Gaming Projectors vs Video Projectors
Whether you’re looking to buy a projector for business or the man cave, you’ve likely come across the terms “gaming projector” and “video projector.” So what’s the difference? Let’s take a look.
The main difference between gaming projectors and video projectors is the input lag. Input lag is the amount of time it takes for the projector to display an image after receiving a signal. For gamers, even a slight delay can mean the difference between winning and losing, so they need a projector with as little input lag as possible. Video projectors, on the other hand, are designed for general use and don’t need to be as responsive. As a result, they typically have higher input lag times.
If you’re planning on using your projector primarily for gaming, input lag is an important specification to look at. This is the amount of time it takes for the image on the screen to change when you press a button on your controller. For reference, most TVs have an input lag of around 60 milliseconds; however, some gaming projectors can have an input lag as low as 20 milliseconds. This might not seem like much, but it can make a big difference when you’re trying to hit that fast-moving target.
Here are a few other things to keep in mind when shopping for a gaming projector.
– Resolution: When it comes to resolution, you’ll want to look for a projector that can handle at least 1080p. This is the standard resolution for Blu-ray movies and most modern video games, so you’ll be able to enjoy your content in full HD. Additionally, many projectors now offer 4K resolution, which is even better. If you have a 4K TV or gaming console, you’ll want to make sure your projector can keep up. Otherwise, you won’t be able to take advantage of all that extra detail.
– Brightness and Contrast Ratio: Another important consideration is brightness. You’ll want to look for a projector with a high lumens rating; this indicates how bright the projection will be. A higher lumens rating is better for rooms with lots of light, while a lower rating is more suitable for dark rooms. In addition to brightness, you’ll also want to pay attention to contrast ratio. The contrast ratio is the difference between the darkest black and the brightest white that the projector can produce. A higher contrast ratio means that colors will appear more vibrant and realistic.
– Price: Finally, gaming projectors generally cost more than video projectors because they offer features that most people don’t need (like low input lag times). So plan on paying more for a good gaming projector.
Here are some of the best selling gaming projectors for you to check out.
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- UNPARALLELED PICTURE QUALITY: With Native Full HD 1080p Resolution, 92% Rec. 709 Color Accuracy, 3000 Lumens and high native contrast ratio for the ultimate immersive cinematic and gaming experience.
- GEARED TOWARDS GAMING: Ultra-fast low input lag and a refresh rate that matches the max output of Xbox One X & PS4 Pro ensure ultra-smooth gaming experiences without motion blur to keep you on the top of your game.
- WOW YOUR FRIENDS: Take the action to the big screen by projecting a 100 inch screen from just 5 feet away. Projects up to 300 inches.
- AWARD WINNING PROJECTOR: Best Projector for Gaming - High Ground Gaming 2019
- INDUSTRY-LEADING : 3-year limited parts and labor coverage makes you rest easy that our US-based customer service team is here when you need it.
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY: Supports most media players, gaming consoles, PCs, Macs, and mobile devices with input options such as HDMI, USB, and more.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- TK700 vs TK700STi: TK700STi possesses short-throw capabilities able to project at shorter distances (100@6.5ft). TK700 utilizes standard throw (100@8.2ft). TK700STi also feature Android TV while the TK700 does not.
- 16MS 4K HDR HIGH RESOLUTION: Low latency 16ms@4K/60Hz low input lag; up to 4ms@1080p/240Hz; 4K HDR-enabled; 100-inch images from 8.2ft (2.5m)
- GAMING-BASED SURROUND SOUND: Supporting eARC for Dolby Atmos & 7.1-Channel Audio pass through; Game Sound Mode/Game Mode to fine-tune audio and images
- DETAILED COLORS: Black detail enhancement discloses details in dark scenes without sacrificing color in brighter areas; 96% Rec. 709; 3200 ANSI lumen brightness
- DIVERSE COMPATIBILITY: Compatible with consoles (Sony PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Series S), Google stadia and external audio systems
- EASY SET-UP: 1.3x zoom flexible throw distances; 2D Auto Vertical Keystone eliminates trapezoid images
- INDUSTRY LEADING WARRANTY: 3-year limited parts and labor coverage; our US-based customer service team is here when you need it
- NOTE: This device does not have Android TV. Casting is only available on the TK700STi model.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- TRUE 4K ULTRA HD: Experience high-quality home cinema feel with 4K Ultra HD with 8.3 million distinct addressable on-screen pixels
- LAG-FREE GAMING: Ultra-fast 240Hz gaming for blur-free visuals and unparalleled smoothness––combined with Enhanced Gaming Mode to produce a 4.2ms response time at 1080p, 16ms at 4K UHD, for the lowest input lag on a 4K projector
- HDR & HLG COMPATIBLE: Enjoy brighter whites and deeper black levels for an enhanced viewing experience of images and videos, enabled by HDR10 & HLG technologies
- ULTRA-BRIGHT: Enjoy 4,000 lumens of brightness in your home theater room, family room, gaming room – or even outdoors for backyard movie nights
- CRISP, COLORFUL PICTURE: UltraDetail technology ensures enhanced image sharpness with a higher frame rate to deliver a crystal clear picture; RGBWRGBW 8 segment color wheel increases the color ratio for richer, vivid and cinematic image
- DYNAMIC BLACK: Dynamic Black technology provides more depth to the image by smoothing lamp output to create a high contrast ratio (1,000,000:1); bright scenes appear clear while dark scenes remain detailed
- EASY IMAGE SETUP: Whether ceiling mounted or placed on a table, get the picture just right with 1.1x zoom and ±40° keystone correction
- VARIETY OF INPUTS: Connect with gaming consoles, PCs, Macs, and mobile devices, Blu-ray players, ChromeCast, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick & other streaming devices; input options include HDMI 2.0 inputs with HDCP 2.2 support, HDMI 4K, USB, VGA, and more
- LONG LAMP LIFE: Enjoy up to 15,000 hours of lamp life, enabling an average of two 2-hour movies every day 10 plus years
- STANDARD THROW PROJECTION: Project a 120 image from approximately 13.1 feet away; UHD38 projects up to a 300 image.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
And if you have the dough and want to take your gaming to the next level then consider the BenQ X3000i below.
- 4K UHD 100% DCI-P3 ACCURATE COLOR: True 4K resolution and 100% wide color gamut powered by BenQ CinematicColor and HDR-PRO for authentic color production
- 4MS LOWEST LATENCY SWIFT & SMOOTH: Ultra-fast 4ms@1080p/240Hz in fast mode or 16ms with 4K/60Hz low input lag for different gaming requirements
- GAME MODE ANYWHERE: 3000 ANSI lumens brightness; 100-inch images from 8.3 feet (2.5m) away with 1.3x zoom throw distances and 2D Keystone
- PRO PERFORMANCE: Compatible for console gaming (Sony PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Series S); HDMI Supporting eARC for external Hi-Def audio systems
- CINEMATIC GAME SOUND: Built in enhanced 5W x 2 stereo speaker powered by Bongiovi DPS technology for virtual surround sound & detailed sound propagation
- DEDICATED GAME MODE: Preset Game Mode FPS, RPG, SPG to fine-tune audio and images for various game types
- ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT: Includes Google-certified Android TV, with 5,000+ of the latest Android apps, movies, shows, games, music, and more. Great for streaming or screen casting.
- INDUSTRY LEADING WARRANTY: 3-year limited parts and labor coverage; our US-based customer service team is here when you need it
- NOTE: Please cast Netflix content via your laptop Google Chrome Browser or connect to an HDMI cable. Netflix is NOT natively available on this device.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
These are just some of the best selling and popular gaming projectors available, but there are plenty more to choose from if you want to find the perfect match for your budget and space.
Note: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.