Differences Between
Projector Frame Rate and Refresh Rate
By XGIMI Tech - 2022-03
Introduction
Today, projectors can produce excellent and lifelike pictures due to emerging technological innovations that enhance their output. Popular features that contribute to image quality include 4K resolution, HDR10, etc. Yet, image quality and motion are influenced by much more than these well-known features.
The projector refresh rate and projector frame rate are indicators that directly impact the expected display quality. While they may not be discussed as much as other features, they are worth considering when buying projectors.
A projector's frame rate refers to the speed at which individual images, known as frames, appear on screen, while the refresh rate refers to the number of times these individual images are updated. As frames change, the viewer interprets the activity as motion. If there are fewer frames, the motion becomes less smooth and choppy. Since refresh rate involves the speed at which the frames are updated, lower refresh rates create imbalances, resulting in motion sickness.
Projector refresh rates and projector frame rates are essential motion quality determinants. Both terms have been used in each other's stead, yet they have very different meanings and effects on image quality. Different frame and refresh rates have been in use over the years, and presently, 24–60fps and 60Hz are particularly common.
Frame Rate Vs. Refresh Rate: What Sets Them Apart?
A projector frame rate represents the number of images (frames) sent from the projector to the display every second. Generally, motion pictures (videos) are several pictures being displayed quickly. Due to the speed at which the pictures are displayed, the human eye cannot capture the exact time one frame switches to another. The limitations of our eyes instead present us with another opportunity: we see the different frames as motion, meaning that the objects and scenery come alive and are moving.
For instance, if a movie is projected at 1 frame per second, the viewer would see it as a collection of millions of slides, some of them quite similar because mere nanoseconds separate each frame. When the projector receives these slides at 20 frames per second, in ten seconds, the viewer will have seen two hundred frames. Our eyes cannot see the exact moment the frames change, and the mind interprets the display as a moving picture. Forty frames per second mean the viewer gets to see four hundred frames in ten seconds. Thus, the motion is smoother, and one frame flows into another as if nothing happened.
Projector refresh rates represent the speed/frequency at which the frames sent to the display are displayed or updated. While frame rate means the number of frames the projector sends to the display, the refresh rate describes the frequency at which these frames can be updated.
For instance, a projector receives thirty frames per second. For an ideal viewing experience, the display should be of a refresh rate that can show all thirty frames within a second. If the display can only update 25 frames every second, the synchronization is imperfect, and the motion experiences hiccups, which the viewer would quickly notice. A refresh rate of 60Hz means that the images are updated 60 times every second, thus creating a smooth motion free from blurs and flickers.
Projector frame rates are measured in frames per second (fps), and projector refresh rates are measured in Hertz (Hz). Both refresh rate and frame rates are only applicable for motion pictures. In summary,
● projector frame rate refers to the number of frames sent to the display every second.
● projector refresh rate refers to how quickly the display can update the frames it receives.
The Ideal Frame Rate And Refresh Rate For Your Projector
Frame and refresh rates work hand in hand to determine the display's final product. Both parameters have to be as close to one another as possible to produce an ideal result and be in sync. Yet, an essential factor to consider when deciding on ideal frame rates or refresh rates is the type of content.
The frame rate for movies by the Industry standard is 24fps. Thus, if you intend on watching movies with your projector, then you need a projector frame rate from 24fps upwards. Video games with intense graphics demand higher frame rates for a perfect display, and some games need frame rates around 144fps to 200fps. You would need a projector with much higher frame rates than 24fps (24fps or 30–60fps) to enjoy these graphics-intensive games like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Assassin's Creed: Odyssey.
For regular movies, TV shows, or content from apps like YouTube, a refresh rate of 60Hz is usually sufficient to synchronize with the industry-standard frame rates of 24–30fps. Even for fast-moving content like sports, action movies, and low-intensity games, refresh rates of 60Hz can produce a display with minimal image blurs. Just as graphic-intensive games need higher frame rates for an ideal display, gaming projectors come with higher refresh rates (up to 120Hz) for high-intensity video gaming.
In summary, if the kinds of content you intend to project are movies or TV shows, a projector frame rate between 24fps and 60fps is ideal. If high-intensity gaming is your preferred content, then higher frame rates would be better at making the game more responsive. For refresh rates, a 60Hz projector is ideal even for fast-paced content. At the same time, you should consider a 120Hz projector if high-intensity and graphics-intensive gaming is the preferred content to be projected.
Product Recommendations
XGIMI projectors come with MEMC, an integrated 60Hz motion compensation technology that delivers super-low latency rates and image blurs with a unique algorithm. MEMC ensures you can enjoy fast-paced content like action movies or sports, as the image retains clarity and sharpness even in the heat of action. The following XGIMI projectors are recommended for their frame and refresh rate capabilities and other features that deliver an excellent display regardless of content:
XGIMI Horizon Pro
HORIZON Pro is a 4K home projector capable of delivering excellent displays. It comes with a 60Hz MEMC that eliminates image blurs with super-low latency rates. The home projector also features a DLP display chip that makes higher frame rates of 60fps possible, giving you excellent frame rates for high-intensity games. Also, HORIZON Pro features a Game Mode with lower latency rates of 35ms for smoother motion.
HORIZON Pro also comes with powerful features that enhance display quality immensely. The brightness of 1500 ISO Lumens gives you a bright display even in well-lighted rooms. 4K UHD resolution plus HDR10 means more detailed colors, high-quality images, whiter whites, and darker blacks. Its X-VUE 2.0 Image Engine ensures color revivification, and Harman Kardon speakers give you clear and immersive sound. HORIZON Pro also features intelligent screen adaptation ISA technology, automatically simplifying setup with auto focus, intelligent screen alignment, auto keystone correction, and obstacle avoidance. Auto focus delivers a clear image, auto keystone correction aligns the display vertically and horizontally, and intelligent screen alignment fits the display's dimensions. The 4K Home projector is suitable for TV shows, movies, etc.
XGIMI AURA
XGIMI AURA can project over short distances (ultra short throw) using laser projection technology. Laser light sources power ultra short throw projection and have a longer lifespan than LED bulbs. XGIMI AURA can produce displays in 4K UHD resolution for more detailed colors and comes with 60Hz MEMC. The motion compensation feature produces super-low latency rates and image blur with a unique algorithm, good for action movies, sports, and gaming. MEMC preserves image quality in the heat of action. The 60Hz projector also comes with a 0.3" DMD display chip that supports frame rates of 60fps, ensuring that you can enjoy high-intensity games with AURA.
AURA features the X-VUE 2.0 Image Engine, which delivers lifelike colors, a brightness of 1500 ISO Lumens for a bright and crisp display even in lighted rooms, and clear HiFi sound from Harman Kardon for room-filling sound quality that delivers a more intense viewing experience. AURA is an ultra short throw projector powered by laser projection, which sets it apart from HORIZON Pro, a long throw projector powered by an LED bulb. Learn more about XGIMI AURA here.
XGIMI Elfin
XGIMI Elfin has MEMC, 60Hz refresh rates that deliver minimal image blurs even with fast-moving content. The home projector can switch to Game Mode Boost, thus delivering low latency rates of 26.5ms, and sports a 0.3" DMD display chip capable of supporting higher frame rates (60fps) so you can enjoy graphic-intensive and high-intensity games.
Elfin can produce a display of 1080p Full HD resolution for more pronounced colors and sports a brightness of 600 ISO Lumens for a bright display, even in lighted places. The X-VUE 2.0 Image Engine means that Elfin displays lifelike colors, and clear sound from Harman Kardon speakers contributes to giving you an immersive viewing experience. Overall, Elfin is a suitable option for gamers.
XGIMI Halo+
XGIMI Halo+ is a powerful portable projector capable of delivering 1080p resolution for more defined colors and higher contrast ratios with the HDR10 feature. Halo+ comes with MEMC, up to 60Hz refresh rates that ensure your display is free of blurs. The 60Hz projector also has Game Mode Boost for low latency rates down to 26.5ms and a 0.33" DMD display chip that supports higher frame rates of 60fps, ensuring you enjoy high-intensity gaming.
Halo+ features a built-in battery that gives up to 2 hours of power, excellent for use on camping trips or in places without power sources. It also features the X-VUE 2.0 Image Engine for lifelike colors, a brightness of 700 ISO Lumens, and excellent, immersive sound from Harman Kardon's built-in speakers.
Conclusion
The projector frame rate, measured in frames per second, represents the number of images sent to the display every second, as videos are simply a series of pictures displayed quickly. On the other hand, the projector refresh rate is measured in Hz and refers to the number of times a displayed image/frame is updated on the screen.
XGIMI projectors HORIZON Pro, AURA, Elfin, and Halo+ feature a motion compensation technology (MEMC) capable of 60Hz refresh rate and display chips that can deliver higher frame rates to display all kinds of content satisfactorily.
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