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How to Choose and Buy a Home Cinema Projector

There are many different home cinema projectors on the market and sometimes it can be difficult to know which to choose. Here are some hints and tips on what to look out for when choosing and buying a projector.

Resolution

When choosing a projector, consider going for the popular SVGA “800 x 600” resolution, as it gives excellent image quality for a competitive price.

Contrast Ratio

A contrast ratio of 1000:1 or higher is considered to be ideal for showing video images, handy for the home cinema.

Formats

Make sure that the cinema projector can show PAL and SECAM video formats.

Brightness

Brightness helps produce a vivid image, so go for a home projector rated between 600 and 1600 ANSI Lumens.

Type of Projector for Home Cinema

Choose a DLP (Digital Light Processing) projector for home cinema use although check that it has a DDR chip fitted to cancel out the ‘rainbow’ effect.

The “rainbow effect” is a problem with the picture that is caused by the spinning wheel technology used in some DLP televisions and projectors. The speed at which the colours change result in it being difficult for your eyes to distinguish between them, and this can lead to eyestrain and headaches.

Widescreen Format for Home Cinema Use

The 16:9 widescreen format is considered best for home cinema use as most DVD’s now use this ratio, so ensure that your chosen projector can show pictures in widescreen.

Further Information

You can learn more about the different models and brands of home cinema projector available in our Brands of Television section and on our Top Models of Home Cinema Projector page.

You can find out more about the types of accessory you can buy for your home cinema projector in our Accessories section.

If you want to buy a home cinema projector, go to our Where to Buy pages to find out about some great deals from online suppliers.

If you aren’t sure whether or not a home cinema projector is the best option for you, visit our guide to How to Choose and Buy a Television for some hints and tips on what to look for or our Types of Television section for details of what’s available.

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