Projectors

Top 10 Projectors in 2016

   Projectors have come a long way from the days when the most useful way to categorize them was by their weight class. Today, there are any number of more meaningful kinds of categories, including intended use (business presentations, home theater, and gameplay), technology (LCD, DLP, and LCOS), throw distance (how close to the screen you can place the projector), and more. Here are some questions to answer that will help you find a projector with the right features and performance for your needs.

Home entertainment always looks better when it's been super-sized. Whether you want to splash Blu-ray movies across a large white wall, magnify your gaming experience, or want to throw photographs or slides from a mobile device onto a 100-inch plus screen, a home cinema projector should be your first choice of display.

To help bring the big-screen home we've tested some of the top models of home cinema projector. They range from budget-oriented HD beamers right up to cinema-grade 4K Ultra HD models; the surprisingly affordable to reassuringly expensive.

The days of fuzzy old pub projectors are thankfully long gone.

With HD now ubiquitous, you can get great results from 1080p source material. And as more Ultra HD content becomes available from media streamers like the new Amazon Fire TV and the Nvidia Shield, as well as the upcoming Ultra HD Blu-ray revolution, the future's looking great. So let’s take a look at top 10 projectors in 2016:

1. Sony VPL-VW300ES

Projection system: SXRD | Resolutions: 4096 x 2160 | Brightness: 1,500 lumens | Video inputs: 2x HDMI 2.0 (1x HDCP 2.2), 1x S-Video, 1x VGA

Those after a Full HD home cinema projector are unlikely to think of Sony, but mention 4K and there's really only one brand in town.Since it specialises in ultra-high-end projection for large venues, the Sony VPL-VW300ES is something of a trickle-down attempt. Nevertheless, the VPL-VW300ES's eight million pixels do come with a few restrictions you need to be aware with.

The VPL-VW300ES is a home cinema beast.It's not designed to be used in daylight or, at least, not much. Its 1,500 lumens rank it less bright even Sony's step-up 4K home cinema projector, the VPL-VW500ES.And its hulking physical size rule it out for occasional use; its 496x195x464mm chassis and 14kg weight has been created for a permanent installation in a dedicated home cinema room.

At the core of the VPL-VW300ES is a Silicon X-tal Reflective Display (SXRD) a Sony-only tech that's essentially a hybrid between DLP and LCD. The key benefit of SXRD is an ultra-fast response, so a lot of that 4K detail ought to remain even during high-octane video.

2. BenQ W1070+

Projection system: DLP | Resolutions: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 2,200 lumens | Video inputs: 2x HDMI (1x MHL), 1x RCA, 1x Component, 1x VGA

As its name cunningly suggests, the BenQ W1070 DLP projector is a revamped version of the original W1070 which made such a great first impression on us when it appeared at the end of 2012.The W1070 is an attractive projector, as usual for BenQ. Its top and bottom sides sport a fetching gloss white finish, while its front, sides and arced area above the lens barrel are clad in a shiny grey finish that contrasts cutely with the white. The lens sits deep within a large circular recess set slightly to the right side of the projector’s front edge, and there’s access to simple zoom and focus wheels through a hole in the top panel.

The W1070 is handily small too, making it easy to move in and out of a cupboard if you’re not looking for a permanently installed projector solution. There’s a slight concern that the hefty amounts of grilling around the W1070’s sides may lead to some light pollution and excessive cooling noise, but overall BenQ’s new projector update makes a good first impression.

It’s with its connections, though, where the W1070 makes its first move to improve on the original W1070. For starters, it can now handle the MHL mobile phone connection format via an optional dongle. Much more significant, though, is the W1070’s compatibility with a new optional extra Wireless Full HD Kit.

As you would expect these days, this kit comprises transmitter and receiver boxes that can stream uncompressed 1080p 2D or 3D content from your sources to the projector without the need for any cabling. It’s rated as being good for wireless coverage up to 30 metres, and uses four built-in antennas to support streaming through furniture doors and even through walls between rooms.

3. Sony VPL-VW520ES

Projection system: SXRD | Resolutions: 4096 x 2160 | Brightness: 1,800 lumens | Video inputs: 2x HDMI

The VPL-VW520ES is Sony’s latest 4K projector. This is significant in itself given that no other brand currently offers a 4K projector with a native 4K resolution. But that’s just the start of the VW520ES’s attractions, since it also happens to be the first projector to support high dynamic range (HDR) playback.

With Star Wars fever sweeping the globe at the time we’re writing this review, we can’t help but think that the VW520ES’s design looks a bit like Darth Vader’s helmet. Its black bodywork, arched top, curved edges and the venting grills that appear either side of the centrally mounted lens really do have a touch of the Dark Lord about them. Though if this scares you, a white version is also available, which reduces the threat level to Stormtrooper…

Without suggesting that we’ve got the hots for Vader, we do find the VW520ES’s design quite attractive in a no-nonsense kind of way - especially as Sony has applied a dash of panache in the form of a circle of short gold stripes around the lens.

The lens itself is large and looks high quality, joining the projector’s considerable weight, robust build and substantial size in raising expectations of an uncompromising performance.

4. Epson EH-LS10000

Projection system: 3LCD laser | Resolutions: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 1,500 lumens | Video inputs: 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.2), 1x Composite, 1x Component, 1x VGA

The EH-LS10000 (called the Powerlite Pro Cinema LS10000 in the US) is Epson's flagship projector for 2015. It also broaches the subject of 4K, but although it claims to present 4K-like detail and accept 4K video signals the LS10000 is resolutely a Full HD projector, albeit a very, very capable one.

Really, the LS10000's major innovation isn't to do with 4K at all, but with an innovative lamp. Anyone who's had a projector lamp run out on them will know the frustration that follows; a few weeks with no big-screen movies while you conduct a frantic online search for an official-looking bulb.

Step forward the LS10000's laser light engine, which promises to last an incredible 30,000 hours. That's about ten times longer than most, and should see the LS10000 last for years without any bulb shenanigans.The use of the word 'laser' is pure marketing gold, but there's more to it than that.

Epson is using a dual laser diode illumination system that provides two separate light sources, one for red and green, and the other for blue. That laser light source might be stunningly long lasting, but it's not incredibly bright. The 1500 lumens it peaks at is absolutely fine for watching movies in blackout conditions, and around dusk, but you'll experience a bleached image if there's direct sunlight coming through into the room.

5. Optoma HD36

Projection system: DLP | Resolutions: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 3,000 lumens | Video inputs: 1x HDMI 1.4a, 1x S-Video, 2x VGA, 1x Composite, 1x DVI-D

The HD36 pulls off the impressive trick of managing to look simultaneously serious and fun. It’s surprisingly beefy for such an affordable machine, possessing both more height and more depth than we’d typically expect – all promising signs of quality innards, efficient venting systems and, potentially, plenty of shielding to suppress running noise.

Also hitting the right note is the large size of the lens located to right of centre on the front edge. The circular housing for this actually stretches beyond the upper edge of the projector, creating a cute bulge in the projector’s top that runs back for the whole length of the lens barrel.

The projector’s black bodywork is nicely finished too, and both the top-panel buttons and optical zoom slider are large and easy to access. The only fiddly part of the design is the focus ring around the lens, which requires you to fit your fingers inside the cowling around the lens.

Connections are adequate, if a little odd. The odd bit comes from the way that instead of giving you two HDMIs as we’d normally expect, the HD36 gives you one HDMI and one DVI. This isn’t a deal breaker, but it could mean that someone looking to install the HD36 permanently rather than just getting it out when they want to use it will need an HDMI adaptor for potential second sources.

6. BenQ W2000

Projection system: DLP | Resolutions: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 2,000 lumens | Video inputs: Composite Video In x 1, Component Video In x 1, HDMI x 3

There was a time when, if you weren’t thinking of spending upwards on a projector, we’d have told you to proceed with caution.But things are changing, and no more so than with BenQ’s W2000 projector.

The W2000 is a Full HD single-chip DLP projector, and boasts BenQ’s CinematicColour technology, which aims to deliver the full Rec.709 colour standard for HD images. This should mean more accurate colours straight out of the box.

It’s a compact, lightweight projector, neatly designed with gently curved edges and a mostly white plastic body, save for a flourish of gold along the front edge.There are some top-mounted controls for when you don’t have the included backlit remote to hand, with all inputs placed on the back panel.

These are covered by two HDMI inputs, one each of composite and component video, RCA audio ins, a 3.5mm audio loop, a D-Sub PC port and an RS-232 port for control.There are also standard and mini USB ports but the latter is for servicing and the former for connecting up BenQ’s optional wireless HD kit for wireless streaming – you can’t connect any external hard drives for media playback.

7. ViewSonic LightStream PJD7830HDL

Projection system: DLP | Resolutions: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 3,200 ANSI Lumens | Video inputs: 2x HDMI 1.4, 1x Composite, 1x RGB input, 1x Video out

The PJD7830HDL is a startlingly good-looking projector. Its glossy white finish is wrapped around a bold, top-heavy chassis design featuring seductively rounded corners and an attractive arch that protrudes above the lens barrel. ViewSonic even provides a detachable cover for the rear connections, so that the chic design isn't ruined by cabling.

The PJD7830HDL’s connections are puzzling – at first glance it seems as if the projector has only one HDMI, despite a big logo on its top edge stating that it has two.

Further investigation finds the second HDMI tucked away under a slide-off panel to the right of the lens barrel on the projector’s upper edge. Why here? Because it provides a bay where you can permanently slot in an optional WPG-300 MHL-capable Wi-Fi presentation dongle , rather than having it sticking out of the projector’s rear and having to detach it every time you want to move the projector.

This dongle supports Wi-Fi display, media streaming, screen mirroring, content broadcasting, four-way split screen, live camera and live annotations.Other notable connections include a D-sub PC port, a powered USB port capable of supporting streaming dongles such as Google Chromecast and the Amazon Fire TV stick, and a collection of audio ports.

8. Optoma HD26

Projection system: DLP | Resolutions: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 3,200 lumens | Video inputs: 2x HDMI (1x MHL)

The HD26 is quite a looker for such a cheap projector. Our model came clad in a chic, crisp white over all four of its sides, and the bodywork’s blend of subtle curves, sharp angles and a boldly protruding lens comes together very fetchingly.

The projector’s connections are fine for the money, too, with two HDMIs, a USB port (for servicing purposes), a 3.5mm audio output, a port for attaching an optional 3D sync transmitter, and surprisingly a 12V trigger output for, say, firing up an electronic screen. One of the HDMIs is compatible with the MHL mobile phone protocol.

The HD26 uses a single-chip DLP projection system with a colour wheel, and sports a Full HD DLP chipset. Its 3200 Lumens maximum brightness rating is unusually high for such a cheap home entertainment projector, yet promisingly this is partnered by a high claimed contrast ratio of 25,000:1. On paper, this combination of specifications may help the HD26 deliver that rare trick of being able to function both in rooms with a bit of light in them and completely blacked-out spaces.

The claimed contrast ratio is not, it must be stressed, native; it’s measured via the HD26’s dynamic black feature, which continually adjusts the output of the projector’s bulb in response to the requirements of the image content. But actually, finding a dynamic black option like this on such a cheap projector is itself impressive – so long as the HD26 makes a decent fist of it, of course.

9. Epson EX9200 Pro Wireless WUXGA 3LCD Projector

Projection system: LCD | Resolutions: 1920 x 1200| Brightness: 3,200 ANSI Lumens | Video inputs: 2x HDMI, VGA, Composite video, RCA audio in, USB Type A, USB Type B, WiFi

The Epson EX9200 Pro Wireless WUXGA 3LCD Projector is a standout entry in the small, but growing, category of high-resolution projectors that are both light enough to carry easily and bright enough for a small to midsize room. Along with its WUXGA (1,920-by-1,200) resolution, its 3,200-lumen rating, and its sub-six-pound weight, it delivers excellent quality for data images and better video quality than most data projectors.

At 3.2 by 11.7 by 9.6 inches (HWD) and 5 pounds 11 ounces, the EX9200 is light enough to carry easily if you need to, and it even comes with a soft carrying case, so you don't have to buy one separately. However, it's also in a size and weight class that's appropriate for permanent installation in a mount or on a cart.

The EX9200's quality for data images is excellent with all but one of its predefined modes. The exception is Presentation mode, which has an annoyingly low contrast ratio, and an unusually bright glow in what should be black areas on screen. Fortunately, you can avoid the problem completely by using any other mode.

If you need 3D and high resolution, consider a DLP projector and put the Optoma EH341 high on your list, since it offers the same WUXGA resolution as the Epson EX9200. However, if you don't mind having slightly lower resolution—1,920-by-1,080—you might also want to look at the InFocus IN119HDx and the BenQ MH630, which both cost less.

10. NEC Display Solutions NP-P452W

Projection system: DLP | Resolutions: 1920 x 800| Brightness: 4,500 ANSI Lumens | Video inputs: 2x HDMI, 1x Composite, 1x RGB input, 1x Video out

The NEC Display Solutions NP-P452W offers a bright image that can stand up to ambient light in a midsize to large room, WXGA (1,280-by-800) resolution, and lots of flexibility for where you can put the projector relative to the screen, thanks to its 1.7x zoom lens and both vertical and horizontal lens shift. Add in quality for data images that's excellent in most ways, plus video that most people will consider at least watchable, and it's a better-than-average choice if you need a WXGA projector for permanent installation.

Better than average or not, the P452W is up against some stiff competition, including the Epson PowerLite 1975W WXGA Wireless 3LCD Multimedia Projector, our Editors' Choice WXGA model for a midsize to large conference room or classroom, and, to a lesser extent, the Sony VPL-EW345 that I recently reviewed.

Both the Epson and Sony models are built around three-chip LCD engines, compared with a single-chip DLP engine for the P452W. The three-chip engine guarantees that they're free of rainbow artifacts (red-green-blue flashes) and also gives them an advantage for brightness. The P452W has the advantage over the LCD models of being the only one of the three that offers 3D support. However, few data-projector applications need 3D, so for most people, that won't matter. It's also the only one of the three that offers lens shift, which will be of more use to more people.