Sony Tips & Tricks: Selecting the Perfect Projector for the Ultimate Viewing Experience at Home!

Thinking
of creating a cinematic world in the comfort of your own home? With a
larger-than-life screen filled with rich cinematic detail and vibrant colour,
projectors can easily create a truly immersive viewing experience, transforming
your living room into your own personal movie theatre. You’ll never be more
excited for a Friday movie night at home!

With
numerous models on the market and each coming with their own specifications and
pricing, there is so much to think about! Here is a simple guide to get you
started on your search for the perfect home projector.

The
first thing to check is your room lighting! A home projector performs best in places
with minimal light and few windows. To determine if you have a suitable space,
you should be able to adjust your lighting, whether it be daylight or room
lights, so that it can be substantially reduced. Alternatively, you may want to
limit your use of the projector to the evening, or consider installing blackout
shades on your windows.

The
second thing to think about is your viewing frequency and the life of your
projector’s lamp. A projector’s lamp life will generally range from 2,000 to 5,000
hours. For example, if you are primarily using it to watch movies for an
average of 8 hours a week, the lamp will last you approximately 4 to 5 years.
You can always switch between your TV and projector for normal day-to-day
viewing and for movies on the weekends. However, you don’t have to worry about
durability with Sony’s new VPL-VW520ES and VPL-VW320ES; both come with new long-lasting lamps with 6,000
hours of performance.

There
are various models to choose from and each are different depending on your
budget and what specifications are important to you. Here are some features to think
about!

Resolution
is the number of dots or pixels used to display an image. The higher the
resolution, the smaller each pixel will appear, resulting in images that look
more seamless and crisp. This is especially important for projecting high-definition
video. Most high-definition projectors made for home use are a full HD 1920 x
1080 pixels. “Reality Creation” is a clever function used by Sony to
dramatically enhance high-definition 1080P content to deliver sharp and crisp
Full HD images.  If a high quality image
is a big deal to you, why not go a step further with a True 4K projector, such
as Sony’s new VPL-VW520ES that
comes with 4096 x 2160 pixel resolution – over 4 times the detail of
full HD. With native 4K, every detail is clear and natural, without jagged
edges or visible pixels.

Contrast
ratio measures the difference between the brightest whites and the darkest
blacks. A 1,000:1 contrast ratio means that the brightest white is 1,000 times
brighter than the darkest black. A high contrast ratio will show deeper blacks
and as a result, the projected image will have more vibrant, eye-catching
colours and rich crystal-clear detail. Having good contrast is essential for
home theatre projectors, where the presence of ambient light may make it difficult
to see rich cinematic detail if there is minimal difference between whites and
blacks.

Projectors
come in a range of brightness which are measured in lumens. The brighter the
projector, the higher the lumen rating and the higher the likelihood that it
will cost you more. Home theatre projectors typically range from 700 to 2,500
lumens. The amount of brightness you need entirely depends on the room you
project in. A higher brightness rating is suitable for rooms that have more
ambient light or if you’re projecting onto a wall, which is less reflective
than a screen. For the home theatre enthusiasts, take your viewing experience
to the next level with the ultimate 4K Home Theatre projector.

Vertical
and horizontal image correction features will align a skewed image on the
screen, while keeping the projector stationary. Most projectors will come with keystone
correction features. However, because it is a digital effect, an increase in
correction will reduce image resolution. To avoid quality loss, the lens shift
feature is an option you may want to consider having, as it corrects optimally
with no loss in image quality. This is very convenient as you can place the
projector where you want it, and adjust the lens so the image fits your screen
perfectly!

There
are a variety of models on the market which are compact and portable so you can
place your projector anywhere! Lay it on a coffee table, on a shelf at the back
of the room, or even ceiling-mount it. There are a range of different sizes and
types to suit your needs, such as free-standing, wall-mounted or retractable
projectors.

If your
projector is for the occasional movie night, an option is to place the
projector on a flat surface, or store it away in a cabinet when not in use.

If you are
after a full-blown home theatre system, you can also ceiling-mount it. This
will ensure your projector is not in your way, for a polished and uncluttered viewing space.
Mounting a fixed projector will keep it secure and also save you the hassle of
setting it up every time.

What’s
even better is the VPL-GTZ1 ultra-short throw projector from Sony, which needs
only seven inches from the wall to project a 17:9 high-res image that’s
147-inch tall. This is 80% less than what a regular projector would need!

These
are just a few key basic specifications that you have to consider when
analysing your options. Of course, different models will come with a different
combination of technology, specs and costs. Depending on your room size,
ambient light, viewing habits and whether you are after a home projector for
casual use or a dedicated home theatre system, your needs will determine your
choice. Ultimately, you can never go wrong with a projector as it can be a
cost-effective, practical way of getting the movie experience right at home.

For the full range of Sony home projectors, please visit the Sony website here.