How to choose a good HD projector?
Brightness
Most projectors will have a brightness value between 700-2000 ‘lumens’. The brightness factor has to compete with the amount of spill light you have within your viewing environment. Try to ‘cut out’ as much of this ambient light as possible to maximie the brightness potential of the projector you buy. Ideally you would have your home cinema setup in a basement or room without windows! Most projector output won’t look very good if bright sunlight is streaming in through the windows and you only have light colored curtains.
Contrast
The bigger the contrast ratio the better the definition between white and black on the screen and the less chance of fading of the black color. Think of when you have watched an old movie on tv and it has been played again and again – the black and shaded areas are usually grey and washed out! This is the contrast ratio in action and results in a unattractive and faded image.
Throw distance
When you decide to buy try to work out the distance from your projector to the surface where you will have your screen. You will want to check this distance against the manufacturers recommendations and specifications of the ideal placement of the unit within your room.
Lamp life
The lamps in your projector will last between 2000-4000 hours depending upon their make and manufacture.