Any projector that can be connected to a computer will work with LUMOplay, but to pick the best one for your space and installation type, it helps to know a few things about projectors. We've assembled some recommendations for specific locations here. Some of the link smay be out of date, though, so below you'll find detailed instructions to help you pick the best projector for your space and budget.

Lighting Requirements

Projectors work best in areas without direct sunlight or directional lighting. If you plan to use a projector for your installation, the area should be as evenly lit with ambient lighting as possible. Avoid installing near outdoor windows.

What is the best floor surface for interactive floor projection?

Any smooth, unpatterned, light colored surface will work for LUMOplay interactive floor projection systems.

Our favorite interactive floor projection surface is light grey Marley Floor. Marley Floor is made for dance studios and stages, so it's durable and slip resistant. Here's a video of what the light grey Marley Floor looks like in combination with a ceiling mounted 3500 lumen short throw projector. 

If you're looking for a high reflectivity paint designed specifically for wall and theatre projection, Rosebrand's Screen Goo product line works very well.

What is the best wall surface for interactive wall projection?

Any smooth, unpatterned, light colored surface will work for LUMOplay interactive wall projection systems.

If you're looking for a high reflectivity paint designed specifically for wall and theatre projection, Rosebrand's Screen Goo product line works very well.

Aspect Ratio

The Aspect Ratio of a projector represents the size relation between the width and height of the display. The most common aspect ratio for projectors is 16:9, 16:10 or 4:3.

Most LUMOplay games are created to be displayed at 16:9 or 4:3 (see game description for resolution). We can customize games for different aspect ratios if desired.  

Throw Ratio

The Throw Ratio (often written TR) represents how big the image will be when the lens is a specific distance from the projection surface, and is usually written as #:# or #:#:#

#.# The first number is the distance from the lens to the projection surface, and the second number is the diagonal distance of the projected area. So a 1:1 throw ratio would produce an image 1 meter diagonal, from a distance of 1 meter.

#.#:# When the Throw Ratio is expressed as 3 numbers,The first number is the distance from the lens to the projection surface, and the second and third numbers represent width and height. A 1:1:75 TR would produce an image 1m wide x .75m high.

To get a large image from a small distance, you should look for a throw ratio where the first number is 1 or less. Projectors that have shorter throw ratios are called 'Short Throw Projectors', and usually have a Throw Ratio ranging from 1 - 0.4.

Lens Calculator

Orientation / Angle Range

The Orientation refers to how the projector will be positioned (vertically or horizontally, or at an angle in between) Some projectors cannot be pointed down for an extended period. We recommend Epson's LED and LED/laser projectors for floor projections as they offer extremely long bulb life around 20,000 hours, and they are safe to point in any direction. If you're unsure about the orientation or angle range of your projector, it's best to contact the manufacturer.

Lens Shift / Lens Displacement

The Lens Shift of your projector refers to the position of the image in relation to the lens. Many office and home projectors have a vertical displacement of 50% or more, meaning that the bottom of the image is lined up with the projector lens. Some projectors have an adjustable lens shift. It's important to know the lens shift of the projector you plan to use before you install it, since it will affect where you install the projector.

Lumens

Lumens refers to the brightness of the projector, and can be measured using several methods. This means that you can't always trust the lumen value provided by your projector manufacturer, particularly when purchasing an unknown brand.

We recommend 2500-4000 lumens for small events and venues, and 4000-6000 lumens for retail spaces and tradeshows. You can find some recommended projectors in our shopping lists. 

Keystone

Keystone is an adjustment method provided by most good projectors so that you can square your image in cases where the projector is as a slight angle. It is very common to find projectors with horizontal keystoning. Vertical keystoning is less common, but is extremely useful in commercial installations where the walls are not quite flat, or where the projector is mounted with a slight pitch.