Home Theater Projectors- Updated Feb 18, 2013 Read expert reviews of the best home theater projectors. We offer an extensive collection of detailed video projector reviews, sorted by brand. |
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Scroll down for our reviews Our goal is to help you narrow down your choices to the digital home theater projectors that will work best in your home. We'll help decide, based on your general requirements, your room size and layout, and your family's viewing preferences. The final choice of home theater projectors is yours, but we hope we can make it easier for you to choose wisely. |
Home Theater Projector Reviews by Brand Name
Projectors are grouped by manufacturer and listed from newest to oldest.
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To help you get started in the hunt for your "perfect" home theater projector, here is some basic home theatre information. Most home theater projectors are either LCD projectors or single chip digital DLP projectors. There are also some higher end models using LCOS technology instead. Projector manufacturers using LCOS usually have their own names for them; Sony calls theirs SXRD, JVC calls theirs D-ILA, and so on. Entry level home projectors typically cost less than most plasma displays or big screen TVs, and, of course produce a much larger image on to a projector screen. There are basically two groups of entry level home projectors; all-in-one projectors with built in DVD players and speakers, and stand alone home theater projectors. A third group to consider might be pico projectors, but their image quality still isn't in the league with serious home theater projectors. At this time in 2011, all the 1080p resolution home projectors under $999 (current models), are DLP projectors, but LCD home projectors only start a couple hundred dollars about $1000. You can, today, buy a (1080p) home theater or home entertainment projector from under $800. One you reach about $1200 today, you have stepped up a notch in image quality. There are plenty of home projectors selling from a little over $1000 to about $3000. We're seeing a second step up in quality that starts below $2,000 with ultra high contrast projectors from companies like Panasonic and Epson. And, at $3000 still another step up in general thanks to models from JVC and Sony, and the Epson R series. 3D projectors for home are starting with under $1000 DLP 720p models, but they are limited without outboard adapters to be compatible with blu-ray 3D, etc. Serious 1080p 3D projectors in 2011 are trying to break under the $5000 price point, with models from JVC and Sharp starting at $5,000 for 3D home theater and 2D of course. The really hi-end home theater projectors are mostly DLP projectors that use three DLP chips instead of one. Prices start (2011) at under $8,000 for a 720p projector, and from $22,000 for 1080p 3 chip DLPs that are 3D capable. The key factors to consider while making your home theater projector choice, include; your budget, placement considerations (ceiling, table, back wall), image quality (of course), ability to control your room lighting, and matching the projector to a projector screen, that will work best in your room. When all is said and done, your new home theater projector and system can do what plasma displays and big screen TV's just can't accomplish, and that is provide the huge "theater-like" viewing area that allows you to be imersed in the content. Even the largest most expensive "TV"s now shipping, without getting into the well over $10,000 price points are only in the 60-65" inch diagonal range. The 85" Panasonic plasma TV shipping is over $20,000! Who needs that when you can blow it away for a fraction the cost with a home theater projector. Start the popcorn! |