A projector is an output device that takes images generated by a computer or another source type and reproduces them by projection onto a screen, wall, or another surface. In most cases, the surface projected onto is large, flat, and lightly colored. You could use a projector to show a presentation on a large screen so that everyone in the room or house or worship can see it. Projectors can produce either still (slides) or moving images (videos). The average compact projector is often about the size of a toaster and weighs only a few pounds, however larger projectors with high lumen counts can start to become lager in weight and size. Projectors also come with options in lamps, LCD, LED or laser. In this Gear Report we’ll cover some of the most popular units.

1. Vivitek DU8190Z 10,000 Lumens Laser Projector

Tailor-made for large spaces, the Vivitek DU8190Z delivers stellar laser-powered brightness, clarity, and reliability. The DU8190Z boasts a powerful laser-phosphor projection engine capable of delivering 10,000 lumens, with a dynamic 10,000:1 contrast ratio, for exceptional, long-lasting image quality. You’ll appreciate the color and brightness consistency of this laser projector’s built-in auto color sensor. Its multi-projector system hardware ensures seamless edge blending, flexible geometry, and rock-solid warping functionality. The DU8190Z is jam-packed with features, including powered zoom, focus, horizontal/vertical lens shift, and picture-in-picture for simultaneously projecting images and videos from two different sources. The DU8190Z can be effortlessly positioned 360° on any axis, plus it includes ample network connectivity for remote projector management. Eight interchangeable lens options and a sealed optical engine and filter-less design round out this laser projector’s impressive features.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Type:DLP
• Video Resolution:1920 x 1200
• Aspect Ratio:16:10
• Lamp:Laser Phosphor Light Engine
• Brightness:10,000 ANSI Lumens
• Video Formats:SDTV, EDTV, HDTV, NTSC, PAL, SECAM, WUXGA
• Screen Size:40″ to 500″
• Video Inputs:2 x HDMI, 1 x DVI-D, 1 x 15-pin VGA, 5 x BNC (Component), 1 x BNC (3G-SDI)
• Video Outputs:1 x 15-pin VGA, 1 x BNC (3G-SDI)
• Data I/O:1 x RJ45 (LAN/HDBaseT), 1 x RS-232, 2 x BNC (3D sync), 2 x 1/8″ (wired remote/trigger)
• Power Source:Standard IEC AC Cable
• Height:8.1″
• Width:19.7″
• Depth:22.8″
• Weight:61.7 lbs

REASONS TO BUY

• Laser Phosphor Light Engine

2. Sony VPL-GTZ380 10,000-Lumen 4K SXRD Laser Projector

The Sony VPL-GTZ380 10,000-Lumen 4K DCI-P3 Laser SXRD Projector displays native 4K resolution with no upscaling or pixel shifting used in many other 4K projectors. Featuring 10,000 lumens, a 3-laser light source, and the highly accurate 3x SXRD LCoS color panel, the GTZ380 projector is ideal for large-scale and multi-projector setups. Sony’s X1 Ultimate video processing and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut make this a great option for hyper-realistic simulation and training applications as well.

SPECIFICATIONS

• 18 Gb/s and HDCP 2.3 on both HDMI inputs
• RGB 4:4:4 10-bit color
• 4K 60 Hz 3D support
• Game mode for reduced input lag
• IMAX Enhanced compatible
• Motorized zoom and lens shift
• Picture position memory for different aspect ratios
• Four-corner mount design
• 10,000 ANSI Lumens Bright
• 4K (4096 x 2160) Native Resolution
• 0.80-1.02:1 Short Throw Lens
• Motorized Zoom, Focus, and Lens Shift
• 100% DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut
• Two HDMI & Two DisplayPort Inputs
• Sony X1 Ultimate Image Processing
• 20,000 Hours of Laser Life
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 22.0 x 9.0 x 29.9″ / 560.0 x 228.0 x 760.0 mm
• Weight: 112.4 lb. / 51 kg

REASONS TO BUY

• IMAX Enhanced compatible
• Game mode for reduced input lag

3. Epson Pro L30002UNL 30,000-Lumen HDR Pixel-Shift DCI 4K Laser 3LCD Large Venue Projector

Designed for use in large venues, live events, auditoriums, and lecture halls, the white Epson Pro L30002UNL 30,000-Lumen HDR Pixel-Shift DCI 4K Laser 3LCD Large Venue Projector uses interchangeable lenses to offer a variety of throw distances and image sizes. A 1.74 to 2.35:1 lens is included, providing 1.35x zoom

SPECIFICATIONS

• Brightness of up to 30,000 ANSI Lumens
• WUXGA (1920 x 1200) Native Resolution
• 1.74 to 2.35:1 Throw Ratio Lens Included
• HDBaseT, HDMI, DVI-D, 3G-SDI, VGA Inputs
• RS-232 & HDBaseT Control
• DCI 4K Resolution via Pixel-Shift Tech
• HDR10 & HLG Compatible
• 1.35x Zoom
• SDI & VGA Output for Loop-Through
• Includes Wireless Remote Control
• Suitable for use in live event, auditorium, lecture hall, and other large-venue applications
• High-aperture design
• Cross-stripe pixel arrangement
• Lens Lock and Wireless LAN Unit Lock
• 100 to 120 VAC usage is acceptable for temporary setting only
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 31.1 x 11.4 x 28.0″ / 790.0 x 290.0 x 710.0 mm Excluding Feet, Lens, and Handle
• Weight: 141.5 LBS Product Weight Excluding lens and handle

REASONS TO BUY

• Brightness of up to 30,000 ANSI Lumens
• 4K Resolution via Pixel-Shift Tech

4. Barco UDX 4K26 MKII 24,000 Lumens Pixel Shift 4K UHD Large Venue Laser 3DLP Projector 

Designed for permanent installation in large venues, the Barco UDX 4K26 MKII 24,000 Lumens Pixel Shift 4K UHD Large Venue Laser 3DLP Projector uses interchangeable lenses to offer a variety of throw distances and image sizes. Its 24,000 ANSI lumens of brightness, combined with its high dynamic contrast ratio, can overcome ambient light in most situations. The native WQXGA 2560 x 1600 resolution can be upscaled to 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 and as high as 5120 x 3200 via onboard processing technology and pixel shifting to provide clear, detailed images at a variety of image sizes.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Brightness of up to 24,000 ANSI Lumens
• 4K UHD On-Screen Pixel Shift Resolution
• WQXGA (2560 x 1600) Native Resolution
• Supports Resolutions up to 5120 x 3200
• Uses Interchangeable TLD+ Lenses
• HDBaseT, HDMI, DisplayPort, SDI Inputs
• RS-232, DMX 512, and XLR Controllable
• Rated for 24/7 Use, 360° Installation
• HDR10 Support
• Includes Wired/Wireless Remote Control

REASONS TO BUY

• 4K UHD On-Screen Pixel Shift Resolution

5. Panasonic PT-RQ25K 21,000-Lumen UHD 4K Laser DLP

An experience audiences will want to come back for when you use the PT-RQ25K 21,000-Lumen UHD 4K Laser DLP Large Venue Projector from Panasonic in your production. Ideal for a wide range of applications in large spaces, the PT-RQ25K delivers a stunning 4K projection using pixel-quadrupling Quad Pixel Drive technology via a laser light that produces an astonishing 21,000 lumens. Your visual packages will enjoy vivid 3-chip DLP color, and they can be enhanced with Dynamic Contrast, Gradation Smoother, and more. Installing it into almost any venue is straightforward, with a compact and lightweight frame and 360° installation. With a 20,000-hour light source, hermetically sealed optics, and liquid-cooling, the PT-RQ25K can run 24/7 for event after event nearly maintenance-free.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Designed for large venues
• Lens not included & Required
• Brightness of 21,00 Lumens
• UHD 4K 3840 x 2160 On-Screen Resolution
• 2 x HDMI & 1 x Display Port Inputs
• Intel SDM Ready
• 360° Installation
• 24/7 Operation
• Hermetically Sealed Optics
• Liquid-Cooling System
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 1.8 x 0.7 x 1.9′ / 550.0 x 220.0 x 570.0 mm
• Weight:77.2 lb / 35 kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Liquid-Cooling System

6. Christie Griffyn 4K50-RGB 50,000-Lumen 3DLP Laser Projector

Experience rich color with the Griffyn 4K50-RGB 50,000-Lumen 3DLP Laser Projector from Christie. Designed for large venues and events, this RGB projector delivers a brightness of 50,000 lumens. Plus, a native DCI 4K resolution of 4096 x 2160 and support for Christie 3DLP ILS4 4K lenses ensures detailed imaging. Connect to sources via four 12G-SDI, two HDMI, and two DisplayPort interfaces. Fiber QSFP+ input and output connectors are also present, allowing for use with Christie Link systems, while an RJ45 port facilitates HDBaseT control. The analog audio output allows for hassle-free connections to a PA system.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Brightness of 50,000 Lumens
• DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) Native Resolution
• Compatible with 3DLP ILS4 4K Lenses
• 4 x 12G-SDI, 2 x HDMI & 2 x DisplayPort
• Christie Link Fiber QSFP+ Input & Output
• Analog Audio Output
• Designed for Large Scale Events & Venues
• Automatic Alignment, Calibration
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 25.0 x 15.4 x 36.3″ / 635.0 x 390.0 x 922.0 mm
• Weight: 196.9 lb / 89.3 kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Brightness of 50,000 Lumens

Barco UDX 4K40 36,500-Lumen WQXGA Laser DLP Projector

Designed for permanent installation in large venues, the Barco UDX 4K40 36,500-Lumen WQXGA Laser DLP Projector uses interchangeable lenses to offer a variety of throw distances and image sizes. Its 36,500 ANSI lumens of brightness, combined with its 2200:1 dynamic contrast ratio, can overcome ambient light in most situations. The native WQXGA 2560 x 1600 resolution can be upscaled to 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 and as high as 5120 x 3200 via onboard processing technology to provide clear, detailed images at a variety of image sizes.

The UDX 4K40 features HDBaseT, HDMI, DisplayPort, and SDI video inputs for input versatility, and supports HDR10 video via HDMI. It can be controlled via DMX, RS-232, Ethernet, compatible apps, or the included wired/wireless remote control, which features a ruggedized design.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Brightness of up to 36,500 ANSI Lumens
• WQXGA (2560 x 1600) Native Resolution
• Supports Resolutions up to 5120 x 3200
• Uses Interchangeable Lenses
• HDBaseT, HDMI, DisplayPort, SDI Inputs
• RS-232, Ethernet, and DMX Controllable
• Rated for 24/7 Use, 360° Installation
• Includes Wired/Wireless Remote Control
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 26.0 x 13.8 x 32.7″ / 660.0 x 350.0 x 830.0 mm
• Weight: 202 lb / 91.63 kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Resolutions up to 5120 x 3200

8. Epson PowerLite 1288 4000-Lumen Full HD 3LCD Projector with Wi-Fi

Project wirelessly with the Epson PowerLite 1288 4000-Lumen Full HD 3LCD Projector. It has Wi-Fi built in that allows wireless screen mirroring via Miracast, allowing you to show your presentations easily. The projector outputs up to 4000 lumens of color and white brightness and has a native resolution of Full HD to provide vibrant, high-resolution images with compatible content.

To help facilitate easy setup, the PowerLite 1288 offers ±30° vertical and horizontal keystone correction and up to 1.6x optical zoom. A VGA and two HDMI inputs are onboard to connect both standard definition and HD sources. An IR remote and carrying case are included as an added convenience, and the included HDMI cable allows for instant wired connectivity.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Color & White Brightness of 4000 Lumens
• Full HD (1920 x 1080) Native Resolution
• 1.32 to 2.14:1 Throw Ratio / 1.6x Zoom
• Composite Video, VGA, 2x HDMI Inputs
• Wireless Screen Mirroring via Miracast
• USB Plug-and-Play with Windows & Mac
• Integrated 16W Speaker
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 12.2 x 4.1 x 11.5″ / 31.0 x 10.4 x 29.2 cm Including Feet
• Weight: 6.83 lb / 3.1 kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Wireless Screen Mirroring via Miracast

9. Panasonic PT-VZ580U 5000-Lumen WUXGA 3LCD Projector

Enjoy bright images in many everyday settings with the Panasonic PT-VZ580U 5000-Lumen WUXGA 3LCD Projector. Its 5000 lumens of brightness and 16,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio will work together to overcome light in relatively bright rooms and provide detail in dark areas of the image. It sports a 1920 x 1200 WUXGA native resolution for viewing HD video and detailed pictures or data. The projector’s 1.09 to 1.77:1 throw ratio and 1.6x manual zoom provide a range of throw distances for focused images.

The PT-VZ580U features RCA composite video, two HDMI, and two VGA inputs to connect to nearly any device. Its analog audio input and output will allow you to pass sound through the projector to your sound system of choice, and one VGA input can instead act as an output to daisy-chain multiple projectors or displays together. The PT-VZ580U is controllable via the included remote control or Ethernet, with various control software options.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Brightness of 5000 Lumens
• WUXGA (1920 x 1200) Native Resolution
• 1.09 to 1.77:1 Throw Ratio
• Composite Video, 2x VGA, 2x HDMI Inputs
• VGA In 2 Doubles as Out for Loop-Through
• Analog Audio Input and Output
• 10-Watt Mono Speaker
• Compatible with Popular Control Systems
• Ethernet Controllable
• VGA Cable and IR Remote Included
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 15.3 x 4.9 x 13.1″ / 389.0 x 125.0 x 332.0 mm
• Weight: 10.58 lb / 4.8 kg

REASONS TO BUY

• WUXGA (1920 x 1200) Native Resolution

10. BenQ TK700STi 3000-Lumen XPR UHD 4K Gaming DLP Projector with Android TV Wireless Adapter

Enjoy UHD 4K on-screen resolution with the BenQ TK700STi 3000-Lumen XPR UHD 4K Gaming DLP Projector. It includes a wireless adapter with the Android TV operating system onboard, providing access to a variety of streaming apps. It uses XPR technology to create UHD 4K resolution on your screen or wall and is compatible with the HDR10 and HLG HDR formats for clear, vibrant images with compatible content.

The TK700STi outputs up to 3000 lumens of brightness to provide bright, high-contrast images in most home settings. The three HDMI inputs allow connectivity to a variety of source devices. A 5W speaker and an analog audio output are onboard, and a Bluetooth remote control is included as an added convenience.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Brightness of 3000 ANSI Lumens
• Android TV OS via Included Adapter
• Wi-Fi Connectivity via Included Adapter
• UHD 4K On-Screen Resolution via XPR Tech
• 0.9 to 1.08:1 Throw Ratio
• 3 x HDMI Inputs
• Analog Audio Output
• Built-In 5W Speaker
• Includes Bluetooth Remote Control
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 12.3 x 9.7 x 4.3″ / 312.0 x 246.0 x 110.0 mm Without Feet
• Weight: 6.8 lb / 3.1 kg

REASONS TO BUY

• UHD 4K On-Screen Resolution via XPR Tech

Optoma Technology GT1080HDRx 3800-Lumen Full HD Short-Throw DLP Home Theater Projector

SPECIFICATIONS

• Brightness of 3800 Lumens
• Full HD (1920 x 1080) Native Resolution
• 0.49:1 Throw Ratio
• Fast 120 Hz Refresh & Low 8.4 ms Latency
• 2 x HDMI 2.0 Inputs
• 24p Support with Rec.709 Color Gamut
• USB Power Output
• Built-In 10W Speaker
• Keystone Correction
• Quick Resume & Auto Power Off
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 12.4 x 4.3 x 9.6″ / 31.5 x 10.9 x 24.4 cm
• Weight: 6.61 lb / 3 kg

REASONS TO BUY

• 24p Support with Rec.709 Color Gamut

12. InFocus Superior Series INL2158 4000-Lumen Full HD Laser DLP Projector

Feel good about outfitting a classroom, conference room, or other location with the Superior Series INL2158 4000-Lumen Full HD Laser DLP Projector from InFocus. InFocus’s solid-state Quantum Laser is more environmentally friendly than some other solutions, as it is mercury-free and designed to use a small amount of energy to produce a bright 4000 lumens. Combined with 4K HDR support for vivid color, the 4000 lumens of the INL2158 can fill a 150″ diagonal screen even in spaces with medium to high ambient light. Installation is made to be easy with 360° placement and support for portrait and landscape orientation. With the included SuperSmartProject suite of features, you can optimize your picture quality and energy usage.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Brightness of 4000 Lumens
• Full HD (1920 x 1080) Native Resolution
• 1.21-1.59:1 Throw Ratio
• VGA, RCA Composite, 2 x HDMI Inputs
• 3.5mm Stereo Audio In and Out
• Up to 30,000 Hours of Laser Life
• Omnidirectional Installation
• Capable of 24/7 Continuous Operation
• IP6X Dust Resistance
• SuperSmartProject Suite of Features
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 13.3 x 10.4 x 4.7″ / 337.0 x 265.0 x 119.3 mm
• Weight: 10.1 lb / 4.6 kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Omnidirectional Installation

13. ViewSonic PS600X 3500-Lumen XGA Short-Throw DLP Projector

Enjoy bright images in most environments with the ViewSonic PS600X 3500-Lumen XGA Short-Throw DLP Projector. Its 3500 lumens of brightness can overcome ambient light in many situations, making it well-suited for presentation areas such as boardrooms and classrooms. The XGA 1024 x 768 native resolution is suitable for displaying most file and document types, as well as HD video. With its short 0.61:1 throw ratio, the projector can be placed very near your projection surface while still producing large images.

The PS600X has two HDMI inputs for connecting digital high-definition sources such as Blu-ray players and HD cable/satellite boxes, and two VGA inputs for analog sources. Its HDMI inputs are 3D-capable for viewing 3D Blu-ray discs with other compatible equipment, which is available separately. A VGA output allows daisy-chaining of multiple projectors or displays. The PS600X includes a VGA cable and an IR remote control for added convenience.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Brightness of 3500 Lumens
• XGA (1024 x 768) Native Resolution
• Short 0.61:1 Throw Ratio
• Composite Video, 2x HDMI, 2x VGA Inputs
• VGA Output for Loop-Through
• Analog Audio Input and Output
• Integrated 10-Watt Speaker
• Ethernet Controllable
• VGA Cable and IR Remote Included
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 11.5 x 4.5 x 9.3″ / 29.2 x 11.4 x 23.6 cm
• Weight: 5.7 lb / 2.59 kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Ethernet Controllable