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The game changer with this star projector is the Alexa and Google Assistant integration controls. It enables you to get creative with your bedtime stories. The Encalife Star Projector is voice command-activated for a handsfree experience. It means you can prompt Alexa to turn on the galaxy light as you tell amazing and spellbinding stories of deep space adventures to your children. Another thing to consider is refresh rate, and again that's something TVs tend to be better at –so if you're buying for gaming, you'll get a smoother performance from one of the best 120Hz TVs with a fast response time than you'll get from a similarly priced projector. And you're more likely to find HDMI 2.1 ports with gaming-friendly features in a TV than in a projector. Will a projector play Netflix, Disney Plus and the rest? After resolution and technology, the most important consideration is your room and how you’re going to set up and connect the projector. Here, you need to consider throw distance (how far you place the projector from the screen for a given screen size), optical zoom and lens shift capabilities, all of which will have an impact on projector placement. DLP projectors do have a downside, though. As most display colours sequentially use a spinning, segmented colour wheel (there’s the odd exception to this rule), they suffer from what’s called the “rainbow effect”, where small areas of the image appear to splinter into small rainbows when you shift your gaze from one side of the screen to the other. Some people are less sensitive to this than others, though, so if you haven’t experienced a DLP projector, make sure you get a demo before spending your money. The Epson Pro Cinema 4050 is built around the version of Epson's pixel shifting tech that puts only half as many pixels on screen as in a 4K (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) image. However, it takes advantage of a high-quality lens and sophisticated video processing to deliver equal or better image detail than many projectors that put a full 3,840 by 2,160 matrix on screen—at least within the limits of the human eye to see any difference at normal viewing distance. In addition to its top-tier detail, color accuracy, and contrast for its price range, it offers sophisticated features that include substantial lens shift combined with a powered shift, focus, and zoom, which makes it easy to maintain the same image height when switching between movies with different aspect ratios. Who It's For
Before 4K resolution reached the projector world (4K resolution includes both 4,096 by 2,160 pixels and the more common 3,840 by 2,160 pixels), the resolution spec that mattered most was the native resolution of the imaging chips, meaning the actual number of pixels on the chips themselves. The issue was that although lower-resolution chips can show higher-resolution material, down-converting the image will give it a soft-focus look and can introduce artifacts.The projector is feature-rich on its own, but this unit does so much more than just shine lights. It also has a built-in Bluetooth speaker. Connect it to a compatible device and enjoy some tunes. Or, take advantage of the white noise generator as you drift off to sleep. Key Features: Optical zoom allows you to enlarge or reduce the screen without moving the projector, while lens shift lets you move it up, down, left and right without losing quality – or moving the projector physically. The cheaper the projector, the more limited these options will be. The EH-TW6150 is Epson’s answer to the budget 4K DLP projectors from Viewsonic, Optoma and BenQ, combining three LCD panels and pixel-shifting techniques to create 4K pictures from a 1080p optical system.
The VPL-XW5000ES combines Sony’s 4K SXRD panel and a 2000 Lumens laser phosphor light source, which, along with wide dynamic range optics and its Triluminos Pro colour processing, gives a 4K image so crisp and colour-rich that you could soon forget about the price tag. Throw in the X1 Ultimate Processor, with HDR Remaster and Dynamic HDR Enhancer processing, and you get the kind of picture quality that wouldn’t disgrace your local cinema. It certainly doesn’t have the bells, whistles or crispness of other, more expensive projectors on this list, but the Yaber V7 Pro is a good budget option. The free carry bag is a nice bonus too. Bear in mind that it’s not the quietest model around, though, and produces a noticeable fan whirr. In addition to being of obvious interest as a 4K projector you can carry from room to room, the GP500 should also be on your short list as a family room projector. In addition to its high-quality image and audio, it offers suitable brightness, at a rated 1,500 ANSI lumens, and features that include support for full HD 3D and both HDR10 and HLG HDR. And for those concerned about the rainbow artifacts that single-chip DLP projectors can show, note that we saw very few. If you need a projector and an eminently usable sound system in a single, compact unit, the GP500 is a compelling choice. Projectors need the perfect setting to get the most out of them, and that often means closing the curtains and watching in near-complete darkness. However, some can cope with brighter environments and even work in the garden if you’re throwing an outdoor watch party. This unit is a top choice for users who aren't prone to seeing rainbow artifacts (or don't find them bothersome if they do see them) and who will appreciate a short input lag for gaming. Good HDR handling and downconverting of 4K HDR content sweeten the deal, though ideally you'll limit HDR material to watching in a darkened room. And if adding an external sound system or headphones isn't an option where you play or watch, this model's speaker output is a plus.You should also consider the projection distance and if the intended planetary room for it is big enough. You've made up your mind: a projector is the perfect AV solution for you. So how do you choose one? The lights are bright and vivid, and there is a fair amount of customization, but you'll need to use the supplied remote to access some of the functions (rather than being able to access them using the buttons on the device). Other star projectors on this list, namely the Bliss Lights models, offer more color combinations, but there's more than enough here to entertain yourself and your children. The W1800 sits squarely in BenQ’s CineHome section, where its focus on serving up a cinematic experience on a budget serves it extremely well. Higher-end long throw projectors are generally “dumb” displays, with no built-in smart TV interface or ability to stream video directly. That’s because they’re usually the main video component in an AV system that uses a receiver and separate speakers for audio, with the receiver sending video directly to the projector, and audio to the speakers.
The disks are 'chunky' so easy to hold, and robust so they won't break if dropped by a playful child (Image credit: Lorna Jordan) But some of today's projectors, particularly UST models, are as capable and connected as any smart TV, with many models running Anroid TV or another TV OS and offering streaming apps from big-name services such as Prime Video or Disney+ pre-installed. All you need to do is log in with your account details and you can use the app just as you would on a TV. Here are six of the options available on the market today. If you fancy making your own, read our guide on how to make a planetarium projector.Star and galaxy projectors also have some benefits for children. These simple devices serve as a night light for kids who are afraid of the dark. Your kids can get up and go to the bathroom or get a drink of water at night without turning on all of the lights in your home. Star projectors can also foster their creativity and get them interested in science. The right one will encourage them to come up with new stories about the planets and stars that they see. A projector may also get your child excited to learn about the planets and constellations. How Can You Use a Projector? They can be used by anyone, especially space enthusiasts. These models usually offer even greater detail and clarity. They should possess adjustable features that provide either accuracy or the option to focus on specific things like planets or constellations. They can be a great tool for learning and some models may not even be as expensive as you would think. And this projector’s talents don’t end there. It has built-in Android TV 11.0 streaming, plus a built-on 2 x 12W Harmon/Kardon speaker system that does a surprisingly good job of dishing out immersive sound. What’s more, XGIMI’s ISA 3.0 auto-setup system can get you a good, well-focused, correctly aligned image in seconds; all you need to do is point the projector at the screen. There are other projectors such as the Sony VPL-XW5000ES above that can give you even better, true 4K video in a custom-built setup, but you won’t find anything else that delivers this kind of image quality, this easily, and for such a comparatively reasonable price.
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