Technology has constantly been evolving. Churches have certainly not been left behind. Most churches today have a wide array of technologically advanced tools and devices, such as projectors, which are used to during church services and other occasions where church members congregate.
When choosing the best projector for your church, there are several factors that must be considered to ensure optimal functionality of the projector. Some of these factors include brightness, depending on the lighting in the church; installation flexibility, depending on its positioning in the church hall; and connectivity, in relation with electronic devices. All factors considered some of the best projectors we identified for use in churches are highlighted below.
Our Recommendations
- Optoma X600 – Best Overall
- ViewSonic PG800HD – Best In Flexible Mounting
- Epson PowerLite 2255U – Best In Portability
- InFocus IN3144 – Best In Price
Optoma X600
This projector best suits churches due to its 6000 lumens bright output which is ideal for display on large screens. The image is also boosted by a sharp 10,000:1 contrast, an XGA 1024 x 768 native resolution which ensures clarity of texts and graphics, and where necessary, the projector features full 3D compatibility further enhancing the clarity and immersive nature of presentations.
Additionally, the projector is suited to large church halls due to its throw ratio of 1.83 to 2.75:1 and 1.5x zoom – which fit multiple installation requirements highlighting its flexibility. Concerning connectivity, the Optoma X600 projector is fitted with DisplayPort and HDMI ports that support all mandatory 3D formats.
The projector’s usability is also aided by the fact that it has RoomView software which allows for the remote control, management, and monitoring of devices from a computer. This function is especially useful when considering that RoomView can manage up to 250 projectors in an instance.
Pros
- Creates great pictures even in brightly lit rooms which is suitable for daytime church services.
- It is equipped with audio inputs for video and PC connections which cuts down the cost of additional cabling and hardware.
Cons
- The menu layout is fairly squeezed, which makes it difficult to navigate the available options.
ViewSonic PG800HD
This projector’s suitability for church use is underlined by its ability to project on screens up to 300 inches. Bragging a brightness output of 5000 lumens and a sharp contrast display of 50,000: 1 it does not disappoint when put to the test. The projector has a flexible vertical keystone feature that accommodates a vertical lens shift which makes gives it huge flexibility during installation. The picture quality of the projector is enhanced by a 6-segment color wheel and dynamic lamp control that is exclusive to the ViewSonic PG800HD, ensuring magnificent color accuracy. The projector’s connectivity accommodates input options such as USB, HDMI, and VGA, therefore supporting a wide array of devices. The projector runs on Integrated Crestron e-Control system and RoomView Express management software which allow for its remote monitoring, scheduling, and management.
Pros
- It is easy to set up since it has significant mounting flexibility due to a wide optical zoom.
- It has an enlarged speaker chamber and a powerful amplifier to produce captivating and immersive sound.
- It’s easy to operate thanks to its 4-in -1 power button with IR pass-through.
Cons
- The projector’s fan is quite loud at full power.
- The projector has a dim lamp which is not ideal for brightly lit rooms.
Epson PowerLite 2255U
The PowerLite 2255U projector is a great option for churches as it has native resolution displays of 300 inches and a Full HD resolution of 1080 pixels to create highly clear images. The projector stands out from competitors as it offers up to 3x brighter colors coupled with 5,000 lumens of brightness. The Epson PowerLite 2255U features impressive detail and sharpness due to its 15,000:1 contrast ratio. Like the projector models mentioned earlier, Epson PowerLite is equipped with integrated wireless networking which supports screen mirroring from the projector to connected mobile devices.
Pros
- It is lightweight and easily portable
- It supports a split-screen display with video output from two different sources
- It has a long-lasting lamp up to 10,000 hours
Cons
- It is relatively expensive.
InFocus IN3144
The InFocus IN3144 projector is arguably the projector that offers the greatest value if both specifications and costs are taken into consideration. The projector’s display is characterized by clarity and brightness even in well-lit settings thanks to its 5,000-lumens brightness and a six-segment color wheel which make it an ideal contender for use in church.
The projector’s picture quality is also aided by its full 3D support, a native resolution of XGA 1024 x 768, and a contrast ratio of 16,000:1 ensuring that the display is visible at most distances which is essential for large church halls.
The projector’s connectivity capabilities are also impressive as it supports several alternatives, including VGA, HDMI, S-Video, and RCA composite video. The VGA and HDMI ports are two each to allow for the interconnection of multiple projectors.
This projector also features free InFocus software which allows remote management and support of the projector’s functions from a computer. It also has the AMX Device Discovery which also facilitates remote control configuration of the projector
Pros
- It’s great value for money as it is relatively cheap
- The dual VGA ports support the display of the same content on different inter-connected projectors
Cons
- It has a relatively low lamp life at just 3,500 hours
Conclusion
Projectors have proven to be a very reliable tool in churches for various uses such as sermon presentations, hymn lyrics, announcements among others. Identifying the appropriate projector model for your church is key to providing congregants with the ideal church experience through vivid and immersive displays and presentations. The Optoma x600, ViewSonic PG800, Epson PowerLite 2255U, and the InFocus IN3144 are among the best models in the market suited for use in the church. Each of the projector models boasts outstanding specifications which ensure that natural light is not a hindrance to the visibility of the projected image. Strong resolution and contrast ensure that the images are clear over huge distances which is important considering the huge size of church halls. Nevertheless, with all factors considered, the InFocus IN3144 offers the best value as it retails at the lowest price yet offers nearly similar capabilities as the more expensive alternatives.
