With anything in technology and electronics, there is one constant. Technology is always changing, most often for the better. For gadget geeks, that can mean hours of pouring over tech specs and user reviews. For the average electronics consumer, it tends to cause more confusion than good. As far as projectors and rear projection tv’s go, the latest and greatest in technology is best reflected in the open competition between three technological advances, DLP, 3LCD, and LCoS.

DLP, or digital light processing: In DLP projectors, the image is created by microscopically small mirrors laid out in a matrix on a semiconductor chip. Each mirror represents one or more pixels in the projected image. These mirrors can be repositioned rapidly to reflect light directly through the lens. Colors are either produced by placing a spinning color wheel between the light source and the micro-chip or by using individual light sources to produce the primary colors.

3LCD or 3 Liquid Crystal Display: In short, 3LCD is a sophisticated technology that utilizes 3-chips to deliver color. The light source projects white light onto a combination of mirrors that split the light into its three basic video colors. Each of the three LCD chips take the electrical signal they receive and creates the image. The three color images are combined using a prism to form a full-color image consisting of millions of colors. The singular, full-color image passes through a lens and is projected onto a screen.

LCoS or Liquid Crystal ove Silicon: LCoS is a “micro-projection” or “micro-display” technology typically applied in projection televisions. It is a reflective technology similar to DLP projectors; however, it uses liquid crystals instead of individual mirrors. By way of comparison, 3LCD projectors use transmissive LCD chips, allowing light to pass through the liquid crystal. In LCoS, liquid crystals are applied directly to the surface of a silicon chip coated with an aluminized layer, with some type of passivation layer, which is highly reflective. Thus, the light source reflects off of the silicon chip as opposed to being passed through the liquid crystals.

As is the case with any technology. there are advantages and disadvantages in the three examples here. Picture quality, projector or tv size, and cost are all considerations one should make before choosing any of these three. Armed with these explanation, one can most certainly make a well informed choice.

There are a lot of ways to enhance the experience of a home theater, but few consider the things that will keep your projector operating at the optimum level. The projector is not like a lawn mower, it won’t need an oil change, or need the ever-elusive oil/fuel mix. You won’t need to change strings like on your weed whacker, or rotate the tires. Fortunately, every common maintenance consideration you will have for a projector is simple, and easy to do.

The first tip for basic upkeep of the projcetor is to keep a fresh lamp inside. The light source is maybe the most important part of a projector,…no light, no picture! There are ways to tell how long your lamp has been used, like the lamp life counter found on most projectors. Be sure to reset the counter when you change the lamp. If your lamp is rated for say 3000 hrs of use, when the counter gets about 1500 hrs, start shopping for a new replacement lamp. Not all projectors have a lamp life counter, so think about keeping a log, or write down the dates the lamp was changed. You can get fairly accurate in predicting how long your lamp has left if you know how much you use the projector, and the time since the last lamp change.

While changing your lamp, it is the perfect time to clean the filters that are inside the projector. Doing this will eliminate the possibility of the filter being clogged with excess dust, thus causing the projector to overheat. If the projector overheats, it could cause the lamp to burn out early, or even explode. Also, be sure to check the lens for excess dust or fingerprints. Use a cleaning cloth that does not scratch the lens as you clean it. Thes tips should help maintain your projector, and ensure that it projects the best images possible.

The down turn in the economy has everyone feeling the pinch. People are working longer hours, spending longer on their commutes to and from work, and finding it more difficult to balance career life, and family life. When there is time away from work, families spend a great deal of it, and a great deal of money on family entertainment. One way to offset the cost of entertainment, at least in the long run would be to invest in home theater/entertainment.

It is said that the average family spends around $200 per month in entertainment. It is not hard to see that this is an average amount, as the cost of a professional sporting event would eclipse that dollar figure rather quickly, for a family of four. The average coast of admission for a movie is $10 for adults, and $8 for kids under 12. The math on this suggests that just getting to a movie a few times a month would also pass the average monthly figure for entertainment. For argument’s sake though, lets use the $200 number and show how home theater would be a great way to entertain your family and be a great value in the long run.

$200 per month over 1 year would be $2400. Using that $2400 to invest in home theater equipment would allow for a wide range of options to choose from. Choosing the gadgets you want is a matter of budget, taste, and personal preference. Flat panel televisions are a great option. They are low to no maintenence, relatively affordable, and they produce extremely clear images. Mounting options for flat panels can range from simple fixed mounts on the wall to pivoting wall arm mounts. The lone drawback in selecting a flat panel tv as the centerpiece for your home theater would be the cost of the tv. There may not be much left over from the $2400 budget to get accessories like surround sound, or the mounting option you choose.

For the most bang for your buck, and if you have the space in your home, try the projector and screen. The advantages here are that you can have a much larger display than a plasma or lcd tv. In addition, the look and feel of a movie theater is easily accomplished with a screen and projector. Here is a great example of an all inclusive home theater package that falls well within the $2400 budget.

There are do-it-yourself options for home theater enthusiasts. You can also choose to select each piece individually. Choosing the all-in-one package leaves enough room to hire an installer as well. So, even though the economy may be challenging for all, family entertainment does not have to suffer because of it.

If you are in the market for a new television, it can be a daunting task in sifting through all of the choices in size, technology, etc.. Check out these tips in deciding what technology is best for you.

1. Projectors do not have RF cable or antenna connections the way a TV set does. However, if you have cable or satellite and the box has either S-Video, component, and/or DVI, or HDMI connections you would be able to hook them up to a video projector.

2. Video projectors have a limited lamp life. If you use your projector every evening for a few hours (or more) you’ll have to replace the lamp every 1000-1500 hrs of use, which could cost a few hundred dollars per lamp.

3. A projector requires a large screen. TV programs do not look as good on a projector screen as they do on a television. If you have HDTV-cable or HDTV-satellite, however, you will get a much better result with the projector screen. Ideally, video projection works best with DVD, Blu-ray, or HD-DVD movies. To extend the lamp life, you could use a television for everyday viewing, and save the projector for movies, gaming, or sports events.

Soon all TV broadcasts will be digital. Whether you choose a projector and screen, or a television, be sure to choose one that is HD compatible for best viewing results. Remember that television programs look a little better on a television than they do on a large projection screen.

There are a lot of circumstances in which outfitting your home theater will dictate the type of viewing method you choose for it. With television technology being what it is today, the visible difference can be almost un-measurable to the human eye, at least from a plasma vs. lcd standpoint. As it relates to projectors and screens vs a flat panel tv, the line of better or worse is even less clear. Here are a few things to consider in compairing the two.

First, the size of your home theater room will be the first indicator as to which method to use. If you are in a small room, with limited space, a flat panel may suit your needs best. Projectors, and the screens they are played on have some limitations like the “Throw Ratio”, or how far away the projector can be to still show a good image. Closer is not always better in this case, but having a projector capable of quality images and greater distances from the screen can affect the price of the projector.

Next, consider what you are watching, or playing on your equipment. Movies and general television may appear to be a bit sharper on a plasma tv, and projector/screen. It is said that plasma tv’s can produce rich and full blacks and darker colors. Movie viewing would be enhanced in this delivery method. Projectors also produce great image quality for movie viewing. If you are a sports fan, or video gamer, LCD televisions may be your best bet. LCD tv’s and projectors produce bright vibrant colors, and LCD’s do not have the “sports blur” effect like plasma tv’s occasionally do.

Last, consider the lighting, both natural and electric. Light has a dramatic affect on picture quality, regardless of the method of image delivery. LCD tv’s are a little less challenged by ambient or natural light, as well as some projectors with high Lumens output. In general, the darker the room when displaying images, the better the images appear.

One other thought, $1000 is enough to get a flat panel or a projector. Flat panels are often mounted on the wall, so plan on purchasing a mount if you chose that option. Projectors work best when the images are shown on screens, so budget for a screen of some sort as well. You may also want to mount your projector to the ceiling, and you can buy a universal projector mount for under $100. Projectors also have a renewable light source, a replacement lamp, that must be changed every 1000-2000 hours of use.

All things considered, choosing any of these options will work well for a home theater. Looking closely at the features for each peice, and thinking about viewing uses will help narrow the list of options to choose from. Follow a budget, and do your homework about each technology you are considering, you really can’t go wrong.

As a home theater enthusiast, this may be an early question you have to answer. Like anything else in technology, changes, upgraded tech in an item, the newest model/latest version/update dejour means there is always some other bit of info to consider before buying whatever it is you are looking for. Whew! That said, I will try to answer some basic thoughts about LCD or Plasma tv’s, and which is better.

Plasma televisions are an exciting innovation that uses plasma gas to produce the images in the pixels. LCD technology is simply Liquid Crystal Display in the pixels. The debate is over which one produces the best picture. This is a matter of individual preference, I have found. Both technologies deliver a high quality picture, with varying ranges of brightness. LCD brags about having a brighter clearer image, while Plasma is touted as the best for producing true colors, especially black.

If you are in the market for a flat panel, your choice will come down to what you watch the most on your tv. If you are a sports nut, LCD is a wise choice, as there is no “action blur” or fuzziness in the images of the players on the field. If you love to watch movies, the true black and rich colors given by plasma technology would be a wise choice. Both Plasma and LCD are available in HD formats, so that feature is a wash in comparing the two.

So the nuts and bolts of this new but age old question rests with the individual user. If you watch an equal amount of sports and movies, either technology would work for you, but the distinction between picture qualities will lie in your own eyes. There is a large selection of sizes shapes and options to choose from in Flat Panel televisions. Prices vary as widely as the opinions on which technology is better. Be sure to choose a tv that fits your budget, viewing preferences, and most of all, one that fits your own eye!

So you’ve purchased a 40″ wide screen TV, a surround sound speaker system, a DVD player with DTS or Dolby Laboratories compatibility. What you now have is your basic home theater system, which is arranged to mimic movie theater environment, and make movie watching at home an enjoyable experience.

A consideration in addition to the equipment is the space because the next step is to fit all your equipment into your designated home theater space. There are certain ideals you might want to achieve. A home theater set-up is quite a bit different from the typical arrangement in a family room with a TV set. Surround sound for home theater is best achieved to be in an enclosed room. Of course, working with what you have is key, therefore a room less enclosed will still work, but may alter the sound or viewing experience.

Carpet and curtains work well in a home theater to help improve acoustics as well as keep out unwanted light. Good ventilation is important for the longevity of your equipment and reduction of dust. Consider installing a dimmer switch for the lights in the room. This will provide the ability to precisely adjust the lights for maximum viewing pleasure.

OK,.I recently upgraded my basement, which means I spent a few thousand dollars and made it into a “Man Cave”, or a full-on Home Theater. I am very pleased except that once I finished, I realized that the furnishings I had to put in my new space was an odd collection at best. I believe from a design standpoint, it would be called “Early American Garage Sale” . Luckily, the wife let me drop another pile of money to buy new furniture, so I wanted to share a few tips on my experience.

First, determine your budget. If you just spent $10k on creating the new space, your furnishings should at least be color-coordinated to match right? It’s quite ok to find bargains at retail stores, or the web, or wherever, just plan on knowing your limit. I chose this cool place.

Next, figure out who is going to use your new room, and what for. My brother has a great media room in his house, and he has awful chairs there. His wife loves them because they really go well with th drapes, but for watching the game, it is like sitting in the sanctuary of your favorite church! Point is, if his chairs or love seat was remotely comfortable, I would be at his place more, and probably never built my own.

I plan on inviting people over regularly for movies and sporting events, so I got a huge sectional sofa and some Lounge Chairs. You know, the big leather ones with the drink holders in the arm rests?! I am sleeping there for a few more days, while the afore-mentioned wife recovers from the budget overage I created, but you get the point.

In truth, there are a huge variety of directions to look in when choosing furnishings for your space, and even more places to look for them. The key is knowing what you are looking for, how you will use it, and how much to spend. Great deals are available everywhere you turn, so happy hunting!

If you want to upgrade from a TV set to a home theater system then a portable front-projection system is a smart choice.

There are two basic types of portable front-projection projectors: LCD and DLP (which uses a silicon chip). These projectors are so compact and lightweight that they are easily hidden on a shelf and can be kept entirely out of view. And the projector screen can even be paper-thin and placed against a wall because it doesn’t have any electronics inside of it. This saves a great deal of space when you compare it to a big-screen television or CRT projector. A portable projector system is also less expensive than a television or CRT projector and projects a picture more than 10x brighter. It’s literally like being in a movie theater and has a huge picture (up to 300 inch screen size).

So before you run out and buy a 50″ screen TV, consider a home theater system instead.

The Projector Screen Experts at Big Screen Center put together a terrific article on choosing the right projector screen size for a room. The article goes into detail about the math involved selecting a projector screen that is proportionate to the room.

Feel free to browse the full text article on Squidoo.com: How to Pick the Right Projector Screen Size

Three Keys to the Right Screen Size

1. Projector Native Resolution lets you know which aspect ratio to select for your screen . What is the native resolution of the projector that you have?
2. Ceiling Height allows you to determine the screen height that will fit gracefully into a room. What is the ceiling height of the room that you are outfitting?
3. Screen Distance to Audience. The people sitting farthest away from the screen determine the minimum screen width. A screen should be at least as wide as 1/6 of the distance between the screen and the viewer farthest from the screen. How far away will the viewer be sitting?

With answers to these questions, you can estimate an appropriate screen size for a given room.

First, we want to look at the native resolution (aspect ratio) of the projector being used in the room. This will help you determine what screen format you should use. Most all projectors nowadays will do both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. Projectors with 16:9 aspect ratio, like these available at Big Screen Center, are designed for playing High Def movies in home theater settings.

As shown below, a projector with a native 16:9 aspect ratio can letterbox to show a smaller image in 4:3 format. You will want to go by the native aspect ratio in order to get the biggest and best picture.

Second, we will want to look at the ceiling height in the room. A screen should be at least 1 ft. down from the ceiling and 3 ft. up from the floor. For example, in an 8 ft. room, a screen should be 4 ft. high at the most. If the room has a slanted ceiling, the screen should be placed at least 1 ft below the ceiling at the point where the screen is going to be installed. This rule of thumb gives you a screen that is gracefully proportionate to the wall and the room. This is especially true for classrooms, boardrooms, and conference rooms where people will be sitting in front of one another.

If you are mounting your projector to a central location on the ceiling, you want to mount the projector so that it is even with the top of the the screen. Now this rule of thumb is for a maximum screen size. It is OK to go smaller. People tend to focus on what they can see in the center of their field of vision. A person’s gaze tends to travel from one portion of the screen to the next when the screen is too big (or the person is sitting too close) to see it all at once. You don’t want your audience to get tennis neck.

Finally, we need to look at the distance the audience will be sitting from the screen. If the screen is bigger, people can see it from further away. For auditoriums, conference, and boardrooms the width of the screen should be no less that 1/6 the distance of the farthest spectator in the audience. For example if the back row of an auditorium is 48 ft. away then the width of the screen should be at least 8 ft. wide. This rule of thumb is for minimum screen size. It is OK to go larger. The important thing is to get a screen that is large enough for the audience in the back row to view comfortably.

Enjoying the Finished Installation Makes It All Worth While

Photo Courtesy of Epson and CruchGear.com

Example: Applying the Projector Screen Size Rules of Thumb

Projector Resolution. I will pretend I have a Panasonic PT-AE2000U projector, 16:9 aspect ratio for playing Hi-Def movies in a home theater. That means I should use a 16:9 HDTV format screen to get the biggest and best picture.

Ceiling Height. My ceilings are 8 ft. high. So my screen should be 48 in. high at the most. That means the largest screen I can fit in my small home theater is 92 in. diagonal 16:9 HDTV format (45 in. H x 80 in W).

Distance from Screen to Audience. If I prefer a smaller screen, the rule of thumb that screen width is based on the distance between viewer and screen offers some guidance. For example, if I set up the couch 10 ft. or 120 in. away, then the screen should be at least 20 in. wide (1/6 of 120 in.). That means a screen that is anywhere between 20 in. and 80 in. wide with a 16:9 aspect ratio will fit in my home theater.

Remember these rules are just a guide. It is important to have a clear idea of how the screen will fit with architectural features at the installation site. Discussing the screen installation with a knowledgeable professional like the experts at Big Screen Center (1-800-314-8955) may help clarify details of the the project.

Projector Screens Can Harmonize with Architectural Features - Like Stained Glass Windows

Photo Courtesy of recycledtoys.wordpress.com/

For example, a screen is the right size by the numbers might overlap some architectural feature like a window or door frame. In this case, it really helps to plan your purchase with someone who knows all the right questions to ask up front. Knowing your screen will be the right size the first time can save money and time up front.

We had a customer call in recently who had planned to install a screen between two windows but had not included the width of the window frame in his measurement of the distance between the two windows. The measurement was 80″ from windowpane to windowpane. The window frames were 2″ wide. That means that a 60″ x 80″ screen would have the viewing area exactly flush with the glass of the windows completely hide the window frames on both sides.

That’s OK for a manual or electric screen mounted to hang in front of the window frames. However a fixed frame screen designed to mount flush to the wall would be crowded out of position by the window frames. Sometimes it helps to work with a professional.

Big Screens Come in Small - And Long - Packages

Photo Courtesy of HomeTheaterBlog.com

It would be worthwhile to ask your sales rep about the size of the shipping carton the screen arrives in. Once you know the carton measurements, before you buy, check to make sure the screen carton will fit through the door into the room where it will be installed. For example, one reason the 108″ LCD television never caught on is because it is too large to fit through the doorway of a conventional house and turn down a 3′ hallway.

Sharp 108″ LCD Television - Towering over the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

Photo courtesy of Sharp and Foxnews.com

Measure any doorways, hallways, stairwells that the projector screen carton would have to pass through from the place it leaves the delivery truck to the place it should be installed. Do your best to measure or imagine how the carton would fit through. If the package is too long to fit through the door and around all the corners, check to see if there is a window that can open to let it through. Or get creative. As a last resort, it may be appropriate to consider a smaller size.