How We Test Projectors
Our goal for projector testing is to create a test script that, start, lets u.s. report meaningful information based on objective results (in the grade of quantitative measurements and qualitative observations), and, second, defines a consequent exam procedure to ensure that our results are fully comparable from one review to the next.
The Projector Test Procedure
When testing projectors, it's important to permit the equipment offset warm up thoroughly to ensure stable functioning. Our first step in testing is to turn on the projector and make certain it volition stay on continuously by disabling any settings that might turn it off or put it in an idle (or slumber) mode.
During the 30-infinitesimal warm-upwards time, we run through preliminary setup steps. This includes connecting cables and positioning the projector at the correct distance from the screen to get the epitome size we need for testing. We test all projectors that include an optical zoom lens at the maximum wide-angle setting, for the largest image size and highest brightness, and then suit the image to the right size by moving the projector closer to or further from the screen. For projectors that include a digital zoom, we prepare the digital zoom to take advantage of the entire imaging scrap.
For most projectors, we fix the image size to 2 meters (78.4 inches) across, which matches the width of a sixteen:9, ninety-inch diagonal screen. (Depending on the projector's native aspect ratio, the height and diagonal size will vary.) For projectors than can't throw a bright enough prototype to be usable at that size, we adjust the size every bit necessary, normally to a 1-meter-wide image.
More than Preliminaries & Setup
Nosotros utilize the warm-up time to browse through the onscreen carte organisation to go familiar with the menus and the controls on the projector itself and any included remote command.
Some other reason for browsing through the menus is to spot any settings that might crave testing across what we normally do (with a given setting both on and off, for example). We brand sure that any features that might touch on our results are prepare properly. In particular, nosotros plough off digital keystoning, which can innovate artifacts on some images. (Nosotros likewise test automatic keystone control with the feature on, to make certain it does what information technology claims to do.)
Finally, we ready our image sources—reckoner, Blu-ray player, or both—to the appropriate resolutions for testing. We fix the computer to match the native resolution of the projector, which avoids artifacts introduced from the projector scaling the paradigm up or downwardly. The setting or settings we utilize for the Blu-ray actor depend on the projector's native resolution and its maximum input resolution.
For projectors with a native 4K resolution and those with a native 1080p resolution but maximum 4K input, we run one set of tests using 1080p discs with the player set to 1080p, and a 2d fix with 4K UHD HDR discs of the same movies with the histrion set to 4K. For all other projectors, we run our video tests with the Blu-ray actor set up to the highest resolution for video that the projector supports, which in most cases is 1080p.
Once the projector is warmed up, we utilise a series of setup screens from DisplayMate to confirm that the projector is properly focused and set to show the unabridged image without losing whatsoever pixels on the outer border. We run this examination for both the PC and the Blu-ray player (using images on a disc) because some projectors treat input from a PC differently than input from a video source. For projectors that require analog connections to the PC, the setup screens besides allow us make sure the projector is synced as well as possible to the incoming signal.
The Tests
In that location'due south a smashing deal of overlap amid data projectors, home entertainment projectors, and home theater projectors, so nosotros run all projectors through both our information projector and core video projector tests, with a couple of exceptions. Nosotros only skip tests for a given projector if information technology lacks an advisable connector or lacks support for a given input resolution. For example, some projectors—most often pico projectors—lack support for fifty-fifty 1080p resolution, in which case nosotros run the video test using the highest input resolution that will piece of work with the projector.
For both data and video tests, we apply the most basic screen possible: a white screen (gray screens effectively increase contrast ratio) with a 1.0 proceeds (college gains concentrate the reflected light into a narrow cone, making the epitome brighter within that cone than information technology would exist otherwise), and without any ability to minimize the effect of ambience light (by handful overhead light in all directions, for example, while reflecting light from the projector at a college gain towards the seating surface area). The betoken is to brand sure our observations are based strictly on the projector's abilities, equally opposed to the screen we're using.
Our data tests use additional DisplayMate test images plus a PowerPoint file with both concern graphics and photos. Each image is designed to test a specific aspect of a projector's imaging capability. As a grouping, they are designed to bring out any problems that a projector (or other display) may have. The full set thoroughly vets the projector'south abilities for business and education applications.
Our video tests centre on 1080p and 4K UHD, which are the two video resolutions most relevant to existent-world employ today, and SDR and HDR, the two choices for dynamic range.
Currently, 1080p is the nearly common resolution for connection to set-height boxes, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles. The step up to 4K UHD improves image item for 4K UHD content, only a large percent of bachelor content is all the same 1080p. Much the same is true for SDR versus HDR, with SDR content yet more than common than HDR textile. All 1080p projectors support SDR, and a growing number support HDR also. Virtually all electric current 4K UHD projectors support both.
The 2 HDR protocols relevant to projectors are HDR10, which all HDR projectors support, and HLG, which many back up. Currently, HDR10 is far more widely available; HLG content is difficult to find.
For all projectors, we view a set of photos from the DisplayMate Multimedia Edition too as movie clips from 1080p SDR Blu-ray discs. The individual photos and clips are chosen to highlight how well the projector handles move, skin tones, and retentivity colors (grass; sky; colors of common fruits such as oranges, which many projectors can't reproduce well; and other mutual real-world colors). The tests too evidence the level of contrast, shadow detail, and black level each projector offers. Nosotros written report on these bug, as advisable, too as any other relevant observations.
For projectors that back up 4K HDR input, whether the projector itself offers native 4K resolution or 1080p, we also view a selection of the same scenes from the 4K UHD HDR versions of the same movies on disc, using a 4K UHD HDR connectedness.
For projectors that don't offer 1080p or 4K native resolution, nosotros apply the same discs as for testing native 1080p projectors. We leave the Blu-ray player set to Auto to let the role player and projector negotiate a connectedness at the highest resolution the projector can accept, which is what almost people typically exercise. For 1080p connections, the projector so downscales the epitome. For lower-resolution connections, the Blu-ray actor handles the downscaling.
For home theater and home entertainment projectors, we connect the projector to a FIOS box with a DVR feature to view recorded clips from movies, sports, and both alive and filmed Television shows. Using recordings ensures that we're looking at the same selection of clips for each projector. We too measure out the input lag at 1080p 60Hz using a Leo Bodnar Video Signal Lag Tester, frequently called simply a Bodnar meter.
Stereoscopic 3D is now available on almost all DLP projectors and many LCD models, particularly those meant for home entertainment. In many cases, it works just with input from computers, which limits its usefulness. Yet, many projectors support Full HD 3D, which will work with 3D Blu-ray discs, set-top boxes, and streaming services.
For projectors that support Total Hd 3D, we run our 3D tests using a Blu-ray actor. The clips are chosen to highlight how well the projector handles the same aspects of project that nosotros examine for 2D video, plus the 3D-specific issues of crosstalk and 3D-related motion artifacts.
Using the aforementioned meticulous tests for every projector lets us compare and rate them with complete conviction. That's how our expert analysts authoritatively recommend the best projectors for your home and business organisation needs.
Source: https://sea.pcmag.com/projectors/20690/how-we-test-projectors
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