Importance Of Refresh Rate In Projectors
By XGIMI Tech - 2022-02
What Is Refresh Rate?
The video is technically a series of images shown very quickly to have the effect of motion.
A projector’s refresh rate pertains to the frequency of repeating or updating the same image in a second. You measure the refresh rate in hertz (Hz). For instance, your XGIMI projector has a refresh rate of 60Hz. This means that an image updates 60 times in a second.
Typically, higher refresh rate means high-clarity videos. For you, it means that you get videos in a continuous smooth motion without flicker, jerks or blurs.
There are no ideal refresh rates as refresh rates undergo updates periodically as technologies advance. Further, refresh rates depend on the end use. For instance, if you watch a movie or a presentation on a 60Hz projector, it would serve the purpose of reproducing images similar to the original image source. However, if you use the same projector to play video games, you could feel the need for a higher refresh rate to make the game feel more responsive, perhaps 120Hz.
Refresh Rates For Different Uses
Evolution of Refresh Rates
Refresh rates have evolved with advances in technology. Refresh rates seem to double every ten years. They have gone up from 30Hz to 120Hz in two decades, and will probably move to 240Hz in this decade itself.
Projector Refresh Rates of 30Hz to 60Hz
The older devices and many of the current devices operate with a refresh rate of 30Hz to 60Hz. These refresh rates are suitable for many devices and gadgets being used currently because most source footage is at 60Hz. Secondly, the technology is still new and expensive, and it may take some to catch up.
These include:
- Movies, TV shows, videos
- Presentations
- Simple games
Refresh Rates of 120Hz and More
120Hz projectors become very useful for uses such as gaming requiring high speed. For instance, FIFA 22 would be excellent when played on a 120Hz projector as compared to when played on a 60Hz projector. Similarly, if you watch movies with high-speed action such as car chases (Fast and Furious, James Bond), action sequences and intricate graphics, refresh rates of 120Hz and more would be ideal.
This is because higher refresh rate helps you receive more visual information in the same amount of time, leading to smoother-looking motion.
Most devices in the near future will offer refresh rates of 120Hz. This will become the standard until 240Hz takes over. It is difficult for average gamers to notice the difference between 60Hz and 120Hz.
Optimize Refresh Rate With Other Features
If you are a serious gamer, and everyone in your group has a gaming projector (120Hz projector),e then it is prudent to opt for a higher refresh rate.
The advantages of higher refresh rate are:
- Serious gamers interested in fast-paced games will revel in the higher refresh rates of the gaming projector as they find the images appear sharper, motion smoother, and response faster to input stimuli
- Typically, for normal viewing of movies and casual gaming, 60Hz projector is more than sufficient
- Settings are available on devices with higher refresh rate to play at lower refresh rate if you so choose
- At present, refresh rate of 60Hz is the current standard accepted by a majority of devices
There are downsides to high refresh rate:
- The initial cost of acquiring a 120Hz projector is high
- The cost of viewing on a device with higher refresh rate is higher as the battery consumption increases because of the doubling of the refresh rate (for a 120Hz projector as compared to a 60Hz projector)
- When you play normal movies and videos (at 60Hz), on a display with 120Hz refresh rate, you observe multiple frames at the same time lined up incorrectly. This seems like a surreal effect, as you are not used to images appearing at this unusually high speed
- Projector refresh rate beyond 120Hz may become unnecessary and expensive
Features To Consider Other Than Refresh Rate
Refresh rate is one of the parameters that help you enjoy your viewing experience. Other factors that you need to consider before you purchase an XGIMI projector would include:
- Budget - As mentioned earlier, higher refresh rate (which you may not need) increases the cost of a gaming projector
- Needs - Assess your requirements and determine if you need the higher refresh rate and that can afford the higher cost
- Latency – Also known as input lag, it measures the time taken to project on the screen the audio or video signal sent from the gaming console. This usually takes between 16 and 50 milliseconds. As you can see, the lower the latency the better it is for a gamer. It is not that critical for non-gaming uses of a projector
- Refresh rate – A high refresh rate and high latency is detrimental to a gamer
- Resolution – Higher the resolution the higher is the gaming experience. Look for 1080p resolution and if you can afford 4K, even better
- Brightness – A brightness above 2000 ANSI would be suitable to provide the required brightness for an excellent gaming experience
Product Recommendations
XGIMI Horizon Pro
The XGIMI HORIZON Pro projector is perfect for you to view your favorite movies, videos games and sports action as its refresh rate is 60Hz. Besides, the features detailed below combine well with the refresh rate to give you an excellent video viewing and gaming experience:
- 4K crystal-clear picture
- 2200 ANSI lumens will consistently deliver high colors and super sharp images, even in bright environments
- X-VUE 2.0 image engine – An image engine that accomplishes matchless visual clarity of images and videos. This technology not only renders static content but dynamic life-like content with absolute clarity. Even the colors come alive
- MEMC - XGIMI’s MEMC technology helps increase MEMC accuracy by creating the Football Mode whereby it allows the interjection of frames with better accuracy. This helps immensely by reducing frame errors especially when you watch smaller objects within the image
- HDR10 - HDR10 is an open technical standard that defines specifications that users need to meet to be able to use the standard
- HLG - HLG is a standard used for broadcast cable, satellite and live TV channels
- Built-in 2*8W Harman Kardon speakers
- Game Mode - The XGIMI HORIZON Pro also offers a games mode with a latency of 35ms, and with its superior 4K resolution , you can expect a fabulous gaming experience
- HDMI Port – There is only a HDMI port, supporting 120Hz @ 1080p. However, you need a HDMI port to support 120Hz @ 4K, for which you would pay more
XGIMI Horizon
The XGIMI HORIZON projector is another suitable projector for you to view your favorite showsand videos. In fact, this projector is great for games and sports action as its refresh rate is 60Hz, and has a latency rate as low as 18.2ms. Further, the following features combine well with the refresh rate to give you an excellent video viewing and gaming experience:
- FHD crystal-clear 1080p image quality
- 2200 ANSI lumens will consistently deliver high colors and super sharp images, even in bright environments
- X-VUE 2.0 image engine – An image engine that accomplishes matchless visual clarity of images and videos. The technology not only renders static content but dynamic life-like content with absolute clarity. Even the colors come alive
- MEMC – XGIMI’s MEMC technology helps increase MEMC accuracy by creating the Football Mode whereby it allows the interjection of frames with better accuracy. This helps immensely by reducing frame errors especially when you watch smaller objects within the image
- HDR10 – HDR10 is an open technical standard that defines specifications that users need to meet to be able to use the standard
- HLG – HLG is a standard used for broadcast cable, satellite and live TV channels
- Built-in 2*8W Harman Kardon speakers
- Game Mode – The XGIMI HORIZON projector offers a game mode with latency as low as 18.2ms permitting you to enjoy superfast gaming experience
- HDMI Port – There is only a HDMI port supporting 120Hz @ 1080p. However, you need a HDMI port to support 120Hz @ 4K, for which you would pay more
XGIMI Projectors – Perfect For Movies And Games
As we have seen, a projector’s refresh rate pertains to the frequency of repeating or updating the same image every second. You measure the refresh rate in hertz (Hz). For instance, your XGIMI projector has a refresh rate of 60Hz. This means that an image updates 60 times in a second.
While aiming for a higher refresh rate is desirable if you are a serious gamer, you must consider the higher cost it entails although 120Hz projector will provide a smoother gaming experience.
Projector refresh rate of 60Hz is enough for simple gaming. It is suitable for both single player and multi-player modes. This configuration is a good solution optimized on various features, including refresh rates and cost. This is by far the most affordable refresh rate for gamers. Further, a refresh rate of 60Hz is more than sufficient for your other needs of viewing videos, movies and presentations.
XGIMI projectors offer a range of projectors suitable for any kind of viewing. For gaming and other normal use, you can choose from the two HORIZON projectors – The HORIZON Pro and The HORIZON. They will give you years of highly satisfying viewing and gaming experience.
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