If you are thinking about purchasing a projector, whether the 1080p or 4k projector, then you will surely face a challenge.
The correct idea is to look at features and decide which one meets your primary needs and specific purposes other than look at resolutions only.
4K or Ultra HD is on everyone’s lips and has been advertised more and more by all manufacturers for years. With a four-fold increase in resolution (eight megapixels compared to two megapixels), the film or TV picture should be significantly sharper, more detailed, and realistic than the Full HD.
There is a huge assortment of brands that stores offer.
In this article, we’ll cover the features and room characteristics to look out for when choosing a projector.
We will also show the difference between 1080p and 4k and whether it is worth getting a 4K projector or not.
(You probably want to know if you can play 4K movies on the 1080 projector, then the answer is yes.)
So without further adieu, let’s dive in.
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Comparison Table
|
1080P Projector |
4K Projector |
| 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution |
| Viewing angle is further from the screen, but flexible from 10 feet distance | Closer viewing angle to watch movies and gaming |
| Not yet outdated | Futuristic |
| More economical | Pricey |
| Decent Quality images | Clearer images |
| Graphic detail not as outstanding, but good | Very outstanding graphic detail |
| No pixel shifting is possible | Pixel shifting that helps define resolution detail |
| Screen not as wide and less chance of zooming, focusing, and shifting as much | Wider screen with a potential of zooming, focusing and shifting |
| Better black levels and contrast ratio | Sharper for watching fast action movies |
| 5,000 hours of lamp light in normal mode | 15,000 hours of lamp light results in 4 hours of viewing time daily |
| White Brightness with 3,000 lumens | Ultra Brightness with 3,000 lumens |
| 80 inches screen size | More than 100 inches of screen size |
Let’s get into more details
Contrast ratio
You may consider the 4K device to be more superior as it relates to contrast, but that is not necessarily so.
It is best to assess the features and characteristics of each product you want to buy.
In some ways, the 1080p project may give you a better performance in comparison to the 4k projector because of the fine details associated with each product.
For example, the contrast ratio is just as important as the resolution. In some cases, people consider the contrast ratio more important than resolution.
Why?
Well, let’s say the 4k projector’s contrast ratio is mediocre. It is possible that the image quality of the 1080p projector could be higher than the 4k projector if the 1080p projector has a better contrast ratio.
With that being said, your purchasing decision should never be based on resolution alone or you might come away being disappointed.
The differences between the 1080p and 4K projectors are minimal and hardly distinct. The resolution is only a difference of 2 megapixels. You have the option to purchase the 1080p projector with 4k enhancements.
The choice is limited
Even in the fifth year of the 4K projector, only one manufacturer has managed to offer affordable home cinema projectors: Sony!
While the first model was more costly, the prices for current 4K models have dropped. This is quite normal for modern home theater projectors.
The resolution of 4K is so high that there is practically no limit to the image size. Image widths of up to 6m are no problem, the brightness of the projector and the spatial conditions alone usually set smaller limits.
For image sizes between 2.5 m and 4.5 m, which are common at home, 4K is to be regarded as the ideal resolution.
Possible viewing distance
The biggest advantage of the 4K resolution is the viewing distance because there is almost no minimum distance.
It is therefore possible to achieve much larger image widths than with Full HD under the same room conditions.
The rise of cinemascope screens (thanks to 4K)
If you want to maximize the picture width under the given room conditions, as is recommended for 4k, you often run into a problem:
In the usual 16:9 TV format, the picture is usually too high for large widths and “takes up” space and viewer.
When choosing a projector for a darkened home theater, contrast is of utmost importance.
The better the room meets the requirements for a home theater, the less excess light falls on the screen.
Resolution is important
Finally, the resolution is one of the main things to look for. This means that the pixel creating the image should be the main focus. However, the heightened resolution makes the image clearer and the picture appears more detailed.
And, the resolution will have the shape of a fixed screen while the full HD projector had the 1920×1080 resolution and 16:9 ratio. The 4:3 ratio of the fixed screen gives the projector a squared look while the 16:9 feature gives it a horizontally stretched appearance.
This is the standard feature for the Blu-ray and HDTV formats. If you want to view documents or an Internet browser, the 4:3 aspect ratio would be ideal.
4K projectors are bright with high-contrast and have extended color spaces in order to be able to display UHD Premium/HDR as loss-free as possible.
And what about my Full HD collection?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to dispose of the existing Blu-ray collection.
On the contrary: by means of complex interpolation electronics, dubbed Reality Creation by Sony, conventional Full HD signals are effectively extrapolated to 4K and their resolution is actually added.
Related post: Dolby Vision Projectors: Are They Ready Yet?
Watching 4K Movies
Can you play 4K movies on the 1080 projector?
Yes!
The 4K movie will be downsized to match the resolution of your screen. In fact, it might look better than the average 1080P movie.
Why?
Well, it is transforming a large movie into a smaller option and not taking a small movie to make it larger.
Right now, a true 4K/UHD premium is a treat that you have to be willing to pay more for. Due to the Sony monopoly, the corresponding projectors can only be found in the upper price ranges and the software side is still manageable and costs more than conventional Full HD.
However, the equivalent is correspondingly higher: A 4K chain allows larger image widths, reduced viewing distances, and a much sharper detail image than Full HD because the projectors use the 4K format much more effectively than small TVs.
This advantage is retained even with conventional full HD feed, as the algorithms of Sony Reality Creation can effectively raise the resolution to 4K through interpolation.
And last but not least, the UHD Premium Standard ensures original cinema colors and HDR contrast, which also supports the 4K resolution.
Conclusion
We hope that taking into account all the recommendations, you will be able to make the right choice between the 4K projector and the 1080p Full HD projector.
Your choice of the projector will depend on your personal taste, your budget, and your needs.
And no matter your choice, it will leave you in a good mood and an unforgettable experience from watching movies and games on the big screen.
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.