Introduction
Slapping on the word “smart” followed by the name of a modern device is something we’re starting to see a lot in this decade. Devices like smart vacuums, smart lights, and tons of other devices are just a few examples. They worked well before they became intelligent so what suddenly changes? There’s actually some neat features that home theater companies have begun implementing when they make one of their devices “smart.”
So is a smart projector actually worth it especially for home theaters? Smart projectors are an excellent option for home theaters because they have the ability to integrate all of a home theater’s features into one device. They can autonomously communicate with your speaker system, wifi network, and all your other media devices. They also have the ability to autofocus on your screen and adjust the brightness.
Why are Smart Projectors Different?
They come in some really interesting and unconventional designs. It’s obvious these types of devices are trying to innovate the way projectors should be implemented. If you do a quick search on Amazon, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. These projectors are different in a lot of unique ways. The benefits are subtle, but you’ll notice your home theater becomes increasingly more convenient to use over the years after you get one of these.
I believe smart appliances are the most helpful when it comes to people’s living spaces and home theater setups are no exception. There’s a lot of devices in a home theater that have to communicate with each other every time the user turns it on! If you’re hoping to understand more about what smart projectors are, how they work, and if they’re even worth it, then this article is for you!
Notable Features of Smart Projectors
Good “Smart” Projectors will generally have the following qualities:
They have the ability to autofocus to optimal settings, regardless of how far away they are from the screen.
How this technology works is way beyond me. But any home theater owner will agree that sometimes you don’t know if your projector is focused at the optimal setting. If you don’t have a projector that can autofocus, you’re going to have to eyeball it (and my eyesight isn’t always great). As you move the projector closer or further away from the screen, you’ll see it automatically focusing itself to give the user crystal clear image every time. This feature is best for people who move their projector around a lot.
They can wirelessly connect to devices.
iPhones, Androids, Firesticks, laptops, gaming consoles, and many other streaming devices can connect to them. The cheaper models will utilize Bluetooth to connect, causing a slight delay in response from the device, but higher end ones can use Wifi and will run a lot more seamlessly. You could easily go the extra mile by pairing them with smart speakers. Ultimately, smart projectors will provide you with a lot of convenient features that you wouldn’t normally have. How nice would it be to have a projector that acts as a console, internet browser, and media player all in one?
Smart projectors are the same price as regular ones.
I came across a good amount of smart projectors that were the same price as their “unsmart” counterpart. Even when browsing through 4k products and down on the lower budget ends, their price point was surprisingly parallel with a model that had fewer features than the “smart” version of it. I’ll link at the end of this article to some of the products I came across.
Best Examples of Smart Projectors
This projector has a more unique design than what most projectors have. It has the same amount of lumens as the middle of the line BenQ projectors and other brands. What makes it unique is its Wifi connectivity, shorter throw distance, and laser lamp component. While it may not appear to be the projector with the highest power, its laser lamp will last infinitely longer than other projector models. Part of what makes this model “smart” is its ability to stream movies and surf the internet anywhere there is a wifi connection. Now you won’t have to take your console with you to your friend’s house or connect it to your laptop.
Built-in speakers are a good feature for entry-level home theaters or for people who mainly want an outdoor movie set up. This projector’s smart features include autofocus calibration (even when the user is angling it from the side), built-in wi-fi connectivity, and a specialized 3D shutter capability. The active shutter makes 3D movies look sharper and less amateurish compared to the red and blue lens filters.
If I had to pick the highest quality smart projector, this is the one I would go with. To start, it’s 2500 lumens, 4K UHD, and can project onto screens up to 150 inches! It’s wi-fi enabled, comes with Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, and all the other apps you would expect to have on a Firestick. Even though this one is obviously the most expensive, it provides the highest resolution possible and saves you the cost of having to purchase a platform like a PS4 just to access Netflix and other media apps. And I can’t forget to mention that it comes with a screen-sharing function that works with smartphones.
Related Questions
What makes a projector “smart?” Smart projectors will have the unique ability to autonomously communicate with other devices such as your wifi router, speaker system, or other media devices. Smart projectors aren’t as distinct as they sound but these subtle features are actually very convenient.
Are smart projectors more expensive? Contrary to what you might think, they are actually within the same price point as other models. If you come across one that’s more on the expensive end, keep in mind that you’ll likely be saving in the long run because you won’t have to pay for a media player.
Conclusion
I think smart projectors would be the most helpful to people who are still in the process of building their theater or are looking to make some major upgrades. The best way to maximize the potential of these systems is to implement them with other smart devices in your theater such as your lighting system, screen, and even speakers.