Projector ABC – glossary of projection technology & projector terms

Our Projector ABC is the comprehensive reference guide to projection technology – clearly explained and fully up to date. Whether you are looking for a home cinema projector, the perfect gaming projector or a professional business solution – here you will find an explanation of every term you come across when choosing a model. From ANSI lumens and HDR to laser light sources and pixel shifting: we make projector technology easy to understand, so you can make the right buying decision.

Jump to letter: 0–9 · A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Z

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0–9

120Hz / 240Hz
High refresh rates for smooth motion. 120 Hz delivers particularly fluid gaming and requires HDMI 2.1. 240 Hz offers even less motion blur, but is rarely achieved natively by projectors. Gaming projectors in our shop.

12V trigger
Output on the projector that sends a 12V signal when it is switched on. Automatically controls a motorised screen, curtains or lighting. Also available as a wireless RF trigger.

24p / 24fps
Standard frame rate of cinema films (24 frames per second). Projectors should play 24p natively to avoid 3:2 pulldown judder. Important for film-like motion with Blu-ray and streaming.

2.35:1 / CinemaScope
Widescreen film format, also known as 21:9 or Scope. For full-frame playback on CinemaScope screens, lens memory is recommended. Alternatively, masking ensures clean image edges.

3:2 pulldown
Conversion of 24fps cinema film to 60 Hz. Since 24 does not divide evenly into 60, frames are shown alternately 2× and 3×. This causes the typical judder during camera pans – projectors with native 24p playback avoid this problem.

3D projection (general)
Stereoscopic imaging using separate images for the left and right eye. Implemented via shutter glasses (active), polarised glasses (passive) or DLP-Link. 3D content is in decline – when buying new, treat it as a bonus.

3D transmitter
IR or RF emitter that sends the sync signal to active shutter 3D glasses. Some projectors have a built-in transmitter, others need an external device. RF is more stable than IR (no line of sight required).

3LCD
Projection technology with three separate LCD panels (one each for red, green and blue). High colour brightness without a colour wheel – no rainbow effect. 3LCD is an industry consortium initiated by Epson. The panels are produced by Epson but used by many manufacturers (Panasonic, NEC/Sharp, ViewSonic and others).

360-degree installation
Mounting the projector at any angle – e.g. pointing straight up or down. With many models, "360°" only means rotation around one axis (tilting forwards/backwards). Lamp projectors must not be tilted sideways (UHP lamp: risk of breakage). Laser/LED projectors are more flexible. See also portrait mode.

4K / UHD (3840×2160)
Consumer standard in 16:9 format. Important: with projectors, distinguish between native 4K (full panel with 8.3 million pixels) and pixel shifting (creates a 4K impression by sequentially shifting smaller panels). Both are officially certified as 4K UHD as long as 8.3 million pixels reach the screen.

4K PRO-UHD (Epson)
Epson's marketing name for pixel shifting with a Precision Shift Glass Plate. Achieves 4K detail from a native Full HD or WUXGA base. Not native 4K – but sharp enough for most applications in practice.

4:3 format
The old, almost square TV format. Today it has been almost entirely replaced by 16:9 and 21:9. Modern projectors can display 4:3 content, but then only use part of their panel area, with black bars on the left and right (pillarbox).

4K upscaling
Calculation of additional pixels to upscale lower-resolution content (e.g. Full HD) to 4K. Not true 4K, but a visible improvement over native Full HD. 4K projectors in our shop.

4LED light source
Light source with four LEDs: two blue, one red and one green (e.g. BenQ). Wide colour gamut, mercury-free and full brightness instantly. Typically brighter than standard LED, but below laser level.

A

Cool-down phase
The fan keeps running after the projector is switched off. Necessary with UHP lamp projectors (1–3 minutes) to cool the lamp down in a controlled way. LED and laser projectors do not need a cool-down phase – see Instant On/Off.

AcuMotion (Optoma)
Optoma's frame interpolation technology. Creates intermediate frames for smoother motion in sport, action scenes and camera pans.

Adobe RGB
Extended colour space for photo and design applications. Covers more green and cyan tones than sRGB. Only relevant for projectors if colour-critical work (prepress, photography) is projected.

AirPlay
Apple's wireless streaming protocol. Transmits picture and sound from an iPhone, iPad or Mac directly to the projector – without additional hardware or apps. Only available on projectors with a built-in smart TV operating system. AirPlay projectors in our shop.

Battery-powered projector
Compact projectors with a built-in battery for mobile use. Typical runtime: 2–4 hours. Brightness is usually below 1,000 ANSI lumens – so only suitable for darkened rooms or small image sizes.

Active cooling
Fan-based cooling of the optical system. 3LCD and LCoS projectors always require active cooling. Some DLP models use passive metal heat sinks and can therefore be quieter. Quiet projectors in our shop.

Acoustically transparent screen
Screen with microscopic perforation – speakers can be placed directly behind it. Sound comes from the direction of the picture for immersive audio. Slight loss of brightness due to the perforation. Acoustic screens in our shop.

Aliasing
Staircase effect along edges. Thanks to modern 4K resolution and anti-aliasing algorithms, this effect is hardly visible on current devices.

ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
The console or player automatically signals the projector to switch to gaming mode. No manual switching required. Requirement: HDMI 2.1. Gaming projectors in our shop.

ALPD (Advanced Laser Phosphor Display)
Laser phosphor technology from Appotronics. Mixes laser light with phosphors for high luminous efficiency. Version 5.0 combines RGB lasers with RGB LEDs to get the best of both worlds: an extremely wide colour gamut (>110 % BT.2020) with complete elimination of laser speckle.

ALR screen (ambient light rejecting)
Screen that absorbs ambient light instead of reflecting it. Significantly improves contrast and colour saturation in ambient light – also worthwhile in darkened rooms (stray light from bright walls). Gain typically below 1.0. Ambient light rejecting screens in our shop.

Ambient light
Disruptive extraneous light in the room. For bright environments we recommend projectors with a high ANSI lumen rating or special ALR screens.

Android TV
Google's smart TV operating system for projectors and televisions. Offers access to the Google Play Store with thousands of apps (Netflix, Disney+, YouTube etc.) and voice control via Google Assistant. Since 2022 it has gradually been replaced by its successor Google TV, which offers a personalised interface with recommendations. Smart projectors in our shop.

ANSI contrast
Contrast measurement within a single image (chequerboard pattern with 16 light and dark fields). Measures how well bright and dark areas are displayed at the same time. Values are much lower than on/off contrast – even 300:1 is a good figure. The contrast ratio advertised in data sheets is usually the much higher on/off value.

ANSI lumens
Standardised unit for a projector's light output, measured according to the ANSI/IEC measurement standard (9-point grid). Determines how clearly the image remains visible in bright rooms.

ANSI/IEC measurement standard
Standardised method for measuring lumens: 9 measuring points in a 3×3 grid; the average gives the ANSI lumens. A uniform basis for comparison – but not all manufacturers measure in exactly the same way.

ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI function for sending audio from the projector back to a soundbar or AV receiver. Transmits compressed audio only – uncompressed TrueHD or DTS-HD requires eARC.

Aspect ratio
The ratio of image width to image height. 16:9 is standard for home cinema and TV, 16:10 dominates in business. Other formats: 4:3, 2.35:1 (cinema film).

Resolution
Number of pixels. The current gold standard is 4K UHD. Learn more about projector resolutions.

Warm-up phase
Time until full brightness is reached after switching on. With UHP lamp projectors: 1–3 minutes. LED and laser projectors are ready for use immediately – see Instant On/Off.

Autofocus
Automatic focusing via camera sensor or ToF (time of flight) sensor. On modern projectors it often takes just seconds. Particularly handy for mobile use without a fixed installation.

B

Banding (colour banding)
Visible steps in colour gradients instead of smooth transitions. Causes: low bit depth (8-bit), aggressive compression or inadequate tone mapping. 10-bit signals and high-quality HDR significantly reduce banding.

Bandwidth
Maximum data throughput of the transmission method (e.g. 18 Gbps or 48 Gbps). Crucial for lossless transmission of 4K/120Hz signals or 8K via HDMI 2.1.

BenQ HDR-PRO
BenQ's optimised tone mapping technology for HDR content. It dynamically adapts the brightness distribution to the projector's actual light output to preserve detail in very dark or bright scenes. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

Viewing angle (screen)
The angle within which the screen delivers an evenly bright image without colour distortion. Depends on the gain: a high gain amplifies the light in the centre but narrows the viewing angle (risk of hotspotting). For wide seating arrangements, a gain of around 1.0 is recommended.

Screen diagonal
Distance from one corner of the projection surface to the opposite corner. Usually given in inches (1″ = 2.54 cm). The ideal diagonal depends on the seating distance and the resolution.

Bit depth (colour depth)
Determines the number of colour gradations per colour channel: 8-bit = 16.7 million colours (SDR), 10-bit = 1.07 billion colours (HDR10/HLG), 12-bit = 68.7 billion colours (Dolby Vision). Higher bit depth is the prerequisite for a picture without banding. 4K projectors in our shop.

Bluetooth (audio)
Wireless audio transmission from the projector to headphones or speakers. To ensure lip sync, the projector and receiver should support modern codecs such as aptX Low Latency or aptX Adaptive.

BNC
Professional bayonet connector for coaxial cables. Provides a mechanically locked, interference-free connection and is mainly used on installation projectors for SDI or sync signals.

Floor-rising screen
Motorised screen that rises upwards out of a housing on the floor. Ideal for rented flats or rooms where ceiling mounting is not possible. Often combined with CLR fabrics for laser TVs. Projection screens in our shop.

Focal length
Distance between the principal plane of the lens and the focal point. A short focal length enables large images from a short distance (short throw); a long focal length is needed for long throw distances. Additional lenses in our shop.

Build slide
Classic slide technique in which lines of text were revealed one after the other. Replaced in modern presentation tools by dynamic animations and embedded videos.

Business projector
Projectors optimised for bright environments (offices, schools). Focus on high light output (ANSI lumens), text sharpness and connectivity (Wi-Fi presentation, USB-C). Usually in 16:10 format (WUXGA). Business projectors in our shop.

C

Cat6 cable (with HDBaseT)
Network cable for transmitting uncompressed AV signals via HDBaseT. Cat6a/7 is recommended for 4K content over distances of up to 100 m to avoid interference.

Chromecast / Google Cast
Streaming protocol built into many smart projectors (Google TV). Allows wireless "casting" of apps (YouTube, Netflix etc.) directly from a smartphone or the Chrome browser to the projector.

CIE chromaticity diagram
The horseshoe-shaped standard diagram that visualises all visible colours. It serves as a reference for objectively comparing how well projectors cover colour spaces such as Rec.709, DCI-P3 or Rec.2020.

Clip art
Ready-made graphics for inserting into presentations. In modern workflows replaced by high-resolution stock photos, vector graphics and AI-generated images.

CLR screen (ceiling light rejecting)
Special type of ALR screen for ultra short throw projectors. A microscopic lamella structure directs the projector's light (from below) towards the viewer, while light from above (ceiling lights) is absorbed. CLR screens in our shop.

Crestron / AMX / Extron
Market leaders in professional media control systems. Projectors with these certifications can be integrated seamlessly into automated meeting room systems (power on/off, source selection via the network). Installation projectors in our shop.

Crystal Motion
Marketing term (often used by Epson or ViewSonic) for frame interpolation. Calculates intermediate frames to increase motion sharpness with 24p content or fast sports broadcasts. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

CTA (Consumer Technology Association)
The organisation behind CES which, among other things, defined the "4K Ultra HD" logo. For projectors, CTA certification means that at least 8.3 million pixels must be displayed on the screen (whether natively or via pixel shifting).

D

Permanent installation / 24/7 operation
Running a projector around the clock (digital signage, museums, shop windows). Requires laser or LED light sources, as conventional UHP lamps are not designed for continuous operation due to the thermal load. Important: the manufacturer's warranty often distinguishes between standard and 24/7 use. Installation projectors in our shop.

DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives)
A consortium of the major Hollywood studios that sets technical standards for digital cinema. These include DCI 4K resolution, the DCI-P3 colour space and specific compression rates for cinema projectors.

DCI 4K (4096×2160)
The native cinema standard with an aspect ratio of approx. 17:9. It is slightly wider than the consumer standard 4K UHD (3840×2160). Only very high-end projectors use native DCI chips; in a normal home cinema the image is cropped or scaled to 16:9.

In-ceiling screen
A motorised screen whose housing disappears completely into a suspended ceiling. When retracted, only a narrow flap or rail is visible, allowing particularly discreet integration into living rooms or offices. Projection screens in our shop.

Ceiling lift / projector lift
A mechanical system that hides the projector in the ceiling when not in use. Via a 12V trigger or a media control system, the lift lowers the projector precisely into the projection position.

DeltaE (dE)
A measure of how far a projected colour deviates from the theoretical ideal. A DeltaE below 3 is considered the reference value, as the human eye can hardly perceive any difference at this level. Professional projectors are calibrated to achieve this value across the entire colour spectrum.

Dichroic mirror
A special mirror in 3-chip projectors (3LCD/LCoS) that separates the colours of light. It reflects only a certain wavelength (e.g. red) and lets all other colours pass through. This splits the lamp's white light into its basic components before it reaches the panels.

Digital signage
Digital information or advertising systems. Projectors used for digital signage often need to be mountable in an upright position (portrait mode) and require a network interface for remote maintenance. Installation projectors in our shop.

Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Projection technology from Texas Instruments. The light is reflected by millions of tiny mirrors on a DMD chip. DLP projectors are known for high ANSI contrast, fast response times and a dust-protected optical system. DLP projectors in detail.

DisplayPort
A digital connection standard used mainly with PCs. It offers very high bandwidth for 4K or 8K signals. Since most projectors only have HDMI, laptops often need an active adapter or a USB-C to HDMI cable.

DLNA
An older standard for streaming media (films, photos) over the home network. Today, built-in apps or protocols such as AirPlay and Chromecast are more modern and convenient.

DLP-Link 3D
A synchronisation method for 3D images. The projector sends a white flash, invisible to the eye, to the screen. The shutter glasses detect this flash and switch the lenses in sync with the image. Advantage: no external 3D transmitter is needed.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface)
Digital video connection, usually with a white plug, which comes in several variants: DVI-D transmits digital signals only and can be converted to HDMI with a passive adapter (up to 1920 × 1200 with single link, up to 2560 × 1600 with dual link). DVI-A transmits analogue signals only and is equivalent in quality to a VGA connection. DVI-I combines both variants. Without HDCP support, copy-protected content cannot be transmitted – when using an adapter, make sure the DVI output is HDCP-capable. Hardly ever found on current projectors.

DMD chip (Digital Micromirror Device)
The heart of a DLP projector. The chip size (e.g. 0.47″ or 0.65″) has a major influence on light efficiency and native contrast. Larger chips generally offer deeper blacks and better detail.

Document camera / visualiser
A digital replacement for the overhead projector. The camera captures live images of objects or documents and outputs them directly to the projector. Ideal for interactive teaching or presentations. Document cameras in our shop.

Dolby Atmos
An object-based audio format for 3D sound. Instead of fixed channels, sounds are placed in the room as objects. Projectors with eARC can pass this signal through to a compatible sound system. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

Dolby Vision
An HDR format with dynamic metadata. Unlike HDR10, it defines for each individual frame how bright or colour-intensive it should be. As projectors have limited peak brightness, Dolby Vision helps to display detail in dark and bright areas optimally. 4K projectors in our shop.

Dolby Vision 2
Further development of Dolby Vision (announced at CES 2026). New features: Authentic Motion (director-controlled motion smoothing via metadata), Content Intelligence (automatic detection of film, sport and gaming) and HDR optimisation for projectors with limited peak brightness. 4K projectors in our shop.

DTS:X
The competing format to Dolby Atmos. It is also object-based and delivers immersive surround sound. Transmission from the projector to the receiver is usually via HDMI eARC.

Dual Light (Hisense/XGIMI)
A hybrid light source that usually combines RGB laser with LED light. The aim is to exploit the extreme colour brilliance of the laser while using the LED component to minimise distracting laser speckle (sparkle). Similar concept to ALPD 5.0.

Dynamic iris (auto iris)
A mechanical aperture that opens or closes in fractions of a second. In dark film scenes it closes to improve the black level and minimise stray light. In bright scenes it opens for maximum luminosity. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

E

EGA / SVGA / UXGA
Outdated computer resolutions from the 1990s and early 2000s. In modern manuals these terms only appear to confirm compatibility with very old PCs.

eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
The more powerful successor to ARC. It allows high-resolution audio formats such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X to be returned over the HDMI cable from the projector to the AV receiver. Strictly requires HDMI 2.1 hardware. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

Eco mode
An energy-saving mode that reduces the output of the light source. The image becomes slightly darker (approx. 20–30 %), but the fan becomes much quieter, power consumption drops and the life of the lamp or laser increases significantly. Quiet projectors in our shop.

Edge blending
A process in which the images of several projectors are combined into one huge projection surface. The software ensures that the transitions (overlaps) are invisible and that brightness remains uniform across the entire surface. Installation projectors in our shop.

e-shiftX (JVC)
A special pixel shifting technique from JVC that works in four directions. This allows a native 4K panel to display images with a simulated 8K resolution, resulting in an extremely analogue-looking, pixel-free picture. Exclusive to JVC's D-ILA home cinema projectors. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

E-TORL (Epson)
A patented lamp technology from Epson. A special shape and an additional reflector direct more light from the UHP lamp towards the lens. This makes the projectors more efficient and allows more compact designs. Replacement lamps in our shop.

EU 2027 mercury lamp ban
An important EU regulation: from 2027, no new mercury-containing discharge lamps (UHP) may be placed on the market. Existing devices may continue to be used and remaining stock may be sold off, but in the long term the market will switch completely to laser and LED technology.

F

Folding / event screen
Portable screen with a sturdy folding frame for mobile use (events, public viewing). These screens are much more robust than simple tripod screens and reach sizes of over 7 metres in width. They are usually supplied in flight cases and are ready for use within a few minutes. Projection screens in our shop.

Colour brightness (CLO – Color Light Output)
A crucial quality feature. While the standard lumen figure usually only measures the brightness of pure white, colour brightness indicates how vividly the colours (red, green, blue) are projected. With 3LCD projectors, colour brightness is usually identical to white brightness. With DLP projectors that use a colour wheel, colour brightness can be considerably lower, resulting in paler colours in bright rooms. More on colour brightness.

Colour wheel
Mechanical component in single-chip DLP projectors (lamp/single laser) that generates colours sequentially. In modern LED and triple-laser systems (RGB laser) the colour wheel is unnecessary: separate light sources handle colour mixing electronically and silently. This almost completely eliminates the rainbow effect as well as mechanical wear parts. More on DLP projectors.

Colour saturation
Describes the purity and intensity of a colour. High colour saturation produces a vivid image. Thanks to their narrow-band light waves, modern laser projectors achieve a saturation far beyond the capabilities of conventional lamp projectors (keyword: BT.2020 colour space).

Colour temperature
Measured in kelvin (K). It determines the mood of the image's light. The standard for natural film reproduction is D65 (approx. 6,500 kelvin), which corresponds to daylight. Higher values produce a cooler (bluish) image, lower values a warmer (reddish) look. More on colour brightness.

Filter cleaning / maintenance
Important for cooling. Dust filters prevent dirt from getting into the optics. If they are clogged, the device overheats, the fan becomes loud and the life of the light source is reduced. Modern DLP projectors, laser TVs and installation projectors often use sealed optical units (IP protection rating) that are maintenance-free and no longer need filter changes.

Frame interpolation
A technology (technically: MEMC) that calculates artificial intermediate frames to minimise motion blur and judder. This creates a smoother picture, especially with fast sports or action films. Purists often switch this function off for cinema films to preserve the original film look (24p) – otherwise the resulting "soap opera effect" makes feature films look artificial. Manufacturer names: Crystal Motion (Epson), MotionFlow (Sony), AcuMotion (Optoma), TruMotion (LG).

Frame skipping
A technical problem in which the projector accepts a high-frequency signal (e.g. 120 Hz) but does not actually display all frames, simply dropping every second one. This leads to uneven motion despite high FPS figures. Gamers should make sure the projector supports genuine high frame rate processing. Gaming projectors in our shop.

Liquid cooling (projector)
Cooling system for high-performance laser projectors. Cools the laser diodes and DMD chip more efficiently than air cooling – prevents colour drift and loss of brightness during continuous operation under high thermal load. Enables higher sustained brightness with stable colour temperature. First seen in the consumer segment in the Hisense XR10 (LPU 3.0, 6,000 ANSI lumens).

Fresnel screen
A special high-contrast screen for ultra short throw projectors (UST). It uses a structure of concentric circles to redirect the projector's light (which shines from below) precisely towards the viewer, while light from the sides or from above is blocked. It delivers an extremely bright image but has a limited viewing angle. Projection screens in our shop.

Front projection
The classic type of projection, in which the projector stands in the room and illuminates the screen from the front. This is the simplest type of installation, but it requires a darkened room or a contrast-enhancing ALR screen to minimise stray light.

Full HD (1920×1080)
The standard resolution with approx. 2 million pixels in 16:9 format. While 4K now dominates in home cinema, Full HD is still the standard for a sharp picture in education, mobile projectors and budget solutions.

G

Gain
Describes the reflective behaviour of a screen fabric. A gain of 1.0 reflects light evenly in all directions. A higher gain (e.g. 1.5) concentrates the light towards the centre, which makes the image appear brighter but restricts the viewing angle. Black contrast screens often have a gain below 1.0 to improve the black level. Projection screens in our shop.

Gamma / gamma curve
Describes the relationship between the input signal and the output brightness. A correctly set gamma ensures that detail in dark areas of the image (shadow detail) remains visible without the picture looking flat. Reference values: 2.2 (bright room) to 2.4 (dark-room home cinema). With HDR, the PQ curve is used instead.

Gaming mode
A special preset that disables all unnecessary image enhancers to keep the delay (input lag) as low as possible. With modern gaming projectors this value is often below 16 milliseconds, enabling responsive gameplay. On older devices it usually disables keystone correction.

Noise level
The volume of the cooling system in decibels (dB). Important: an increase of around 10 dB is perceived by the human ear as a doubling of volume. Projectors below 25 dB are considered very quiet and are barely noticeable during a film. Eco mode reduces the volume by approx. 3–8 dB(A). Quiet projectors in our shop.

Golf simulator projector
Projectors for use in indoor golf facilities. They need very high light output, as the tee area usually has to be lit, as well as a short-throw lens so that the player does not cast a shadow on the screen. High resolution is also important to render the fine blades of grass in the simulation. Gaming projectors in our shop.

Google TV / Android TV
Google's smart TV operating system with a personalised interface, voice control via Google Assistant and built-in Chromecast. Successor to Android TV with an extended range of apps via the Google Play Store. Not every smart projector has Netflix certification – check before you buy. Smart projectors in our shop.

Green screen
A single-colour projection surface (usually bright green) used in video production. Using "chroma keying", this colour can be digitally replaced with any background or graphics. In modern projection technology, green screens are often used for interactive presentations or virtual studios.

H

Metal halide lamp
Technical umbrella term for high-pressure discharge lamps. In modern projection technology, the highly efficient UHP lamp is mainly used. Unlike conventional halogen lamps, it produces a spectrum close to daylight with much higher luminous efficiency. As the market continues to change over, maintenance-free laser or LED light sources are becoming increasingly important.

HD Ready (1280×720)
Entry-level resolution with approx. 0.92 million pixels. Today mainly found in very compact mini projectors or inexpensive entry-level devices. For sharp display of text and modern video content, Full HD or 4K is recommended.

HDBaseT
A standard for transmitting uncompressed HDMI signals, audio, Ethernet and control commands over a single Cat6 network cable. It allows cable lengths of up to 100 metres without signal loss – ideal for large meeting rooms or installations in churches and museums. Business projectors in our shop. Installation projectors in our shop.

HDCP 2.2 / 2.3
Digital copy protection that is mandatory for playing 4K UHD content. All devices in the chain (player, AV receiver, projector) must support this standard. If they do not, the picture is either not output at all or only at a lower resolution (Full HD). 4K projectors in our shop.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
The universal digital interface for picture and sound. Important versions: HDMI 2.0b (supports 4K at 60Hz and HDR) and HDMI 2.1 (supports 4K at 120Hz as well as eARC). For maximum picture quality, use high-quality, certified cables.

HDMI 1.4
Older standard with a bandwidth of approx. 10 Gbps. It supports 4K content only at a maximum of 30 frames per second (30Hz), which is not sufficient for smooth gaming or modern sports broadcasts.

HDMI 2.0 / HDMI 2.0b
The current standard for most home cinema projectors. With 18 Gbps bandwidth, it enables playback of 4K content at 60 frames per second with HDR metadata.

HDMI 2.1
The latest generation with up to 48 Gbps bandwidth. It is essential for gaming projectors, as it supports features such as 4K@120Hz, VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). The high-resolution audio return channel eARC is also part of this specification.

Wireless HDMI
Enables wireless transmission of picture and sound signals from the player to the projector. This is particularly handy when no cables can be run through the room. Modern 60 GHz systems transmit Full HD with virtually no latency, but for 4K content these systems are often expensive and more prone to interference.

HDMI loop-out
An output on the projector that passes the incoming HDMI signal directly on to another device (e.g. a control monitor or a second projector). Often found on installation projectors to avoid complex splitters.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Provides a much wider contrast range and more natural colours. While conventional images (SDR) often lose detail in dark or very bright areas, HDR reproduces them precisely. As projectors physically have less peak brightness than TVs, the quality of the internal tone mapping is crucial. 4K projectors in our shop.

HDR10+
An HDR standard with dynamic metadata. Unlike static HDR10, the brightness values are optimised individually for each scene, which particularly helps projectors to use their light output more efficiently. 4K projectors in our shop. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

HDR10+ Advanced
Further development of HDR10+ (announced at CES 2026). New features: HDR10+ Bright (optimised for projectors with limited peak brightness), HDR10+ Genre (automatic content detection for film, sport and gaming) and HDR10+ Capture (smartphone camera support). Royalty-free like its predecessor.

Frame Adapt HDR (JVC)
JVC's pioneering technology for HDR content. The projector analyses the incoming HDR signal frame by frame in real time and dynamically adapts the tone mapping to its own light output. This produces a three-dimensional picture without blown-out highlights or crushed shadows. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

HDR tone curve
The mathematical curve by which a projector converts the brightness information of an HDR signal (PQ curve) to its own maximum light output. The more flexibly this curve can be adjusted, the better the picture can be adapted to the room and the screen.

Home cinema projector
Projectors specially developed for film playback in dark rooms. They focus on excellent black levels, precise colour reproduction and a quiet fan. Compared with business projectors, they usually have a lower maximum brightness but a much more three-dimensional picture. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

HEP chip (High Efficiency Pixel)
A newer generation of DLP mirror chips from Texas Instruments. An optimised tilt angle of the micromirrors allows more light to be used while reducing stray light inside the housing. The result is visibly improved native contrast and deeper blacks.

High-gain screen
A screen with a special coating that reflects more light towards the centre. This increases image brightness massively, but leads to a restricted viewing angle (hotspot effect). Worthwhile in bright living rooms or with very large screen sizes. The gain is usually above 1.5.

HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
The HDR standard for live broadcasts (sport, TV). It was developed to serve HDR devices and older SDR televisions simultaneously with a single signal, without the need for metadata. 4K projectors in our shop.

I

IMAX Enhanced
A certification programme for high-end home cinema. It guarantees that the projector meets certain quality criteria in terms of resolution, colour and contrast to bring the large-format IMAX experience (often combined with DTS:X sound) into your living room. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

Input lag
The time in milliseconds that passes before a signal from the games console appears on the screen. For casual gamers, values below 35 ms are sufficient; ambitious gamers look for projectors with a gaming mode that reduces input lag to below 16 ms. Gaming projectors in our shop.

Installation projector
Powerful projectors for use in large halls, museums or at events. They feature interchangeable lenses, motorised lens shift and interfaces such as HDBaseT. They are also usually designed for continuous operation (24/7). Installation projectors in our shop.

Instant On / Instant Off
Thanks to laser or LED technology, these projectors reach full brightness within a few seconds and no longer need a cool-down phase after being switched off. By contrast, lamp projectors have to cool down for several minutes before they can be disconnected from the mains.

Built-in speakers
Many projectors have built-in speakers. While these are handy for mobile projectors or presentations, they cannot replace a proper sound system in a home cinema.

Built-in media player
Allows films, PDFs or photos to be played directly from a USB stick. This saves you carrying a laptop around for presentations. The supported formats depend heavily on the projector's operating system and should be checked in the manual or with our customer advisers before purchase.

Interactive projector
Projectors that turn a projection surface into a giant tablet. Using special pens or finger touch, you can write and draw directly on the screen. Mainly used in education and modern meeting rooms. Business projectors in our shop.

Interlacing (i)
An older method of image transmission (field-based, e.g. 1080i). To avoid flicker, modern projectors internally reassemble these signals into full frames by deinterlacing (progressive scan).

Invert / flip
The menu function for mirroring the image or turning it upside down. This is necessary when the projector is mounted upside down on the ceiling or used for rear projection.

IP protection rating
Classifies how well the housing is protected against dust and moisture. For projectors, a dust-tight optical system (e.g. IP5X or IP6X) is particularly important to avoid picture interference caused by particles and to minimise maintenance. As the devices have to draw in air for cooling by design, they are rarely waterproof out of the box; genuine weather protection for outdoor use is therefore usually achieved with special climate-controlled enclosures. For enquiries, please contact our customer advisers. Business projectors in our shop.

ISA (Intelligent Screen Alignment)
A camera-based system that automatically detects the screen when the projector is switched on, fits the image precisely into the frame and sets the focus. It even detects obstacles (such as plants or picture frames) and avoids them by reducing the image size.

ISF calibration
The Imaging Science Foundation certifies projectors that offer precise adjustment tools. An ISF calibrator can tune the device perfectly to the lighting conditions in the room and the screen used to guarantee absolutely faithful film reproduction. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

ISO lumens
An alternative measurement standard for brightness that is very similar to the well-known ANSI lumen measurement.

ITU (International Telecommunication Union)
The organisation that sets standards such as Rec.709 (for HDTV) and Rec.2020 (for Ultra HD). These standards define which colours a projector must be able to display at a minimum to be considered HD- or 4K-capable.

K

Keystone correction
Digital correction of a trapezoidally distorted image that occurs when the projector is positioned at an angle to the screen. In practice the correction is very convenient, but it reduces the effective resolution, as parts of the image are compressed and pixels are calculated (interpolated). Wherever possible, optical lens shift is preferable, as it moves the image without any loss.

Kodi / Plex
Popular media centre software for managing and playing local film and music collections. On compatible projectors with Android TV or Google TV, Kodi can be installed directly as an app. Plex works on a server-client principle and lets you stream content from a PC or NAS directly to the projector over your home network.

Contrast fabric / grey fabric
A screen with a grey surface (typical gain 0.6 to 0.8). The fabric absorbs ambient and stray light better than a conventional matte white fabric. This gives a deeper black level and a more three-dimensional picture in rooms that are not perfectly darkened. As the fabric also absorbs some of the projector's light, a projector with higher light output is recommended. See also high-gain screen.

Contrast ratio
The ratio between the brightest white and the darkest black. A distinction is made between on/off contrast (maximum black level with a completely black image) and ANSI contrast (chequerboard pattern, measures depth within a scene). LCoS projectors (JVC, Sony) offer the best native values here, followed by DLP systems, which score particularly well on ANSI contrast. More in our contrast guide.

Convergence error
A colour fringe along edges that occurs with 3-chip projectors (3LCD, LCoS) when the red, green and blue panels are not aligned with micrometre precision. High-quality projectors offer electronic convergence correction in the menu, which lets you align the colour channels in fine steps (often to within 1/16 of a pixel).

L

Lamp life
The operating life of a UHP mercury lamp until its brightness has dropped to around 50 % of its original value. Conventional lamps last around 3,000 to 5,000 hours. By comparison, laser and LED light sources, at 20,000 to 30,000 hours, are virtually maintenance-free over the entire life of the device. Replacement lamps in our shop.

Laser light source
State-of-the-art technology with an extremely long life and instant readiness (Instant On/Off). A distinction is made between laser phosphor systems (a blue laser generates all colours via a phosphor wheel) and RGB laser systems (three dedicated lasers for red, green and blue), which cover the widest colour gamut (Rec.2020). Lasers are mercury-free and therefore comply with the EU environmental requirements from 2027. Laser projectors in our shop.

Laser phosphor
The most common laser technology. A blue laser beam hits a rotating wheel with yellow phosphor to produce white light. This is more cost-efficient than triple-laser systems and avoids the problem of laser speckle, but does not quite reach the extreme colour depth of pure RGB lasers.

Laser speckle
A visual phenomenon with pure RGB lasers that is perceived as a fine sparkle or grainy texture on the screen. Modern projectors minimise this effect with vibrating diffusers or hybrid light sources (e.g. ALPD 5.0 or Dual Light) that mix laser and LED light.

Laser TV
An ultra short throw projector (UST) that is placed on a sideboard directly beneath the screen. Combined with a special high-contrast screen (CLR/ALR), it serves as a fully fledged replacement for a conventional television, but offers much larger screen sizes of 100″ to 120″ (approx. 250–300 cm) with a living-room-friendly look. Laser TVs in our shop.

LCD (3LCD)
Technology in which light is passed through three liquid crystal panels (red, green, blue). 3LCD projectors offer excellent colour brightness and are free from the rainbow effect. On older or very inexpensive models, the pixel structure (screen door effect) may be visible at short seating distances.

LCD yellowing
An ageing process of organic LCD panels in which heat and UV light cause the panels to develop a yellow tint over the years. However, modern 3LCD projectors increasingly use inorganic panels, which are much more heat-resistant and durable, so this effect hardly plays a role today.

LCoS (D-ILA / SXRD)
Reflective liquid crystal technology (Liquid Crystal on Silicon). It combines the advantages of LCD and DLP: the pixels are so close together that no structure is visible, and the native contrast is the highest on the market. JVC markets this as D-ILA, Sony as SXRD. Home cinema projectors in our shop. More: D-ILA explained | SXRD projectors in our shop.

LED light source
Uses separate light-emitting diodes for the primary colours. LEDs are very durable and compact, which makes them ideal for portable mini projectors. In the high-end segment, 4LED systems (with an additional blue LED to increase brightness) are often used to achieve up to 3,000 ANSI lumens. LED projectors in our shop.

LED-laser hybrid
Light source that combines red LEDs with blue lasers (plus phosphor for green). This technology is often used to achieve high light output with excellent colour reproduction and a compact design without reaching the cost of a pure RGB laser. More in our light source comparison.

Lens memory
A function of motorised lenses that stores different settings for zoom, focus and lens shift. This lets you switch at the touch of a button between formats such as 16:9 (TV/gaming) and 21:9 (CinemaScope films), provided you have a suitable widescreen screen. Home cinema projectors in our shop. More in our lens memory guide.

Lens shift
Mechanical movement of the lens within the housing. This allows the image to be moved horizontally or vertically without having to tilt the projector. The image remains perfectly rectangular and retains its full native sharpness, as no digital conversion (as with keystone) takes place.

Letterbox / pillarbox
Black bars that appear when the film format does not match the screen format. Letterbox refers to horizontal bars (widescreen film on a 16:9 screen), pillarbox to vertical bars (old 4:3 material on a 16:9 screen).

Luminous flux
The total light output emitted by a light source, measured in lumens. For projectors, this value is given in standardised form as ANSI lumens or ISO lumens to make the brightness of different devices comparable.

LLDV (Low Latency Dolby Vision)
A method in which the source device (e.g. an Apple TV or Blu-ray player) handles the processing-intensive Dolby Vision tone mapping and sends an already optimised signal to the projector. This allows frame-level HDR optimisation even on projectors that do not support Dolby Vision natively. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

Long throw / tele projection
Lenses with a large throw ratio. These projectors need a large distance from the screen to produce a large image. They are mostly used in large halls or installations where the projector has to be mounted far back on the rear wall or the ceiling.

LPU (Light Processing Unit)
Hisense's brand name for its triple-laser engine. The current version (e.g. LPU 3.0) uses advanced algorithms to boost contrast dynamically and to match the laser colours precisely to the Rec.2020 standard.

Lux (lx)
The unit of illuminance. While lumens describe the projector's output, lux indicates how much light actually reaches the screen (lumens per square metre). Enlarging the image at the same projector brightness therefore reduces the lux value on the surface.

M

Masking (screen)
Black border around the projection surface. It can be fixed (with fixed-frame screens) or variable (motorised). Masking is essential for perceived contrast: it covers the grey black bars of widescreen films (2.35:1) on a 16:9 screen and gives the image a clean, high-contrast edge. Projection screens in our shop.

Matte white fabric
The classic screen fabric with a gain of approx. 1.0. It offers natural colour reproduction and the maximum viewing angle, as it scatters light diffusely in all directions. In living rooms with light-coloured walls it is increasingly being replaced by ALR fabrics (high contrast), but it remains the reference for optimised dark cinema rooms.

MaxCLL / MaxFALL
Static HDR10 metadata. MaxCLL (Maximum Content Light Level) indicates the brightest point in the entire film, MaxFALL (Maximum Frame-Average Light Level) the highest average brightness of a single frame. These values serve as a guide for the projector's tone mapping. However, modern projectors mostly use dynamic tone mapping, which ignores these static values and analyses the image in real time. 4K projectors in our shop.

MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation)
Technical term for intermediate frame calculation (frame interpolation). The electronics analyse motion vectors between successive frames and insert calculated intermediate frames. See frame interpolation for details.

MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link)
An earlier standard for connecting smartphones to the projector by cable while charging them at the same time. MHL hardly plays a role in the current generation of devices, as image transmission is almost exclusively wireless (AirPlay/Chromecast) or via USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode).

Mini / pico projector
Ultra-compact projectors that are often barely larger than a drinks can. Thanks to efficient LED or laser light sources and built-in batteries, they are ideal for mobile use. Their brightness is limited by design, which is why they are usually only practical in darkened rooms for screen sizes up to approx. 80″ (approx. 200 cm).

Miracast
A cross-manufacturer standard for wireless image transmission via Wi-Fi Direct. It allows the screen content of Windows PCs and Android smartphones to be mirrored directly to the projector without an additional network.

MLA (Micro Lens Array)
A technology in 3LCD projectors that increases light efficiency. Tiny lenses on the LCD panel focus the light so that it passes exactly through the transparent areas of the pixels. This not only increases brightness but also minimises the screen door effect, as the conductor tracks between the pixels are visually "outshone". More: LCD projectors explained | 4K guide.

Moiré effect
A distracting interference pattern that looks like wavy lines in the image. It occurs when the projector's pixel grid clashes with the structure of a screen (e.g. the perforation of an acoustically transparent screen). Modern woven fabrics have such a fine structure that moiré effects are almost completely avoided with 4K projection today.

Motion blur
A loss of sharpness during fast movement. Because the human eye "tracks" images, edges smear on the retina while the projector is still showing the image statically (hold-type display). DLP projectors have an advantage here thanks to extremely fast switching times; LCD and LCoS projectors use MEMC or black frame insertion to compensate.

MotionFlow (Sony)
Sony's specific name for its frame interpolation. It is considered particularly high-quality as it offers different modes – from light smoothing that preserves the cinema look to maximum motion sharpness for sport.

Motorised lens
Lenses in which zoom, focus and lens shift are adjusted by motors. This allows convenient set-up by remote control right at the screen. It is also the technical prerequisite for lens memory, which automatically recalls different aspect ratios.

Motorised screen
A screen that extends from a housing by means of an electric motor. Modern versions can often be controlled by radio, app or a 12V trigger (starts automatically with the projector). In the high-end segment, tensioned systems are standard, with side cable tensioning ensuring a perfectly flat surface. Projection screens in our shop.

MTF (Modulation Transfer Function)
A scientific measure of a lens's optical quality. A high MTF value means that the lens is able to reproduce fine detail and high contrast without loss right into the corners of the image. With 4K and 8K projection in particular, the quality of the lens is often the limiting factor for real-world sharpness.

N

Netflix certification
A critical point with smart projectors. For the Netflix app to launch in Full HD or 4K, the manufacturer needs official certification and Widevine L1 support. Many cheaper Android projectors do not have this and can only play Netflix via workarounds (and often only in standard resolution). In such cases, an external streaming stick (Fire TV, Apple TV etc.) is the best solution. Smart projectors in our shop.

NFC offline configuration
A function used mainly on professional installation projectors (e.g. Epson). Using a smartphone and NFC, settings such as the IP address or picture parameters can be read out or transferred to the projector, even while it is still in its original packaging or not connected to power.

Nit (cd/m²)
Unit of luminance (brightness per area). While projectors are mostly measured in lumens, "nit" is the standard for HDR content. On a typical 100″ screen (approx. 250 cm), a projector achieves around 100 to 150 nits depending on the gain, which is well below the values of modern HDR TVs (1,000+ nits). That is why high-quality tone mapping is so important for projectors.

NTSC / PAL / SECAM
Outdated analogue television standards. In today's era of purely digital HDMI transmission they no longer play a role in picture quality, but they can still be found in the menus of older projectors as compatibility settings for analogue video inputs (composite/S-Video).

O

OLED (and projectors)
Organic light-emitting diodes give televisions perfect black, but play no role in projectors due to their design. The technology cannot currently be scaled to the light output needed for projection. If you are looking for OLED-like blacks, go for LCoS projectors (JVC/Sony).

On/off contrast
A measurement that compares the brightness of a completely white image and a completely black image one after the other. It describes a projector's maximum black level potential. Important: marketing figures for "dynamic contrast" often run into the millions but say little about picture quality in bright scenes. Native contrast is more decisive here. More: contrast guide. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

Outdoor projector
Projectors for use outdoors. As no projector is weatherproof out of the box, a climate-controlled enclosure is needed for permanent use. For spontaneous garden events, high light output (from 5,000 ANSI lumens) and a portable screen are essential to compete with the remaining daylight. See also IP protection rating.

Overhead projector (OHP)
A classic device for projecting transparencies. In modern education these have been almost completely replaced by document cameras combined with digital projectors.

P

P3 colour space (DCI-P3)
The colour space standard of the film industry. It covers considerably more colours than the conventional sRGB/Rec.709. Projectors that cover a high percentage of the P3 colour space deliver much richer reds and greens – a must for a genuine HDR feel in your home cinema.

Peak brightness (HDR)
The maximum peak brightness with HDR content. It is crucial for how realistic highlights such as reflections on water or rays of sunlight look. As projectors are physically limited here, high-quality tone mapping ensures that these specular highlights still make an impressive impact.

Peak lumens
The brightness at the brightest point of the image. This value is often used for marketing purposes, as it is higher than the more meaningful ANSI lumen average. When comparing devices, always go by the standardised ANSI or ISO lumens.

Phosphor wheel
A component in laser phosphor projectors. A blue laser beam hits a rotating wheel with a phosphor coating to produce white light (or yellow light that is split further). It is more durable than conventional UHP lamps, but is still subject to minimal thermal ageing.

Pixel fill factor
Describes how much of a pixel's area actually lights up. The higher the fill factor, the less visible the screen door effect. LCoS projectors have the highest fill factor (approx. 95 %), which is why their picture looks particularly analogue and "cinematic".

Pixel shifting
A method of increasing image resolution electronically. A panel (e.g. Full HD) is shifted extremely quickly by tiny fractions to create the impression of a higher resolution (e.g. 4K). To the human eye, the difference from native 4K is often barely noticeable at normal seating distances. 4K projectors in our shop.

PJLink
A cross-manufacturer standard for controlling projectors over the network. It allows fleets of devices in schools or companies to be switched on and off centrally or their status to be monitored, without needing separate software for each model. Business projectors in our shop.

Flat surface (screen)
Especially with ultra short throw projectors (UST), an absolutely flat screen without waves is essential. As the light comes from below at a very steep angle, even the smallest wave in the fabric would cast a huge shadow and ruin the picture. Fixed-frame screens or tensioned screens are the best choice here. Projection screens in our shop. Laser TV screens in our shop.

Polarised 3D (passive)
A 3D method that works, as in the cinema, with lightweight glasses without batteries. This is very rare with projectors and usually requires two projectors with filters and a special silver-coated screen. In home cinema, the active shutter method dominates.

Poly-Si (polysilicon)
The material from which the LCD panels in 3LCD projectors are made. It allows very small transistors on the panels, resulting in higher light efficiency and more compact designs.

Portrait mode
The ability to mount the projector rotated by 90 degrees to project upright images. This is ideal for digital advertising posters in retail. Not every projector is designed for this thermal load; it must be explicitly stated in the data sheet. See also 360-degree installation. Business projectors in our shop.

Precision Shift Glass Plate (Epson)
Epson's hardware component for pixel shifting: a high-precision glass plate in front of the LCD panel that shifts the entire image diagonally. Combined with three native Full HD panels, this produces an effective 4K picture (under the brand name 4K PRO-UHD).

Progressive scan (p)
The transmission of full frames (e.g. 1080p). Unlike the outdated field-based method (interlacing, e.g. 1080i), no line errors occur during fast movement, resulting in a steadier and sharper picture.

Throw distance
The distance between the projector's lens and the screen. It is defined by the throw ratio. If you are short of space, you need a short-throw projector; if you want to place the projector right at the back of the room, you need a model with a telephoto lens. More: throw ratio guide | distance calculator.

Q

QFT (Quick Frame Transport)
A feature of HDMI 2.1 that shortens the time an image takes to travel from the source to the projector panel. This further reduces input lag and is particularly important for gaming enthusiasts. Gaming projectors in our shop.

R

Fixed-frame screen
A screen in which the fabric is firmly stretched into a sturdy aluminium frame. It offers the flattest surface of all screen types and is the ideal choice for dedicated home cinema rooms where the screen can remain permanently visible. Projection screens in our shop.

Rainbow effect
A phenomenon typical of DLP projectors with a colour wheel: with rapid eye movements, brief flashes of colour (red-green-blue) can be perceived along high-contrast edges. Sensitivity varies greatly from person to person. Three-chip DLP projectors and 3LCD/LCoS projectors are free of this effect by design.

RCA / composite / S-Video
Analogue video connections with very limited picture quality. "RCA" (phono) merely describes the mechanical shape of the plug, "composite" the electrical signal – all picture information is transmitted over a single line (yellow socket). S-Video at least separates brightness and colour on two lines. Today both variants are mainly used for compatibility with older analogue devices and have been completely replaced by HDMI for current sources.

Rec.2020 (BT.2020)
Currently the largest colour space standard for 4K and 8K content. It covers almost all colours found in nature. At present, only high-quality RGB triple-laser projectors achieve almost complete coverage of this extreme colour spectrum. Laser projectors in our shop.

BT.709 / Rec.709
The standard colour space for regular HDTV and Blu-rays. A projector that covers 100 % of Rec.709 already delivers a very colour-accurate picture in your living-room cinema, just as the director saw it in the studio.

Refresh rate
Indicates how many images the projector can display per second (in hertz). While 60 Hz is standard, gaming projectors often support 120 Hz or even 240 Hz, which makes movement in games extremely smooth.

Response time
The time a pixel needs to change colour. DLP projectors have a technological advantage here (microseconds), which makes them particularly resistant to smearing during fast movement.

RGB (red, green, blue)
The three primary colours of additive colour mixing. Every projector creates its image by mixing these colours – depending on the technology, via a colour wheel (DLP), separate panels (3LCD, LCoS) or dedicated laser diodes (RGB laser).

RGB laser (triple laser)
A projector with three separate laser units for red, green and blue. This technology enables the most brilliant colours and makes the mechanical colour wheel unnecessary. It is the spearhead of current projection technology. Laser projectors in our shop.

Manual pull-down screen
The most affordable solution for a screen that should disappear when not in use. It is pulled down by hand. Disadvantage: over time the edges tend to curl ("V-waves"), as there is no tension on the fabric. Projection screens in our shop.

RS-232
A classic serial interface for controlling the projector. Although it may seem old-fashioned, it is still a standard for reliable remote control of devices in professional media control (smart home integration).

Rear projection
Here the projector stands behind a translucent screen. The viewer sees the image from the front. This is ideal for shop windows or stages, so that nobody walks through the light beam and casts a shadow. Requires the invert function (mirror image). Projection screens in our shop.

S

Screen door effect
The visible grid pattern between individual pixels. With modern 4K projectors, this effect is no longer noticeable thanks to the high pixel density, even at short seating distances.

Screen mirroring
Wireless transmission of the entire smartphone or laptop screen to the projector. Technologies: Miracast (Android/Windows), AirPlay (Apple), Chromecast (Google). Handy for spontaneous presentations, but with higher latency than a cable connection.

Screen tearing
A visual fault in gaming where the image "tears" when the graphics card delivers more frames than the projector can display. VRR (variable refresh rate) solves this problem by synchronising the projector and console exactly. Gaming projectors in our shop.

Short throw
Projectors that produce an image two metres wide from a distance of just about one metre. They are ideal for smaller rooms or if you do not want to stand in your own light while presenting. Short-throw projectors in our shop.

Shutter 3D (active)
The most common 3D method for projectors. The glasses alternately darken the left and right eye. Requires synchronisation (usually via DLP-Link or radio) between the projector and the glasses.

Single-chip DLP vs. three-chip DLP
Single-chip: one DMD chip + colour wheel that generates colours sequentially. Inexpensive and compact, but prone to the rainbow effect. Three-chip: three DMD chips (one each for R/G/B), no colour wheel needed. Highest brightness and colour accuracy, but expensive and large – standard for cinema and event projectors.

Smart TV operating system
A built-in operating system that turns the projector into a standalone streaming device without an external player. The main platforms: Android TV / Google TV (Google, open app store), Vidaa OS (Hisense, fast and lean) and webOS (LG). App availability varies by platform – in particular, Netflix certification is not available on all systems. Smart projectors in our shop.

sRGB
The standard colour space for the internet and office applications. Business projectors should support this mode so that presentations look exactly the same in colour as on the laptop monitor. Business projectors in our shop.

SST architecture (TI)
Texas Instruments' newer DLP controller chip, which, in addition to driving the DMD, also handles image processing and pixel shifting. Enables more compact projector designs and faster pixel shifting for an effective 4K picture.

Stacking (projector stacking)
Placing two identical projectors on top of each other to double the brightness on the screen. This is often used at large events to have a redundant system: if one device fails, the other keeps running.

Standby consumption
The projector's power consumption when switched off (network standby, IR receiver). Typical: 0.3–0.5 W (eco standby) to 5–10 W (network standby with PJLink/Wake-on-LAN active). With permanent installations this adds up over the year.

Static vs. dynamic metadata
With static metadata (HDR10), one brightness setting is defined for the whole film. Dynamic metadata (Dolby Vision, HDR10+) allows the projector to adjust brightness perfectly scene by scene, resulting in a much more three-dimensional picture.

Tripod screen
Portable screen on a three-legged stand – the most affordable mobile solution for presentations and spontaneous film nights. Quick to set up and take down, but less stable and flat than fixed-frame screens or motorised screens. Projection screens in our shop.

Streaming apps (projector)
Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and other apps directly on the projector – without an external player. Requirement: a smart TV operating system (Android TV, Google TV, Vidaa OS). Please note: not all apps are available on all platforms (see Netflix certification). Smart projectors in our shop.

Stutter
Juddering playback when successive frames are displayed for different lengths of time. Occurs particularly in gaming when the GPU frame rate fluctuates. VRR eliminates stutter by making the projector's refresh rate follow the frame rate of the source.

SXGA (1280×1024)
Older resolution in 5:4 format with 1.31 million pixels. Used mainly in business projectors for displaying spreadsheets and CAD drawings. Today superseded by WXGA, WUXGA and Full HD.

T

Daylight projector
Term for projectors with very high light output (over 4,000 ANSI lumens) that still deliver a visible picture even with indirect daylight in the room. However, a genuine replacement for a TV in a bright living room also requires an ALR high-contrast screen. Business projectors in our shop.

Tensioned screen
A motorised screen with a side cable system that keeps the fabric under tension. This prevents waves from forming and ensures a flatness that comes close to a fixed-frame screen. Projection screens in our shop.

TFT (Thin Film Transistor)
The basic technology behind LCD panels. Each pixel is driven by its own thin-film transistor, which controls how much light passes through the liquid crystal. Often listed in projector data sheets as "TFT LCD" or "Poly-Si TFT".

Throw ratio
The most important figure for calculating the distance. A ratio of 1.5:1 means: for 1 metre of image width, the projector must be 1.5 metres away. UST: <0.4. Short throw: 0.4–1.0. Standard: 1.0–2.0. Long throw: >2.0. More: throw ratio guide | distance calculator.

THX certification
Quality standard for home cinema equipment, founded by Lucasfilm. THX-certified projectors meet strict requirements for brightness, colour accuracy, contrast and black level. The certification guarantees that the projector displays films as the director intended. Home cinema projectors in our shop.

Tone mapping
A projector's "translation" work. As HDR films are often produced for brightness levels of 1,000 nits or more, but the projector usually manages less, it has to compress the brightness levels intelligently so that detail in bright areas is not lost. Static (HDR10): once for the entire film. Dynamic (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Frame Adapt HDR): scene by scene or frame by frame. 4K projectors in our shop.

Toslink / S/PDIF
Optical or coaxial digital audio outputs. Rare on projectors, but sometimes available on models with ARC or eARC support as an alternative audio output for connecting a soundbar or AV receiver.

TruMotion (LG)
LG's brand name for frame interpolation / MEMC. Used in LG projectors (e.g. the CineBeam series) to smooth motion. As with other manufacturers, TruMotion offers different intensity levels and can be switched off if required.

U

Ultra short throw (UST)
Ultra short throw projectors that stand just a few centimetres from the wall. They form the heart of laser TV systems and make complex ceiling mounting unnecessary. UST projectors in our shop. Short-throw projectors in our shop.

UHP lamp (Ultra High Performance)
The UHP lamp is the proven standard light source for conventional home cinema and business projectors. It offers excellent colour reproduction and plenty of brightness in reserve.

Availability & service: As part of the EU-wide RoHS directives to reduce mercury-containing products, the manufacture and import of these lamps is being phased out gradually until February 2027.

Important note for owners: Operating existing devices and selling remaining stock remain expressly permitted. Leading manufacturers are responding to the market change by stockpiling replacement lamps accordingly, to ensure that devices can still be serviced beyond the deadlines.

Cost-effectiveness: Lamp-based projectors often have an attractive entry price. For maximum operating life without lamp changes, it is worth considering laser or LED models instead.

Replacement lamps in our shop | Light source comparison on our blog.

USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode)
A modern connection that transmits video and audio signals over a single USB-C cable. With projectors that support Power Delivery (PD), the projector can even supply power to the connected laptop at the same time.

USB-C with Power Delivery
Connect and charge your laptop at the same time with a single cable. Transmits video + power + data. Particularly handy for mobile business presentations, as the charger can stay at home. Business projectors in our shop.

V

VGA / D-Sub 15
Classic analogue 15-pin connection for video signals without audio or copy protection transmission (HDCP). In theory it supports resolutions up to 2048 × 1536, but in practice it is mostly used for signals up to WUXGA (1920 × 1200). Due to existing infrastructure in schools and public authorities, it is still frequently found as a legacy interface even on modern laser projectors. See also DVI.

Vidaa OS
Hisense's smart TV operating system. Fast, lean and with direct access to all major streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube. Used in both projectors and laser TVs.

VRR (variable refresh rate)
An HDMI 2.1 feature for gamers. It adapts the projector's refresh rate in real time to the frame rate of the games console. The result is an extremely smooth gaming experience without judder or (screen tearing). Gaming projectors in our shop.

W

Warping / geometry correction
A digital geometry correction that allows the image to be projected onto uneven surfaces or even spheres without looking distorted. Particularly important in professional events (projection mapping).

White balance
Calibration of the colour temperature of the projected image so that white actually appears neutral (typically: 6,500 K / D65 as reference). Correct white balance is the basis for true-to-life colours. Can be professionally measured and corrected during ISF calibration.

White brightness vs. colour brightness
An important difference: cheap projectors often advertise high white brightness but deliver a very dark result with colourful images. Branded devices (especially 3LCD) have equally high colour and white brightness for brilliant images.

WLAN / Wi-Fi (projector)
Wireless network connection for screen mirroring, streaming apps and firmware updates. Many modern projectors offer built-in Wi-Fi (2.4 + 5 GHz). For stable 4K streaming, 5 GHz is recommended, as it offers less interference and higher bandwidth.

WUXGA (1920×1200)
The standard resolution for professional business projectors in 16:10 format. It offers a little more vertical space than Full HD, which is particularly useful for Excel spreadsheets or websites.

WXGA (1280×800)
Widescreen resolution in 16:10 format with approx. 1.02 million pixels. The common entry-level resolution for business projectors – sharp enough for presentations, but for video and home cinema Full HD or higher is recommended.

X

Xenon lamp
High-intensity gas discharge lamp that provides particularly true-to-life colour reproduction and extreme brightness in professional cinema projectors. Very high operating costs and heat generation. Not found in the consumer projector market – where UHP, laser and LED dominate.

XGA (1024×768)
Older 4:3 resolution with 0.79 million pixels. Was standard on inexpensive business projectors for many years. Today superseded by WXGA (16:10) and Full HD (16:9). Now only found on very low-cost devices for simple text presentations.

Z

Zoom lens
Allows you to change the image size without physically moving the projector. An optical zoom retains full picture quality, whereas a digital zoom merely crops the image and reduces the resolution. Additional lenses in our shop.

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• Projection screens
  View projection screens

Further guides

• Projector-to-screen distance: Table and formula for the right distance
• Throw ratio: Throw ratio and the three classes explained
• Light sources: Lamp, LED and laser at a glance