Using a projector in a church:
or which projector is the right one
The most important things to consider when choosing a projector for use in a church.
Before we give you tips on the right projector, we'd like to point out some critical things you should know beforehand.
- You need to know the exact distance from the projector lens to the screen (if you're not sure or have any questions, just send us an email)
- The width of the screen
- The type and number of inputs. If your church already has a video distributor or a scaler, this is less important
- If you want to mount the projector on the ceiling, consider the distance between the source (PC, DVD player, Blu-ray player, media centre, etc.) and the projector so you can choose the perfect cable length
ANSI lumens: how bright should a projector be in a church?
Projector brightness is measured in lumens, often also called ANSI lumens or DIN lumens. Today, 5,000 lumens is considered the standard brightness in most areas. These bright projectors can easily produce large, crystal-clear images for audiences of 100–150 people, regardless of ambient light. For areas with more than 200 people, we recommend projectors with 7,000 lumens or more.
For meetings, mission work or travelling presenters, less bright projectors will also be sufficient. Portable projectors (1–3.5 kg) have around 2,000–4,000 lumens. With these, normal conference room settings can be retained. For good results, the lights in the room should be dimmed.
In some cases, pocket projectors offer an ideal solution. They have fewer than 500 lumens and are often battery-powered. They can produce a good image for small groups in dark surroundings – perfect for a youth trip or camping.
Recommended lumens for church projectors:
- 7,000 lumens for congregations of 200 or more people in a bright room
- 5,000 lumens for congregations of 100–150 people in a bright room
- 2,000–3,000 lumens for portable projectors; lights in the room should be dimmed
- 100–300 lumens for groups of 5 or fewer people in a dark room
Our recommendation:
Optoma X600
6000 ANSI lumens | DLP | XGA 1024×768 (with matching ceiling mount)
Resolution of church projectors:
For churches we recommend projectors with XGA (1024×768) resolution. This is the most widespread resolution and is perfect for displaying text, such as a Bible verse or song lyrics. You'll have no problem finding the perfect projector and the perfect screen.
However, if you have a new widescreen computer, a projector with WXGA (1280×800) could be your best choice. If your church wants to be state of the art, you should choose a device that can output HD quality. In that case, make sure you use a 16:9 screen rather than a conventional 4:3 or 1:1 screen.
Do you need a portable church projector?
Installed projectors are suitable for large events. These 7–20 kg projectors usually have interchangeable lenses that provide more flexibility in placement. They are the right choice for permanent installations; for a conference room with smaller groups they are oversized.
Your direct contact
Beamer-Discount
vertrieb@beamer-discount.de
+49 (0)221 719981-0
Matching product categories in the shop:
Further guides:
- Choosing a screen type – which screen type suits which room
- Distance from projector to screen – table and formula for the distance
- Build your own projector screen? – materials list, cutting and effort
