’s suited to a trailing cable.

If the presenter is going to wander around in the room, or control may be passed from person to person, cables can get become troublesome and undermine the fluency of meeting and elegance of the setup.

They are, however, still considered to be the more reliable option.

HDMI

You’ll need:

Here’s how:

  1. Plug the HDMI cable into the projector
  2. Now connect the HDMI cable and the HDMI to iPad adaptor
  3. Finally, connect the HDMI-to-iPad adaptor to your iPad
  4. When you switch on your projector it should automatically recognise the input device and your images will be mirrored

VGA

You’ll need:

Here’s how:

  1. Plug the VGA cable into the projector, making sure to tighten the screws!
  2. Now connect the VGA cable and VGA-to-iPad adaptor
  3. Finally, connect the VGA-to-iPad adaptor to your iPad
  4. Your projector should automatically recognise the input device when it is turned on

Remember, VGA is only going to carry the visuals to the projector. If your presentation includes audio, HDMI is a better option otherwise, you’ll need to consider some separate sound options with VGA such as a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Find out more about projector cables and connectors here.

Wireless

Who doesn’t love wireless connectivity? We hardly need to go into the benefits of this, but one of the major benefits here is the ability to quickly connect more than one device – perfect in meetings with multiple attendees who all have their own data or presentation to show.

What you’re doing with a wireless connection is actually connecting to a device which is attached to one of the projector’s inputs – rather than “direct” to the projector itself.

There are lots of USB dongles and network-connected screen mirroring solutions out there, but we’ve chosen the two easiest setups for you based on our experience over the last 8 years of helping clients connect iPads to projectors.

Apple TV

You’ll need:

Here’s how:

  1. Plug the Apple TV into the projector using the HDMI cable
  2. Connect the Apple TV to a power source using the provided cable
  3. If the Apple TV has not automatically connected, click the source button on your projector and search for the HDMI connection
  4. Make sure your iPad is on the same Wi-Fi connection as the Apple TV
  5. Using your iPad, swipe up from the bottom to reveal the menu and click on ‘screen mirroring’

Barco ClickShare

You’ll need:

Here’s how:

  1. Connect your ClickShare device to the projector using the provided cable (HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort cable)
  2. Now, connect your iPad to the base unit Wi-Fi of the ClickShare device (the default username of the network will be ClickShare)
  3. Enable Airplay on your iOS device
  4. Click on the ClickShare option and enable mirroring
  5. If you switch to non-static media, the projector will automatically switch from mirroring mode to streaming mode

Connection!

Hopefully this short guide has given you some options to connect your iPad to a projector. Get in touch with Projectorpoint if you need any further advice or would like to get your hands on any of the equipment mentioned in this guide.

Projectors are versatile tools that can be used indoors or outdoors, depending on your needs.

There are many aspects to consider when you think of using a projector outside during the day, such as the ANSI lumens rating of your projector, the weather forecast, the location where you intend to use the device, and more.

Below are some handy tips to keep in mind when you want to conduct an outdoor business meeting or have a movie night in your garden!

Can you use a projector outside during the day?

There are many projectors on the market designed for different environments. So finding a projector you can use outdoors during the day should not be difficult.

Projectors suitable for outdoor use usually have a very high lumens count. However, seeing a clear image in direct sunlight can still be challenging. So, the shadier the location of your outdoor projector, the better.

Top tips when using a projector outside

There are a few tips to keep in mind when using a projector outside.

Check your lumens

The brightness of a light source is measured in terms of lumens. When checking how many lumens your projector needs, you need to consider two factors: the projector screen size and the amount of sunlight it will compete against.

Speaking of projector screen size, a smaller screen requires fewer lumens to be bright enough to watch during the daytime than a screen that is twice as big.

Regardless of the screen size, you should aim for a projector that offers at least 4000 lumens if you intend to use it outside during the day. Generally, the more the lumens, the better, but a minimum of 4000 lumens should be good enough during partly sunny hours. (based on zero sunlight hitting the screen and a screen size between 2 – 2.5m.)

Check the weather forecast

While there is no denying that you could set up a projector outdoors and have an immersive cinematic experience at any time, certain weather extremities can render that experience impossible.

If the wind is strong, it’s best to put a hold on using your projector and consider storing it away instead. Wind can cause some severe damage to your projector and screen, resulting in costly losses down the line.

Taking care of your projector in extreme weather conditions like rain or summer heat is essential as it is not a sealed unit. These weather conditions can damage the projector.

The best weather conditions for using a projector outside during the day are when it’s partially cloudy, the wind is calm, and the sun isn’t shining too brightly.

Note that there are a few projectors available with a weather-proof enclosure but they cost thousands of pounds.

Pick the right time of day

Besides the weather forecast, it’s best to ensure that you have adequate time to watch a movie or conduct a meeting without any obstacles. As such, the best times are sunrise, sunset, and evening.

You will need the assistance of items, like tents, to increase the shaded area so your projector can perform optimally during other times of the day.

Choose a suitable location

There are various powerful projectors available in the market. Choosing a convenient location while using it outside during the day can boost your viewing experience.

Regardless of the outdoor space you have allocated for your projector – be it a garden, patio, or lawn – it is advisable to position your projector so that the sun is kept on one of the sides.

If the sun is behind the projector, you might feel blinded after staring at it for the whole film. If the sun is behind the audience, the quality of the pictures will be reduced.

Therefore, the best bet is to keep the sun at either your right or left side.

Set up a projector screen

With the suitable location chosen, you now need to set up a projector screen. There are various screen types, and choosing the right one can help cope with adverse weather conditions.

Some of the screens you can consider for use outdoors during the day include inflatable, tripod, and hung projector screens.

Inflatable screens are a great option if your location is susceptible to weather hazards. An inflatable screen is also a cheap, easy-to-use, and versatile solution.

A tripod projector screen is a more cost-effective and easy-to-install option. Unfortunately, this type of screen cannot be placed on an uneven surface, nor are the tripods strong enough to withstand the screen’s weight in severe weather conditions.

Finally, there are fastfold type projector screens that you can consider. These screens are portable and easy-to-assemble, with a folding frame made of lightweight aluminium or steel, used for large-scale presentations and events. They come in various sizes and aspect ratios.

Once you have finalised a projector screen, you must ensure that it offers a 160° viewing angle. This is important because it allows the audience to watch the film from anywhere in the room and still have a great view.

Note that for the 160° viewing angle feature to work, your projector must also support it.

Make sure your projector has a strong reflective display

Choose a projector screen with a strong reflective display for high brightness, vibrant colours, and fine details.

A reflective screen makes this possible by fending off the sunlight and creating more precise, vibrant, and definite pictures to be made visible to the audience.

Don’t forget to clean the screen

Years of wear and tear can cause your projector screen to become dirty.

As dirt accumulates across the screen’s surface, conducting a presentation or watching a movie with a sharp display can be a hassle.

Therefore, you should clean your projector screen before use with a mild, bleach-free, alcohol-free, and pH-neutral cleaner.

FAQs

Do you need a specific projector to use outside?

There are no projectors designed exclusively for outdoor use. However, most home theatre models can be used outside.
Generally, to use a projector outdoors, it must have enough lumens to compete with the sunlight – typically above 3000.

How to work a projector outside?

The best bet would be to place your projector and screen in a shaded or partially shaded area. This will produce a much clearer, and sharper image as ambient light is minimised.

Can you keep a projector outside?

Yes, you can keep a projector outside. However, choose a projector with a high ANSI lumens rating for the best output. If the projector is to be kept outside on a permanent basis, a dedicated enclosure is required to protect it from moisture.
The less shade your projector will be in, the more lumens you will need for optimal results.

Summary

There are certain tips you should keep in mind when using a projector outside during the day. These include using a projector of lumens greater than 3000, making sure that it is placed under a shade, using a projector screen, ensuring that the screen is clean, and more.

Setting up your own home cinema has never been as easy or affordable as it is now. However, projectors tend to be optimised either for PC use or for home cinema, and very few truly excel at both. So if you’re considering investing, it’s worth knowing what to look out for in a brilliant home cinema projector and not trying to make a seemingly well-specced professional projector do the job.

In this guide we’ve discussed the most important factors you need to consider when making your choice.


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Resolution

Product-Image-Resolution

The most common resolution for home cinema projectors up to 2018 was 1080p (1920 horizontal pixels x 1080 vertical pixels). Since then this has been surpassed by 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) four times the resolution of 1080p.

Why would you want to? Well, the higher the resolution, the higher the number of pixels that are displayed and therefore the sharper the image. This is very important as the screen size gets larger and you compare pixels per inch. HD projectors are those that deliver 1080p, but the pinnacle of home cinema quality is 4K, where on most screen sizes the image will be smooth and you won’t see the individual pixels at all.

A higher resolution will also result in better picture quality from high definition sources such as Blu-Ray, Xbox One, PS4 and Sky HD and 4K UHD sources such as SKY Q, Netflix and Disney+. But is 4K resolution that much better than standard resolution? The simple answer is yes.

Below is a table showing common resolutions – remember the higher the total amount of pixels displayed the sharper and crisper the displayed image will be:

Resolution-Table

It’s also worth keeping in mind that what you are watching (your source material) will make a big difference to the quality of your projected image.

High quality sources are best viewed on projectors that do justice to high definition source material. Basically, if you’re investing in 4K content such as Blu-Ray or some streamed television content, then it’s worth considering an investment in a 4K home cinema projector to get the most out of what you’re paying for.

Projectorpoint offer a wide range of 1080p Full HD projectors and 4K projectors. As many home cinema projector reviews will confirm, these devices are ideal for displaying the latest cinematic content in your own home.

There a number of other factors to consider here, such as compression and upscaling. So take a look at our guide to Resolution to get all the facts on exactly how projector resolution impacts the final image.

Take a look at our projectors to find a solution that’s right for you or give us a call if you have any questions or would like some advice on choosing the best home cinema projector on Freephone 0800 073 0833

Contrast Ratio

Home Cinema Projector Advice

So, resolution is the big one. But what else do you need to factor into your purchase decision?

How about contrast ratio? This is the ratio between the white and black areas in an image. The larger the contrast ratio of a projector, the greater the difference between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks a projector can deliver. In practice, higher contrast ratios mean a better image with a greater degree of perceptible depth.

A contrast ratio of 1,000:1 would imply that the black level is 1,000 times darker than the white. You might wonder why black has any brightness at all. The answer lies in the fact that blacks from projectors are the absence of projected light, so they can only ever be as dark as the ambient room they’re in. Then there’s the added factor of light “leakage”, which all projectors emit to some degree. A higher contrast ratio implies that there is less light leakage and a higher level of projected brightness, which means your image appears less faded.

Increasing standards and rapid evolutions in technology in recent years have seen home cinema projectors easily reach contrast ratios of over 200,000:1. Some of the best home cinema projectors even reach contrast ratios of an incredible 1,000,000:1, such as the native 4K resolution Sony VPL-VW790ES.

The one thing that really kills contrast ratio is ambient light. The ideal room for a home cinema is absolute pitch black with non-reflective fabrics. This is unlikely to be the scenario, which does bring into question the validity of contrast ratios as a spec point, which are measured in lab conditions.

Brightness

Home Cinema Projector Advice

Projector Brightness is not a huge issue for home cinema fans with a dedicated dark room, but it’s worth a mention for those scenarios where the room may be multi-purpose or suffer from ambient light leakage. Brightness is measured in lumens and for dedicated home cinema projectors it typically ranges from 1,000 – 2,500 lumens, with most products sitting between 1,800 and 2,400 lumens.

The important thing to remember here is that brightness is not king when it comes to home cinema – to get a real ‘cinema feel’ you should focus on how you can reduce the amount of ambient light hitting the screen before you consider brightness as a criteria in your projector purchase.

If there is a high level of ambient light in your home cinema room or you do not plan to have controlled lighting then you will need a higher lumen projector, while for low-level ambient light, up to 2,000 lumens should be more than sufficient. In a controlled environment (blackout blinds or heavy lined curtains and controlled lighting pointed away from the screen) anything from 1,000 lumens upwards will be more than adequate.

Sometimes, higher brightness projectors, with lower contrast ratios may produce a better picture in certain ambient conditions. If the room is bright, the projector is not determining the black level, so the brighter the image is then the bigger the perceived contrast.

Our Projector Brightness Guide has some more useful advice.

Projector & Projection Screen Format

Where you can make a real difference in your home cinema is with the addition of a projector screen. The best projector screen for your setup will be determined by the format and aspect ratio of the image your projector displays.

When we talk about 16:9 or 16:10 projectors or projection screen formats, we’re talking about the rectangular shape of the image or screen, or what’s more commonly known as its aspect ratio. The “standard” signal that’s been around since the 1950s has an aspect ratio of 4:3, which in layman’s terms means the picture is four units wide for every three units of height. Meanwhile, the new HDTV standard is 16:9, which is 16 units of width for every nine units of height.

Typically the native aspect ratio of the home cinema projectors we sell is 16:9 or 16:10, so when buying a projection screen you will want to match it to a 16:9 or 16:10 format. However, it is worth noting that you can still watch 4:3 content on 16:9 or 16:10 home cinema projector screen, all that happens is you’ll see some small black bars alongside the image as a consequence.

Projector Screen Size

Home Cinema Projector Advice

So you know which format projector screen you want but what about the size? Keep in mind that bigger does not necessarily mean better. If you have ever sat in the front row of a cinema and walked out with a stiff neck, you’ll know what we mean. Large screens and over-bright projectors can also cause eye strain.

To find the ideal screen size for the projector you have selected refer to the handy screen size calculator on the page of the projector you are interested in. As long as you know your available throw distance (the distance between the front of the projector and the area you are projecting on to) the tool will do the rest for you, providing you with your unique screen dimensions.

In smaller rooms, you may wish to consider choosing a short throw home cinema projector to allow you to use a larger screen without sacrificing space in your room. Call us to discuss your options.

Our Best Projector Screen Size & Viewing Distances guide could help if you need some more information.

Connectivity

Home Cinema Projector Advice

The types of input connections that your projector has determines the quality of your image, how easy it is to set up and how neat your final set-up will look. All home cinema projectors will have an input for standard definition sources (composite video). If you have high definition sources such as a PlayStation 5, a 4K UHD Blu-Ray player or Sky Q then look for home cinema projectors that have an HDMI input as this is the one you will need.

However, if you want to use numerous sources, the best way to connect everything up to your projector would be via an AV Receiver (AVR). All sources would connect to the AVR then a single HDMI cable connects the AVR to the projector. To switch sources, simply use the AVR remote control.

Of course, it is possible to purchase projectors that feature in-built wireless technology, Epson do some particularly great products. If you’re unable (or unwilling!) to go through the hassle of channelling out the space or running trunking or underfloor cabling to cater to the wiring requirements of your home cinema setup, wireless is a good option.

But for most people, once a home cinema system is in place, there’s little need to change the layout and arrangement so a more permanent wired solution is well worth the effort.

Audio

Home Cinema Projector Advice

So you’ve got your projector and screen all set up, but what about the sound? The vast majority of dedicated home cinema projectors have no onboard projector speakers, and the ones that do are very low power and poor sound reproduction. To be honest, if you’re buying a projector for home cinema use, onboard speakers simply won’t do your films justice, you need to look at a dedicated sound system and speakers.

To hook everything up, the first step is to route the sound output of your source (such as a PlayStation 5, Xbox One X, SKY Q or 4K UHD Blu-Ray DVD player) to a separate sound system. This can be a simple as a soundbar or a one-box home theatre system or as complex as a Dolby ATOMOS multi-channel AV Receiver (AVR).

When connecting your source up to a projector and an AVR, it’s important to understand that one HDMI cable carries the vision and sound from the source to the AVR. The AVR is then connected by a second HDMI cable to your projector to handle the visual data, while your speakers connect directly to the AVR to handle the sound. Many AV receivers now have 2 HDMI outputs which make them perfect for the multi purpose room with a TV and home cinema projector. Bear in mind if you want to watch 4K content from say your Sky Q box, then the whole chain needs to be 4K compliant from sources to HDMI cables to AVR and ofcourse the projector itself. If you are unsure of the correct setup, simply give us a call or drop us an email and one of our specialist sales team members we will be happy

Lamp Life

Home Cinema Projector Advice

Finally, don’t forget to consider the ongoing maintenance and cost requirements of your new home cinema system. Most projectors typically have a lamp life of between 2,000 and 5,000 hours. Some high performance professional devices have significantly more than this, but at a home cinema level this is what we’re playing with.

This specification is actually referring to the “half-life” of the lamp, in other words, the point at which the lamp is half as bright as it was when it was new. Longer lamp life means lower maintenance costs as you shouldn’t need to replace the projector lamp as frequently.

If you are looking for a TV projector to use quite often and rack up the TV viewing hours, or even replace your current television, lamp replacement costs should be factored into your purchase as you will have a higher level of usage than say an occasional film watcher. Replacement lamps cost approximately £100 to £250 depending on the manufacturer and remember that regular cleaning of any filters can help to improve the life of a lamp, as will proper operation by powering the projector down rather than just switching off at the power source.

If you purchase a spare lamp with your projector, then our expert’s advice that you run it in your projector for a few hours first and then store it somewhere cool and dark where it won’t get knocked or dropped. Lamp warranties begin from the day of purchase, not from the day of use. If a lamp is faulty, it will generally fail within the first four to 10 hours of operation so test it out straight away.

However, if you’d rather avoid the cost and maintenance involved in lamp replacement completely, laser projectors are an increasingly popular alternative championed for their cost efficiency and high quality images.

We have an Advice guide on projector lamps to help answer any other questions you might have.

By the time you’ve put in the time, effort and money of buying a decent projector, it can be ask if it’s really worth going through all the research and making the extra spend to buy a projector screen as well. After all – a screen is a flat, white background – how different can it be from simply shining your projector onto the bare wall?

We take a very different view. Depending on who you talk to in the (admittedly rather small) world of projector experts, projecting straight onto the wall can be anything from ‘probably unadvisable’ to ‘a cardinal projection sin’. We lean more towards the latter – and here’s why.

Texture

The problem with your blank wall is it isn’t as flat as it looks. Run your hands along it if you’re in any doubt – it’s almost certainly filled with bumps, crevices and imperfections.

Screen Vs Wall: The True Value Of Projector ScreensEach one of those bumps will cause a tiny shadow on the surface of your picture, which when multiplied across the whole wall can significantly reduce how bright and crisp the final image is.

On a low quality image, this isn’t enough to make a major difference, but high resolution projectors are more accessible than ever so if you’ve invested in a decent projector – and particularly in a 4K projector – then those tiny little bumps in the wall are going to reduce the return you’re getting on your investment.

Specialised projector screens are tensioned in order to create the smoothest possible surface. This means less visual noise on the surface, which in turn means a sharper focus giving you the opportunity to unlock your projector’s full potential.

Light & Colour

Even if you somehow managed to magically make your wall as flat as a projector screen, it still wouldn’t be all that good at directing and focusing the light from your projector back into your eyes. Put simply, the paint on your wall (however dazzlingly white it may be) is just not designed to respond to and reflect bright, focused light from projectors which has a massive impact on the image consistency and colour.

For obvious reasons, a white wall is not designed to cancel-out abstract and natural light – whereas a projector screen is specifically designed to achieve this thanks to its special coating. Using a projector screen is the only reliable way to ensure that the image is as defined as it can possibly be, with minimum outside interference from natural light.

Frame

This one is perhaps more to do with the viewer than the actual projector. Having a dedicated frame around your high quality picture increases the focus. It’s simple – if you put a frame around something, our brains are designed to hone in on it.

Screen Vs Wall: The True Value Of Projector ScreensIt gives us a fixed reference point, properly configured to the specifications of the projector. The border helps to focus our eye and contain the image, drawing attention away from any stray reflections and abstract light in the background.

We could talk about the technical specifications of a projector screen from a microscopic level all day, but there’s a clear bottom line here. If you’ve made an investment in a high quality projector, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the resolution, clarity and brightness that you’ve paid for and a projector screen will deliver this.

This doesn’t just apply to those who can afford the best technology and the latest 4K resolution (although seriously, don’t even think about buying a 4K projector without a 4K projector screen).

Even if you’re working on a budget, maximising the potential of a cost-effective projector can result in a better image than stretching your budget to a higher spec projector and then skimping on the projector screen.

Convinced? Take a look through our range of specially selected projector screens here or have a read of our guide to choosing a projector screen here.

Whether you’re a mobile DJ looking for a projector to add some visuals to your set or an event organiser managing wedding venues and other gatherings, choosing the right projector is a tricky task.

For most people, it’s the variety of different working environments you could be operating from that proves to be the biggest challenge. The key is to find a projector that can cope with them all.

The Projectorpoint experts have the experience and knowledge to help you select the perfect projector, taking into account your individual requirements and need for versatility. Read on for a handy guide on the factors you need to consider when buying a projector.


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Choosing the right projector

Brightness

Advice-Guide-Laser-Brightness-468

Brightness is always a top consideration when making a projector purchase, but variation in installation settings within the events industry makes this particular factor crucial here.

Here’s a quick list of brightness tips to get you thinking:

In general, brightness means looking at the number of lumens a projector offers. The higher the lumens, the higher the brightness. But blacks and colours are important too if the unit will be used after dark. Look out for colour brightness in some specifications, this tells you how bright a projector is through the colour range, not just pure white light.
Ambient light is the main factor you need to consider when choosing the number of lumens in your projector: the greater the light pollution the higher the brightness should be.
Also, consider how big the projected image will be and therefore how far away the projector is from the screen. The bigger the image, the more brightness output you’ll need.

For office or home cinema use, a projector can be purchased based on the specific light levels in the room it’s to be installed in. But as an events professional, you don’t always know where you’ll be working from each day.

High levels of natural light, fading evening light, erratic weather conditions and even electric lighting levels that for one reason or another can’t always be controlled … You’ll face some dramatic changes in the environment from event to event, even from hour to hour. Your projector needs to be able to deal with these.

A good rule of thumb is to purchase a projector that will be able to cope with the highest levels of ambient light you think you might encounter. For example, if you’re a mobile DJ specifying for a wedding and running a set from early afternoon through to the evening, then buy a projector that will stand up to the afternoon sun streaming through the windows.

For a 2.5 metre wide image, that could mean a 6,000-lumen projector rather than a 2,000-lumen device if you want to be guaranteed a good show. If you’re working with smaller screen space, you’ll be able to get away with fewer lumens.

Resolution

Product-Image-Resolution

Resolution is your second big consideration for one simple reason: high resolution means better quality, crisper images. Take a look at our basic resolution tips to get a better understanding of your resolution requirements:

There are many terms used to refer to different types of resolution, but most modern events professionals will be looking at 1080p (1920 x 1080) and 4K (4,096 x 2160) to guarantee impressive images.
In general, the higher the projector resolution the higher the price, but greater competition across the projector market means a high resolution is now an option even on a budget.
Resolution is affected by what you’re projecting from as well so take into account the source device and content. A 4K projector displaying Full HD content will work to scale up the image. Whereas a 4K source – like a UHD Blu-ray player or some computers – will deliver native 4K content, guaranteeing a top-quality image as it was intended to be viewed.

It’s easier to know the type of content you’re likely to be projecting than it is to know the ambient light levels of your potential venues. But just as you should with brightness, it’s advisable to choose your projector based on the most detailed content you need to display and the highest quality source content you’ll be working with.

Presenting video as part of an outdoor cinema screening or background to a DJ set? Make sure your projector is least Full HD to showcase the video in its best light and really grab the audience’s attention.

Space

Ultra-Short-Throw-Projector

Space is a consideration for all projector buyers, but perhaps none more so than events professionals. Here are three key factors influencing your projector purchase:

Consider the size of your screen – if you’re aiming for a large image you will need a few metres of space between device and screen.
Alternatively, short throw and ultra-short throw devices could be the answer to projecting in a confined space.
Don’t overlook installation – make sure you select a projector that offers flexible installation if you’re not sure what type of venue you’ll be using.

In general, each projector manufacturer (and every projector page on our website) will provide detailed information on how far their device should be placed from a screen in order to achieve a particular screen size and the best quality visuals. But how much space you need can be hard to pin down if you’re unsure what size or even style of venue you’ll be working in.

If you find that you’re generally working in smaller venues or you’re likely to be confined by chairs and other events equipment, it might be worth considering a short throw or ultra-short throw projector.

These devices are specifically designed to allow flexibility of installation in even the tightest of spaces. In fact, some of our ultra-short throw models can project a 50-inch image from just 15 inches away, making them an ideal option for anyone in a tight spot.

Projector Screens

Fast-Fold-Screen

With your projector chosen, don’t forget the accessories you need to get the most out of your investment.

The projector you choose will have a huge impact on the quality of your visuals, but you might be surprised what a difference a projector screen can make too. Using a professional screen can boost clarity and increase colour contrast, making brightness even more brilliant.

A long-term investment is key here. Skimping on a projector screen means losing detail and clarity in your images by making do with whatever wall or blank space is available on the day.

If you’re not sure about buying a screen yourself, then give your regular venues a call and see if they’ll consider hiring a screen, installing one or at least setting aside space.

Connectivity

Connectivity

In larger venues, this may be as simple as plugging into a ready-installed system. However, if you’re a mobile DJ or event organiser running a pop-up event, things might not be so simple.

Wireless projectors are ideal for this type of situation, allowing you to minimise set up time. Wireless projectors also mean the projector can be operated from afar, again increasing flexibility when you’re working in an unknown venue.

Wireless projectors projection used to be in-built and expensive, but now you can achieve a wireless projection solution by bolting on accessories to a projector that meets your needs. This means you’re unlimited in the range of resolutions, brightness levels and even throw distance, so you can still select the right projector for your events without sacrificing easy, wireless installation. Read our wireless projection guide for more in-depth information.

More and more projectors are entering the market using lamp-free light sources. These types of projectors are known as solid-state light sources, SSL, or just Laser Projectors. SSL or laser projectors are light-producing systems made up of either LED devices or Laser.

So what does this mean? Well, laser projectors are projectors with light-producing systems made up of either LED devices or laser diodes. Changing the light source brings with it many benefits. The light produced with SSL systems inherently has a longer and steadier brightness that decreases at a much slower pace over time than that of lamp-based systems. As such, this technology offers high image quality and providing an operating life span that far exceeds traditional lamp projectors.

It’s an increasingly popular choice of technology for manufacturers and consumers alike and well worth understanding if you’re in the market for a new projector.

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LED Light Source

Advert-Ssd-Led

LED was the first solid-state projector type to be commercialised around eight years ago but it is limited in light output and mainly used in specialty markets. Specifically, LED systems use only red, green and blue LEDs, which reduces the quality of the resulting images. Benefits associated with LED light sources include the small projector chassis and up to 20,000 hour life span. However, LED projectors have limited brightness capability, limited colour reproduction of yellows and a limited maximum screen size.

Laser Phosphor Light Source (DLP Display)

Advert-Ssd-Laser-Phospor

Laser phosphor illumination uses a blue laser diode as the light source instead of a high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp. To generate the three primary colours, the laser diode shines laser light onto a phosphor wheel to create yellow light, while blue laser light passes through an opening in the phosphor wheel. The projector then sends the yellow light through a colour wheel to generate red and green, while the blue laser light passes through a diffusion window. These red, green and blue colours are then directed onto an imaging surface, such as a DLP chip, which directs the light through a lens and onto the projection screen.

The main advantage of a laser phosphor projector is the long life of the illumination system – it will be in use for a long time before it the projector drops down to 50% brightness.

As a lampless system, laser phosphor also eliminates the need for lamp and filter replacements, reducing the downtime, maintenance and costs associated with lamp-based projectors. The long life and low maintenance of laser phosphor projectors also make this technology ideal for high-use settings like boardrooms, classrooms and location-based entertainment.

Certain manufacturers claim laser phosphor projectors provide “maintenance free” operation. Although it is true that laser phosphor illumination systems are solid-state and so do not require any maintenance throughout their lifecycle, this only applies to the light engine. Laser-based projectors should still be subject to regular maintenance such as cleaning fans and lenses to maximise efficiency and performance.

In return for a little care and attention, your DLP display laser light source projector will deliver high brightness, true colours, large screen sizes and life span of up to 20,000 hours.

Laser Phosphor Light Source (3LCD Display)

Advert-Ssd-Laser-Phospor_1

In a laser phosphor light source projector, the projector’s light engine uses a blue laser as its light source, which excites a phosphorous material and, in turn, creates white light. The white light is then delivered to a 3LCD optical system, generating constant, vibrant RGB colour through a light splitting process.

Again, this results in high brightness levels, true colours, large screen sizes, and an excellent life span of up to 20,000 hours.

RGB Laser Light Source

Advert-Ssd-Laser-Rgb

Pure laser, also known as 3-Primary (3P) or RGB laser, generates light directly from three individual red, green and blue lasers. The primary benefit of a RGB laser system is light output while also achieving higher performance in other standard image quality parameters such as color gamut (This makes it possible to realise a color space that reaches the amazing level of colour reproduction in the BT2020 standard), contrast ratio and dynamic range when compared to standard lamp-based systems. As such, RGB laser is ideal for large-scale applications and giant screen cinema

Projector Point can help you select the right projector or display for your place of worship. Just give us a call to find out just how easy it is to select the right projector or display along with projector screens, projector mounts and cables to make your installation professional and cost-effective.

When choosing a projector for your place of worship you will want to take the following points into consideration.

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Screen Size

Screen-Size

This is probably the most important place to start, knowing the layout and viewing distance is important so you can ensure that your congregation are able to see the display properly. Please call us with the dimensions of your church layout, and we’ll check the screen size most appropriate for you.

Brightness

Church-Brightness

Brightness is an important consideration in selecting the right projector for your place of worship. Some places of worship tend to be very bright environments, without the ability to control or dim the light entering the room. It is therefore recommended that you choose a bright projector that will be able to cope with this. Alternatively if mounting a projector and a screen is difficult then a large format display may be more suited to your environment.

Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens. Projectors suitable for places of worship are typically rated from 4000 lumens to 15000 lumens.

If you have very low ambient light and can control the light entering the church, you can save money buying a projector with a lower ANSI lumens rating. As a guide, 5000 lumens is generally the most popular brightness as a starting point for churches.

If you can’t control the ambient lighting in the church and can’t do anything about it, you could opt for high brightness, high contrast projector. In really bright conditions, though, we would recommend you opt for a projector over 10,000 lumens.

Contrast Ratio

Church-Contrast

Contrast isn’t a major factor when deciding what projector you need for your church. It is measured as a ‘contrast ratio’, e.g. 400:1. This tells you the difference in brightness between a ‘fully on’ pixel and a ‘fully off’ pixel. For instance, on a projector with a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and (for simplicity’s sake) a 1000 lumen brightness rating, ‘fully off’ pixels would actually be 1 lumen in brightness.

(Incidentally, you may be wondering why a ‘fully off’ pixel has any brightness at all. Unfortunately, there is some ‘leaking’ of light with all projectors which means black is not actually pitch black, which is why we keep putting quotation marks around ‘fully off’!).

So that’s the technical explanation over. What does contrast actually mean to you?

Essentially, the higher contrast on a projector increases the perception of depth in the image and means subtle colour variations show up more clearly. Hence subtle textures are more visible. It also means that dark scenes don’t look washed out.

Looking for a projector with a high contrast ratio wouldn’t be too important if you are running song sheets through a computer, although it could be a deciding factor if you are looking to run ‘film nights’ from time to time.

Keystone correction and lens shift

Keystone

Nearly all of the projectors at Projector Point have a vertical keystone facility. (‘Keystoning’ is the name given to the effect on the projected image when the projector sits below or above the centre of the screen. Keystone correction counteracts this effect by digitally compressing the image at the bottom or top, resulting in a more rectangular image.). Some projectors feature vertical and horizontal keystone (known as 2D) some even have the ability to just adjust one or more of the corners to the image (known as 3D or cornerfit). Look out for these types of keystone correction in the spec.

With digital keystone correction, there is always a reduction in the quality of the image, where possible we would always avoid using keystone correction or keeping it to an absolute minimum. To completely avoid any reduction in the quality you are better off looking for a projector with a lens shift feature. Lens shift allows you to move the optics of the projector so the image moves up or down. As it’s an optical adjustment rather than a digital adjustment there is no loss in quality unless you use the lens shift correction at its extremities.

Mounting Options

Wall-Mount

There are many options available to you and your place of worship. Places of worship tend to have very high ceilings so there are several ways to complete your installation. Our ceiling mounts can be made to order, catering for most drops. If it’s not convenient to ceiling mount the projector there are a range of wall mounts available or special mounts that can connect to girders or rigging.

If you are unable to mount the projector in front of the screen, another option would be rear projection. Our sales staff have extensive knowledge in getting the right solution for you.

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