Reviews: projector for home theater. Description, characteristics and advice on choice

For fans of visiting traditional cinemas, modern manufacturers of design equipment give the opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the film without leaving home. There is no comparison of the effects of speech, but, as the experience of users shows, a compact device can also provide unforgettable sensations. True, you can count on a good result from a home movie session only if you use high-quality equipment. Manufacturers do not limit the consumer's choice, offering all the new technological developments. The main characteristics and review of projectors for home theater will help to make the right decision when buying.

Features of models for home theater

Initially, projectors were designed for use in large rooms, such as halls, schools and other institutions. And to this day, this appointment continues to move the model toward development, suggesting a division in terms of use. So there are devices for use at business conferences, in training processes, etc. A feature of such models is the ability to work under artificial lighting. In turn, devices for use at home are designed to watch movies with the lights off. To some extent, this nuance makes it easier for the manufacturer to produce a home projector. How to choose such a model? Among the main criteria worth noting connectivity, brightness, focus and other parameters of the device, determining its functionality and quality of work.

Connectivity options

As a rule, projectors do not have the means to "read" information from direct media. This distinguishes such devices from the usual video recorders and DVD players. In this case, the source can be a computer, a laptop, a phone and the same DVD player. The main thing is to provide the possibility of connection. Most models use connectors for digital signal, although, oddly enough, there are also analog channels. The latter include composite inputs, timeless format S-Video, BNC and VGA. But more often there are more modern digital connectors HDMI, DVI and DispalyPort. As the reviews show , the projector for a home theater with HDMI provides the best picture quality. In addition, modern equipment is more willing to interact with such ports, without requiring adapters. True, we can not forget about the analog inputs, which can still be required when working with players from the last century.

What should be the brightness?

This is one of the most important, but at the same time, barely perceptible to the layman's options. The fact is that this characteristic is not indicated in the marking, since it is largely influenced by the indirect factors that occur in the process of watching the film. Nevertheless, when buying, you can pay attention to the value of the light flux, which is measured in lumens (Lm) and determines the power of light. It can not be said that brightness directly depends on it, however light power can affect balancing in color rendering modes. Therefore, the choice of the projector for a home theater with respect to brightness should be done, guided by the values of lumens. So, if the diagonal is 130 inches, then we can safely take the option for 1 500 lm. This will be enough to watch the movie in the dark. For the 80-inch format it is worthwhile to provide an option for 600 lm. It is important to consider that excessive brightness also does not go into a plus, so "in reserve" to store its values does not make sense. Although, if sessions are planned with the light on, you should count on the indicators of 3-4 thousand Lm. Such values, by the way, are usually used in office models of projectors.

Contrast of the projector

In the specifications this parameter is also not specified. In fact, in some cases it is difficult to determine, and in conditions of illumination, the contrast does not affect the quality at all, since the illumination occurs naturally. Nevertheless, sometimes it is possible to meet specific values in the descriptions of models. For example, projectors for home theater Benq often contain a ratio of 1: 1: 1. But this does not mean that the user can expect to receive a voluminous and detailed "picture".

The only thing that can be estimated by an inexperienced consumer in this parameter is the presence of an automatic diaphragm. In essence, this function provides an optimal control of the brightness balance. In practice, this is expressed in the amplification or suppression of certain shades for the purpose of better color rendering. Unfortunately, this option is important only in the "processing" of dark scenes where there are no objects saturated in color. This way of correcting contrast is called dynamic. Unlike the direct contrast values, the presence of this function really deserves attention. As evidenced by the reviews, the projector for a home theater with automatic aperture does a good job of its task in the absence of lighting.

Optimal resolution

In the case of resolving power, everything is obvious. The higher it is, the more detailed and generally better the image will be. However, it is still necessary to first think through the tasks that the projector must solve, since this or that format is suitable in some cases and less effective in others. For example, for movies in Full HD, you need an appropriate model with support for this format 1920 × 1080. If there are no special requests for quality, then you can save by choosing models with WXGA format - in this case the resolution is 1280 × 800. But the best projectors for a home theater still have a higher resolution - for example, the 4K format is becoming more popular. The maximum resolution allowed by this technology is 4096 × 2160. To watch video from the DVD-player will be enough and the format of SVGA, which transmits an image with a resolution of 800 × 600. By the way, this is the optimal format, if you also plan to use the device for presentations.

Nuances of choice by focus

Each projector has a characteristic such as the projection ratio. This is the parameter that denotes the ratio of the screen width to the distance from it to the projector. High projection resolution has long-focus models. For example, a ratio of 2: 1 will provide a picture with a 2-meter wide, which is convenient to look at a distance of 4 meters. Accordingly, it is necessary to compare the room capabilities and optimal projection resolution. But even in the presence of long walls it is not always expedient to acquire long-focus models. They do not guarantee the quality of the image - at least, this is what the reviews say. The projector for home theater can be short-focus. In particular, some manufacturers refer to this group devices in the format of 0.55: 1. But there are no clear standards, so you can also include 1.5: 1 ratio here. By the way, the choice of short-focus models is not always due to the lack of sufficient space in the room. For example, to avoid closing the light stream, sometimes ultra-short-focus projectors are available, which can be placed near the screen at a distance of 15-20 cm.

3D HD Projectors

The wave of popularity of 3D technologies could not bypass the design equipment. There are several different formats for which the effect of a stereo pair is provided. For example, manufacturers use "side-by-side" and "top-bottom" configurations. If you intend to work with Blu-ray in 3D, you should provide for the presence of an HDMI interface in the device, while the minimum version of the connector for such purposes is 1.4. Modern 3D HD projectors also include the use of special glasses. But this is not an ordinary accessory for perceiving a three-dimensional image, but devices that are developed on the basis of polarization filters. In a complex with a 3D-projector, such glasses are not cheap, but the visual effect due to them is greatly enhanced.

Design and dimensions of the projector

Perhaps this is the easiest option, where everyone can rely on their own taste, despite technical subtleties and design features. I must say that it is home devices that have the most refined and presentable designs. There are options with the correct geometric shapes, many devices with streamlined bodies - the main thing is that the projector is in harmony with the interior. The only limitation in this regard can be due to the size. As the reviews say, the projector for a home theater with small dimensions requires a delicate approach in handling. But there are obvious disadvantages and for large models - such devices should not be purchased if you plan to take the device with you on frequent trips.

Comments for Benq models

The models of this company are regularly included in the ratings of the best projectors. This is facilitated by their functionality and the introduction of new technological solutions. Users note good brightness, the ability to work in all modern formats, including Full HD. Also in the manufacturer's lineup, you can find quite good devices that support a three-dimensional image. But there are also downsides to the projectors for the BenQ home theater almost in all segments. For example, quite often users complain about the sound and low noise insulation. Anyway, the lineup has a wide range of options with different operational parameters, so any projector will find the best projector from Benq.

Reviews of models Epson

Among the experts in the segment, Epson is known as a trendsetter and manufacturer of high-tech devices. Another thing is that the broad consumer is dealing with models of different levels, which are characterized not only by virtues, but also by shortcomings. If we talk about positive aspects, then the projector for home theater Epson in almost all versions provides a quality picture. Owners describe it as succulent and saturated. By the way, with respect to contrast, the products of this brand are considered the best option.

Nevertheless, all the merits of the picture are again overshadowed by a weak sound. Also some models hear the noise of the device - for example, sound insulation at 30 dB makes itself felt not in the best way. In addition, there is a high cost of Epson models in the middle segment, up to 70-80 thousand rubles. True, there are budget projectors for home theater, whose prices vary between 20-30 thousand. But such devices do not disclose all the technological advantages of equipment for watching movies.

Reviews about models Sony

The product of this brand is also criticized for its high cost, but in this case it fully justifies itself. It is the developers of Sony today offer the highest widescreen resolution. Owners note the purity of the image, brightness and depth of contrasts. This effect is provided by projectors for home cinema, the prices of which exceed 200 thousand rubles. Users of this technology emphasize that it is practically devoid of flaws, which are observed by competitors. That is, the projectors do not make noise, provide high-quality sound, and all this - against the background of an impeccable picture.

Conclusion

When getting acquainted with the characteristics and subtleties of the choice of the projector, many will ask the question: Is not it simpler to buy a TV with a large screen? Moreover, at a price both options are approximately comparable. But everything rests on the big screen - in inches the comparison will not be in favor of the TV, and this is the main advantage in the process of watching the film. And this is not to mention the pleasure that 3D projectors provide for a home theater with a wide format. However, in this case, the gap in price will be quite impressive. There are other advantages for projectors, including compact size and minimal eye strain. And if there is a thought to go to the country and there to arrange a movie show? Of course, the compact device also benefits in practicality. But in any case it is important to provide for all the nuances of exploitation, so that the purchase justifies the expectations.