Or to put it another way, using keystone adjustments on any projector will reduce the image quality of the projector, full stop.Įvery projector has keystone adjustment (the trapezoids). Not only does keystone adjustment lower the resolution of the image, since you're no longer using the entire image-creating chip or chips, but also adds a new layer of video processing that can add quality-reducing artifacts on its own. The keystone adjustment built makes the image rectangular electronically. Too much, however, and you'll have image bleed and a weird shape that could be distracting. A little bit of imperfection is fine, since it will probably be unnoticeable from a normal seating distance. When your projector isn't in the center (horizontally) of the screen, or is too high or too low, the image it projects won't be perfectly rectangular, it will be a trapezoid. This is a feature designed to correct a particular placement issue. One last piece of placement advice: If you can avoid it, don't use the built-in keystone adjustment. If your transmitter is in the back of a cabinet somewhere, beware. I've also tested some wireless options that lost signal when I walked between the transmitter and receiver. Most wireless HDMI options don't require line-of-sight, but every layer you place between a transmitter and receiver, the possibility of signal loss goes up. If you're going the wireless route, make sure there's easy line-of-sight between the transmitter and the receiver. Many inexpensive projectors only have some adjustable feet. Many municipalities require either specific in-wall-rated cables, conduit, or both. Related, if you're planning on running the HDMI cable through the ceiling/walls, check local building codes.
The last thing you want is to have the projector drop to the floor in the middle of a movie, ripping out half the ceiling with it. If you're planning on mounting your PJ, make sure you find a stud. This info is almost always on the manufacturer's website for your projector, or in the owner's manual. The zoom range with most projectors is also fairly limited, meaning you'll only have a few feet of "sweet spot" to fill a specific-sized screen. This can vary, though, and it's important to verify before you start drilling holes in your ceiling. Most projectors, other than the short-throw variety, can usually fit a 100-inch screen from a distance of about 10-feet.
DLP vs LCD vs LCoS: Projector tech pros and cons.Higher-end LCOS projectors, like those from Sony and JVC, typically have lens shift that allows for a greater range of vertical placement options. This is almost never the case with inexpensive DLP projectors, and usually not the case with inexpensive LCD projectors either. This is counter-intuitive, as you might assume you need to place the projector in line with the center of the screen.
Sometimes the throw angle is even greater, meaning it needs to be below, or above, the edge of the screen.ĭefinitely need to zoom out a bit here.
This means they need to have very specific placement relative to the screen, often in line with the top or bottom of the screen. The vast majority of inexpensive projectors lack a feature known as lens shift. With many projectors, only one is HDMI 2.0 and ready for all kinds of 4K, for example. If the rest of your system is 4K compatible, for instance, double check which input can handle that. If your projector has multiple HDMI inputs, figure out which ones accept the video you want to send. With most projectors only some of the feet screw in and out, which might make getting the image adjusted correctly a bit of a challenge. If you're going to sit the projector on a stand or table, it's also worth checking which of its feet are adjustable. It's significantly easier to do anything physical with the projector now compared to when it's placed or mounted. It's also worth taking the time to make sure you've removed all the protective film. On several occasions I've got a projector up and running, only to have missed a second remote, a hidden Wi-Fi adapter Read more: Best home theater projectors for 2020 1. I stopped at "a lot."įrom start to sofa, here's what you need to know about setting up your new projector. As someone who has used a projector as his main "TV" for over 15 years, not to mention reviewing them professionally even longer, I've set up countless projectors.