HD projectors

An HD or high-definition projector is capable of displaying high-resolution images, particularly those associated with HDTV. The technical descriptions vary, but the main difference between an HD projector and a regular one is in the native resolution. The native or built-in resolution of older home theater projectors ranges from 800x600 to 1280x1024, which is enough for most flat-screen models. An HD TV projector, on the other hand, uses the same resolution as standard HDTV sets: either 720p or 1080i, both of which are capable of handling digital HDTV signals.

So do you really need an HD projector for your home? It depends on how you want to use it. If you regularly watch HDTV channels and would like a larger viewing screen, then it might be a good investment. If you’re more of a movie person, you may be better off with a high-end DLP for now. This is because movies have not yet picked up the 720p and1080i formats, and HD home theater projectors will have to stretch or compress the video to fit its native resolution. On the other hand, getting an HD projector will save you the trouble of upgrading when HD resolutions become the norm.

Price should also be a consideration when buying an HD projector. HD projector prices seldom go below $1,300, and the highest-resolution models can cost close to $4,000. If you have the budget for it, make sure you’re paying for the features you want—you don’t want to pay an extra $200 for functions you won’t be using. Also consider operating and maintenance costs. ‘Cheap’ HD projectors may prove more expensive in the long run because of higher power consumption.