Apr
7
Projectors and Keystone
Filed Under Home Theater Projectors | Leave a Comment
Without getting into a longwinded conversation on projector mounting 101, suffice to say there’s the right way and every other way to mount a projector. Sure lens shift can help you overcome some obstacles in the light path but even lens shift has its limits, once you go beyond those your back on the bad side of wrong.
Here’s my point and I’ll make it quick. It’s fine to be a few inches above, below, to the left or right of the screen with a projector with lens shift, but you want to (if at all possible) avoid using digital keystone correction.
Keystone presents itself as the image bowing out from the top or bottom in some cases in a “V” pattern, i.e. the top of the screen is larger than the bottom or vice versa. Using digital keystone correction to overcome this bowing can introduce a moiré pattern around fine lines in the image that are spaced closely together; as such keystone correction should be a last resort scenario.
Apr
3
Buying Used Projectors
Filed Under Home Theater Projectors | Leave a Comment
Projectors are obviously one of the costlier items in a home theater; as such it should come as no surprise to learn a healthy market for used projectors exists. All sorts of projectors can be found used, LCD, DLP, CRT etc. etc. There are of course a few things to consider before investing in a used home theater projector.
First off understand that projectors are more volatile (not the exact word I was looking for but close enough) than direct-view displays, the main reason is heat. Projectors have quite a bit more work to do than direct-view’s starting with not having the luxury of projecting light into a sealed cabinet. Add to that, the screen is in many cases two to three times the size of the average direct-view display and it’s easy to see how projectors are more prone to failure.
I say this not to discourage anyone from buying a projector (we love ours) but to draw attention to the importance of a warranty with a projector. Once you buy used (with minor exception) you’re on your own. This is where it gets tricky, paying 10% off retail for a year old projector clearly isn’t worth the associated risk, paying less than half the retail for a two year old projector on the other hand may well be.
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