If you’re considering buying a 4K projector anytime soon, you might need some additional purchases too. After all, there’s no point buying a larger screen to create a cinema-like experience without making sure the rest of the setup matches. Here we’ll guide you through exactly what you might need to create and complete your very own home movie theater.
First off, there’s the 4K projector itself. This is the fairly easy part as over the last few years the price of 4K projectors has come down considerably. However, there are some things to be aware of when choosing a 4K projector besides the price – even on the best 4K projectors. One of the most important is whether the projector actually outputs true 4K or whether it uses upscaling. While some might argue that it doesn’t matter so much if the results are similar, if you’re paying a premium for 4K then the least you deserve is true 4K. The easy way to tell the difference is on the box as many companies will actively state their device projects in “true” or “real” 4K, compared to those who use a marketing term for some new and exciting technology, like pixel shifting.
Once you’re set with the right projector, it’s time to focus on the other elements you’ll need. The first to consider is a mount, although the type of mount you’ll need will be dependent on where you plan to house the screen. If you’re looking to place it on the wall then there are specific mounts available for this. Those opting to mount the screen to the ceiling will need to opt for a ceiling mount instead. Regardless of location, you’ll also want to make sure the mount you buy supports the size and weight of the display.
Another area you might want to consider upgrading to enrich the 4K experience is the sound system. Technically, an existing sound system should work just fine with a 4K projector. However, 4K devices come with many improvements including upgrades to the audio like Dolby Atmos. This is the current trending audio feature which looks to send sounds in different directions to create a more immersive experience. A good example is when an aircraft is flying over head. With Dolby Atmos you’ll hear it coming from over head. While 4K is not essential for Dolby Atmos, the two working together seems to be the favored approach by device makers and apps. Therefore, if you have a new 4K projector that supports Dolby Atmos, and access to content that is also Atmos-capable, then padding out the setup with Atmos-supported audio hardware will ensure the watch party sounds as good as it looks.
Complete The 4K Projector Setup With The Right Cables
Depending on the type of projector you buy, you may also need to connect the screen to an additional device. For example, some newer projectors come running on a TV-optimized platform like Android TV making it easy to stream from your favorite apps and services. Others might not and will need to be connected to an additional Blu-ray player, set-top or cable box. In this instance, at the least you’ll need an additional cable to connect the two.
Not all HDMI cables are created equal with some using older technology than what’s needed for 4K. In reality, most HDMI cables available today are compatible with 4K regardless of whether they advertise the fact or not. However, at a minimum you should be looking for an HDMI cable with HDMI 2.0 support for 4K at 60 fps, and ideally support for HDCP 2.2. If you’ve ever ran into a blank screen when connecting a games console to a 4K display then the lack of HDCP 2.2 could have been the reason why. HDCP 2.2-certification is specifically designed to allow the transmission of a content protected signal from one device to another. It’s a security feature and one that requires a certain type of HDMI cable to overcome. Cables are often the one aspect of a 4K setup people forget about – and yet they are just as important as everything else. The major takeaway here is if you want to watch in 4K, everything along the chain, has to be 4K-certified.
