All of my projector recommendation videos have been updated for 2023-2024: Best Sub $100 Budget Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/ooFvyudbxNE/v-deo.html Best $100-$600 Midrange Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/8mVX_29gXHE/v-deo.html Best Portable Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/jmmGQOSAReI/v-deo.html Best Modern Laser Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/3KmKv-TTIQQ/v-deo.html Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/Ef0tNjGDoOU/v-deo.html Best Premium Home Theater Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/TjgXfRMtmSU/v-deo.html Best Gaming Projector: ua-cam.com/video/biXPgm-pxiU/v-deo.html Best Golf Sim Projector: ua-cam.com/video/c42W02UF_nI/v-deo.html Best UST Projector Screens: ua-cam.com/video/2b8PXZtL1q8/v-deo.html
my budget is 600 eur in max, I'll use it for home theatre, max 35db, with FullHD, if lamb life would be higher that would also be great, and a short throw is what I am looking for because the room is not so big. thank you! @@TheHookUp
12 minutes of detailed knowledge. I'm a projector guy for over 30 years and your video does kick the fundamentals of how to buy a projector. Simple and straighforward.
Hi, sorry man I think I'm looking for an advice from someone like you, I'm deciding on buying a acer nec m271x from a friend but I'm looking for a projector to watch movies on with at least an aspect ratio of 16:9 but wit a little research I been doing so far I found out that this acer is 4:3 aspect ratio, so I need to know if this is a good projector for what I need need it for or should I look for something else, thanks man I look forward to your advice and response
One of the few videos on youtube that is not intentionally verbose to show more ads and is not full of bullshit. Amazing content! Subscribed in a heartbeat.
Excellent video mate. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we really appreciate your efforts and more importantly, your integrity. You're one of the few creators I consider to be in my list of uncorrupted reviewers. Along side Project Farm and Teaching Tech. Also there is something about the density of information in your videos that I really appreciate. So many videos these days need to be played at 2x speed or even skipped through just to get to the point. But with yours it's the opposite, it feels like a university lecture where I should be taking notes and even going back and watching sections again to really take it in. I know that sounds like a negative but that's a big positive I think, you aren't wasting anyone's time by dragging things out or milking as many videos out of a subject as possible. Also also, haha, one other thing I really appreciate that you have in common with Project Farm, is that you really do cover everything from a absolute budget entry level up to the high end level. I believe that a review of a high end expensive product isn't complete without seeing what that extra expense gets you compared to a quality cheaper option. Thank you
I agree 100%, l'm also a subscriber to Project Fam for the same reasons. Quality dudes making these videos. Talent on knowing our time is limited and what info we tuned in to hear and ge and want and cut out the self indulgent filler of most of these UA-camrs.
As a first time projector buyer, this video made so much clarity on what to look for in projector. This video is 5-10 hrs worth of research in 10-12 mins.
One of the best educational projection system evaluation videos on youtube. He explains some of the technical parameters in a way that the non-engineer viewers can understand and select components so they will not be disappointed with their purchase. WELL DONE!
As a complete novice, you've told me I have a lot to learn even without saying just those words. Thank you for providing a ton of info in rapid fashion.
This is honestly my first comment EVER on youtube, but I genuinely wanted to make a comment because this video has been SO helpful in explaining the "do's and dont's" of buying a projector. Thank you so so much for this.
Great video. I have to purchase a projector for movies on a remote island and I didn't have a clue on what I was looking for. I'm now more knowledgeable thanks to you.
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I have a double-doctorate and STILL couldn’t figure out which one would be the best for my needs! 🤣 Using your affiliate link, I purchased your recommendation for the best projector for under $200. As a business consultant, often times my clients have a terrific room, with all the technology needed for me to conduct my workshops and seminars, but once in a while, it’s been an issue, so I feel great, knowing that I can offer to bring my own equipment when the client needs it. Thanks to you putting this video together, I NOW feel like I’m an “official” (and fancy, I might add) traveling roadshow! 🙌🏻😎Lol.
One of the best reviews for people that are new to the Projector world. This is a must view before purchasing a Projector. I built an acoustically silent dedicated Theater room with a Projector (Panasonic AE-4000U) . After 15 years of upgrading and educating myself I learned a lot watching this video. The time is now for a new 4K UST projector so this video really helps. Hisense seems to be the leader right now.
I just finished building my theatre room. Not as big of a room as I wished it would have been but it is what it is. Just ordered the Hisense L9H 100" and cannot wait to get this going!
I knew very little about this sort of thing, beyond the normal, they put a picture on a wall and some are better than others, however I now feel as if I can say that was a very compact, concise and information dense presentation, very good and very informative.
Sitting here grinning as I have the x3000i on order, have a 110" white 1.1 gain screen waiting, calculated all the throw distances and vertical offsets as much as I could, and it seems that I didn't make even 1 mistake from the above ones! Great video, and I wish it was out a month ago when I've dove in deep into all these topics to save me some time.
Lately I’ve been gathering info for a couple upcoming purchase decisions: a replacement for my aging 720p bulb projector, and a budget security cam for my parking space (damn catalytic converter thieves!). Gotta agree with others giving props to The Hook Up channel- it’s giving me the exact type of comparison/shootout reviews I find valuable, coupled with excellent context / “big picture” nuanced background knowledge. This channel’s reviews of specific product categories are so good it makes me realize the vast majority of online “review” videos are worthless wastes of time… they’re essentially just unboxing videos posing as a “review.” I want to see direct head-to-head, side-by-side comparisons in multiple test environments… and for what I’m shopping for right now, The HookUp is the gold standard of pre-purchase “research” Keep up the great work you’ve doing with this channel.
One other thing that can make a big difference (and is a bit more technical) is the type of chip and number used. A “single chip” DLP projector (common for most cheaper projectors) compared to a 3 chip projector (LCD or DLP) of “identical brightness” (ANSI lumens) will appear significantly dimmer when projecting images using color. Single chip DLP projectors use a single RGB color wheel to produce color. That wheel is divided into 3 segments (one for each color) and spins quickly as the light passes through it. But because each color is only visible 33% of the time, individual colors may be as little as 33% of the reported brightness. In other words, a DLP projector that claims to be 3000 ANSI lumens will only appear that bright when projecting white (as mentioned in the video the measurements are taken using a pure white image). Whereas a pure red, green, or blue image may only measure 1000 lumens. Obviously mixed colors (which would be common) will register varying degrees higher. For that reason, I almost never recommend a single chip DLP projector unless price is absolutely the most important factor.
The dlp color wheel is actually 6 colors, not 3, as you stated. Newer dlp based projectors use 3 colored lasers ( red , blue and green ) to eliminate the RBE that the color wheel produces. Your 33% claim of each color being displayed is also incorrect ( partially as there are 6 segments to the color wheel ) in this design as the frame rate of the dlp chip is effectively 240hz to complete the pixel shift equation. I have been repairing this tech for over 20 years and certified by Mitsubishi, the leader in dlp projector tv tech.
@@kriswingert1662 6 colors, or 6 segments? I will admit that I did mistakenly write 3 instead of 6 regarding segments. Good point there. However, there are not 6 colors being used, instead the wheel is divided into 6 segments and each of the 3 colors is repeated on the wheel. This does not result in more than 33% of the wheel being used by each color. It's just 2 segments per color, each utilizing approximately 16.5% of the wheel. Additionally, your point about "newer dlp projectors use..." is slightly misleading. It's not as if "all DLP projectors manufactured after 2020 (for example) no longer suffer from these issues." Undoubtedly there are new technologies being introduced, and of course even older technologies such as traditional 3-chip DLP projectors, which can overcome these issues. However my comment was already about a specific type of projector technology (single chip DLP projectors) versus better technologies (3 chip LCD and DLP projectors). The fact remains that single chip DLP projectors do not reproduce bright, saturated color in images as well as projectors utilizing better or newer technologies.
Great video as always. One other thing that I would add to ignore while selecting projector is anything related to built-in sound. If you are springing for a projector, you should be able to buy dedicated speakers as well. One of the most common mistakes while creating full home theater is not allocating correct amount of money for audio. Audio setup in general should cost as much, if not more than a good projector for home theater. But even if the goal is not a home theater, but just a random projector, built-in sound should never be consider as an option.
I agree that for a home theater set-up, the best way to go is with a surround sound receiver or at least a sound bar, in which case the projector is just a monitor, no need for built-in speakers that typically only have 5 watts anyway.
Not quite. Sitting at my desk and watching the image only by myself in a very quiet room, the 2 x 5 Watt or 2 x 7 Watt built-in speakers of a PJ are perfectly fine. Also, you cannot run balanced (symmetrical) audio cables out of any projector, so unbalanced it is, which is really bad.
This is why I love UA-cam nowadays. A perfect video for a random guy struggling in projector land. Though I had to watch it at 0.75 speed and with intermittent pausing for my brain to keep up! thanks a lot
Yeah I finally got my projector for my golf simulator but it took around 2 full weeks or more to come around to the information you have about projectors in this video. Some of the waste of time came from going to Best Buy to see what they had. All I had to do was look at the image they had on display with ambient light that made me say I won't get anything below 3600 ANSI lumens. I decided on an Optoma GT2100HDR that was selling for $1800 street price and when Black Friday came along they dropped it to $1399. Incredible savings? I just hope it lasts +5 years. Thanks for putting this up wish I saw your video 3 months ago when I first started looking it would have saved me some time (headaches).
Wow. What a great detailed video on what to look for when buying a projector. Your videos always have so much information in them. I always look forward to your next videos. Take care.
Thank you very much. I have an Kodak 230 = 150 ansi lumen. Great at night and very portable. But I’m looking for another more strong at day. This video makes me change my mind in many aspects. Congrats.
I used to knock cheap projectors until I bought one on Amazon for just under $300 and I’m completely satisfied with it. I project onto a double layer white screen with a black blackout cloth behind it. It’s reminiscent of an OLED TV now lol
This is one of the most informative videos discussing projectors. You get right to the facts of the matter, explain it all in detail and most importantly, don't waste any time. Thank you.
great video for those using projectors for movies or TV.. but another thing to think about is how your prpjector throws its image.. meaning what is the height of it in relation to your screen.. some throw it straight out meaning that the lese will be in the center of the image so iof you are mounting on a ceiling it may have to hang too low .. or on a table at a friends house it may have to sit way too high.. the other thing is always buy a projector that has the proper up / down throw. and dont use the built-in keystone adjustments if you dont have to... these typically degrade the image quality and if your projector natively displays a trapezoid (so you can set it low on the table).. you will never get a good focus across the whole screen... the lense is desinged for the unit to be set up where the projector displays a perfect rectangle with no adjustments turned on.. this will get you the best focus.. using mechanical adjustments like lense shift (BenQ LK936).. or the manual Zoom ring wont affect image quality other than too large an image may be too dim.. so feel safe in using those and stil lgetting good focus.. Focus is most importabt for those using projectors as computer monitors and for gaming.. also you can shine a projector on a wall.. esp if you are grabbing it to watch a sports game in lifesize or just general TV watching.. unless you are a cinephile or very picky about TV images being perfect a painted wall (light gray satin if you have some ambient light) works just fine.. is it as good as a screen? probably not but it does work and really not bad..
I see a lot of inaccurate videos regarding A/V and projectors these days. It's refreshing to watch one based in reality with some actually very good tips. Well done, sir.
Good honest solid reviews those. It’s made me realise I can’t afford a projector that’s bright enough to use outside during the day to watch the upcoming Euro’s games. That’s just saved me wasting £500 👍🏻
The point about how you need to focus on brightness before 1080p vs 4k is so important. You would think it would be easier to tell the difference on a huge screen. But it is actually quite common to set up a home projector in a medium or large room where the distance to the screen means your eye is physically incapable of telling the difference. Figure out your screen size and how far away you are going to sit, then go look at the charts on the internet that show how close you have to sit to get any benefit from 4k. You'll likely be stunned when you see how big a screen you need to have if you are sitting even 15 feet away to get any benefit from 4k. The only reason you can easily tell the difference on a phone or a laptop is because you put the screen so close to your face.
Really great summary - I would just stress one more thing about brightness: More brightness from the projector means more light bouncing around the room and if you have white walls and ceiling, you will have nothing even approaching real black even at night with the room lighting turned off. It will look ok in dark secens, but any brighter scene will light up your whole room and instead of staying immersed in the movie you will see the room as if someone just turned on the ceiling lamp. That's why it's better to choose a lower-brightness projector or a grey screen for such rooms - even if it seems to you that the image is not particalurly bright, after a minute your eyes adjust and you will enjoy the depth and immersion. With ambient lighting, you're not going to achieve a cinema experience without closing the curtains anyway and the picture will always be inferior to a TV. Just get a cheaper TV for casual day-watching and a low-brightness projector with white screen or a higher-brightness projector with a grey screen for the evening big-screen watching when you can turn off the lights and really enjoy it. That's what projectors are for and they're not good at pulling double duty.
Placement is a big deal, except perhaps for ultra short throw. Getting lens shift (or keystone correction) both horizontal and vertical may add a bit to the price of a projector, but it's way cheaper than remodelling a room. In my den, a door in the back wall means I can't mount on centerline of screen; a ceiling fan means I can't mount on ceiling; and though I have a short throw I prefer not to have cords running to the coffee table; but from the height of a bookshelf, on the back wall beside the door, I have a well aligned image thanks to lens shift.
Great overall video. I don't think any major manufacturer openly discloses On/Off contrast specs, especially those with a dynamic iris. Another good thing to keep in mind is that bulb projectors lose brightness over the lifespan of the lamp, whereas laser models maintain most of their brightness through their expected lifespan.
Very true on the loss of brightness throughout the lifespan of the bulb. After 15 years of being a classroom teacher I can tell you that new bulb day was like a blind man getting glasses.
one tip for people, if you have a screen that can be projected on either side so that you can project from front or back, if you are projecting from front, put a black sheet that isnt heavy on the backside of the screen and it will help out. i bought a screen that can be projected from either side and when i added a black sheet behind it, it made it way better and i can actually turn lights on and still see the picture.
Excellent projector crash course. By far the best video to watch before making a purchase decision on a new projector. I have just greatly levelled up my product knowledge in an easy to follow 12 minutes. Thank you
9:00- not only the visual satisfactions are the variables to consider, eye hygiene is important for the long term especially for seniors. Bright screens can cause eye muscle fatigue so a bit darkened pictures are better.
I already decided on the Zoaybu projector thanks to your other videos but can’t stop watching haha. You’re an excellent teacher! Such good learning. Thank you!
Thanks for the crash course! Really awesome video. Saved for reference for when i decide to replace my projector. This also an example of presenation skills to the max (like your other videos)!
Fantastic job explaining projectors. Can't thank you enough. I knew a little but your clear and concise explanation certainly clarified and filled many of my knowledge voids. I just placed the order for the Wemax Vougue Pro Native for work. Lets hope it does the job. Congrats on every good video.
I recently BOUGHT A HOME AND IT CAME WITH A FULL THEATER. Leather chairs and the works. Attached to it is what looks to be a dated Mitsubishi HC5000. It looks like an piece of tech for sure. I’d like to upgrade to something energy efficient, better image quality and cost to match. Please recommend
I've been considering going the projector route when my 4k Samsung 50" gives up the ghost but the more videos I watch the more confused I become. What with the costs involved and if I manage to convince my family to go with it my head is for the chop if watching TV during the day means having the curtains permanently closed in order to match the picture quality of our current telly. Think I'll give it another five years in the hope the projector technology catches up with the television.
Very informative video! I'm currently looking to buy a projector and connect it to my gaming PC. So I got to ask you: Does every projector with Wi-Fi can connect to a PC?
i just purchased the capsule 3 because of course before I saw this video, i fell in love with the laser brightness and functionality. but my main reasoning for it was to start a small biz and do backyard movie parties. now learning about ansi vs led lumens im wondering if im too low at 300. but my main purpose is to use it at night in the dark with minimal light. I tested it in my house yesterday when it came in and we had lights on and it showed fine. so as much as I learned, i still fee somewhat confused. but your video was the best ive seen explaining so much
Excellent presentation, although not all of your audience will be able to digest English narration delivered at 250 to 300 words per minute. At 6:03, regarding the throw ratio of short throw projectors: I was under the impression that short thow PJs are those with lenses capable of 0.5:1 to 1.0:1 TR. And not only to 0.7:1 TR. Also, standard throw PJs usually go from 1.0:1 or 1.1:1 to 2.2:1. However, most of the Epsons HT PJs that have a truly ridiculous 2.84:1 throw ratio in tele setting on the zoom, making them wholly indadequate for home theater use.
Man this guy makes some of the most detailed videos I've ever seen on any subject! I really appreciate the hard work and effort that is put into these videos!
I think the biggest pitfall is audio issues even with newer projector units. There are new $2000+ projectors that don't have HDMI ARC port or even an optical port, so people can't plug in modern surround soundbars. For instance, I love Epson projectors, but there audio ports suck and even there flagship projectors only have mini jack 3.5 port. Meaning you won't get true 7.1 Dolby surround sound quality. Actually I've noticed MOST projectors only have a crappy 3.5 audio jack.
An awesome video. I am impressed by the fluidity with which you presented the facts. I have been an AV guy for past 25 years and can vouch for your statements. I would only like to add that a projector is good only if you go with the right sound system, else one is better off with the TV.
This is the first review video I have ever enjoyed! Seriously! B/c u got to the point with everything that matters and didn’t blab AT ALL! This should be an instructional video to the rest of the pathetic YTer world. From the bottom of my heart thank you. I wish I saw this video months earlier and I’m shocked it isn’t the first video that pops up once you type the word PROJECTOR.
Your video is an awesomely intuitive source of information, I like how you laid it out, and noticed the things you described about different projectors. There's one thing that bugs me though, is the advice to use grey screens with less gain to reject ambient light. It doesn't make sense at all that they would enhance contrast or dynamic range because you're just making everything dimmer by the same amount. The contrast ratio of the image would be exactly the same as a bright white wall or a gain of 1.0 ... But... if that screen has special optical properties such as an ALR surface you mentioned, that's the feature which will achieve that. I'd still avoid a plain grey color as part of that function. I've seen online, special surfaces/paints which are engineered to reflect only the narrow RGB color bands projected, so that they look darker in ambient light but still reflect most of the projected image. I'd be interested in seeing coverage on that 👍. As for keeping ambient light off screen while keeping usable light in the room, especially a home theatre, I've used tricks such as using track lighting, or wall sconces behind the sides of the screen, using down-lights aimed just at the coffee table/seating keeping most of the room a dark color, such as furniture, carpet, ceiling and floor. Avoid lighting the walls or keep them dark too. So you can have usable light with minimal reaching the screen. Thanks again for an insightful video!
Good observationsa. Also: 1. Whatever you do, do not purchase and use a UST PJ. 2. By adhering to point 1. above, you do not need to worry about ALR screen surfaces. 3. Do not purchase and use any projection screen that id made out of oil-based vinyl. Bad idea, and the stench is really awful in a windowless space. 4. Do not use gray projection surafces, use totally black ones instead. And 5. When projecting, turn off the room lights and darken up the room as much as possible.
have been using a bulb projector for 10 years for my living room and playstation setup. yea the common problem is that when you finally reach the end of the bulb lifespan its more common sense to just get a newer projector with more pixels than just buying an expensive new bulb.
For me, I wanted a projector with 3d. So, I went with the AWOL LTV-2500 UST laser projector. Don't have a screen yet, so projecting on the wall. Still, it looks great as does the 3d.
i bought a rca combination dvd player projector from amazon it boasted wonderful built in surround sound speakers that boom !!! actually it was a bust !! i plugged it into my pioneer reciever and the sound is pretty good, the bightness is fair when i have no lights on at all but im a senior and im just terrified of falling in the darkness i paid under a $100.00 for it because thats all i could afford... now on fb marketplace there are tons of just projectors floating around all different brands.. but i have a friend who had a GO video projector and the lamp was shot and my friend went to radio shack and bought a new lamp and was standing right next to him and the sales person said that will be $250.00!! i almost fainted !! so i would be a little unsure to buy a used projector maybe because all the lamps were about to expire , as i mentioned before im a senior and i dont have that kind of cash to throw around..ive asked severasl of the sellers what is left time of their lamps and no one knows.. i just dont want to get screwed , i love your post, thankyou..
This video was amazing! Any recommendations in the $300-350 range (non portable)? It seems like there is a jump in price from around $200 then jumps up to $500, so maybe not worth the money unless you jump in price?
I partially agree about your 4K vs 1080P, however typically 4K content comes with HDR and HDR+ metadata in the video stream which is the big win for 4K and why getting a good 4K projector that is able to benefit from that content is a winner. I have had a BenQ HT3550 (aka W2700) for nearly 3 years now, and it does a fantastic job with 4K content. Lord of the Rings 4K and Dune 4K release looks absolutely amazing on my 120 Inch custom screen. It also does 3D in 1080P (no HDR) really well ... just wish studios would release more 3D BluRays for movies they have shown in cinema's in 3D, but thats a conversation for another day :)
I agree, although HDR is another one of those things that can be ignored for cheaper projectors. If your projector is under ~1500 ANSI lumens there's no way to achieve the peak brightness contrast needed for true HDR.
@@TheHookUp I agree with this. This this why you would used a device like Chromecast with Google TV as it could fully disable HDR. It's not a software conversion from HDR to SDR like some devices out there. The only downside though is that Disney+ will only give you 4K with HDR enabled. Everything else will be able to play in 4K SDR which will help projectors with lower lumens.
How much does it cost a projector like yours. I want to hook upmy phone to a projector. I don't know anything about projector. I want something simple and a good projector. Thanks.
Great video. Thanks. Just bought a cheap projector but I'm thinking it will suffice based on the things you just mentioned. Will really just connect it to my laptop.
@@TheHookUp yes they are made for a different purpose (I am not suggesting to correct and upload again!) but the image shown is a CLR + UST, many people don’t know the difference and the right screen for their projector. I hope giving a little explanation here about the difference will be enough for those who are interested.
Hey ! Thank you for the video ! I always had this project in mind but I never know if a projector is that much better compare to a TV in the same price range
Depends on the size of the screen you want. You'll never get a 65" projected image to compete with a 65" TV, but for 100+" screen TVs are still not really attainable.
I use optoma cinemax ultra short throw in two standard quality white screen. And really try avoiding ambient light as it really doesn't matter if you got the best projector and alr screen to combat external light. Projectors are designed for dark rooms and people need to stop fighting that hence why you still have theaters in all dark rooms.
Lots of great info here! I recently became the owner of about 60 3D movies! I've never had a 3d tv, but I do have the 3d bluray player. Wondering about a budget ultra short throw 3d-ready unit and screen options. Would love to see comments about any home 3d viewing experiences, there doesn't seem to be a lot of talk about the format anymore.....is it worth taking a look??
QUESTION: Do you or anyone else know of any projectors for artists that can project an image that can go as small as a foot or less? I’m looking for one to allow me to trace a picture on a small canvas. All the ones I see are 40” or larger it seems. Can never find specs on how small it can project? If a person just moved the projector really close is the problem the inability to focus? I don’t care if it’s practically sitting on top of the canvas. Also money isn’t really an object as long as it works. Thank You for supplying a lot of great info in this video; it certainly helps explain what many of the terms mean and why it’s important. Now I just need to find one that can cast much smaller images.
Most of the portable DLP projectors can focus an extremely small image. If I'm remembering correctly I think the XGIMI MoGo pro can go down to 9": amzn.to/3SuKpZE The cheaper single LCD projectors typically cannot focus a screen under 40".
I love your videos. I wonder if in your conclusions you could also focus your recommendations on people that already have a soundbar? I am actually quite puzzled why all these $2k even bother to bring super duper speakers of their own. I would expect people in this prize range to usually have soundbars already.
I bought an Epson EF 100, I bought an older model because the specs say it’s 2000 ansi lumens versus 1000 for the newer model. We will be using it outdoors with our camper, quiet hours are usually starting at 10 in most campgrounds, so starting movie around eight when the sun is it always all the way down. What type of screen would work best for outdoor viewing a little after dusk in the summer. I plan on hanging the screen on the side of the camper under the awning so the awning will help block a little bit of light. Or would I have been urban? Better off with a Epson short throw WXGA 3500 lumen? The reason I wanted this one was because it’s small portable and the price was right.
Your video was incredibly helpful! Your clear explanations and thorough research made my decision so much easier. Thank you for sharing your expertise and making such a positive impact!
Didn't actually realise how much goes into a projector thank you lol, I'm currently setting up a bar in my house and want a projector with a pull down screen from the ceiling to project on to so I can mainly stream football and occasionally gaming and films, I would like the screen to be between 50" - 100" (adjustable) can you please recommend me one with a budget up to £300 maybe £400 please 👏 I don't have a clue 🤣
Good day! New subscriber here as I am going to setup a home theater. What size or projector screen do you recommend if my wall distance is about 8'5 inches? I figured that 100 inches would be too much and uncomfortable and now I'm stuck on thinking what size should I buy. Thank you so much for a very informative video! Cheers!
I have a Sony bravia from a few years ago, and it didn't do so hot. Corners are dimmer, and I think there's some dirty screen effects but I might be going crazy
Your tips, comparisons, and reviews and so on have been extremely useful for navigating this space and making informed decisions. Thank you so much for all your wonderful advice!
Brilliant video... Everything I needed to know is so clear now. Based on this video alone, I will definitely be doing more research before deciding on a projector.
For a generalistic tech channel this was unexpectedly good explained. I would like to add another point and this is about advertising contrast ratio which on 99% of time is a plain lie. Usually an average DLP projector can have a native contrast (real contrast, not fake advertising) anywhere between 300:1 to 2000:1. More expensive dedicated home cinema projectors, like Epson 5050 or the new LS12000 have around 4000-5000:1 native contrast and the top projectors which are sold by Sony and JVC have very good native contrast which is visible only in pitch black rooms. So forget about claims like 2 millions:1 contrast ratio, this is totally fake, not even projectors that cost 200000 $ are able to do that.
No doubt, contrast ratios are a bag of worms. That said, I've found that within a price range (say $200-400), higher contrast ratios do seem to correlate to higher contrast.
All of my projector recommendation videos have been updated for 2023-2024:
Best Sub $100 Budget Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/ooFvyudbxNE/v-deo.html
Best $100-$600 Midrange Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/8mVX_29gXHE/v-deo.html
Best Portable Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/jmmGQOSAReI/v-deo.html
Best Modern Laser Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/3KmKv-TTIQQ/v-deo.html
Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/Ef0tNjGDoOU/v-deo.html
Best Premium Home Theater Projectors: ua-cam.com/video/TjgXfRMtmSU/v-deo.html
Best Gaming Projector: ua-cam.com/video/biXPgm-pxiU/v-deo.html
Best Golf Sim Projector: ua-cam.com/video/c42W02UF_nI/v-deo.html
Best UST Projector Screens: ua-cam.com/video/2b8PXZtL1q8/v-deo.html
Which " short throw projector" would you recommend ? (not ultra-short)
@@SinemASLAN-ve What's your budget and what will you be using it for (home theater, gaming, golf sim, classroom, conference room, etc)?
my budget is 600 eur in max, I'll use it for home theatre, max 35db, with FullHD, if lamb life would be higher that would also be great, and a short throw is what I am looking for because the room is not so big. thank you! @@TheHookUp
@@TheHookUphey, there's no short throw projectors available with laser or led technology, is that correct?
What about bright (living room) Long Throw (2.0:1) projectors ?
12 minutes of detailed knowledge. I'm a projector guy for over 30 years and your video does kick the fundamentals of how to buy a projector. Simple and straighforward.
Hi, sorry man I think I'm looking for an advice from someone like you, I'm deciding on buying a acer nec m271x from a friend but I'm looking for a projector to watch movies on with at least an aspect ratio of 16:9 but wit a little research I been doing so far I found out that this acer is 4:3 aspect ratio, so I need to know if this is a good projector for what I need need it for or should I look for something else, thanks man I look forward to your advice and response
One of the few videos on youtube that is not intentionally verbose to show more ads and is not full of bullshit.
Amazing content! Subscribed in a heartbeat.
Best bang for your buck ?
So what's the best for movie/games that won't break the bank?
You said 240, mean 204? Small critique
I normally watch reviews at 1.25 speed, just to save a little time. But you, you're naturally on 1.5 already! Love it!
Haha, I love it.
For real! I had to check if I had it sped up😂
Excellent video mate. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we really appreciate your efforts and more importantly, your integrity.
You're one of the few creators I consider to be in my list of uncorrupted reviewers. Along side Project Farm and Teaching Tech.
Also there is something about the density of information in your videos that I really appreciate. So many videos these days need to be played at 2x speed or even skipped through just to get to the point. But with yours it's the opposite, it feels like a university lecture where I should be taking notes and even going back and watching sections again to really take it in.
I know that sounds like a negative but that's a big positive I think, you aren't wasting anyone's time by dragging things out or milking as many videos out of a subject as possible.
Also also, haha, one other thing I really appreciate that you have in common with Project Farm, is that you really do cover everything from a absolute budget entry level up to the high end level. I believe that a review of a high end expensive product isn't complete without seeing what that extra expense gets you compared to a quality cheaper option.
Thank you
I agree 100%, l'm also a subscriber to Project Fam for the same reasons. Quality dudes making these videos. Talent on knowing our time is limited and what info we tuned in to hear and ge and want and cut out the self indulgent filler of most of these UA-camrs.
As a first time projector buyer, this video made so much clarity on what to look for in projector. This video is 5-10 hrs worth of research in 10-12 mins.
You answered many questions I have had. Didn't realize so much research needed to be done. Thanks!
One of the best educational projection system evaluation videos on youtube. He explains some of the technical parameters in a way that the non-engineer viewers can understand and select components so they will not be disappointed with their purchase. WELL DONE!
As a complete novice, you've told me I have a lot to learn even without saying just those words. Thank you for providing a ton of info in rapid fashion.
This is honestly my first comment EVER on youtube, but I genuinely wanted to make a comment because this video has been SO helpful in explaining the "do's and dont's" of buying a projector. Thank you so so much for this.
Great video. I have to purchase a projector for movies on a remote island and I didn't have a clue on what I was looking for. I'm now more knowledgeable thanks to you.
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I have a double-doctorate and STILL couldn’t figure out which one would be the best for my needs! 🤣 Using your affiliate link, I purchased your recommendation for the best projector for under $200. As a business consultant, often times my clients have a terrific room, with all the technology needed for me to conduct my workshops and seminars, but once in a while, it’s been an issue, so I feel great, knowing that I can offer to bring my own equipment when the client needs it. Thanks to you putting this video together, I NOW feel like I’m an “official” (and fancy, I might add) traveling roadshow! 🙌🏻😎Lol.
No wasted words, no wasted time. Outstanding effort sir, keep up the great work.
One of the best reviews for people that are new to the Projector world. This is a must view before purchasing a Projector. I built an acoustically silent dedicated Theater room with a Projector (Panasonic AE-4000U) . After 15 years of upgrading and educating myself I learned a lot watching this video. The time is now for a new 4K UST projector so this video really helps. Hisense seems to be the leader right now.
can you say anything about epson co fh-02? this is my first projector purchase and my mind is blown away how good the screen looks.
I just finished building my theatre room. Not as big of a room as I wished it would have been but it is what it is. Just ordered the Hisense L9H 100" and cannot wait to get this going!
I knew very little about this sort of thing, beyond the normal, they put a picture on a wall and some are better than others, however I now feel as if I can say that was a very compact, concise and information dense presentation, very good and very informative.
Sitting here grinning as I have the x3000i on order, have a 110" white 1.1 gain screen waiting, calculated all the throw distances and vertical offsets as much as I could, and it seems that I didn't make even 1 mistake from the above ones!
Great video, and I wish it was out a month ago when I've dove in deep into all these topics to save me some time.
I think you'll be happy with your choices!
this is literally the best beginner friendly video that covers all bases on what to look for to buy projectors
Lately I’ve been gathering info for a couple upcoming purchase decisions: a replacement for my aging 720p bulb projector, and a budget security cam for my parking space (damn catalytic converter thieves!). Gotta agree with others giving props to The Hook Up channel- it’s giving me the exact type of comparison/shootout reviews I find valuable, coupled with excellent context / “big picture” nuanced background knowledge. This channel’s reviews of specific product categories are so good it makes me realize the vast majority of online “review” videos are worthless wastes of time… they’re essentially just unboxing videos posing as a “review.” I want to see direct head-to-head, side-by-side comparisons in multiple test environments… and for what I’m shopping for right now, The HookUp is the gold standard of pre-purchase “research” Keep up the great work you’ve doing with this channel.
Dang... Thanks Kampy, I appreciate the kind words.
Planning to buy a projection for the first time and this video helps alot for a noob like me. Everything is covered. Thanks good sir.
One other thing that can make a big difference (and is a bit more technical) is the type of chip and number used. A “single chip” DLP projector (common for most cheaper projectors) compared to a 3 chip projector (LCD or DLP) of “identical brightness” (ANSI lumens) will appear significantly dimmer when projecting images using color.
Single chip DLP projectors use a single RGB color wheel to produce color. That wheel is divided into 3 segments (one for each color) and spins quickly as the light passes through it. But because each color is only visible 33% of the time, individual colors may be as little as 33% of the reported brightness.
In other words, a DLP projector that claims to be 3000 ANSI lumens will only appear that bright when projecting white (as mentioned in the video the measurements are taken using a pure white image). Whereas a pure red, green, or blue image may only measure 1000 lumens. Obviously mixed colors (which would be common) will register varying degrees higher.
For that reason, I almost never recommend a single chip DLP projector unless price is absolutely the most important factor.
The dlp color wheel is actually 6 colors, not 3, as you stated. Newer dlp based projectors use 3 colored lasers ( red , blue and green ) to eliminate the RBE that the color wheel produces. Your 33% claim of each color being displayed is also incorrect ( partially as there are 6 segments to the color wheel ) in this design as the frame rate of the dlp chip is effectively 240hz to complete the pixel shift equation.
I have been repairing this tech for over 20 years and certified by Mitsubishi, the leader in dlp projector tv tech.
@@kriswingert1662 6 colors, or 6 segments? I will admit that I did mistakenly write 3 instead of 6 regarding segments. Good point there. However, there are not 6 colors being used, instead the wheel is divided into 6 segments and each of the 3 colors is repeated on the wheel. This does not result in more than 33% of the wheel being used by each color. It's just 2 segments per color, each utilizing approximately 16.5% of the wheel.
Additionally, your point about "newer dlp projectors use..." is slightly misleading. It's not as if "all DLP projectors manufactured after 2020 (for example) no longer suffer from these issues." Undoubtedly there are new technologies being introduced, and of course even older technologies such as traditional 3-chip DLP projectors, which can overcome these issues. However my comment was already about a specific type of projector technology (single chip DLP projectors) versus better technologies (3 chip LCD and DLP projectors).
The fact remains that single chip DLP projectors do not reproduce bright, saturated color in images as well as projectors utilizing better or newer technologies.
But DLP can play 3D!
Great video! Would be nice to see a video comparing some of the top most-bought "middle of the road" projectors! Say, $350-$550
Great video as always. One other thing that I would add to ignore while selecting projector is anything related to built-in sound. If you are springing for a projector, you should be able to buy dedicated speakers as well. One of the most common mistakes while creating full home theater is not allocating correct amount of money for audio. Audio setup in general should cost as much, if not more than a good projector for home theater. But even if the goal is not a home theater, but just a random projector, built-in sound should never be consider as an option.
I agree that for a home theater set-up, the best way to go is with a surround sound receiver or at least a sound bar, in which case the projector is just a monitor, no need for built-in speakers that typically only have 5 watts anyway.
Xgimi horizon speakers are OK.
Not quite. Sitting at my desk and watching the image only by myself in a very quiet room, the 2 x 5 Watt or 2 x 7 Watt built-in speakers of a PJ are perfectly fine. Also, you cannot run balanced (symmetrical) audio cables out of any projector, so unbalanced it is, which is really bad.
@@geoffreyfagan1798 Sound bars are among the worst inventions of Mankind.
@@frankfarago2825I'm pretty sure any sound coming from a projector speaker will sound much worse than a decent sound bar.
This is why I love UA-cam nowadays. A perfect video for a random guy struggling in projector land. Though I had to watch it at 0.75 speed and with intermittent pausing for my brain to keep up! thanks a lot
Barely anyone on YT doing super well explained info on projectors that seems trustworthy. Thank you!
Yeah I finally got my projector for my golf simulator but it took around 2 full weeks or more to come around to the information you have about projectors in this video. Some of the waste of time came from going to Best Buy to see what they had. All I had to do was look at the image they had on display with ambient light that made me say I won't get anything below 3600 ANSI lumens. I decided on an Optoma GT2100HDR that was selling for $1800 street price and when Black Friday came along they dropped it to $1399. Incredible savings? I just hope it lasts +5 years.
Thanks for putting this up wish I saw your video 3 months ago when I first started looking it would have saved me some time (headaches).
Wow. What a great detailed video on what to look for when buying a projector. Your videos always have so much information in them. I always look forward to your next videos. Take care.
Thank you very much.
I have an Kodak 230 = 150 ansi lumen.
Great at night and very portable.
But I’m looking for another more strong at day.
This video makes me change my mind in many aspects.
Congrats.
Duuuude, youtubers like you are rare! So much good info and no sponsors. Thank you!!!!!
I love how I watched this video just 2 weeks ago and YT already forgot it and recommended it again
I used to knock cheap projectors until I bought one on Amazon for just under $300 and I’m completely satisfied with it. I project onto a double layer white screen with a black blackout cloth behind it. It’s reminiscent of an OLED TV now lol
This is one of the most informative videos discussing projectors. You get right to the facts of the matter, explain it all in detail and most importantly, don't waste any time. Thank you.
great video for those using projectors for movies or TV.. but another thing to think about is how your prpjector throws its image.. meaning what is the height of it in relation to your screen.. some throw it straight out meaning that the lese will be in the center of the image so iof you are mounting on a ceiling it may have to hang too low .. or on a table at a friends house it may have to sit way too high.. the other thing is always buy a projector that has the proper up / down throw. and dont use the built-in keystone adjustments if you dont have to... these typically degrade the image quality and if your projector natively displays a trapezoid (so you can set it low on the table).. you will never get a good focus across the whole screen... the lense is desinged for the unit to be set up where the projector displays a perfect rectangle with no adjustments turned on.. this will get you the best focus.. using mechanical adjustments like lense shift (BenQ LK936).. or the manual Zoom ring wont affect image quality other than too large an image may be too dim.. so feel safe in using those and stil lgetting good focus.. Focus is most importabt for those using projectors as computer monitors and for gaming.. also you can shine a projector on a wall.. esp if you are grabbing it to watch a sports game in lifesize or just general TV watching.. unless you are a cinephile or very picky about TV images being perfect a painted wall (light gray satin if you have some ambient light) works just fine.. is it as good as a screen? probably not but it does work and really not bad..
This could well be the most helpful video I've ever watched on UA-cam. Thank you
bro! you have no idea how much you've helped me!!! Thank you!!!!
I see a lot of inaccurate videos regarding A/V and projectors these days. It's refreshing to watch one based in reality with some actually very good tips. Well done, sir.
Thanks!
Good honest solid reviews those. It’s made me realise I can’t afford a projector that’s bright enough to use outside during the day to watch the upcoming Euro’s games. That’s just saved me wasting £500 👍🏻
The point about how you need to focus on brightness before 1080p vs 4k is so important. You would think it would be easier to tell the difference on a huge screen. But it is actually quite common to set up a home projector in a medium or large room where the distance to the screen means your eye is physically incapable of telling the difference. Figure out your screen size and how far away you are going to sit, then go look at the charts on the internet that show how close you have to sit to get any benefit from 4k. You'll likely be stunned when you see how big a screen you need to have if you are sitting even 15 feet away to get any benefit from 4k. The only reason you can easily tell the difference on a phone or a laptop is because you put the screen so close to your face.
Really great summary - I would just stress one more thing about brightness: More brightness from the projector means more light bouncing around the room and if you have white walls and ceiling, you will have nothing even approaching real black even at night with the room lighting turned off. It will look ok in dark secens, but any brighter scene will light up your whole room and instead of staying immersed in the movie you will see the room as if someone just turned on the ceiling lamp. That's why it's better to choose a lower-brightness projector or a grey screen for such rooms - even if it seems to you that the image is not particalurly bright, after a minute your eyes adjust and you will enjoy the depth and immersion.
With ambient lighting, you're not going to achieve a cinema experience without closing the curtains anyway and the picture will always be inferior to a TV. Just get a cheaper TV for casual day-watching and a low-brightness projector with white screen or a higher-brightness projector with a grey screen for the evening big-screen watching when you can turn off the lights and really enjoy it. That's what projectors are for and they're not good at pulling double duty.
Placement is a big deal, except perhaps for ultra short throw. Getting lens shift (or keystone correction) both horizontal and vertical may add a bit to the price of a projector, but it's way cheaper than remodelling a room. In my den, a door in the back wall means I can't mount on centerline of screen; a ceiling fan means I can't mount on ceiling; and though I have a short throw I prefer not to have cords running to the coffee table; but from the height of a bookshelf, on the back wall beside the door, I have a well aligned image thanks to lens shift.
one thing missing is, hooking up sound! and speakers
Respect comment for re-uploading to give us accurate info. Much appreciated
Great overall video. I don't think any major manufacturer openly discloses On/Off contrast specs, especially those with a dynamic iris. Another good thing to keep in mind is that bulb projectors lose brightness over the lifespan of the lamp, whereas laser models maintain most of their brightness through their expected lifespan.
Very true on the loss of brightness throughout the lifespan of the bulb. After 15 years of being a classroom teacher I can tell you that new bulb day was like a blind man getting glasses.
I got the epson 3800 says it will last 3k-5k. Looks awful unwatchable at 1700. Never again
one tip for people, if you have a screen that can be projected on either side so that you can project from front or back, if you are projecting from front, put a black sheet that isnt heavy on the backside of the screen and it will help out. i bought a screen that can be projected from either side and when i added a black sheet behind it, it made it way better and i can actually turn lights on and still see the picture.
Excellent projector crash course. By far the best video to watch before making a purchase decision on a new projector. I have just greatly levelled up my product knowledge in an easy to follow 12 minutes. Thank you
9:00- not only the visual satisfactions are the variables to consider, eye hygiene is important for the long term especially for seniors. Bright screens can cause eye muscle fatigue so a bit darkened pictures are better.
Watching it again. Love the video. It's time to convince my wife that we need the projector for some movie nights in the garden
I already decided on the Zoaybu projector thanks to your other videos but can’t stop watching haha. You’re an excellent teacher! Such good learning. Thank you!
Thanks for the crash course! Really awesome video. Saved for reference for when i decide to replace my projector. This also an example of presenation skills to the max (like your other videos)!
Thanks Chris!
Fantastic job explaining projectors. Can't thank you enough. I knew a little but your clear and concise explanation certainly clarified and filled many of my knowledge voids. I just placed the order for the Wemax Vougue Pro Native for work. Lets hope it does the job. Congrats on every good video.
I recently BOUGHT A HOME AND IT CAME WITH A FULL THEATER. Leather chairs and the works. Attached to it is what looks to be a dated Mitsubishi HC5000. It looks like an piece of tech for sure. I’d like to upgrade to something energy efficient, better image quality and cost to match. Please recommend
What's your budget? You may want to check out this video: ua-cam.com/video/TjgXfRMtmSU/v-deo.html
Excellent & concise review of projectors. Love the short throw options due to easy placement & sound quality!
I've been considering going the projector route when my 4k Samsung 50" gives up the ghost but the more videos I watch the more confused I become. What with the costs involved and if I manage to convince my family to go with it my head is for the chop if watching TV during the day means having the curtains permanently closed in order to match the picture quality of our current telly.
Think I'll give it another five years in the hope the projector technology catches up with the television.
Very informative video!
I'm currently looking to buy a projector and connect it to my gaming PC. So I got to ask you:
Does every projector with Wi-Fi can connect to a PC?
You will not want to play video games on a projector connected via WiFi. Not only will you get low FPS, but input lag times will be around 1 second.
@@TheHookUp ok, cool, so only with an HDMI cable it will work smooth?
This video is really gonna help in the projector purchase decision. Thanks
Seen a few of these videos but this one was hands down the most informative!
Great tutorial. I had very little knowledge on this subject and you just explained a very new topic to me in a manner I completely understood. Thanks.
i just purchased the capsule 3 because of course before I saw this video, i fell in love with the laser brightness and functionality. but my main reasoning for it was to start a small biz and do backyard movie parties. now learning about ansi vs led lumens im wondering if im too low at 300. but my main purpose is to use it at night in the dark with minimal light. I tested it in my house yesterday when it came in and we had lights on and it showed fine. so as much as I learned, i still fee somewhat confused. but your video was the best ive seen explaining so much
this is one of the most informative and handily detailed videos ive ever seen.
Excellent presentation, although not all of your audience will be able to digest English narration delivered at 250 to 300 words per minute. At 6:03, regarding the throw ratio of short throw projectors: I was under the impression that short thow PJs are those with lenses capable of 0.5:1 to 1.0:1 TR. And not only to 0.7:1 TR. Also, standard throw PJs usually go from 1.0:1 or 1.1:1 to 2.2:1. However, most of the Epsons HT PJs that have a truly ridiculous 2.84:1 throw ratio in tele setting on the zoom, making them wholly indadequate for home theater use.
Legendary video. Been using a projector for past 1 year but was always confused about the concepts.
Man this guy makes some of the most detailed videos I've ever seen on any subject! I really appreciate the hard work and effort that is put into these videos!
Amazing video! I wish I had seen it before buying my projector! It would save me a lot of time doing research
I think the biggest pitfall is audio issues even with newer projector units. There are new $2000+ projectors that don't have HDMI ARC port or even an optical port, so people can't plug in modern surround soundbars. For instance, I love Epson projectors, but there audio ports suck and even there flagship projectors only have mini jack 3.5 port. Meaning you won't get true 7.1 Dolby surround sound quality. Actually I've noticed MOST projectors only have a crappy 3.5 audio jack.
An awesome video. I am impressed by the fluidity with which you presented the facts. I have been an AV guy for past 25 years and can vouch for your statements. I would only like to add that a projector is good only if you go with the right sound system, else one is better off with the TV.
Absolutely great information about the projector itself. I am a photographer, and I use projected images on a 180 ft² projection screen.
This is the first review video I have ever enjoyed! Seriously! B/c u got to the point with everything that matters and didn’t blab AT ALL! This should be an instructional video to the rest of the pathetic YTer world. From the bottom of my heart thank you. I wish I saw this video months earlier and I’m shocked it isn’t the first video that pops up once you type the word PROJECTOR.
Your video is an awesomely intuitive source of information, I like how you laid it out, and noticed the things you described about different projectors.
There's one thing that bugs me though, is the advice to use grey screens with less gain to reject ambient light. It doesn't make sense at all that they would enhance contrast or dynamic range because you're just making everything dimmer by the same amount. The contrast ratio of the image would be exactly the same as a bright white wall or a gain of 1.0 ...
But... if that screen has special optical properties such as an ALR surface you mentioned, that's the feature which will achieve that. I'd still avoid a plain grey color as part of that function.
I've seen online, special surfaces/paints which are engineered to reflect only the narrow RGB color bands projected, so that they look darker in ambient light but still reflect most of the projected image. I'd be interested in seeing coverage on that 👍.
As for keeping ambient light off screen while keeping usable light in the room, especially a home theatre, I've used tricks such as using track lighting, or wall sconces behind the sides of the screen, using down-lights aimed just at the coffee table/seating keeping most of the room a dark color, such as furniture, carpet, ceiling and floor. Avoid lighting the walls or keep them dark too. So you can have usable light with minimal reaching the screen.
Thanks again for an insightful video!
Good observationsa. Also: 1. Whatever you do, do not purchase and use a UST PJ. 2. By adhering to point 1. above, you do not need to worry about ALR screen surfaces. 3. Do not purchase and use any projection screen that id made out of oil-based vinyl. Bad idea, and the stench is really awful in a windowless space. 4. Do not use gray projection surafces, use totally black ones instead. And 5. When projecting, turn off the room lights and darken up the room as much as possible.
have been using a bulb projector for 10 years for my living room and playstation setup. yea the common problem is that when you finally reach the end of the bulb lifespan its more common sense to just get a newer projector with more pixels than just buying an expensive new bulb.
For me, I wanted a projector with 3d. So, I went with the AWOL LTV-2500 UST laser projector. Don't have a screen yet, so projecting on the wall. Still, it looks great as does the 3d.
i bought a rca combination dvd player projector from amazon it boasted wonderful built in surround sound speakers that boom !!! actually it was a bust !! i plugged it into my pioneer reciever and the sound is pretty good, the bightness is fair when i have no lights on at all but im a senior and im just terrified of falling in the darkness i paid under a $100.00 for it because thats all i could afford... now on fb marketplace there are tons of just projectors floating around all different brands.. but i have a friend who had a GO video projector and the lamp was shot and my friend went to radio shack and bought a new lamp and was standing right next to him and the sales person said that will be $250.00!! i almost fainted !! so i would be a little unsure to buy a used projector maybe because all the lamps were about to expire , as i mentioned before im a senior and i dont have that kind of cash to throw around..ive asked severasl of the sellers what is left time of their lamps and no one knows.. i just dont want to get screwed , i love your post, thankyou..
This video was amazing! Any recommendations in the $300-350 range (non portable)? It seems like there is a jump in price from around $200 then jumps up to $500, so maybe not worth the money unless you jump in price?
I partially agree about your 4K vs 1080P, however typically 4K content comes with HDR and HDR+ metadata in the video stream which is the big win for 4K and why getting a good 4K projector that is able to benefit from that content is a winner. I have had a BenQ HT3550 (aka W2700) for nearly 3 years now, and it does a fantastic job with 4K content. Lord of the Rings 4K and Dune 4K release looks absolutely amazing on my 120 Inch custom screen. It also does 3D in 1080P (no HDR) really well ... just wish studios would release more 3D BluRays for movies they have shown in cinema's in 3D, but thats a conversation for another day :)
I agree, although HDR is another one of those things that can be ignored for cheaper projectors. If your projector is under ~1500 ANSI lumens there's no way to achieve the peak brightness contrast needed for true HDR.
@@TheHookUp I agree with this. This this why you would used a device like Chromecast with Google TV as it could fully disable HDR. It's not a software conversion from HDR to SDR like some devices out there. The only downside though is that Disney+ will only give you 4K with HDR enabled. Everything else will be able to play in 4K SDR which will help projectors with lower lumens.
How much does it cost a projector like yours. I want to hook upmy phone to a projector. I don't know anything about projector. I want something simple and a good projector.
Thanks.
this rules out my idea of buying a cheap projector
My thoughts exactly. Made me feel like all my decisions were going to be disastrous😂😂. Excellent video though.
Great video. Thanks. Just bought a cheap projector but I'm thinking it will suffice based on the things you just mentioned. Will really just connect it to my laptop.
This video was removed/reposted to correct a factual error about throw ratio. Thanks to subscriber
@Paul Vail for pointing it out.
Rewatching and commenting for the algorithm!
No point in getting views if they are wrong!
The screen at 6:40 for UST projectors is CLR not ALR
Eh, CLR is just a subtype of ALR.
@@TheHookUp yes they are made for a different purpose (I am not suggesting to correct and upload again!) but the image shown is a CLR + UST, many people don’t know the difference and the right screen for their projector. I hope giving a little explanation here about the difference will be enough for those who are interested.
This has cleared a lot of things up for me while looking at projectors. Excellent video. Thanks
Great video, I picked up an Optoma HD29HST a week ago and love it
Hey ! Thank you for the video ! I always had this project in mind but I never know if a projector is that much better compare to a TV in the same price range
Depends on the size of the screen you want. You'll never get a 65" projected image to compete with a 65" TV, but for 100+" screen TVs are still not really attainable.
@@TheHookUp you right thank you! ❤️
I use optoma cinemax ultra short throw in two standard quality white screen. And really try avoiding ambient light as it really doesn't matter if you got the best projector and alr screen to combat external light. Projectors are designed for dark rooms and people need to stop fighting that hence why you still have theaters in all dark rooms.
Absolutely. I think I said that more than a few times in the video.
Imagine watching a movie with ambient light in cinema lol
So many projector sellers lie. Like throw ratio, so many 1:1 are listed as short throw.
I am considering a projector as my next "TV" so thanks.
Lots of great info here! I recently became the owner of about 60 3D movies! I've never had a 3d tv, but I do have the 3d bluray player. Wondering about a budget ultra short throw 3d-ready unit and screen options. Would love to see comments about any home 3d viewing experiences, there doesn't seem to be a lot of talk about the format anymore.....is it worth taking a look??
Thank you, good sir! Your content is purely delightful.
Great informative video. The brightness ratings have always confused me. Thank you.
QUESTION: Do you or anyone else know of any projectors for artists that can project an image that can go as small as a foot or less? I’m looking for one to allow me to trace a picture on a small canvas. All the ones I see are 40” or larger it seems. Can never find specs on how small it can project? If a person just moved the projector really close is the problem the inability to focus? I don’t care if it’s practically sitting on top of the canvas. Also money isn’t really an object as long as it works. Thank You for supplying a lot of great info in this video; it certainly helps explain what many of the terms mean and why it’s important. Now I just need to find one that can cast much smaller images.
Most of the portable DLP projectors can focus an extremely small image. If I'm remembering correctly I think the XGIMI MoGo pro can go down to 9": amzn.to/3SuKpZE
The cheaper single LCD projectors typically cannot focus a screen under 40".
I love your videos. I wonder if in your conclusions you could also focus your recommendations on people that already have a soundbar? I am actually quite puzzled why all these $2k even bother to bring super duper speakers of their own. I would expect people in this prize range to usually have soundbars already.
Such great educational content! 👏
I bought an Epson EF 100, I bought an older model because the specs say it’s 2000 ansi lumens versus 1000 for the newer model. We will be using it outdoors with our camper, quiet hours are usually starting at 10 in most campgrounds, so starting movie around eight when the sun is it always all the way down. What type of screen would work best for outdoor viewing a little after dusk in the summer. I plan on hanging the screen on the side of the camper under the awning so the awning will help block a little bit of light. Or would I have been urban? Better off with a Epson short throw WXGA 3500 lumen? The reason I wanted this one was because it’s small portable and the price was right.
Your video was incredibly helpful! Your clear explanations and thorough research made my decision so much easier. Thank you for sharing your expertise and making such a positive impact!
I made the mistake and bought a short throw projector. I'm getting a long throw projector now, Epson 1080.
Didn't actually realise how much goes into a projector thank you lol, I'm currently setting up a bar in my house and want a projector with a pull down screen from the ceiling to project on to so I can mainly stream football and occasionally gaming and films, I would like the screen to be between 50" - 100" (adjustable) can you please recommend me one with a budget up to £300 maybe £400 please 👏 I don't have a clue 🤣
Good day! New subscriber here as I am going to setup a home theater. What size or projector screen do you recommend if my wall distance is about 8'5 inches? I figured that 100 inches would be too much and uncomfortable and now I'm stuck on thinking what size should I buy. Thank you so much for a very informative video! Cheers!
This is the best video for understanding projectors I’ve ever seen
I have a Sony bravia from a few years ago, and it didn't do so hot. Corners are dimmer, and I think there's some dirty screen effects but I might be going crazy
Bravia projector?
@The Hook Up I was commenting on a different video and then it did the auto play thing
Your tips, comparisons, and reviews and so on have been extremely useful for navigating this space and making informed decisions. Thank you so much for all your wonderful advice!
Just Perfect~! Very informing, very precise and very clear! Thank you...!!
Brilliant video... Everything I needed to know is so clear now. Based on this video alone, I will definitely be doing more research before deciding on a projector.
Great video, I was about to make just about every mistake covered in the video 😅
Woah, that was a lot. Glad I’m taking my time with this decision. Feels like buying a car tbh. So much lingo and room for error.
Great video. JVC projectors in a dedicated, darkened room, wow.
For a generalistic tech channel this was unexpectedly good explained.
I would like to add another point and this is about advertising contrast ratio which on 99% of time is a plain lie.
Usually an average DLP projector can have a native contrast (real contrast, not fake advertising) anywhere between 300:1 to 2000:1.
More expensive dedicated home cinema projectors, like Epson 5050 or the new LS12000 have around 4000-5000:1 native contrast and the top projectors which are sold by Sony and JVC have very good native contrast which is visible only in pitch black rooms.
So forget about claims like 2 millions:1 contrast ratio, this is totally fake, not even projectors that cost 200000 $ are able to do that.
No doubt, contrast ratios are a bag of worms. That said, I've found that within a price range (say $200-400), higher contrast ratios do seem to correlate to higher contrast.