Lumens, commonly known as brightness, are the standard unit for luminous flux to quantify the amount that is emitted by a light source. One way to think about lumen is as a measurement of the total amount of visible light that is generated in a beam or angle. Lumens determine how powerful or bright a light source will be.
When it comes to the brightness of a projector, it is measured in terms of its ANSI lumen that’s derived from the non-profit American National Standard Institute. ANSI lumens are quantified using more sophisticated methods that take into account a wide variety of factors. The measurement method for ANSI lumens has various components that help yield a more accurate figure.
What’s the Big Deal About Lumens?
Let’s address the most frequently asked questions we get from our readers: what are lumens and how to use them to choose projectors?
Brilliant pictures can’t be displayed by a projector if it doesn’t have sufficient light output. If the light output is rather low, the images will be hazy and unclear, even if you reduce the amount of lighting in the room in an attempt to compensate for it.
It is advised to check the ANSI lumen rating that is displayed on the light of a projector to determine whether or not it has the appropriate level of brightness for your requirements. It will tell you the maximum amount of illumination that the projector can generate at a particular setting. In general, projectors having 1,000 ANSI lumens are adequate; however, other factors such as the amount of ambient light, the screen distance, and size, as well as the size of the room will play a role in determining whether fewer or much more lumens are needed.
How Can I Choose a Projector Based on the ANSI Lumen Count?
The process of choosing the most suitable projector such as Wemax Nova 4k based on your unique needs and preferences starts by determining how many lumens you should use.
There are three important elements that need to be taken into consideration, and they are as follows:
Ambient Lighting
One of the crucial factors to take into account is the amount of ambient light in the room. Ambient light is the actual amount of light that enters the space where a projector will be utilized.
Environments with Low Ambient Lighting
Projectors with any lumen rating will do if you plan to use the equipment in a room that is either completely dark or has a very low level of ambient light. You should consider purchasing a projector with a low ANSI lumen rating if you have the ability to control the amount of natural light entering the room through the use of window covers or by switching off artificial lighting sources. Projectors with ANSI lumen ratings between 300 and 600 are adequate for use in environments with low levels of ambient light.
Conditions with Low to Moderate Ambient Light
Those who are going to be installing projectors in rooms with a fair amount of ambient light will need models that have a higher brightness rating than those that have been described above. The brightness of such projectors can be between 600 and 2,000 ANSI lumens, depending on the other variables that are considered, such as the scale of the displays and the distance that exists between the screen and the equipment.
Environments with High Levels of Ambient Light
Projectors with a higher brightness are necessary wherever there is a need to display observable imagery in environments, particularly in auditoriums, state buildings, or businesses with glass windows that do not have shades.
Because these locations contain a significant amount of background lighting, you will need a projector that has a powerful light source that is capable of offsetting the effect of higher ambient light. It is possible that you will require a projector with a rating of more than 2,000 ANSI lumens (even up to 5000 ANSI lumens) when working in such conditions.
Screen Size
The brightness level must be increased proportionally whenever the screen size increases. It is highly advised that you get the projector with more ANSI lumens if you want a screen size that is significantly larger than 200 inches.
Placement
Determine the location where you intend to utilize the projector. When compared to projectors used inside the home, outdoor projectors typically have a lower brightness. The reason for this is that a higher brightness results in the production of more heat. Since a larger space is required for the dissipation of heat, the projector will be less portable as a result.
Is It Possible to Have Too Many Lumens?
It is usually preferable to have an excessive amount of lumens rather than an insufficient quantity. Your viewing experience is not likely to be adversely affected if you have a greater number of lumens than you require, especially considering the fact that you can always adjust the projector’s brightness by putting it in the eco mode or the mode that produces a darker output image.
On the other hand, there is always the risk of having too many lumens. If your projector screen is too close and too bright, you may experience “hot-spotting,” which is when an excessive amount of light reaches a single area of the screen. Eye strain is another potential side effect of watching something that is excessively bright. To cause this issue, the lumen output would have to be amplified above what is considered reasonable.
Conclusion
Video projectors have been utilized for a long time in a variety of settings, including home theaters, schools, and churches, as well as any other environment that requires a large-screen experience. They are delightful, remarkable, educational, and entertaining at the same time. Nothing quite compares to the way a projector can recreate the feeling of being in a movie theater!
It is, however, easy to get overwhelmed when selecting between different models because there are technical terminologies to understand. Remember the information in this article and check out our other guides on digital projectors to help you make an informed buying decision!
Taylor is a freelance SEO copywriter and blogger. His areas of expertise include technology, pop culture, and marketing.
