The standards behind projector specs

The only international standard that says what a projector spec sheet must list, in what order and with what terms. Light output is a production average, and shipped units must reach at least 80% of the stated figure.

Our data-sheet sections and field names follow its Table 1. Every key on our sheets is marked Required, Optional or our own extension. Explainer →

Defines the 9-point light-output measurement, 4×4 checkerboard contrast and centre-to-corner uniformity. ISO 21118 references it normatively.

Brightness stated "per ISO 21118" is measured this way. We tag measurement method on every brightness value. Explainer →

The 9-point method that gave "ANSI lumens" its name. ANSI lists it as historical.

We keep ANSI lumens as their own unit. Today the label usually means "9-point, not independently verified". Explainer →

Measures red, green and blue output separately and sums them, exposing projectors whose white is boosted by a clear segment.

Shown as colour brightness, never mixed with white lumens. Explainer →

Contrast of the whole system as seen in the room, ambient light included, across four viewing categories from passive viewing to full-motion video.

Why a 3,000:1 projector can look washed out in a lit room. Explainer →

How big an image must be for the content and the farthest viewer.

Screen-size guidance in the throw calculator and guides.

Gain is measured against a Lambertian reference.

Screen gain in the brightness calculators. Explainer →

A nominal 48 cd/m² (14 fL) for cinema presentation.

The "cinema reference" target in our brightness calculators.

SDR primaries and D65 white.

Rec.709 gamut coverage. Explainer →

The cinema and HDR-mastering gamut, with two different white points.

We record which white point a P3 figure uses. Explainer →

The UHD container gamut.

BT.2020 coverage, always with its metric and CIE space. Explainer →

The reference gamma for SDR displays.

Gamma presets.

The base of HDR10.

HDR10 support. Explainer →

Defines both PQ and HLG.

HLG support. Explainer →

The two spaces gamut percentages are quoted in. The same projector scores differently in each.

Every gamut figure stores its space and whether it is coverage or area. Explainer →

Sound power, in bels. ISO 21118 points to it.

Kept apart from dB sound pressure. Explainer →

Sound pressure at a bystander position, in dB.

Fan noise with its mode. Explainer →

Dust and water ingress protection.

IP rating on portables.

Risk groups RG0 to RG3 by how hazardous the beam is to look into.

Risk group on the sheet; it matters most for ultra-short-throw and portable lasers. Explainer →

Laser product classes.

Laser class where stated. Explainer →

The hazard-based safety standard behind CB, CE and UL listings.

Certifications list.

A version number tells you little; the features (FRL bandwidth, ALLM, VRR, eARC) are what matter.

We list HDMI features individually. Explainer →

Required for 4K streaming sources.

HDCP version per input. Explainer →

A cross-brand control protocol for installers.

Control features.