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.

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.