How We Test Projectors

Our goal for projector testing is to create a test script that, first, lets us report meaningful information based on objective results (in the form of quantitative measurements and qualitative observations), and, second, defines a consistent test 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 let the equipment first warm up thoroughly to ensure stable performance. Our first step in testing is to turn on the projector and make sure it will stay on continuously by disabling any settings that might turn it off or put it in an idle (or sleep) mode.

During the 30-minute warm-up time, we run through preliminary setup steps. This includes connecting cables and positioning the projector at the right distance from the screen to get the image 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, then adjust 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 set the digital zoom to take advantage of the entire imaging chip.  

For most projectors, we set the image size to 2 meters (78.4 inches) across, which matches the width of a 16:9, 90-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 image to be usable at that size, we adjust the size as necessary, usually to a 1-meter-wide image.

More Preliminaries & Setup

We use the warm-up time to browse through the onscreen menu system to get familiar with the menus and the controls on the projector itself and any included remote control.

Another reason for browsing through the menus is to spot any settings that might require testing beyond what we normally do (with a given setting both on and off, for example). We make sure that any features that might affect our results are set properly. In particular, we turn off digital keystoning, which can introduce artifacts on some images. (We also test automatic keystone control with the feature on, to make sure it does what it claims to do.)

Finally, we set our image sources—computer, Blu-ray player, or both—to the appropriate resolutions for testing. We set the computer to match the native resolution of the projector, which avoids artifacts introduced from the projector scaling the image up or down. The setting or settings we use for the Blu-ray player 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 second set with 4K UHD HDR discs of the same movies with the player set to 4K. For all other projectors, we run our video tests with the Blu-ray player set to the highest resolution for video that the projector supports, which in most cases is 1080p.

Once the projector is warmed up, we use a series of setup screens from DisplayMate(Opens in a new window) to confirm that the projector is properly focused and set to show the entire image without losing any pixels on the outer edge. We run this test 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 also let us make sure the projector is synced as well as possible to the incoming signal.

The Tests

There's a great deal of overlap among data projectors, home entertainment projectors, and home theater projectors, so we run all projectors through both our data projector and core video projector tests, with a couple of exceptions. We only skip tests for a given projector if it lacks an appropriate connector or lacks support for a given input resolution. For example, some projectors—most often pico projectors—lack support for even 1080p resolution, in which case we run the video test using the highest input resolution that will work with the projector.

For both data and video tests, we use the most basic screen possible: a white screen (gray screens effectively increase contrast ratio) with a 1.0 gain (higher gains concentrate the reflected light into a narrow cone, making the image brighter within that cone than it would be otherwise), and without any ability to minimize the effect of ambient light (by scattering overhead light in all directions, for example, while reflecting light from the projector at a higher gain towards the seating area). The point is to make sure our observations are based strictly on the projector's abilities, as opposed to the screen we're using.

Our data tests use additional DisplayMate test images plus a PowerPoint file with both business graphics and photos. Each image is designed to test a specific aspect of a projector's imaging capability. As a group, they are designed to bring out any problems that a projector (or other display) may have. The full set thoroughly vets the projector's abilities for business and education applications. 

Our video tests center on 1080p and 4K UHD, which are the two video resolutions most relevant to real-world use today, and SDR and HDR, the two choices for dynamic range. 

Currently, 1080p is the most common resolution for connection to set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles. The step up to 4K UHD improves image detail for 4K UHD content, but a large percentage of available content is still 1080p. Much the same is true for SDR versus HDR, with SDR content still more common than HDR material. All 1080p projectors support SDR, and a growing number support HDR as well. Virtually all current 4K UHD projectors support both.  

The two HDR protocols relevant to projectors are HDR10, which all HDR projectors support, and HLG, which many support. Currently, HDR10 is far more widely available; HLG content is hard to find.

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For all projectors, we view a set of photos from the DisplayMate Multimedia Edition as well as movie clips from 1080p SDR Blu-ray discs. The individual photos and clips are chosen to highlight how well the projector handles motion, skin tones, and memory colors (grass; sky; colors of common fruits such as oranges, which many projectors can't reproduce well; and other common real-world colors). The tests also show the level of contrast, shadow detail, and black level each projector offers. We report on these issues, as appropriate, as well as any other relevant observations. 

For projectors that support 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 connection.

For projectors that don't offer 1080p or 4K native resolution, we use the same discs as for testing native 1080p projectors. We leave the Blu-ray player set to Auto to let the player and projector negotiate a connection at the highest resolution the projector can accept, which is what most people typically do. For 1080p connections, the projector then downscales the image. For lower-resolution connections, the Blu-ray player 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 live and filmed TV shows. Using recordings ensures that we're looking at the same selection of clips for each projector. We also measure the input lag at 1080p 60Hz using a Leo Bodnar Video Signal Lag Tester, often 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 only with input from computers, which limits its usefulness. However, many projectors support Full HD 3D, which will work with 3D Blu-ray discs, set-top boxes, and streaming services.

For projectors that support Full HD 3D, we run our 3D tests using a Blu-ray player. The clips are chosen to highlight how well the projector handles the same aspects of projection that we examine for 2D video, plus the 3D-specific issues of crosstalk and 3D-related motion artifacts. 

Using the same meticulous tests for every projector lets us compare and rate them with complete confidence. That's how our expert analysts authoritatively recommend the best projectors for your home and business needs.