Projector specs, explained

The light-valve type that turns light into an image: - DLP: Texas Instruments DMD micromirrors. - 3LCD: three transmissive HTPS panels. - LCoS: reflective liquid crystal on silicon. - Single-panel LCD: the budget transmissive design.

Physical pixels per imaging device. This is the truth behind any resolution claim.

Optically wobbling the image by a fraction of a pixel, faster than the eye can follow, to show more distinct pixel positions than the device has.

The exact DMD or panel part, e.g. TI DLP471TP (0.47″ 4K UHD) or DLP660TE (0.66″).

The segment layout of a single-chip DLP colour wheel, e.g. RGBRGB, RGBW, RGBCMY or RGBY.

The share of each pixel's area that actually emits or reflects light. Gaps between pixels cause 'screen door effect' (SDE).

Whether the user can digitally nudge the R/G/B panels to correct mis-convergence, and whether per-zone.

Projection distance ÷ image width. A range when the lens zooms (e.g. 1.35–2.84:1).

Whether zoom is done with lens elements (optical) or by scaling the image into fewer pixels (digital).

Shift by remote/motor rather than by dials.

For projectors without lens shift: how far the image sits above (or below) the lens axis.

Moving each corner (4-point), edge midpoints (8-point) or a full mesh (warp) to fit a screen.

How focus is adjusted. Motorized means by remote; auto means by camera or ToF sensor.

Takes a bayonet lens system, e.g. installation projectors with short, standard and long-throw lenses.

Stored zoom/focus/shift presets. Used for constant-image-height (CIH) 2.35/2.40:1 screens without an anamorphic lens.

What generates the light: - lamp: a UHP mercury lamp. - led: RGB LEDs. - laser_phosphor: blue laser exciting a yellow/green phosphor. - laser_rgb: discrete red, green and blue lasers. - hybrid: laser + LED.

What 'end of life' means for the hours figure.

White light output measured by the 9-point method. The screen is split into a 3×3 grid, illuminance is measured at each centre, then averaged and multiplied by image area. It's a production average, and units must reach ≥80% of it.

The original 9-point method, standardised by ANSI. That standard is now historical/withdrawn.

A Chinese industry-association brightness method. It's reported to need ≥80% of the labelled value, with a test CCT window of 6,000–18,000 K plus Duv limits.

Full red, green and blue fields are each measured, then summed. This captures how bright *colours* are, not just white.

Output per picture or power mode (Bright, Cinema, Eco…).

How evenly light falls across the image: the corner (or edge) illuminance as a share of the centre.

Estimated on-screen brightness for a given lumen figure, screen size and gain.

Full-white luminance ÷ full-black luminance, with no dynamic iris or light modulation. This is the true black-level capability of the light valve and optics.

The average of the 8 white rectangles ÷ the average of the 8 black ones, on a 4×4 checkerboard. This is intra-scene contrast.

The ratio between the brightest full-white frame and the darkest full-black frame, with the iris or laser dimming active.

The luminance of a full-black frame on a defined screen.

How much of the HD/SDR colour space the projector reproduces.

The white-point options available in the menu.

The colour depth of processing or display, often given as '1.07 billion colours' (10-bit).

A UHD Alliance-defined mode: motion smoothing, noise reduction and sharpening off, D65, correct aspect ratio and frame rate.

Hue, saturation and luminance controls per primary and secondary (RGBCMY = 6-axis).

The highest HDR signal accepted, e.g. '4K60 10-bit 4:2:2'.

How out-of-range HDR is compressed: - static: a fixed curve. - adjustable: a user slider. - dynamic: frame-by-frame analysis.

Whether 24 fps film is shown at an even multiple (48/72/96/120/240 Hz), or with 3:2 pulldown at 60 Hz (judder).

Synthesises in-between frames to smooth motion. Better known as the 'soap opera effect'.

Inserts dark periods between frames to reduce sample-and-hold blur.

Measured latency, with the resolution, refresh, mode and tester recorded.

Matches refresh to the source's frame rate to stop tearing and stutter.

Total rated amplifier power across built-in speakers.

The number of HDMI inputs.

Takes video directly from laptops, tablets and phones over USB-C.

A low-voltage output that switches on when the projector powers up, typically to drop a motorised screen or move masking.

Whether the OS is a licensed, certified build.

The DRM security level. L1 means hardware-backed decryption, which streaming services need for HD and 4K.

Accepts and displays stereoscopic 3D.

A camera detects the screen's black border and fits the image to it.

The total acoustic power emitted, independent of distance. ISO 21118 asks for this in bels.

Where the PSU lives.

Real runtime at a stated mode and brightness.

The maximum operating altitude, and whether a high-altitude fan mode exists.

Mass of the unit, as shipped without the PSU brick unless stated otherwise.

Hole positions and thread size for ceiling mounts (commonly M4 or M6).

Dust and water protection code, e.g. IP54 or IPX4.

Whether the light path is dust-sealed.

The hazard classification of the projected beam, from exempt (RG0) to high risk (RG3).

Standard warranty per region: years of cover, plus an hours cap where the maker sets one ("5 years or 12,000 hours, whichever comes first").

How much brighter the screen is on-axis than a perfect diffuse (Lambertian) white surface.

Screen technology.

The light falling on the screen from the room.

The recommended image size for a viewing distance and content type.