What are the difference between Home theater projectors vs data projectors?

Answer 1

There is very little difference between theater and data projectors. They each use similar technology, each have similar inputs, image processors, lamps and lenses. In fact, many projectors classified as a Home Theater projector are used for data projection and data projectors are seen doing good service in a home theater. The differences tend be in the way a projector is optimized. Home theater models will be displaying video content rather than computer data. The image processor will be tuned to perform well with moving images rather than static images. Color control is adjusted to offer the best performance for content such as flesh tones, shadows and highlights. A data projector will be less concerned with such details. The way the projector operates may be slightly different. Data projectors often do not have user settings for color tuning, picture-in-picture, gamma controls (a dynamic contrast control). A good theater projector will have a component signal input while a data projector may only have a VGA input. Data projectors are likely to have a DVI input compared to theater projectors which will tend towards HDMI connectors. More important than any of the differences is the image quality. If a data projector delivers a great image from a DVD player, it should be considered along with theater projectors. After all, the sole purpose for a projector is to deliver a good image. It is enlightening to look at some manufacturers' websites. They often show different applications such as home theater, data, portable, education and so on. Many projector models will be found in several categories, demonstrating that even the makers can't precisely classify their own products.