Howdy mapping artists, I know it’s frustrating to find the best digital projector according to your need at one place for the projection mapping or video mapping.
Now you don’t need to worry about finding the projector, I got your problem and I am here to solve your problem.
What you get in this article or what you can expect:
As I already told you in this article I am going to show you the best projector for projection mapping. According to your need.
And also what are those paid and free software or app you can use as a beginner and professional.
What are the basic hardware for the projection mapping?
What are the best projection mapping kit for the cake?
And some basic question answers at the end of this article, like how to choose the best projector for the projection mapping. And many more.
Stick to the end of the article you will get everything in one place. So let’s start our today’s article.
What is the best projector for projection mapping?
- DR. J Professional HI-04 Mini Projector
- ViewSonic-PA503W
- Lightform LF2 AR Projector
- Optoma GT1080HDR Short Throw
- BenQ HT2150ST
- Optoma GT1090HDR
- BenQ TK850
- Epson Home Cinema 1060
- Barco PHWU-81B
- Christie® 3dlp projectors-PR#-118–019101–04
- Christie D13HD-HS
What is projection mapping and how do you do it?
A projection mapping is the video projection technology in which, we project our video content on various structures or surfaces to see the fascinating projection.
Such as we use the building and homes surface like a canvas. Which gives these non-living things a beautiful texture, looks gorgeous during the nights.
How do you do it:
You have to take care of five things like Canvas, Lighting, Content, Set up, and presentation.
First of all, you have to choose the canvas which could be anything where you want to project your video content Home and any commercial building.
Now you know your canvas, it’s time to predict how much light or video content you will need to cover your canvas, for this you can use the various software available in the market.
Canvas and Lighting are done. You can create your video content to project or you can buy the licensed video content online.
It’s time to set up everything physically, you have to go to your projection location. And arrange the projector, worker, power source and other necessary things.
You can make the grid for a demo to ensure that, your video content is properly projected on the surface. Before the final product.
It’s the final step and also the time of the presentation. Project your gorgeous art on the home or building and enjoy it with everyone.
What is the best projection mapping software (Free and Paid)?
I try to arrange all the available software or app for the projection mapping. This software is for both types of mapping artist newbie and professional. As you can below.
Which one you will use let me know in the comment section. If any software or app miss let me know.
List of Best projector for projection mapping in every range:-
DR. J Professional HI-04 Mini Projector
Key Feature;
- Contrast Ratio: 3800:1
- Native Resolution: 1280 x 720
- Projection Display: 32″-170″
- Lamp Life Time: 50,000 H
- Image Brightness: 50ANSI lumen
Description;
It will be the right decision to buy this projector if you are newbies or just starting. This small projector is sufficient to teach yourself and improve the mapping skills as a newbie.
This is a perfect cheap projector for you.
What is the specification:
You will not face any problem connecting with any device from which you want to project your video or visual content. It has various connectivity options available.
And also compatible with iOS, you will just need the lighting cable.
Cheap but don’t let you feel the cheap projection mapping. Because its native resolution is 720p, contrast is 3800:1.
The brightness is 50ANSI lumen and the life of the projector is 50,000 H.
Pros and Cons;
Pros Projector durability is good. The picture quality is amazing. Brightness is good. Great value. Easy to use. Cons Ok for the money.
ViewSonic-PA503W
Key Feature;
- Resolution: WXGA (1280×800)
- Image Contrast Ratio: 22000:1
- Image Brightness: 3600 lumen
- Life: 15,000 hours.
- Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Description;
If you are a student and have to do the University or School project in 3D. Or a guy who wants to create the amazing 3d projection mapping.
Then we are going to talk about the projector, which has done your 3D mapping easily.
I want to clear you first this projector is compatible with projecting 3D image and video content both. By Bluray and HDMI input.
This projector’s color accuracy is amazing. The reason it has a dynamic contrast ratio of 22000:1 and the native resolution is WXGA (1280×800).
Able to make amazing 3D projection mapping in normal light with the 3,600 lumens. The screen size of the projector is 120 inches.
I use this projector in the super eco mode projector this projector can run up to 15,000 hours.
Pros and Cons;
Pros Perfect for the 3D projection. Compatible with the HDMI enable device. Super eco mode is available. Razor-sharp image quality in this price range. Cons Life durability is an issue.
Lightform LF2 AR Projector
Key Feature;
- Life: 30000 Hours
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Brightness: 1,000 lumens
- Storage: 20 Gb eMMC
- Contrast ratio: 10000 : 1
Description;
Want to decorate the house from inside with the help of a projector or want the projector which is dedicated to mapping. This is for you by the Lightform.
According to the maker of this projector it’s made for only indoor use.
With the help of official Lightform software, you can make beautiful video content for to project.
You can project your video content without a computer by using the Lightform creator software.
Let’s talk about its specification:
Its resolution is 1080p and the contrast ratio is 10000:1. Lumens is 1000 which quite good for the indoor you. Projector life is 30,000 Hours.
Its minimum throw distance is 3.3ft and the maximum is 10ft. The throw ratio is 1.2: 1.
You can do the mapping through this projector in 4 simple steps:-
- Scan
- Design
- Deploy
- Interact
Last word about the projector:
It’s not a normal digital projector like others on our list. This is only for the projection mapping indoor. And also not prefer for the movies, only for the projection.
Pros and cons;
Pros Good for indoor use. Dedicated projector for indoor projection. Small size. Easy to use. Better than what you pay. Cons Nothing to say.
Optoma GT1080HDR
Key Feature;
- Resolution: 1080p
- Contrast ratio: 50,000:1
- Brightness: 3800 lumens
- Light Source Life: 15,000 hours
Description;
If you want to make your house holiday complete for Christmas or Halloween.
Or Make your house look great from the outside, you can use this projector for the outdoor mapping.
This is a normal digital projector but perfect for house projection mapping.
Comprehensive projector specification detail:
This projector has every required feature for house mapping. Let’s interact with them one by one.
The projector contrast ratio is very high 50,000:1 which is appreciable or I should say it’s great for outdoor house mapping.
Its native resolution is 1080p you will not have any issue with picture quality as well with the brightness because its lumens is 3800.
And the last two things it’s support 4k, 1080 HDR Input, and also have the various connectivity option available. So there is no connectivity issue.
Pros And Cons;
Pros House projection mapping from outside. High contrast ratio. Lamp life is good. And also good for other normal indoor/outdoor use. Cons You may face blurry top corners.
BenQ HT2150ST
Key Feture;
- Brightness: 2200 ANSI Lumens
- Contrast ratio: 15, 000:1
- Resolution: 1080p
Description;
This projector is perfect for those guys who want to decorate a wedding cake or any kind of cake. This projector works well in the little ambient light hall.
If you are serious about wedding cake mapping I have some suggestions for you.
You can hang the projector from a ceiling or you can put it on the table. Make sure you put the projector at the right distance from the cake.
So, the cake can get all the advantages of projector pixel. To know the right distance between the cake and projector, you can check the throw ratio in the technical specification.
Let’s talk about a feature that makes it perfect for wedding cake projection mapping.
Lumens is 2,200 which will work well in the wedding hall. You did not see any rainbow effect in this projector due to the 6x RGBRGB color wheel. Which provides you the crisp details in projection mapping.
Last praise about this projector. The projector contrast ratio is 15000:1 and its’ native resolution is 1080p. This projector is a short throw which plus point for the big wedding cake.
Pros and Cons;
Pros Brightness is good for the wedding cake projection. Value for the money projector. Short throw projector. Cons You may problem with the loose HDMI port.
Optoma GT1090HDR
Key Feature;
- Brightness: 4200 Lumen
- Contrast ratio: 300,000:1
- Resolution: 1080p
- Lamp life: 30,000 hours
Description;
This is the perfect laser projector for the mapping I have chosen for you guys.
This projector has lots of amazing features which provide you the detailed projection mapping.
About this projector feature, we will talk one by one and how they affect your viewing experience of your video content on surface/canvas.
First I wanna talk about its light source which is a laser, the reason why this is on our list. Generally, we know that the laser projector has a bright image than the other projector.
Same your projected video content on any surface has the better brightness than other projector projection. Projector lumens are 4200.
The projector has a 1080p resolution and also I want to tell you about the resolution it’s compatible with the 4k UHD and 1080p HDR input.
Its contrast ratio is so high 300,000:1, which thing we expect to form every high-end projector. The last thing it’s 3d ready
But like every projector, it has also some pros and cons let face it.
Pros and Cons;
Pros Super short throw projector. Easy to use. The projected video content quality is good. Have a laser light source. Cons Nothing to say.
BenQ TK850
Key Feature;
- Resolution: 3840 × 2160
- Brightness: 3000 Lumen
- Image Contrast Ratio: 30000:1
Description;
This is the best true 4k projector for mixed-use indoor and outdoor use. You can do the projection mapping in your house at both places.
If your need is a true 4k projector for the mapping, this is the best one you can get on the online market.
Let’s get into its specification which decides the projection mapping experience.
I like to start with its resolution which is highlighted in our article. The resolution of this projector is great, which is 3840 × 2160. Provide you the crisp and clear, video content.
Other two things which affect your projection mapping experience contrast ratio and lumen. Both are amazing as you get in any good projector. The contrast ratio is 30,000:1 and lumens is 3000.
If your buying this projector for home projection use it’s not necessary always you will do the mapping. It’s an obvious thing.
There is lots of other feature in this projector which take care of your entertainment at home.
So, now you know this projector is good for true 4k mapping as well for home entertainment. There is no reason to say no to this true 4k projector.
Pros and Cons;
Pros True 4k resolution. Brightness is good for this projector. Value for money projector. Cons The user interface is outdated.
Epson Home Cinema 1060
Key Feature;
- Brightness: 3100 Lumen
- Resolution: 1080p
- Contrast ratio: 15,000:1
- HDMI Port: 2x HDMI ports (1x MHL)
Description;
If you are deciding to buy the mapping projector, but you only want the Epson then there is an amazing deal for you Epson Home Cinema 1060. About I am going to talk, why you should get this.
There a lot of other fascinating features in this projector. But I would like to start conversion with its innovative 3LCD display technology.
This ensures that there will be no rainbow effect in your projection mapping.
I have experience in other projectors there is only one type of lumen. But in this projector, you will get two kinds of lumens, color, and white lumens.
For the connectivity purpose, there is a 2HDMI port and other various options.
Its contrast ratio is 15,000:1 and resolution is 1080p which quite good for the projection mapping.
This projector can go up to 300 impressive inches.
I think all these features are enough to do amazing projection mapping.
Pros and Cons;
Pros 3LCD display technology. Two types of lumen color. High contrast. Easy to use. Projector material quality is good. Cons You can face a large yellow spot on the screen.
Barco PHWU-81B
Key Feature;
- Brightness: 7,500 ANSI lumens
- Resolution: 1920×1200
- Aspect ratio: 16:10
- Contrast ratio: 2,800:1
Description;
If you want to buy the specific Barco projector for the mapping. Then it could be your choice why I will tell you briefly don’t worry about that.
With its click share inside feature, you can share your content with the projector wirelessly by using your device.
Its display technology is DLP. In which 0.67″ DMD is used with the single DLP chip.
For the great mapping experience, there are lots of other things in this projector.
For the bright projection mapping, it comes with the 7,500 ANSI. Lumens if you run the projector in Eco mode its lumens decreases from 7,500 ANSI to 5,450 ANSI.
But projector life increase in the eco mode from 2,000 hours to 4,000 hours. Projector normal life is 2,000 hours.
Its resolution is 1,920 x 1,200 WUXGA and the contrast ratio is 2,800:1, which is enough to create fascinating projection mapping on any surface.
Pros and cons;
Pros Projectors have wireless content share options. Eco mode is available to enhance the projector life. The projector looks nice. All features are available for the perfect projection mapping. Cons Nothing to say
If your intention to buy the projector for home mapping or do mapping in small size. The upcoming projector I am going to talk not for you. Because this projector needs a huge budget.
If you want to buy the projector for the large buildings then welcome. There is two option for you, Christie® 3dlp projectors-PR#-118–019101–04 and Christie D13HD-HS. Let’s unpack them.
Christie® 3dlp projectors-PR#-118–019101–04
Key feature;
- Contrast ratio: 2500–10000:1
- Display type: 0.95″ 3DLP
- Digital micromirror device: 3DLP — 3 x DMD
- Resolution: HD (1920 x 1080)
- Life span: 1,750 hours
Description;
This huge projector is made with high-end technology. Which allows this projector to do incredible work.
Like, the projector can do 3D projection mapping on large buildings. How and which high-end technology allow this projector to do this amazing work lets tier down.
This projector standard lumen is 14,000. Projector operating voltage is 110–240 VAC 50/60 Hz and its operating current is 15A @ 100 VAC.
This projector’s total power consumption is 15,000 w. Projector standard life without eco mode is 1,750 hours and it enhances up to 2,000 hours when you turn on eco mode.
There is three standard inputs option is available in this projector Twin DisplayPort, Dual-link DVI, and 3G SD/HD-SDI.
Projectors receive four types of input signals HDTV, DTV, Multi-standard video decoder.
And all types of inputs vertical and horizontal.
This projector has smart lamp output for multiple screens, which ensures that color spread the same for multiple screens. The projector can adjust each primary color individually.
In this projector, you will get the motorized zoom with complete vertical and horizontal adjustment.
The biggest advantage of this projector, according to me this projector can handle multiple screen projection at once. This means it can easily cover a large area at one time.
Pros and cons;
Pros 3D projection mapping available for large buildings. The projector has the 3 digital micromirror devices. The projector can adjust each primary color individually. Eco mode available, which is needed in this huge projector. Cons Power consumption.
Christie D13HD-HS
Key Feature;
- Brightness: 13,000 lumens
- Life: 20,000 hours
- Contrast ratio: 750,000:1
- Resolution: HD (1920 x 1080)
Description;
At last, we have Christie D13HD-HS, a laser phosphor light source projector. This projector life is 20,000 hours and this projector is Maintenance free because of its light source.
It’s a DLP projector.
There are four types of the color wheel in this projector, for four-color Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, and this wheel are 2x or 3x speed. That’s why there is no rainbow effect on this projector.
Its contrast ratio change with the settings. When Christie real black enable its contrast is 750,000:1. Christie real black disabled its contrast is 1200:1. There is another contrast ratio is available called dynamic: 7,500:1.
There is various signal input and output option are available.
Let’s end this projector praise with its Bold Color technology. This is Christie's color saturation technology.
The projector enhances the color saturation, in comparison to another projector.
Like other Christie projector. This projector is also able to manage multi-screen projection output.
Pros and Cons;
Pros Projectors have a laser light source. Projector support 3D inputs. Bold color technology. There is no rainbow effect on this projector. Cons Need more energy to run than a normal projector. Because its energy input is high.
7 Things to consider before you choose a projection mapping projector?
Before you choose which type of projector do you need for you. You should think about where you are going to use this projector. For me it’s should place where is no ambient light.
Because in that place my projection mapping quality will not be distorted.
For the mapping, your projector should have an optimal resolution. But which number of resolutions is good.
Resolution
For the good experience of projection mapping at least you should have 720p in your projector.
Resolution is the no of a pixel in the horizontal and vertical screen. In 720p case the distribution of pixel is 1280x720p, Horizontal: 1280p and Vertical:720p.
Image size and throw ratio
The throw ratio is the division of distance between the projector & screen and the width of the image. With the smaller throw ratio, the projector will make a bigger image.
Image size: If the throw ratio is 0.6 and throw distance is 6 then the image size will be 10. You can check yourself.
Throw ratio: If the throw distance is 6 and the image size 10 then the image throw ratio will be 0.6.
For the correct throw ratio, you can check the technical specification of your projector or you can try, this formula Throw ratio=Throw distance/Image width.
Lifespan
When you use your projector for certain hours in a day. Then your projector lifespan is decreasing gradually. The lifespan of your projector depends upon the durability of your projector light source.
So choose that projector which projector have longer lifespan hour.
Light conditions
It’s is not tough to figure out which kind of light conditions do you need for the projection mapping. But there is some suggestion for you, at any cost any kind of artificial and natural light should not fall on the projection mapping surface.
Because, when directly light falls on the projection mapping surface it will destroy the projection mapping.
Prevent your projection mapping surface, from direct artificial and natural light.
Lumens
Lumens decide how much bright your projection mapping will be. The greater the lumens projector you choose the better experience you will get. But never use your projector in the presence of ambient light and sun.
Contrast ratio
A better mapping experience not only requires the best resolution and lumens of the projector. The contrast ratio is also a crucial aspect.
The bigger the contrast ratio the better mapping experience you will get. But some things should be in your mind if the projector is used in lit light condition, then your projector’s bigger contrast ratio is useless.
Projection surface
Your projection mapping surface should have a dark color, Why.
Because, if you use the light color surface your projected light will be reflected by the surface. And your projection mapping color saturation will be destroyed.
Where you use the dark color surface your projected light will be observed not reflected by the surface. And you get better color saturation.
Can you use any projector for projection mapping?
No, you can’t you any projector for the mapping, Why.
Because the projector changes its projection output every second to show the effect on the projection surface.
For projection mapping, you need a high-end projector. And the type of projector also depends on you, in which scale you’re doing the mapping.
In our list of projectors, you will get every kind of projector.
What is the basic projection mapping hardware?
Honestly, projection hardware can depend upon the size of the projection. But there is some basic hardware you get in every projection mapping. Power source, cables, computer, midi controllers, projector, software, and peripherals.
How does 3D projection mapping work?
There are three principles 3D projection mapping works wrapping, blending, and superimposed.
When 3D object projected on the surface it encloses the surface and mix or combine with the surface and laid over the surface. But didn’t take the place of the object. And hence you see the 3d visuals.
Can any projector be used for rear projection?
Any kind of modern projector use for rear projection. Because today’s projector has settings to adjust the screen size, as well can flip the screen of a projector according to your convenience.
The optimal condition to using the projector for projection mapping is without any light.
Now it’s your turn:
Tell me in the comment section which projector you have to choose for the projection mapping.
Originally published at https://onsme.com on February 24, 2021.
