Especially in the home theater enthusiast community, we can all be guilty of hyperfocus. Analysis paralysis is a rite of passage for any aficionado; we spend countless hours reading shootouts, reviews, comparisons, and poring over spec sheets until the wee hours of the morning. It’s part of what makes home theater fun.
On the other side of the lens, this phenomenon manifests itself as something reffered to as “Pixel Peeping”. Personified by internet warriors zooming images in to 400% magnification to look at camera defects, even though these outspoken individuals might be devoid of artistic talent, or be incapable of creating any meaningful work product. (Picture someone lauding a 500lb camera lens, even though it’s so large, you can’t practically transport it anywhere to film anything.)
The reason for my diatribe is simple: Specs and math don’t always tell the whole story. While I’m a firm believer in imaging and acoustic science, a laboratory environment is incredibly different from the real world, and the way we experience home cinemas practically is very different from the story told from a spec sheet. It’s important sometimes to remind ourselves that an experience is more than the sum of parts, or a bill of materials.
Understanding Dynamic Range in Projectors
Dynamic range, in the context of projectors, is the range of brightness levels a projector can display, from the darkest point of the image to the brightest highlights.
Excellent black levels are considered a hallmark of superior picture quality. Simply put, how black is the black? True blacks are the big difference between OLED TVs and all their inferior challengers. Since OLED is an emissive display technology, if a pixel has no luminance information, it actually appears jet black, not some crumby shade of gray.
At the most basic level, there are really only two ways to increase overall dynamic range: You can lower your black level, or you can raise the brightness of your whites.
Anyone who’s been following projector technology for the last decade will be quick to laud for their incredible blacks. (They would not be wrong to do so!) If you’re in a perfectly dark room, JVC’s LCOS technology has really bludgeoned all of the competition when it comes to lowering black levels.
On the other side of the equation, maximum brightness in projectors is measured in lumens. Lumens are one of the only figures we have for reliably comparing the maximum light output we can expect in an image. While brightness levels have slowly increased over the years, they’ve remained relatively stable at around 2000-3000 lumens for the better part of a decade.
All of the effort has gone into improving just one side of the equation.
To recap:
Black levels define how dark the darkest parts of an image are.
White levels determine how bright the brightest highlights are.
The distance and graduations between these two points are the dynamic range.
A greater dynamic range leads to better image quality, with more shades of light to dark and more depth to every color.
The Reality of Home Cinema Lighting
Back to my original point: While a pitch-black room is a great benchmark, most of us prefer to enjoy a bucket of popcorn or make use of some of the cool LED accent lights we’re all such fans of. Pitch black isn’t really entirely livable.
Not without stubbed toes, spilled popcorn, and perhaps, angry spouses.
We all have to admit that real life does call for at least a little ambient light.
While lowering black levels is a great way to improve picture quality, those popcorn lights and vibey LEDs add ambient light to your projector screen. Since black can only be as dark as the darkest part of the screen, your epic black levels suddenly drop from incredible to mundane. Even with a fantastic projector, the image washes out, leaving you with a very underwhelming experience.
At this point, you’re really left with two options:
Option A: Kick all the normal people out of the room and embrace the fact that you’re going to be enjoying a lonely existence in your home theater. You do get to watch your movies in utter darkness, but you might turn into a hermit, and you’ll probably end up getting made fun of by your partner
Option B: Enhance your dynamic range with extra brightness and share the experience with everyone you love.
Suppose option B sounds like the correct course of action. There’s really only one solution: Address the brightness side of the equation. Accept the fact that blacks can only be so black with a livable amount of light in the room, and take the light output up to the next level.
Epson’s Approach: The Brightness Advantage
While most manufacturers keep chasing blacker blacks, Epson has taken a slightly different approach. Instead of focusing all their resources on lowering black levels (though their black levels really are quite respectable), they’ve gone full steam ahead down the road less traveled, creating projectors that are absolute light cannons. We aren’t just talking a little bit brighter either.
While top-of-the-line models from Sony and JVC cap out at around 3300 lumens, Epson’s entry-level offering, the QB-1000, starts at 3300 lumens, and their top-of-the-line QL-7000 is capable of a retina-mesmerizing 10,000!
When we made our annual pilgrimage to CEDIA Expo this year (2025), Epson really drove this point home. They offered a demo experience with two equally sized screens placed side by side. They had their major competitors on one side (Sony, JVC), and the price equivalent Epson projector models on the other. The difference was simply staggering.
The other side effect of having so much light output at your disposal is screen size. Epson is really pushing the envelope, enabling screen sizes as big as 300″.
Of course, there are other options at higher price points. Barco and Christie come to the table with some incredible image quality and no compromises, albeit at a much higher cost of entry.
To head off the hate mail, I realize they aren’t going to win the war of spec sheets. I’m the first to admit that if you’re going for a 130″ screen in a completely dark room, JVC is a better option, but I don’t think that’s how most people really want to use their rooms. In real life, Epson’s higher light output usually provides a better experience.
What factors should I consider when choosing a projector for my home theater?
When selecting a projector, consider factors such as brightness (measured in lumens), resolution, contrast ratio, and the type of technology used (LCD, DLP, or LCoS). Additionally, think about the size of your room, the distance from the screen, and the ambient light conditions. A projector with higher lumens is ideal for rooms with more light, while resolution impacts image clarity.
What is the difference between contrast ratio and dynamic range in projectors?
Contrast ratio refers to the difference in brightness between the darkest black and the brightest white a projector can produce. Dynamic range, on the other hand, encompasses the entire spectrum of brightness levels a projector can display, from the darkest to the brightest points. While a high contrast ratio is essential for deep blacks and vibrant colors, a broader dynamic range allows for more subtle gradations in brightness, enhancing overall image quality and depth in the viewing experience.
Are there specific projector brands known for superior brightness?
Yes, certain brands are recognized for their exceptional brightness capabilities. Epson, for instance, is known for producing projectors with high lumen outputs, making them suitable for environments with ambient light. Their models, such as the QB-1000 and QL-7000, offer brightness levels that exceed many competitors. Other brands like Sony and JVC also provide quality projectors, but they typically focus more on achieving deeper blacks rather than maximizing brightness, which can be a crucial factor depending on your viewing conditions.
Jon King
CEDIA Certified Electronic Systems Designer,
Principal Owner @ Audilux (Nashville, TN).
Former Audio Engineer, Record Producer, & Director with Page 2 Music
So you’re building a new house and want to make mounting your TVs effortless. Here’s our step-by-step guide to make things a breeze.
1. Block things out:
Every good TV install starts with a firm foundation. Since TV brackets have limited adjustability, ask your builder to provide wood blocking between the studs to make mounting easier. This ensures you can get that TV just where you want it, while keeping things securely fastened.
Just make sure they leave room for a back box…. (more on that below)
2. Just Pre-Wire:
Yes, we know it’s 2025. Yes, Wi-Fi is everywhere, and yes, 99% of sluggishness and control issues are still caused by your TV using a Wi-Fi connection.
If you walk around with a device, that’s a great use case for wireless, but spend the paltry sum of money, and have CAT 6 run to each of your TV locations. It’s incredibly inexpensive during the rough-in phase of construction, and you definitely won’t regret it.
We even recommend running two or three lines to each location. That way, your TV, Apple TV, or any other device can be hardwired, keeping your Wi-Fi fast for wireless devices.
3. Plan for Plugs:
Power and network connections protrude from the wall when plugged in. If you want that Pinterest-perfect, completely flush TV installation, you’ll need a place to make the necessary connections. Fortunately, such a device exists. It’s called a “back box”.
A back box, recessed between your studs, sits inside the wall and provides a low-profile way to make all of your connections. It even lets you hide extra equipment like a cable box, audio transmitter, or other AV sundries.
Strong makes the nicest models, but lower-cost alternatives from Legrand work just as well.
Strong Versabox Back Box
Thinking of a Samsung Frame TV? An extra-large back box is a must. Many people are unaware that the Frame requires a large external box to manage its power and connections. (This is how they make the Frame so magically thin!)
Usually, this needs to be recessed into the wall and hidden behind the TV. These boxes are expensive, and it’s best to budget $300-$500 for each Frame TV location.
Looking for a Frame TV alternative? We love LG’s Gallery Series TVs! They have the same sort of Art mode as a Samsung Frame, without the need for the XL backbox. They even include a built-in recessed mount.
LG G5 Gallery Series TV
No AI was used in the creation of this article. We’re just offering advice from the friendly humans at Audilux.
CEDIA Certified Electronic Systems Designer,
Principal Owner @ Audilux (Nashville, TN).
Former Audio Engineer, Record Producer, & Director with Page 2 Music
At Audilux, we make it a point to take a few days off and make a pilgrimage to CEDIA Expo every year.
We do this for a couple of reasons; of course, it’s essential to stay up to date on the latest trends in the space, but I also want to make sure the vendor and product selections we offer our customers are the best available.
It can be easy to keep repeating the same thing and not realize what you’re missing out on.
The agenda usually consists of visiting our existing vendors and seeing what’s new, and then going to all their competitors to see what other experiences might be like. This year, we focused on attending demo spaces for new brands, and there were a few great surprises. I also came home more confident than ever with most of our product offerings.
Now that the dust has settled, here are a few standout observations we made at CEDIA Expo 2024.
#1 – JVC’s new projector demo was jaw-dropping
We attended the JVC Projector demonstration, featuring several new models. The first few scenes looked great from the get-go, and the room was shocked when the presenter explained we were actually watching their new entry-level laser projector, the NZ-500 ($5999).
JVC NZ-800
Halfway through the presentation, they switched to their flagship model, the NZ-900, which I could only describe as staggering. JVC has taken the lead with this latest crop of projectors at both the entry-level and high-end price points.
JVC NZ-900 Projector
JVC even had a dedicated demo room showing the flagship Sony model directly beside the NZ-900.
It wasn’t even close.
Point. JVC.
#2 – Epson was illuminating
Epson’s New Projector Lineup QB-1000 , QL-3000, and QL-7000
The Epson demo was also exciting for some different reasons. They seem to be focused on offering models with outsized lighting output, starting at an impressive 3300 lumens and going up to 10,000 lumens on their flagship model.
Epson QL-7000 / 10,000 Lumen Light Cannon
They seem to have made it their mission to defy conditional wisdom and install massive projection systems even in the brightest spaces.
The entry-level model, the QB-1000 , will be a sweet spot for many installations. It’s 30% brighter than the new JVC, and in rooms with any ambient light, it should be a home run at the price point ($7999).
Epson QB-1000 / 3300 Lumens / $7999
I could see us giving this projector a home in lots of mixed-use spaces, or if a customer just want’s extremely vibrant HDR.
#3 – Theory Audio Design / Pro Audio Technology
Paul Hales of Theory Audio Design & Pro Audio Technology had a very impressive space in a listening room downstairs. They had a fun element of having tons of speakers placed around the room and then using spotlights to show what you had been listening to after each segment.
It harkened back to the old days of Bose demonstrations, where you hear something so big, only to discover it’s coming from the tiniest of packages.
Of course, unlike Bose, Theory’s speakers were sonically fantastic.
Theory’s SB25 All Weather Loudspeaker
The secret sauce is proprietary DSP processing that extracts every ounce of performance out of each of their speakers.
Theory Audio’s new DSP Enabled Amplifiers
They only have a few different speaker models, but they are adaptable to all kinds of housings depending on what installation application you’re looking for.
The ceiling speaker could transform into a landscape bollard, pendant, etc.
Very Cool.
#4 – Ambisonic should be the soundtrack to your outdoor oasis.
Ambisonic’s outdoor speakers were our first big surprise at the Expo.
We’ve been installing some fantastic landscape speakers over the last few years, and our clients have always been elated with the results.
Ambisonic’s Tiny But Mighty Landscape Speaker
But….. Ambisonic’s Planar Ribbons are quite simply a cut above. The focused sound and even sound dispersion are to die for, and their tiny size would allow them to blend into the most sensitive design.
Ambisonic Bollard Speakers feature an integreated 10″ Subwoofer.
Sign me up.
#5 – Nice keeps getting Nicer
Our control platform of choice, Nice Home Management (formerly Elan), is at the heart of our installations.
Nice OS 8.9
During this Expo, we took the time to examine everything offered by the other platforms. After a visit to each booth, my lead technician remarked that the Nice touch panels felt like an iPad compared to what felt like an old Android at some of the other booths.
I couldn’t agree more.
The Nice HR40 Remote was still the best we found at the show
Nice showed their next-generation touch panels, controllers, and a new door station. They also previewed their latest software updates. I’m looking forward to putting them to work in the coming year.
To be fair, both Crestron and Savant also had a very robust offering, but I don’t feel we are missing out on anything. Nice offers a much better value proposition and superior performance, which is a win for our clients.
What were your favorite finds at CEDIA this year? Did anything surprise you? Let us know in the comments below!
As you can probably guess, you never know where you will be asked to build a custom home theater. Having a completely blank slate is almost unheard of, and this particular project began its life as a bonus room over a new home’s garage space.
Like most structures not built from the ground up as dedicated screening rooms, this build had its fair share of design challenges. Chief among them was the litany of angled walls, the vaulted ceiling, and the need for a doorway to access a hidden attic library space in the middle of the room.
Every theater room is different, yet with thoughtful engineering even challenging shapes can sound extraordinary.
We broke up the room’s long walls with columns. These columns did two things:
Added visual interest
Helped with acoustic panel placement and bass trapping
One major challenge was keeping access to the attic library without breaking the theater’s aesthetic or sound isolation. We tackled this with careful planning and concealed entry design.
We ultimately settled on concealing a door inside one of the room’s decorative columns.
Custom Build Hidden Door
This was accomplished using a custom door, with acoustic treatments applied directly to its face.
Hidden Door When ClosedHidden Door with Library Space Beyond
Space was also at a premium, and we also needed to find a way to minimize the equipment’s footprint and visual impact inside the room.
We were able to commandeer some unclaimed attic space and installed a recessed rack to house all the equipment. This kept things accessible while also not encroaching on the livable space in the room.
Retractable Middle Atlantic Equipment Rack
Audio
For the main stage, we chose identical in-wall Focal 300-series speakers across all seven channels, paired with timber-matched 8″ overhead speakers for Atmos effects..
Focal 300 Series IWLCR Speakers
A duo of Focal subwoofers rounded out the low end.
Focal Sub 1000F Subwoofer
Nice HR40 Remote
Nice HR40 Remote Control
This also marked our first deployment of the new Nice HR40 remote control. It offers seamless control of all of the sources in the system and even shows cover art from the Kaleidescape during playback.
Kaleidescape, The Finest SOurce
Kaleidescape Strato Interface
It’s been a long-standing secret that if you want the best picture quality, there’s only one place to get your movies.
Long hailed by Hollywood moguls and used in their own personal theaters, the Kaleidescape Strato player serves up movies at a higher quality than HD Blu-Ray with unadulterated audio to match.
Construction Gallery
Original space—raw drywall and exposed attic accessCustom acoustic framing and bass-trap columns take shapeHidden door installed and treated for perfect sealFinal fabric-wall stretch and lighting installation completed
Full Equipment List
System Configuration 7.4.2
Visual
Projector: JVC NZ-7 8K Projector
Screen: 150″ Screen Innovations Zero Edge Pro, Acoustically Transparent
Video Processing: MadVR Envy MKII Extreme
Sound
Audio Processor: AudioControl Maestro X7s
Amplification : AudioControl Savoy G4 , Audio Control Pantages G4
CEDIA Certified Electronic Systems Designer,
Principal Owner @ Audilux (Nashville, TN).
Former Audio Engineer, Record Producer, & Director with Page 2 Music
Suppose you’re like many Americans who haven’t spent significant time in a small town or even a remote enclave of a developed area. In that case, the struggle to obtain reliable internet access may have never crossed your mind.
The “Better-Than-Nothing” Beta
We joined the waiting list for Starlink back in 2020, knowing the service wouldn’t be ready for prime time. But, compared to the ongoing struggles with cellular options and the associated never-ending maintenance to keep things running, I was happy to plunk down $500 and get in line. About four months later, a slot opened up in our cell, and like magic, a giant black box showed up on our doorstep, seemingly with love from Elon.
Since our home is very architecturally modern and features a flat roof, I had the service up and running in minutes. Of course, during that time, the connection would be intermittent a few minutes out of every hour, but it was rock solid the rest of the time. Speeds were clocking in well over 250mbps, and on a day when the powers at Starlink deemed our household blessed, I even recorded a speed test at over 600mbps.
This is another thing that never occurs if you’ve never struggled with internet access. Rural users run speed tests constantly.
The War on Speed
All of that changed around the time Space X deployed massive bandwidth to aid the people of Ukraine. While this is admittedly a first-world problem, it was shocking to suddenly have to pay attention to our connection again after being lulled into a sense of relative complacency after a year of entirely consistent service.
As we ring in the New Year of 2023, we’ve gotten used to the new normal of Starlink. It still has so much potential, and we’re cautiously optimistic that the continued expansion of the Starlink satellite constellation will offer even faster speeds and more reliability. In the meantime, I can’t help but feel the compulsion to run another speed test 😉
Is Starlink right for you?
While satellites, Elon Musk, and laser links may sound exciting and fun, Starlink is not for everyone.
I would refer to it as the “Internet of Last Resort .” Frankly, if you have wired options available at your location, in 99% of cases, they’re a much better value than internet via space.
For starters, Starlink is expensive. $110 a month for 1 TB per month of bandwidth and a $549 fee for equipment which amounts to double or even triple the charge compared to most cable or fiber connections.
There are no speed guarantees, and you kind of “get what you get.”
5G Options:
If you cannot procure a wired connection, I would start your search for a provider a little closer to earth. Thanks to the emergence and rapid deployment of 5G technology, T-Mobile has raced to market with an unlimited-use home internet product that is much more affordable and, in many cases, faster.
At my location outside of Nashville, TN, I’m seeing transfer speeds over 400mbps, all for the low price of $30 per month.
While I’m still doing a long-term test before recommending this as connectivity for any of our customers, it’s certainly off to a promising start. So, with no setup fees or hardware costs, what do you have to lose?
In the meantime, I think it’s time for another speed test. 🙂
CEDIA Certified Electronic Systems Designer,
Principal Owner @ Audilux (Nashville, TN).
Former Audio Engineer, Record Producer, & Director with Page 2 Music
