Introduction to Projector Reviews

A 65-inch HDTV is fine but when you want a jumbo-screen experience, a projector is the only way to go. Some of them will throw an image up to 300-inches diagonal creating entertainment that can be shared with friends and family. Projectors come in three major types – LCD, LCoS and DLP. Some models now offer HDR and Ultra HD resolution and most have 3D capability. Enthusiasts looking for long service life will want to check out LED and laser-equipped versions. We don’t discriminate based on size or price. Many portable projectors are small enough to toss in a bag and travel with. And don’t think you have to spend a fortune. We’ve seen some that deliver the goods for less than the price of a flat panel TV.

Our tests rank image quality based on standards used in the broadcast industry and directly related to what you’ll see on the screen. If a display can be used right out of the box without calibration, we’ll tell you that too. Either way, our coverage will show you how to select the best projector for your theater and how to install it for optimal performance.

Projectors

Affordable Projectors for Non-Dedicated Home Theater Rooms – Mitsubishi HC5500 & Elite Cinema Screen

I am continuing my journey into the world of affordable front projector systems, with a special emphasis on systems that are suitable for multi-use rooms.  My first foray, the Sanyo PLV-Z2000, was a success. But I didn't have anything to compare it to, at least in my own home environment. Now comes the first challenger, the Mitsubishi HC5500, another affordable 1080p projector. These projectors use the same basic display technology (LCD panels), so provide a pretty good apples-to-apples comparison. We also review the Elite Screens ezCinema Plus Pull-up Projection Screen.

Affordable Projectors for Non-Dedicated Home Theater Rooms – Sanyo PLV-Z2000 1080p Projector

Front projectors have been the gold standard in home theater for many years. But until recently, front projection meant a CRT-unit the size of a coffee table mounted to the ceiling. It only looked good if you turned your room into a bat-cave, was very finicky about set-up, needed regular calibration, and probably cost more than the family sedan. Well, now front projectors are very affordable and are small and easy to set up. Perfect for that family room that has other uses than just home theater. Secrets takes a look at the Sanyo PLV-Z2000 as the first in our series on affordable projectors that you can use in just about any room of your home.

Marantz VP-11S2 Single-Chip DLP 1080p Projector

Remember back a few years when projectors were 720p resolution, had modest brightness, not so great contrast, and you could spend $15,000 to get one? Well, you can still spend that kind of money and a lot more, but it gets you a lot more too. The buzzword now of course is 1080p and HDMI all the way. Marantz' latest donation to this category is called the VP-11S2. It has two HDMI inputs, will accept and project native 1080p, has Deep Color capability, and is built like a tank.