Avoid these 7 common PROJECTOR buying mistakes
Projectors keep getting cheaper and easier to own and use, make sure you don't make one of these 7 common home theater mistakes.
🔥 Recommended Inexpensive Projectors 🔥
Best under $100: amzn.to/3N49AkG
Best under $200: amzn.to/41x66LO
Best under $300: amzn.to/3LodJ1A
🔥 Recommended 4K Laser Projectors 🔥
Top Pick Overall - Hisense C1: amzn.to/3PzDeit
Best for Bright Rooms - Formovie X5: amzn.to/3LybOqb
Best Budget Pick - Dangbei Mars Pro: amzn.to/415E34Y
Best Performance Specs - JMGO N1 Ultra: amzn.to/3X1VaEx
Best for Gamers and Cinephiles - BENQ GP500: amzn.to/3pc9yNy
🔥 Recommended Home Theater Projectors 🔥
Best Overall - Epson LS11000: amzn.to/46EPiW6
Best Value - BENQ HT4550i: amzn.to/46HpJ6p
🔥 Recommended Portable Projectors 🔥
Best under $500: amzn.to/3m5JJtS
Best under $1000: amzn.to/3L4PDYh
🔥 Recommended UST Projectors 🔥
Best overall - AWOL LTV-3500 Pro: amzn.to/46Im1cg
Best Dark Room Performance - Nexigo Aurora Pro: amzn.to/3Fei4k7
Best Budget Daylight Projector - Epson LS800: amzn.to/3ttsJ7L
🔥 Recommended Projector Screens 🔥
Best Overall - Formovie Fresnel 100" ALR: www.projectorscreen.com/formo...
Best Value Lenticular CLR Fixed Frame Screen - Nothing Projector CLR: nothingprojector.com/products...
Best Performing Lenticular CLR Fixed Frame Screen - Spectra Vantage: www.projectorscreen.com/spect...
Best Performing and Best Value Floor Rising Screen - Vividstorm S-Pro 100": amzn.to/3mDPliB
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Music by www.BenSound.com
00:00 Intro
00:29 Fake Brightness
02:36 Permanent vs Portable
03:35 Bulb vs LED vs Laser
05:27 Long Throw vs Short Throw vs UST
06:45 Screen Materials and Gain
09:13 Brightness and Contrast Over Resolution
10:48 Smart and Connected Projectors
All of my projector recommendation videos have been updated for 2023-2024: Best Sub $100 Budget Projectors: kzhead.info/sun/otN_pt2tm5SugX0/bejne.html Best $100-$600 Midrange Projectors: kzhead.info/sun/a9GPiMNqcJmOe30/bejne.html Best Portable Projectors: kzhead.info/sun/rNqtoKWqinqOmI0/bejne.html Best Modern Laser Projectors: kzhead.info/sun/Zq-me9pli4Z_hIk/bejne.html Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors: kzhead.info/sun/eMpppLKifnalgo0/bejne.html Best Premium Home Theater Projectors: kzhead.info/sun/h86giMqKhKajho0/bejne.html Best UST Projector Screens: kzhead.info/sun/ZcZxgLySq35npHA/bejne.html
Which " short throw projector" would you recommend ? (not ultra-short)
@@SinemASLAN-ve What's your budget and what will you be using it for (home theater, gaming, golf sim, classroom, conference room, etc)?
my budget is 600 eur in max, I'll use it for home theatre, max 35db, with FullHD, if lamb life would be higher that would also be great, and a short throw is what I am looking for because the room is not so big. thank you! @@TheHookUp
@@TheHookUphey, there's no short throw projectors available with laser or led technology, is that correct?
12 minutes of detailed knowledge. I'm a projector guy for over 30 years and your video does kick the fundamentals of how to buy a projector. Simple and straighforward.
Hi, sorry man I think I'm looking for an advice from someone like you, I'm deciding on buying a acer nec m271x from a friend but I'm looking for a projector to watch movies on with at least an aspect ratio of 16:9 but wit a little research I been doing so far I found out that this acer is 4:3 aspect ratio, so I need to know if this is a good projector for what I need need it for or should I look for something else, thanks man I look forward to your advice and response
One of the few videos on youtube that is not intentionally verbose to show more ads and is not full of bullshit. Amazing content! Subscribed in a heartbeat.
Best bang for your buck ?
So what's the best for movie/games that won't break the bank?
You said 240, mean 204? Small critique
I normally watch reviews at 1.25 speed, just to save a little time. But you, you're naturally on 1.5 already! Love it!
Haha, I love it.
Excellent video mate. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we really appreciate your efforts and more importantly, your integrity. You're one of the few creators I consider to be in my list of uncorrupted reviewers. Along side Project Farm and Teaching Tech. Also there is something about the density of information in your videos that I really appreciate. So many videos these days need to be played at 2x speed or even skipped through just to get to the point. But with yours it's the opposite, it feels like a university lecture where I should be taking notes and even going back and watching sections again to really take it in. I know that sounds like a negative but that's a big positive I think, you aren't wasting anyone's time by dragging things out or milking as many videos out of a subject as possible. Also also, haha, one other thing I really appreciate that you have in common with Project Farm, is that you really do cover everything from a absolute budget entry level up to the high end level. I believe that a review of a high end expensive product isn't complete without seeing what that extra expense gets you compared to a quality cheaper option. Thank you
I agree 100%, l'm also a subscriber to Project Fam for the same reasons. Quality dudes making these videos. Talent on knowing our time is limited and what info we tuned in to hear and ge and want and cut out the self indulgent filler of most of these KZheadrs.
One of the best educational projection system evaluation videos on youtube. He explains some of the technical parameters in a way that the non-engineer viewers can understand and select components so they will not be disappointed with their purchase. WELL DONE!
You answered many questions I have had. Didn't realize so much research needed to be done. Thanks!
This is one of the most informative videos discussing projectors. You get right to the facts of the matter, explain it all in detail and most importantly, don't waste any time. Thank you.
Wow. What a great detailed video on what to look for when buying a projector. Your videos always have so much information in them. I always look forward to your next videos. Take care.
Excellent projector crash course. By far the best video to watch before making a purchase decision on a new projector. I have just greatly levelled up my product knowledge in an easy to follow 12 minutes. Thank you
Excellent & concise review of projectors. Love the short throw options due to easy placement & sound quality!
Barely anyone on YT doing super well explained info on projectors that seems trustworthy. Thank you!
Seen a few of these videos but this one was hands down the most informative!
Great tutorial. I had very little knowledge on this subject and you just explained a very new topic to me in a manner I completely understood. Thanks.
this is literally the best beginner friendly video that covers all bases on what to look for to buy projectors
This has cleared a lot of things up for me while looking at projectors. Excellent video. Thanks
This is why I love KZhead nowadays. A perfect video for a random guy struggling in projector land. Though I had to watch it at 0.75 speed and with intermittent pausing for my brain to keep up! thanks a lot
Respect comment for re-uploading to give us accurate info. Much appreciated
Thanks for updating for accurate info! Much respect!
Planning to buy a projection for the first time and this video helps alot for a noob like me. Everything is covered. Thanks good sir.
Amazing video! I wish I had seen it before buying my projector! It would save me a lot of time doing research
Fantastic job explaining projectors. Can't thank you enough. I knew a little but your clear and concise explanation certainly clarified and filled many of my knowledge voids. I just placed the order for the Wemax Vougue Pro Native for work. Lets hope it does the job. Congrats on every good video.
This video was removed/reposted to correct a factual error about throw ratio. Thanks to subscriber @Paul Vail for pointing it out.
Rewatching and commenting for the algorithm!
No point in getting views if they are wrong!
The screen at 6:40 for UST projectors is CLR not ALR
Eh, CLR is just a subtype of ALR.
@@TheHookUp yes they are made for a different purpose (I am not suggesting to correct and upload again!) but the image shown is a CLR + UST, many people don’t know the difference and the right screen for their projector. I hope giving a little explanation here about the difference will be enough for those who are interested.
This could well be the most helpful video I've ever watched on KZhead. Thank you
Man this guy makes some of the most detailed videos I've ever seen on any subject! I really appreciate the hard work and effort that is put into these videos!
Thanks for the crash course! Really awesome video. Saved for reference for when i decide to replace my projector. This also an example of presenation skills to the max (like your other videos)!
Thanks Chris!
I already decided on the Zoaybu projector thanks to your other videos but can’t stop watching haha. You’re an excellent teacher! Such good learning. Thank you!
this is one of the most informative and handily detailed videos ive ever seen.
Absolutely great information about the projector itself. I am a photographer, and I use projected images on a 180 ft² projection screen.
Lately I’ve been gathering info for a couple upcoming purchase decisions: a replacement for my aging 720p bulb projector, and a budget security cam for my parking space (damn catalytic converter thieves!). Gotta agree with others giving props to The Hook Up channel- it’s giving me the exact type of comparison/shootout reviews I find valuable, coupled with excellent context / “big picture” nuanced background knowledge. This channel’s reviews of specific product categories are so good it makes me realize the vast majority of online “review” videos are worthless wastes of time… they’re essentially just unboxing videos posing as a “review.” I want to see direct head-to-head, side-by-side comparisons in multiple test environments… and for what I’m shopping for right now, The HookUp is the gold standard of pre-purchase “research” Keep up the great work you’ve doing with this channel.
Dang... Thanks Kampy, I appreciate the kind words.
Thank you, good sir! Your content is purely delightful.
Duuuude, youtubers like you are rare! So much good info and no sponsors. Thank you!!!!!
Best explanation video covering all the details! Thanks so much!
This video is really gonna help in the projector purchase decision. Thanks
Thanks for the vid. Really helped me find a good projector!
bro! you have no idea how much you've helped me!!! Thank you!!!!
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I have a double-doctorate and STILL couldn’t figure out which one would be the best for my needs! 🤣 Using your affiliate link, I purchased your recommendation for the best projector for under $200. As a business consultant, often times my clients have a terrific room, with all the technology needed for me to conduct my workshops and seminars, but once in a while, it’s been an issue, so I feel great, knowing that I can offer to bring my own equipment when the client needs it. Thanks to you putting this video together, I NOW feel like I’m an “official” (and fancy, I might add) traveling roadshow! 🙌🏻😎Lol.
Legendary video. Been using a projector for past 1 year but was always confused about the concepts.
Your tips, comparisons, and reviews and so on have been extremely useful for navigating this space and making informed decisions. Thank you so much for all your wonderful advice!
Well said. Very interesting and informative answered a lot of questions. Thanks
Sir...I needed this exact video. Thank you so much
Thanks, Great Video, I Learnt a lot on what to look out for before buying. I will be using the projector a lot as a new business venture, although Laser is more expensive, it appears in the long run will be my best option.
Great video, I picked up an Optoma HD29HST a week ago and love it
Sitting here grinning as I have the x3000i on order, have a 110" white 1.1 gain screen waiting, calculated all the throw distances and vertical offsets as much as I could, and it seems that I didn't make even 1 mistake from the above ones! Great video, and I wish it was out a month ago when I've dove in deep into all these topics to save me some time.
I think you'll be happy with your choices!
Great informative video. The brightness ratings have always confused me. Thank you.
Brilliant information! To the point that has helped me take an informed decision.Thanks
An awesome video. I am impressed by the fluidity with which you presented the facts. I have been an AV guy for past 25 years and can vouch for your statements. I would only like to add that a projector is good only if you go with the right sound system, else one is better off with the TV.
Watching it again. Love the video. It's time to convince my wife that we need the projector for some movie nights in the garden
I always enjoy your videos, very informative but not an hour long.
Great video! Would be nice to see a video comparing some of the top most-bought "middle of the road" projectors! Say, $350-$550
i just purchased the capsule 3 because of course before I saw this video, i fell in love with the laser brightness and functionality. but my main reasoning for it was to start a small biz and do backyard movie parties. now learning about ansi vs led lumens im wondering if im too low at 300. but my main purpose is to use it at night in the dark with minimal light. I tested it in my house yesterday when it came in and we had lights on and it showed fine. so as much as I learned, i still fee somewhat confused. but your video was the best ive seen explaining so much
wow this is very helpful... Thanks you a lot for compile in such a short time
Thank you. It's been very informative. I'm glad I watch this video before I buy a new projector.
Such great educational content! 👏
Holy heck, I feel like I finally get all this. Thanks so much
Just Perfect~! Very informing, very precise and very clear! Thank you...!!
Yeah I finally got my projector for my golf simulator but it took around 2 full weeks or more to come around to the information you have about projectors in this video. Some of the waste of time came from going to Best Buy to see what they had. All I had to do was look at the image they had on display with ambient light that made me say I won't get anything below 3600 ANSI lumens. I decided on an Optoma GT2100HDR that was selling for $1800 street price and when Black Friday came along they dropped it to $1399. Incredible savings? I just hope it lasts +5 years. Thanks for putting this up wish I saw your video 3 months ago when I first started looking it would have saved me some time (headaches).
Man, this was so helpful. Thank you so much!
Great video, thanks do you also have one where you talk about best sound system options for projectors?
Hi this was a very informative video I was kind of surprised actually of how in-depth it went. Thank you
Absolutely a great video. Thank you so much. You are a pro at speaking, research knowledge and presentation 👍👌
Hi. This was really helpful. Have you done any comparisons of motion smoothing settings on different portable projectors? I don't like watching movies and tv with the heavy smoothing that comes as a default setting on most hdtvs and projectors. It sounds like some devices let you turn it off but others have low/high settings. Thanks.
Nice crisp video. thanks for making this
Very concise and well explained presentation. Thank you for this.
Your vids are SO helpful. THANK YOU!
amazing video. made my life much easier in minutes. Thank you
This video was amazing! Any recommendations in the $300-350 range (non portable)? It seems like there is a jump in price from around $200 then jumps up to $500, so maybe not worth the money unless you jump in price?
Nice summary and breakdown of terms. 👍
Your video is an awesomely intuitive source of information, I like how you laid it out, and noticed the things you described about different projectors. There's one thing that bugs me though, is the advice to use grey screens with less gain to reject ambient light. It doesn't make sense at all that they would enhance contrast or dynamic range because you're just making everything dimmer by the same amount. The contrast ratio of the image would be exactly the same as a bright white wall or a gain of 1.0 ... But... if that screen has special optical properties such as an ALR surface you mentioned, that's the feature which will achieve that. I'd still avoid a plain grey color as part of that function. I've seen online, special surfaces/paints which are engineered to reflect only the narrow RGB color bands projected, so that they look darker in ambient light but still reflect most of the projected image. I'd be interested in seeing coverage on that 👍. As for keeping ambient light off screen while keeping usable light in the room, especially a home theatre, I've used tricks such as using track lighting, or wall sconces behind the sides of the screen, using down-lights aimed just at the coffee table/seating keeping most of the room a dark color, such as furniture, carpet, ceiling and floor. Avoid lighting the walls or keep them dark too. So you can have usable light with minimal reaching the screen. Thanks again for an insightful video!
Good observationsa. Also: 1. Whatever you do, do not purchase and use a UST PJ. 2. By adhering to point 1. above, you do not need to worry about ALR screen surfaces. 3. Do not purchase and use any projection screen that id made out of oil-based vinyl. Bad idea, and the stench is really awful in a windowless space. 4. Do not use gray projection surafces, use totally black ones instead. And 5. When projecting, turn off the room lights and darken up the room as much as possible.
Good day! New subscriber here as I am going to setup a home theater. What size or projector screen do you recommend if my wall distance is about 8'5 inches? I figured that 100 inches would be too much and uncomfortable and now I'm stuck on thinking what size should I buy. Thank you so much for a very informative video! Cheers!
A lot of information put across very well - many thanks.
very impressive details for me as a beginner in the interactive games business that needs extra attention to projection details, thanks for the efforts
5:38 i prepared all cables for standard and short throw but in the end i think I am going to go with ultrashort throw :) funny how things are changing in less than a year. ALR in-ceiling screens started to show up in the market.
Thanks some great tips and advice for newbies.
Lots of great info here! I recently became the owner of about 60 3D movies! I've never had a 3d tv, but I do have the 3d bluray player. Wondering about a budget ultra short throw 3d-ready unit and screen options. Would love to see comments about any home 3d viewing experiences, there doesn't seem to be a lot of talk about the format anymore.....is it worth taking a look??
Super helpful summary for buyers - thank you
Thanks for the quality strong review. I'm looking for a quite home projector which i can use on ceiling(occasionally as a normal horizontal setup) mostly to read comics while in the bed. Thanks to your review i decided not to try Samsung Freestyle. Are there any other recommendations which have similar mobility? (thinking of XGIMI Halo+ but need to make it stand vertically, with cables plugged somehow)
Thank you for the information. Still lost though. What projector(s) do you recommend for regular daily classroom use? It will not be possible to block out all light and PowerPoint presentations with pictures and words, as well as short videos and movies will be shown.
Great video, I was about to make just about every mistake covered in the video 😅
A couple of quick questions. When I look at dedicated theater room with full light control capability, I see a lot of focus on the bulb projectors and ones like Epson 3800, Benq HT3550, and Optoma UHD38x (although Optoma gets dug at alot for dead pixel quality issues). With plenty of room for a standard throw in that dark room with no windows, would you still recommend a lower gain screen (or cinegray equivalent)? How do you feel about the Dangbei Mars PRo, BenQ X3000i, or Nebula Laser as compared to the above models in a ceiling fixed installation?
Good point about resolution. I originally started looking at 1080 but for the price of a 1080ust vs 4Kust it doesn't make sense... The 4k (true resolution or no) usually like £400 more and seems silly to not consider it. But think i am clearly missing something here... Will check out your recommendations! 😊
Awesome video. Thank you so much!
Very informative, I learned a lot!
Excellent side by side comparison ❤
Insane amount of information in your videos - fantastic!
I am considering a projector as my next "TV" so thanks.
I love how I watched this video just 2 weeks ago and YT already forgot it and recommended it again
Excellent advice, thank you!
Great video. Thanks. Just bought a cheap projector but I'm thinking it will suffice based on the things you just mentioned. Will really just connect it to my laptop.
Good video, my issue is the reverse of most. I need a mini projector that has a long throw. So few exist under 1k
Excellent and it was really helpfull. Can you please advise which is better for my home theater or gaming use? LG BU50NST or OPTOMA UHZ45?
great video for those using projectors for movies or TV.. but another thing to think about is how your prpjector throws its image.. meaning what is the height of it in relation to your screen.. some throw it straight out meaning that the lese will be in the center of the image so iof you are mounting on a ceiling it may have to hang too low .. or on a table at a friends house it may have to sit way too high.. the other thing is always buy a projector that has the proper up / down throw. and dont use the built-in keystone adjustments if you dont have to... these typically degrade the image quality and if your projector natively displays a trapezoid (so you can set it low on the table).. you will never get a good focus across the whole screen... the lense is desinged for the unit to be set up where the projector displays a perfect rectangle with no adjustments turned on.. this will get you the best focus.. using mechanical adjustments like lense shift (BenQ LK936).. or the manual Zoom ring wont affect image quality other than too large an image may be too dim.. so feel safe in using those and stil lgetting good focus.. Focus is most importabt for those using projectors as computer monitors and for gaming.. also you can shine a projector on a wall.. esp if you are grabbing it to watch a sports game in lifesize or just general TV watching.. unless you are a cinephile or very picky about TV images being perfect a painted wall (light gray satin if you have some ambient light) works just fine.. is it as good as a screen? probably not but it does work and really not bad..
9:00- not only the visual satisfactions are the variables to consider, eye hygiene is important for the long term especially for seniors. Bright screens can cause eye muscle fatigue so a bit darkened pictures are better.
excellent review. u r very much true and correct in every point.
Hey ! Thank you for the video ! I always had this project in mind but I never know if a projector is that much better compare to a TV in the same price range
Depends on the size of the screen you want. You'll never get a 65" projected image to compete with a 65" TV, but for 100+" screen TVs are still not really attainable.
@@TheHookUp you right thank you! ❤️
Great. Gave me all the info I needed to start shopping.
Impressive, Mike! I like how you design it. 👏🏼
Great video ! ! ! ! Loved it. Thanks!
I used to knock cheap projectors until I bought one on Amazon for just under $300 and I’m completely satisfied with it. I project onto a double layer white screen with a black blackout cloth behind it. It’s reminiscent of an OLED TV now lol
Thank you ...your video is very informative
this was a very valuable video, thanks!