Being stuck at home for so long has made a lot of us look at our entertainment setups and wonder whether it’s time to upgrade to a display that’s even more immersive that can visually blow you away each and every time you sit down on your couch to enjoy a movie or TV show.
When it comes to replacing trips to the movie theater or sports stadium nothing beats the enveloping feelings provided by a 4K projector. It’s time to treat yourself to one.
Movie lovers often want to recreate a cinematic experience in the comfort of their own home. The closest they can come to that experience, aside from just an increased screen size, is to watch movies or play video games with the highest picture quality available. 4K projectors offer you the capability to do just that; creating a mini movie theater right there in your own home. The pixel density of 4K UHD offers the most lifelike image and with HDR capabilities included, can generate the most vivid colors you’ve ever seen.
Into sports? The deepest natural colors like the green of the grass, the orange of the basketball, the reds and blues of the jerseys all have extra pop while watching sports with a 4K projector.
In the past you needed an entire dedicated theater room with next to zero ambient light to get a good quality image. However, thanks to increased brightness and being paired with an ambient light rejecting screen, modern 4K models take the home theater out of the dark basement and into the light.
You might think 4K beamers are beyond your budget however they’re no longer a purchase made just for the rich. Thanks to innovative technological advancements and increased market competition both budget-friendly and high end projectors are being made that can project 4K.
All in all, 4K is the resolution with the most realistic look. Iif you intend to immerse yourself in an experience that creates the most vivid and colorful images, 4K is your best bet for the most optimal visual enjoyment.
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What is 4K Resolution?
The resolution of a screen tells you just how dense are the tiny dots (aka the pixels) that collectively make up the image you see you. The higher the pixel count the higher the resolution. 4K resolution refers to a horizontal display resolution of about 4,000 pixels, with the “K” standing for “kilo” (thousand). If you picture your screen as a grid of pixels there would be about 4,000 horizontal pixels.
The majority of 4K displays produce a 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution. Any content around this resolution or above is referred to as 4K UHD and is the standard for 4K video. UHD stands for ultra high definition.
You may have heard of UHD projectors and just so you know, an UHD projector is the same as a 4K projector. They both have a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels so you can use these terms interchangeably.
You can also find 4K media that uses 4096 x 2160 in the movie projection industry. This is called DCI 4k.
More and more Content is Produced in 4K
If you want to take full advantage of the plethora of new and exciting content being released in 4K you need to get a UHD projector.
For years now Hollywood movies were filmed in 4K, along with many TV shows despite the fact that most movie watchers couldn’t enjoy the high resolutions in their own homes. The NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and World Cup soccer are all broadcast in glorious 4K.
The most popular way of watching 4K content is to stream your favorite series or movie. You may think that 4K content is only for those looking for high end quality, but multiple platforms you probably already subscribe to now stream in 4K and more are emerging all the time.
To stream 4K content, you’ll obviously need a compatible device (4K projector and/or monitor) and of course streaming requires a fast and stable internet connection. Here’s an overview of the most popular streaming services offering 4K content to watch on your new projector.
Netflix
Netflix was one of the first streaming platforms to offer 4K UHD content. Its library of content is still growing. All of the Netflix original series are now shot in 4K and with HDR (High Dynamic Range). Netflix even gives you the option of double-checking whether you’re actually watching 4K content using a handy tool they provide. However they recently changed their pricing model so that if you want 4K content you need to pay for a higher level subscription.
Amazon Prime Video
From comedy and drama to documentaries, as well as a rotating selection of movies, Amazon Prime Video has all kinds of content available in 4K. However in order to enjoy it you need to have an Amazon Prime subscription, but if you’re looking for amazing quality content with a 4K resolution, movie fanatics will tell you that it’s worth it. Plus it gets you free 2 day shipping.
Hulu
While it was a bit late to the UHD game, Hulu has recently started offering 4K versions of their streaming library and live TV programming. Unlike Netflix, you don’t need a higher subscription plan to get the 4K content
YouTube
Yes, even YouTube offers 4K content now. And since a lot of creators own 4K camera equipment, more YouTube 4K footage can be viewed without extra charge or any membership fees. YouTube Premium is available in and has a bunch of extra 4K content that isn’t available in the free version. Plus with YouTube Premium you don’t need to wall all those pesky ads.
How much is a 4K UHD projector?
Most 4K projectors cost between $1,500 to $6,000. There are some higher end ultra high definition projectors that are priced at $9,000 and above. The variation in price is a result of a number of factors including throw distance, picture quality, bulb type, chipset and other features included with a projector such as built in sound.
Is it worth getting a 4K projector?
If you want superior picture quality it is definitely worth getting a 4K projector. When you put a UHD image up next to a 1080P it’s very easy to see the difference. This is particularly true in 2021 as more media is being broadcast and created in 4K, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Videos. Don’t get left in the dust with an inferior picture resolution.
Do you need a 4K screen for a 4K projector?
Yes, in order to get a 4K image from a UHD projector you’re going to need to buy a 4K projector screen or better. If you’re paying for a 2021 projector that’s ultra high definition you want to see the picture in 4K on your screen. Using a wall, even a white one, is going to have bumps and imperfections that won’t resolve to the proper number of pictures. Cheap movie screens also do not have a smooth enough surface and will distort your image.
Beware of screens that advertise themselves as “4K Ready” as these cinema screens lack the smoothness to display UHD quality video.
We recommend future proofing your investment in your display surface by getting an 8K or even 16K projection screen. This way, as more and more media content is put out in 8K and 16K you can be ready to upgrade your projector without needing to get a new screen to go along with it.
Treat yourself!
If you’re looking to take your home cinema system to the next level, or looking to replace your TV with a glorious and enormous picture you should definitely treat yourself to a 4K projector.
