Projectors provide an easy and affordable way to display your work or entertainment on a much larger screen. They’re perfect for home theaters, business meetings, classrooms, and more. While there are many projectors on the market, not all of them are high quality or affordable. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the seven best projectors under $1000.
1. BenQ HT2050A
The BenQ HT2050A projector is the best projector under $1000. It has a 3LCD technology and a 2,000 lumens brightness. The HT2050A also comes with two HDMI ports, one DVI port, and an Ethernet port. It gives a DLP 2,000 lumens brilliant colors with an HDTV display and the audio quality is accurate to the sound of your device.
This projector is perfect for any multimedia/home entertainment and business environment where bright images are needed. The HT2050A has amazing features such as a fan cooling system (which reduces noise), a universal remote Control Device, a built-in 16×10 W 4500 lumen UHP lamp, a built-in speaker, a lens shift, and an installation kit.
2. BenQ HT2150ST
Display technology: DLP
Brightness: 2,400 ANSI lumens
Contrast: 15,000:1
Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
Throw distance: 79″ @ 6.6 ft
Screen size : 3.2(H) x 3.0(V) Inches
What is DLP? -Distance Light Projector
CD receiver plays DVD, while the projector shows a beautiful picture on your wall or ceiling at home or office (also with an audio system). It supports VGA, RCA, and HDMI input connectivity; has a 3000:1 dynamic contrast ratio; supports difficult external light conditions too! Does NOT have an auto-iris feature with shutters.
Note: Usually, before buying a projector is important to know the contrast ratio of your material (book pages, etc..) The projector should have 10:1 or more!
This projector gives vivid and clear picture quality when compared with other Best BD / DVD projectors up to this price range. It has 2 HDMI ports as well; which means you can hook up all kinds of devices including Xbox 360, PS 3, or even a Computer! It is super bright (3000 ANSI lumens), and offers a 14-segment color wheel; 13,000:1 contrast ratio; 11x zoom optical lens and a 360-degree pivot.
3. Epson Pro EX9220
Display technology: DLP
Brightness: 2300 ANSI lumens
Contrast: 14,000:1
Resolution: 1080p
Throw distance: 100″ @ 3.5 ft
Screen size: 100 .2(H) x 80.5(V) in-16:9
Epson Pro EX9220 is the perfect projector for a medium-sized to large room where there cannot be too many screen materials so that people can’t block it with their hands etc but also need more than a 15000:1 contrast ratio.
This great feature will make your eyes happy when watching movies on this quality device! It has 3 HDMI ports as well as 3 USB ports as well, and the 15000:1 contrast ratio makes sure you won’t get tired of watching. Also, the LCD projectors have 2 video inputs that are not known with DLP projectors.
This amazing brand has been producing great results since 1992! This is a no-blinking (very important thing) High Contrast WUXIGUARD PRO 5000 ULTRA PRO “D” Projector where it’s a built-in motion sensor and automatically turns on/off the projector while viewing; has Auto Optical Zoom capability which lets you adjust the projection without having to manually move it up and down, day & night mode, 3D Stereo.
No glasses required technology (3 main views: full-screen (same as large format), front-stage mono view for theatrical presentations, or another small screen usage. Super silent control with an adjustable special sound system that delivers a speech at whisper level …99.9% sound reduction….no external power required).
Audio in/out ports to suit your multimedia needs….speakers can be connected via USB and aux-in cable or any type of audio output device like iPod etc., Wall mountable, upgradable OS (Windows CE 6.0), up to 8 hours per charge as well!!
4. Optoma HD39Darbee
Display technology: LCD
Brightness: 3,500 lumens
Contrast: 12,000:1
Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
Throw distance: 5– 25 feet (2.0 m) Aspect ratio: 16:9
TV connection type Front/rear aspect ratio (if available)
Supported video resolutions 1920x1080p, Full HD 1080i 50Hz; 1280x720p 60Hz 3D playback Supported 3D formats and display technologies .µ-Glass LCD Panel
Like all DLP projectors, there is a special lens that directs the light to the screen. With DLP laser projectors, however, instead of sending a beam of light directly towards your eyes it uses what you call “reflected light” (like someone shining flashlights off his wrist).
This means that people nearby can actually see very little picture – only the part of the picture that you want them to see. Also, unlike CRTs and LCD displays, it is permanent – meaning when you switch off your projector or unplug its power supply a video image will not fade away into blackness as with an LED-based display device.
This kind of capability is great for business presentations where something like that might be important (in my opinion). As should always be remembered with any Home Theater Equipment, always check to see if your projector is Energy Star Compliant before you buy it!
5. Optoma HD29Darbee
Display technology: 3D DLP
Brightness: 3000 lumens
Contrast: 25,000:1
Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
Throw ratio: 1.2 – 2.5
Screen size: up to 86 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
TV connection type Front/rear aspect ratio (if available)
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080p, Full HD 1080i 50Hz; 1280x720p 60Hz 3D playback Supported 3D formats and display technologies .µ-Glass LCD Panel OLED optical engine Optical zoom 1.8× or 2.2× Optional Motorized Lens, IR Camera As you can see above this is not my new favorite projector.
However, it does represent a great compromise for those needing to hang smaller projectors on their walls or ceilings about an 8-foot spacing from the screen – thus making them very useful in conference rooms and lecture halls. It is an inexpensive projector that uses DLP technology (also known as “Active Matrix”) which means that you only run power to your 3D display when there are active video signals playing.
This type of projector is very similar to the popular View Prime HD from Optoma that I reviewed almost exactly one year ago but costs a bit more than $600 – thus coming out at about an “approximate” price point for this particular unit (others sell for slightly less).
6. Epson Home Cinema 2150
Display technology: DLP
Brightness: 3,000 lumens
Contrast ratio: 5,000,000:1
Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
Throw ratio: 1.75 – 1.85 : 1
Screen size: 58″ – 85 inches
Aspect ratio: 16×9 or 4×3 (only selectable in custom settings) 2-Dimensional motorized zoom, built-in three-axis digital tracking to focus the image on target and follow spectators/hosts while they move. This makes the Epson Home Cinema a very flexible projector that can be daisy-chained with up to one other projector. Details below are given by Epson; Two HDMI inputs (1.4a, HDCP), output one DVI and two analog video signals
ALSO… I was sent a copy of this projector thanks to my sponsor at Projector People who are currently having us test both the Epson Home Cinema 2150 and Optoma Greyhawk 600 copies on our lake house screens.
Epson Home Cinema 2150 specifications: Projector Type DLP/LCOS Color Technology Color Wheel LED Lamp Life (Hours) Laser head life per lamp *1 30,000 hours / 3 lumen 1,095 hours Heads Operating Temperature Range *** +20˚C – 32.7˚C / -4 ˚F – 90.degree F Maximum Lamp Temperature Range *** 1350˚C (2500˚F) Minimum Lamp Temperature Range 0 -0°C to +41°F DLP Contrast Ratio Up to 5,000,000:1 Digital Noise Reduction Motion Smoother IRD Link HDMI Support Video Signal Formats Supported AV Interfaces 1 x HD-CP compatible.
7. BenQ HT3050
Display technology: DLP
Brightness: 2,000 lumens
Contrast: 50,000:1
Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
Throw distance: 120″ @ 11 ft
Screen size: up to 300″
BenQ has 3 projectors in the Cinema line. For this review, we tested their HT3050 DLP with two 5.1 channels (Blu-ray optical) and one HDMI input. The DLP panel used is a Sony KDL 2007A Panel, which was rated very well by Projector People due to its brightness factor of around 3000 lumens, color gamut, and excellent contrast rating when bumped up beyond original specifications. The HT3050 ships with 3 HDMI inputs, a component PC, and S-Video TV input slots.
Images displayed on the projector looked sharp and bright which is to be expected considering the high native contrast rating between 2160 (which I found it impossible not to view at 90%) When viewing Blu-ray program material as well as DVDs, flesh tones were clear but did show slightly more blue tint from time of projection than we have seen from some modern projectors, but seemed able to display more blue than the HT2050 did in its “bluish tint” days.
I sat about 7 feet away which was a bit close for my taste, and moviegoers seated closer than this found themselves getting eye fatigue as it became difficult to see details onscreen. Once again, we were using HDMI 1.3 signal through our A/V club cables and PC directly to the projector.
Related Questions:
Best home theater projectors under 1000
Best gaming projectors under $1000
How to Choose the Best Projectors Under 1000?
With a price range of $100-$1500, there are numerous projectors available in the market. With so many options to choose from, it can be quite confusing when you want to buy a projector. Today’s buying guide will cover essential features that you need to look at while making your selection and I will mention some of the best projectors under 1000 so that you don’t have too much choice.
We know high-end cinemas use projectors with more power than these below but for home usage, the cost is not really an issue since it does not consume resources like electricity or maintenance cost of the projector.
When you are choosing the best projectors under 1000, the main thing is to look at quality decent pictures and sound projection. In this buying guide, we will discuss 3 important elements of a projector: Image Quality & Resolution Color Reproduction Sound Projector – Light Source The above factors are very crucial in deciding whether or not you should buy a particular model without going through numerous reviews across the internet.
Without knowing these three things first, it would be nearly impossible to choose the best projector for gaming for under $1000 so let’s start. You must have your eye on a widescreen in mind like 8000-10000 lumens or bigger
4000 – 10000 Lumens The contrast of lights with dark is also very important for viewing means if you are watching something comparatively HD it does not really matter much how low power provides as long as the light and contrast ratio maintains more than standard bulbs, but this factor is not ideal when watching things with lesser contrast like daytime.
Screen Size The sizing screen helps you to see fine details in the full view and they are easier to read, but in case multiple people want the value of glasses it is better common sizes as at least one person will clearly understand which frame image he is looking at.
Resolutions Picture Resolution: 5080 x 2160p Display Ratio: 4K Pixel Pitch (mm) ~ 0.312×1080 Power Source Perhaps the most important aspect of purchasing a projector is its power source. You should not worry much about wattage unless you have no other option, and if you do, simply buy a high-wattage bulb and never go below 80 liters to avoid overheating problems bulbs can cause…
No matter how powerful your new projection device is it will drain on spoolers and cooling fans in the room very fast but this factor cannot be surpassed unless you have a very large screen and bright bulbs.
Filaments & Glasses Most of these projectors are available with 4×3R lenses which means they are not suitable for watching 3D movies as it will require active filtering technology to convert beam-splitter into twin beams, so expensive glasses can also be used otherwise… They may look cool but never recommended running them without an anti-reflective lens behind the glass that has a good contrast ratio with overall brightness.
Others use fresnel glasses and they are quite so but they may require a power inverter or auto low-voltage switch to work with nonstandard mains along with installing their own weight such as wood, marble, etc… Projectors come with the best in component video / SVideo format meaning you can hook up your DVD player or onboard sound system. Not only do projectors offer a wider range of colors it also includes HDCP copy protection as well.
Things to Consider
For a projector under $1000, the HT3050 is not that bad. It produces a crisp picture and is relatively quiet, which means you won’t be bothering your neighbors with loud noises from the projector. The color accuracy could be better for some people, as it has slightly more blue than ideal in movie scenes.
The blacks can be improved by turning off the overscan function, but I found no difficulty at all watching dark images on a white background while sitting much closer to my seat.
Things that could be better: Low light material, the colors are just a bit too blue. Top of Center positioned projection modes are not optimal for large screen home theaters and will result in visible ghosting from fast pans and main characters as well.
Best Places to Buy/Sell Your VCR, DVD, or Blu-Ray Component(s)
Top-quality store (US stores: Element Electronics | Amazon ) You can also buy directly on eBay such as at my page (name: wholesale) If you are buying used, make sure that the other components have superb quality as this is probably going to be your source for decoding and main video upconversion from Blu-ray. I get it by purchasing items in excellent condition (especially bookcases on eBay which often contain very old VHS tapes ), then a great deal of effort goes into identifying whether the “other” component is good, if it has a decent picture and volume.
What to expect from a projector for under $1000?
As we have mentioned in the first part of this article, most projectors for under $1000 are still relatively new to the market. However, with more than a decade of experience selling projector equipment online and through our retail stores, we can tell you that there are only a few quality brands available for less than $1000.
Ordinary 8×30″ projectors sold at Wal-Mart can simply not compete with the performance of higher-end 4K or 5K models from high-end manufacturers. We specialize in high-quality, affordable projector equipment and also sell some midrange products as well – we know what’s possible these days!
As you will see below, if you are to get a projector for less than $1000, most likely you will at least be purchasing from a popular “carrier-grade” brand instead of one simply named after the model number such as ProjectorMate. A good example is the Elite Screens models which start at around (from my experience) $600 and produce extraordinary results It’s great to have options!
Display technology
LCD or DLP (digital light processing)
LCD is better known as the liquid crystal display. It is a technology that allows creating images on a screen by using light rather than electricity. It uses crystals of silicon and other materials to change polarized light into a sequence of electrical charges in order to draw and display an image. This technology is used to show images on most standard computer monitors, TVs, smartphones, etc…
High-end projectors using DLP digital signal processing can be equipped with LED (light-emitting diode) lamps that are brighter than regular fluorescent lamps! In this regard, there’s no such thing as too bright when it comes down to projector lamp brightness – small projectors can be equipped with so-called “halogen capsules” which are crystal clear but emit much less light since they only use one color of the LED.
Brightness, contrast, and resolution
Brightness and contrast are the most important specifications for a projector. A bright image produces an impressive picture with high contrast, but can also be difficult to view in a dark room. High contrast means that the brightest parts of the image are sharp and clear, and the darkest parts are properly defined. The image is not tinted, or gray overall in your room. Since contrast comes with a price; (usually) low brightness and poor resolution which produces images that look overly blurry
This may seem counterintuitive at first when enterprising business partners advocate total focus to make the most of their investment but these projectors have higher resolutions than those models listed here and therefore presents better stills quality if offered along with a high contrast ratio.
High-lumen projectors are the ones that would commonly be used in theatre, concerts, and presentations yet offer good enough brightness for indoor use. The main disadvantage is their low resolution and therefore images look slightly blurred even when using HDTVs or higher as a source – to help fill out the image you’ll have to go with an active display such as DLP Xenon lamps. Due to its lamp’s lower light output and higher lamp replacement costs, it is then better suited for dimmer homes than Xenon lamps.
Keystone correction
Keystone correction is a technology that allows the projector to “fill in” for off-center images. This is extremely important if you plan to use your projector with a screen, as this feature will allow you to project an image from any angle on the screen in your room. This technology is not built into every projector – you need to look at the “prism size” of a projector, as this will give an idea wherein each axis can fill out an image perfectly
As for placement… The simplest way is to place your projector directly behind the audience and engage keystone correction; there are better approaches but that defeats one of its main purposes: projecting images left or right (as in picture corners) or high and low as in a photo wall.
The distance between the viewer and projector will affect how far out of focus an image is when using keystone correction. To determine this, you need to multiply your focal length by the size of your screen (i.e., if you have a 13″ diagonal, pick one with 136-168″). Generally the closer to me it gets the more effective…
Throw distance
The throw distance is the distance from the projector to the screen. The throw distance determines how far away you can sit from your projector and still be able to see it clearly. It also affects what kind of projection surface you will need for your room, as well as how far from your wall you will need to go in order to project on a canvas or drop cloth.
This is one of the more important factors for enjoying your projector, especially if you plan on using it for video game reviews, movies with special effects, and 3-D presentations. Aside from this fact (and perhaps lighting), throw distance has exactly zero impact on picture quality during normal viewing – though there are some exceptions regarding resolution and overall brightness (see below).
First off, a whole lot of materials are used to vary throw distance distances. This includes different types of plastic diffusers that can be placed at the front and rear end(s) of the projector in order for you to receive more light or less light depending on what type is needed out in those areas. Diffusors also come with paper-thin LED covers which block all but 8% – 11% of the projected light (and/or reduce thrown distance by a fraction of an inch).
General-purpose diffuser-plastic with 2800 lumens output and integrated LED cover. The smaller disc in front is used to cut throw distance down, while the larger plastic spacer at the rear maintains proper throw distance measurement between projector and image sensor. This device works well as it controls the amount of emitted light inside its oval perimeter…
Screen size
Screen size is the most important measurement for home theater enthusiasts. You need to know what size screen you will be using with your projector in order to make an informed decision about which projector is best for you. Screen size can also help you determine whether a projector can support large screens (such as 2D, 3D, or 4K) with a very wide viewing angle. For example, many of the projectors above can produce 1080P but not any bigger than that without compromising picture quality.
Looking over some common screen sizes below will help you understand how displays are built…
This is to show the typical application for home theater projection. The image displayed on both sides should be identical and free from shadows or other anomalies.
The size of a projector also matters when it comes to transporting the unit, attaching projectors alongside each other for comparison, or firing your Image Source Control (ISC) remote at multiple projectors simultaneously with proper alignment.
For instance, many computer configurations utilize screens that can be attached directly to their baseboards which makes transportation easier; however, most home theater display (HTD) setups are only capable of being attached to stands or a plinth. This can be an issue when trying to attach multiple projectors at one time, if the contrast is not correct it may also cause illuminance differences and over-exposure unless proper alignment is done…
Warranty and lamp life
Warranties vary widely between manufacturers, but typically last for one year and can be extended to two years. The lamp life of a projector is usually rated in hours or thousand hours, though this can vary greatly between projectors – some have much shorter bulbs and others have extremely long lamps.
The lamp life often depends on the bulb, but also on a lot of other factors like environment, what kind of light is being illuminated and how the projector produces its own light. This kind of information can be found in many places such as this blog post or with most reviews you find online for higher-end home projectors…
Sometimes when trying to extend your warranty additional costs are included – these will vary between manufacturers – it is always worth checking with the projector company to see what they need you to cover and if additional costs will incur; this can often alleviate any confusion!
Image source: Lamps of Time – Projector bulb life.
Extra features
While projectors in this price range are more than adequate for most home theater applications, some models come with a few extra features that may be useful. The Optoma HD39Darbee projector comes with an IR remote control and two pairs of glasses – one for the front and one for the back – as well as a lens cap (it does not come with a carrying case). The M4300 also comes with an “osmosis filtration“…
This looks to be some kind of filtering designed to protect your eyes from light change or flash, though we did not test this feature. Most projectors do have IR emitters incorporated into them so control-wise you will probably benefit from something like this.
Projectors in the budget price range are usually not equipped with many high-tech features – they’re designed to work and last for years picking up awesome picture quality, so extra feature points like “osmosis filtration” should be seen as a welcome bonus!
How do you set up a projector?
If you have never set up a projector before, it is not difficult. However, there are some important things to know about getting your projector connected and adjusted properly so that you can enjoy the best picture possible.
How do I connect my projector?
Typically, projectors have some kind of video delay for a computer in the input (usually either HDMI or VGA). The way to go about connecting your projector is by turning off the computer and switching it into “PC”, then switching on the projector. In PowerPoint presentation mode, this should take you straight to your video device.
Depending on how many inputs there are already in use with separate devices feeding everything else through one wire – such as an HDMI cable running from the device to the computer – you will probably want to unplug one of those inputs first. Once in the correct input, it can be adjusted using your screen settings or with mouse and keyboard controls.
Another method is sending video through your computer into the projector’s Input (usually labeled by either “Computer”, “AV”, or something similar). Then, use some kind of software that send actual commands for display and doesn’t turn on your computer (before doing this, is a good idea to test the projector manually by pressing any keys).
Some projectors even have the software already attached or pre-installed in the console box itself that could control all of its hardware. Once you truly get comfortable with this method and don’t need something more advanced simple key commands should suffice.
If using an SD card instead:
1) Try connecting with HDMI
2); If it still doesn’t work, try connecting to the projector’s input (usually labeled by either “Computer”, or something similar). In most cases, you can disconnect whatever extra video device from your computer and first use SD. You may need to adjust any manual settings on the software like aspect ratio etc..
3) Be sure it’s not set for anything other than 4:3 native which is 16:9 if using widescreen P&P typically size A4/ JIS…..
To answer the previous question: I’ve tried it on a few computers, and in most cases, you don’t need to use any software – just connect via HDMI. If connecting with S-Video or VGA (instead of HDMI), then no specialized connector is needed.
What projectors operate well in a bright room?
Projectors can work well in a bright room as long as the ambient light is not too high. In fact, some projectors are specifically designed to be used in very bright rooms and may even have a special filter for this purpose.
The best projectors are the most compact, light, and have an LED lamp in them. The best (LED) projectors can even handle a very bright environment well by bringing down their brightness setting on the remote control or projector itself to conserve battery power so that it doesn’t produce its full brightness.
In fact, some models like microtome HDM70U do not allow you to dim your screen below 60%! There is also another variant of this model called HDM70 which has a different remote control “DMX” mode to increase the brightness throughout the room.
What projectors are compatible with Apple devices? How do connect them?
In general, any of the projector models listed in this guide are compatible with Apple devices. However, some projectors may have a specific connection type that is not recognized by your computer or device. To ensure you have the best picture quality possible, we recommend you first use the “test images” found on Apple’s website to check that your projector is connected properly.
These test images will help in troubleshooting a broken HDMI cable or other connection issues. Most computers, including newer Macs and many iOS devices, are HDMI-capable – please consult your device manual for further information about using an adapter/cat 5e cable with it if needed:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4600 http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4403 To connect your device to the projector, you will need an HDMI cable or a “DVI to HDMI” adapter (most newer PCs come with one as standard) and A functioning Apple display resolution at 1080p or higher is recommended for optimal performance in all current video formats including HDTV and 4K sources.:
Apple displays do not support 3rd party devices like projectors unless Apple has certified the projector for that particular model. They do this by communicating with a chip inside each of their products called an “integrated circuit”.
A unique ID number is assigned to each product at manufacturing, and this is interpreted as part of device setup: http://store.apple.com/us/support-ipods-ihas, Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki /Integrated_circuit Apple does not test or certify 3rd party products for compatibility. If your projector supports the specific features you are interested in, it may work or have issues depending on the capabilities of that product and its firmware implementation.:
Here’s an example of a Certified iPhone 5 HDMI cable with MHL: http://www.amazon.com/Pei-Wei+-FCCIDC1324MOV012USOCZ /dp/B 002XXBVWY or this would work too: http://www.amazon.com/Mirasol-Micro%2Fml -1M95AIMPGI5MO76Z7N /dp/B003XJEPES
What models can I use with my 3D glasses?
The most common 3D projectors have a single HDMI input that can be used with both 2D and 3D glasses. These models will require a simple adapter to connect the projector’s HDMI cable to the 3D glasses.
What’s the difference between True 3D and 3D?
True HD/3-dimension is only one component of a true full-HD setup. It calculates visuals at two different angles, with each eye seeing an image that suits it best in a polarization format that stops the viewer from getting dizzy (like IMAX). Finding this has been hard but many enthusiasts are working on just such technology.
In addition to these pieces, one needs equipment to convert the hi-def source meaning one needs something capable of rendering images at 4 times that it can natively deliver (2048×1556, not 1080p) and bring these up to full resolution in two dimensions.
This is where stereo Bluetooth headphones come into play as they will be able to sync with your TV or soon enough a new input on an HDTV like HDMI 1.4 which can render all audio in 2D and expand it to three dimensions on a TV. Finally is truly 3D, where one uses something that can function in both 2D and also “three-dimensional”
What units have the longest lifetime of the light source?
In general, the lamp in a projector will last as long as the rest of the unit. However, there are lamps that are built to last longer than others. You can find this information by looking at a projector’s specifications sheet or asking for that information by phone or email.
What is the maximum resolution of a DLP projector?
How does this limit the overall brightness of my projector?
What should I look for in projectors with higher resolutions, beyond just brighter numbers seen on specification sheets and specs pages?
Projector brightness: The LCD layer used to make light transmittance into your eyes’ retina range is cut off like pizza slices on a bright day. The amount of lumen is dependent on how bright the projected image is. This “brighter than screen” issue always has a limiting factor but not one that can’t be overcome with advancements in technology.
As long as we focus and project at full brightness, this limits us only to our eyes’ eye-human limitations…the refresh rate (how accurate the times between displays are treated) still plays a role here especially if you wish background video.
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