Projectors

Buying a projector is the fastest way to turn a white wall into a cinema: Full HD images that easily project two to three meters wide — for movie nights, series, sports, and gaming. At Strex, you can compare projectors with and without built-in Smart TV (WhaleOS), either separately or as a complete set with a projection screen, plus tripods and screens as accessories.

Smart projector or regular projector: which one suits you?

The difference lies in what is inside the device. A Smart projector with WhaleOS has Netflix, YouTube, and other apps on board — connect to Wi-Fi and stream, no extra box required. A regular Full HD projector projects everything you connect via HDMI: a laptop, media player, game console, or TV stick. If you already have a Chromecast or Fire Stick, a regular projector is the logical choice; if you want one device that does everything itself, choose Smart.

What should you look for when choosing?

• ✔ Resolution — native Full HD (1080P) is the difference between a sharp image and disappointment; "supports 1080P" is not the same as native
• ✔ Brightness (lumens) — the more lumens, the better the image holds up when the room is not pitch black
• ✔ Smart features — built-in apps and Wi-Fi, or deliberately simple with HDMI
• ✔ Sound — built-in speakers are fine for the news; for movie nights, connect a speaker via Bluetooth or AUX
• ✔ Set with screen — a 100-inch projection screen provides a sharper image than a textured wall

The distance determines your image size

The most asked question and the most common mistake: not enough distance between the projector and the wall. Rule of thumb for a standard projector: the image becomes approximately 60 to 70% as wide as the projection distance. At a distance of 3 meters, you get roughly 2 meters of image width — over 90 inches. Measure the available distance in your room before purchasing, so you know exactly what image size is realistic. For those who want to position the projector flexibly or hang it from the ceiling: there is a tripod with ceiling mount in the assortment.

Where is the best place to put a projector?

Directly in front of the projection surface, at table height or upside down on the ceiling — and at as little of an angle as possible, because any tilt reduces image quality due to keystone correction. If you project onto a wall, choose a matte, white wall; gloss and color distort the image more than people expect. The difference between a wall and a real projection screen is especially visible during dark scenes. For wireless sound, you can easily connect via Bluetooth — or use a Bluetooth audio adapter for an older speaker set. You can find more image and sound products at electronics & gadgets.

Frequently asked questions

How many lumens does a projector need?

For a darkened room, lower values are sufficient; the more ambient light, the more lumens required to maintain contrast. Practically: if you mostly watch in the evening with the curtains closed, almost any Full HD projector is suitable. For daytime use, any projector image will look flatter — darkening the room remains the best upgrade.

Can I watch Netflix on a projector?

On a Smart projector with WhaleOS: yes, directly via the built-in app and Wi-Fi. On a regular projector, you watch Netflix via a connected device — a TV stick, laptop, or media player via HDMI. Both routes provide the same image; the difference is whether the device can do it itself.

How big will the image from a projector be?

That is determined by the distance to the wall: as a rule of thumb, the image becomes 60 to 70% of the projection distance in width. At 3 meters, you get approximately 2 meters of image width, over 90 inches. Measure the distance in your room before you choose — then you will know the maximum size.

Is a projection screen necessary, or does a white wall suffice?

A smooth, matte white wall works fine to start. A 100-inch projection screen does provide a visibly sharper image: no texture from the wall, better brightness, and cleaner black levels during dark scenes. Many viewers start with the wall and get the screen later.

Check out the projectors from Strex — separate, Smart, or complete with screen — and build your own movie night.

Want to know more? Read our article "Projector or TV: what should you choose?".