A Guide To The Best Projector for Church

Editor’s Choice

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• Auto Power On and Off
• Flexible mounting options with a wider optical zoom
• Includes ViewSonic’s exclusive PortAll feature with an optional HDBT adapter

Best Overall

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• Dependable Laser light source
• High-bright, superb picture quality
• Extensive connectivity options
• Integrated speakers
• Complete network control and management

Budget-Friendly

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• Long lamp life results in less downtime and lower maintenance costs.
• Quiet operation with a low 26dB noise level in eco-mode
• Easy installation

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best projector for Church is, then I’d recommend Optoma ZH406 1080p Professional Laser Projector as the best one.

Church projectors serve a vital role in today’s worship services and message delivery. It’s true that some churches prefer those with flat panel displays and LED video walls. However, it’s the tried and tested video projectors that get the job done for churches of all sizes worldwide.

Churches today use projectors to give presentations and display verses from the scriptures. Recent research shows an efficient way to keep your audience’s attention is by showing them digital images. Projectors for churches can keep the audience’s attention on the speech. It could also make the audience listen attentively to the speaker as they can visually connect to the speaker through the images.

Here are the Best Projectors for Church we’ll be reviewing:

• Optoma ZH406 1080p Professional Laser Projector
• ViewSonic PX701HDH 1080p Projector
• ViewSonic 1080p Short Throw Projector
• Optoma HD146X High-Performance Projector
• BenQ HT2150ST 1080P Short Throw Projector

The Importance of a Projector for Church

Many churches utilize live streaming of their church services, but a quality projector in the church building is still very much needed. They have already replaced the TVs in our homes, offices, and schools. We can also see projectors used in private and public establishments. Even churches or houses of worship prefer projectors in their congregations. Why? Because they are easy to install and simple to use. Another thing is they have the lowest cost option for large-format, high-resolution video.

Using projectors for church services is the thing today. Especially so when you have a big congregation. The perks of using a church projector offer various benefits when used in churches. The potential of using the right projector could accelerate the worship service. Here are some reasons why you need a projector.

Benefits of Using a Projector for Church

1. Wider Display – With the use of projectors, churches could display any image of any size they wish to. Churches could also showcase any kind of information or guidelines with a wide projector screen. They can easily be plugged in through laptops, DVD players, and the like.
2. It is Portable – LCD projectors are portable, and you can take them anywhere. Portability is one of the factors that makes the projector highly valuable in churches. It is most important for mobile churches to spread the faith from one site to another.
3. Good Communication – Most churchgoers prefer communication with a visual element. The message or the sermon becomes memorable if they can connect the words to the images on the screen. Churches could display song lyrics, video presentations, or movies for visual clarity.
4. A cheaper option for Hymnals – The use of pew hymnals is a thing of the past. They are a fixture in most churches that take up a lot of space and are a bit expensive. Using a projector serves as the best alternative to hymnals. Compared with pricey hymnals, projection remains the best and most cost-effective approach.
5. Easy to use – Projectors may seem a little bit complicated, but they are easy to use. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to use a projector for your church. The setup process is quite simple, and almost all can comfortably operate the projector without difficulty.

Common Types of a Church Projector

Projectors for churches are popular as they are very easy to install and operate. They are often the lowest-cost option preferred by churches for high-resolution and large-format videos. Here are some of the common types of church projectors used in the church today.

Laser Projectors

A Laser projector is determined by its light source and not the video projection. Like the LED projectors, they are very durable. A Laser projector can get extremely bright, making them great for outdoor or large venues. They are also exceedingly accurate with color, black levels, and contrast ratio.

LED Projectors

Like the Laser projectors, these are used as a light source rather than a video projection method. Light-emitting diode chips can be used in LCD and DLP projectors. They run much cooler than the standard lamp-equipped projector. The chips are more efficient to operate and maintain as they can last five to ten times longer than standard lamps.

DLP Projectors

Digital Light Processing projectors use video chips containing tiny movable mirrors. These chips then project light through a spinning color wheel. They also have a steady light output, good color accuracy, and minimal motion blur. A DLP projector that has a three-chip does not require a color wheel but they have much better color accuracy. The cheaper ones can have a rainbow effect with extra bright video content leaving a slight color trail.

LCD Projectors

An LCD projector projects an image in full color using liquid crystal display (LCD) panels. They use the same technology found in most flat-panel video displays. The cooling fan for the lamp is the only moving part of this type of projector. The LCD projector is eminent for its brightness and inexpensive design. However, some projectors can show some motion blur with fast video graphics or transitions.

What is the Best Projector for Church or Houses of Worship?

You need to consider certain things in finding the best church projectors for your church. It is all about determining the size of the screen and the light output required for the projected image. To begin your search, first look at the resolution. The resolution affects how clear and focused the images will be once they are projected onto the screen. The perfect resolution for most houses of worship is an XGA 1024 x 768 resolution. This kind of resolution can clearly display large texts such as the lyrics to songs and Bible verses.

Another vital factor to consider is to plan for maintenance. It is best to use a laser or LED projector for hard-to-reach locations to minimize lamp maintenance and access costs. If you want the cheapest option, go with the traditional LCD projector.

For a small church, there are several projectors designed for portable use that can be found for around $500-1,000 USD. A medium-sized church may purchase moderately priced projectors in the $1,000-3,000 price range. Large churches that have larger facilities may spend $3,000-6,000 USD on a projector. Projectors within this price range are often designed for use in demanding environments where image quality is critical. Megachurches need to spend approximately $6,000-10,000 USD range.

Things to Consider in Choosing Projectors for Church

There is a wide variety of projectors available in the market today. Some are suitable for homes, while some are ideal for large gatherings. If you are in search of a projector for a church, look for the specifications and features. Here is a buying guide that can assist you in choosing a church projector that is right for you.

Brightness

Brightness is one of the primary factors to consider when buying a church projector. You need to consider the ambient lighting of your church sanctuaries or hall. The brightness rating of a projector varies as it determines how bright the images are projected by it. The key to overcoming this issue is a projector for a church with a high lumen level.

The recommended brightness rating for a church projector is at least 4,000 ANSI lumens. A 1000-lumen projector will work fine in darker rooms. For brightly lit rooms, you need to go as high as 5000 lumens for everyone to see well. A church with an ambient light that can be controlled can opt for a 2,500 to 3,000 ANSI lumens projector. A church with a large seating capacity can consider 5000 lumens to a 6,000 lumens rating.

Video Projector Resolution – Aspect Ratio

The next thing you need to look at is the image resolution and aspect ratio. These factors may affect the clarity and size of your video projector. The aspect ratio refers to the shape of your projection. Most of the projectors today project in a 16:9 aspect ratio. The image for this makes it much more of a wide rectangle shape.  

A 16:9 aspect ratio should use an HD projector that has a 1920×1020 video resolution. They are commonly used to project movies and videos in widescreen formats. They are more expensive, but the images projected have better quality and are more detailed.

Screen Location – Throw Ratio

One key factor in choosing a projector is where the screen will be located. Most churches usually place their screen above the stage. However, some put their screens to the sides of the stage or way down the sanctuary so people in the back can see.

Projectors are classified based on their throw ratio. Ultra-short throw projectors are recommended for a small church that can only place a projector close to the screen. Their 0.4 to 1.0 throw ratio is meant to be installed close to the screen. While a medium to large church can opt for a model that has a long throw ratio. Finally, a standard throw ratio is meant for large images that will be projected from several feet away. Deciding on the throw ratio should be simple once you determine the sizes of your images and where you intend to place the projector.

Image Size

Another factor to consider is how large the screen is going to be or how large it needs to be. The right screen for a church with large premises needs to have wide viewing angles. For a screen with narrow viewing angles, it is best to view the images from the front.

The screen size of the projector also matters. Usually, a projector screen that is 12 inches in height is needed for every 6 to 10 feet of viewing distance. The higher the resolution and brightness you are going to need, the larger the screen size you need to have.

Optoma ZH406 1080p Professional Laser Projector

The Optoma ZH406 1080p Professional Laser Projector projector is an excellent solution for large installations in businesses and houses of worship. Featuring a powerful, bright 4,500 lumens output combined with a stunning 10,000:1 contrast ratio. It will make your presentations shine with vibrant colors and sharp, clear text and graphics. It has a low noise level of 28dB and supports a variety of 3D formats and an XGA 1024 x 768 native resolution. The best projectors to use in large-screen applications where fine image detail is required. The brightness level of the Optoma ZH406 is perfect for use in medium to large rooms with ambient light.

The Optoma ZH406 offers a superb array of connectivity options. Several input options include dual HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, and composite video. The lamp of the Optoma ZH406 features a long life of up to 30,000 hours powered by a Digital Light Processing chip system. It can project up to a 300″ diagonal screen size making this projector the best projector on the market.

Pros:

• Dependable Laser light source
• High-bright, superb picture quality
• Extensive connectivity options
• Integrated speakers
• Complete network control and management

Cons:

• Vertical white lines started to appear on the image after being used several times.

ViewSonic PX701HDH 1080p Projector

The ViewSonic PX701HDH 1080p projector’s advanced visual features are perfect for the church. It is the ideal 1080p projector with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 3500 lumens of brightness. The 1.3x optical zoom, centered lens, and vertical lens shift provide extreme flexibility. It’s easy to set up, and the screen projects up to 300 inches.

The color accuracy has an exclusive 6-segment color wheel and dynamic lamp control capabilities. One good thing is it has a three-year warranty that covers limited parts and labor. This projector offers a remote control, a VGA cable, and a power cable. The ViewSonic PG800 also offers dust resistance and industry-leading durability. The finish is a muted white with a convenient design that has manual optical focus and zoom.

Pros:

• Auto Power On and Off
• Flexible mounting options with a wider optical zoom
• Includes ViewSonic’s exclusive PortAll feature with an optional HDBT adapter
• Vertical/Horizontal Lens Shift with Centered Lens for flexible placement
• Designed with ViewSonic’s proprietary SonicExpert technology

Cons:

• Color quality is not good enough
• No side keystone correction

ViewSonic 1080p Short Throw Projector

The ViewSonic 1080p projector is not your average short-throw projector. It is designed for convenient big-screen gaming and entertainment. It also has a short-throw lens that delivers huge images in small spaces. This projector could project an immersive 100” image if placed just a few feet away from a wall or screen. It is ideal if you don’t have much space to spare for setting up the projector.

This projector offers bright images in nearly any environment with 3,000 lumens of brightness. The Full HD 1920×1080 resolution delivers vivid, ultra-sharp images and immersive graphics. An ultra-low input latency warrants a  faster frame-by-frame action and smooth gameplay without delay.

Pros:

• Excellent color brightness in all ambient conditions
• Optimum visual full HD quality
• Cinematic 3D output without any rainbow effect
• Designed with Dual 3D Blu-ray Ready HDMI Inputs
• With USB Type-C for Video and Power

Cons:

• Low volume level
• No automatic horizontal keystone correction

Optoma HD146X High-Performance Projector

The Optoma HD146X offers crisp, high-definition images with a native 1080p (1920×1080) resolution and 3,600 lumens. The DLP DMD single-chip design from the latest technology ensures perfect image alignment and an incredible picture with high brightness. It has a 6-segment color wheel (RYGCWB) that produces vivid, colorful images for home theaters or churches.

Enjoy more depth to your image with Dynamic Black technology. It smoothly adjusts lamp output to create a stunning, high-contrast image. The HDMI-CEC technology allows control of the projector and HDMI-connected devices using a single remote. Experience 15,000-hour lamp life with minimal maintenance when using Dynamic mode.

Pros:

• Long lamp life results in less downtime and lower maintenance costs.
• Quiet operation with a low 26dB noise level in eco-mode
• Easy installation
• Automatic power on/off
• Full 3D display content from almost any 3D source

Cons:

• It has a strong rainbow effect in video clips/movies
• Poor picture quality

BenQ HT2150ST 1080P Short Throw Projector

The BenQ HT2150ST is a home theater projector meant for use in a dark room or in low-light situations. It’s built around a single Digital Light Processing chip and a six-segment color wheel. The 2,200 ANSI lumens can boost brightness when you need it to stand up to ambient light.

Features also include a 15,000:1 contrast ratio and a superior short-throw projection that enables you to project up to 300 inches of screen. The 6x RGBRGB color wheel delivers rich colors and crisp details that are calibrated for movies and gaming.

The BenQ HT2150ST model is also built for gaming, as it has a low input lag. It’s so easy to install with its vertical keystone correction and a 1. 2x zoom. The best thing is it has 3-year limited parts and labor coverage.

Pros:

• Excellent color accuracy and contrast for the price
• Easy installation
• Low input lag
• Features Digital Light Processing technology
• Unparalleled image quality

Cons:

• The short-throw lens can be easily scratched
• No horizontal keystone

Conclusion

Looking for a projector to replace an old one, building a new church, or just needing to find a better video quality can be difficult. Finding the right projector can be a big help in your ministry. It could serve you and your congregation for years to come.

To aid you in your search, I recommend the Optoma ZH406 1080p Professional Laser Projector. It is the best projector for the church because of its fantastic colors, great connectivity, and exceptional brightness. The Crestron Roomview of the Optoma X600 provides a configurable interface to control devices from any computer in every room. It also offers a wide variety of computer and video input signals. The Audio inputs eliminate costly and complicated additional audio cabling and hardware.