OVERVIEW
In the past, watts were commonly used to determine a bulb's brightness. However, nowadays, lumens are widely used. And as projectors become more and more popular, ANSI lumens occur in recent years.
In this article, you'll learn what are lumens and ANSI lumens, how to convert between the two, as well as many ANSI lumens you'll need for your projector.
What is Lumen?
Lumen is a measure of the total amount of visible light emitted by a light source per unit of time. It is a standard unit of measurement for the brightness of a light source, such as a projector or a light bulb. The higher the lumens value, the brighter the light source will appear.
Lumen is different from watts, which measure the amount of energy a light source consumes. A light bulb with a higher wattage will not necessarily produce more lumens, and may even produce less if it is less efficient. In other words, the brightness of a light source depends on its lumens output, not its wattage.
Lumen is commonly used to describe the brightness of projectors. The brightness of a projector is an important factor to consider when choosing a projector, especially if you plan to use it in a bright room or for large screen sizes. A projector with a higher lumen value will generally produce a brighter and clearer image.
What is ANSI Lumen?
An ANSI lumen is a unit of measurement that specifies the brightness of a projector's image. ANSI stands for American National Standards Institute, which is an organization that sets standards for various industries, including the projector industry.
An ANSI lumen measures the brightness of a projector's image using a specific standard that takes into account factors such as the size and shape of the projected image, the distance between the projector and the screen, and the ambient light in the room.
The ANSI lumen rating is generally considered to be a more accurate measure of a projector's brightness than other methods, such as "peak lumens" or "marketing lumens." Peak lumens, for example, measure the brightest possible output of a projector, but not necessarily the average brightness of the image. Marketing lumens, on the other hand, may be inflated or inaccurate ratings used by manufacturers to make their products appear brighter.
When choosing a projector, it's important to consider both the ANSI lumen rating and the environment in which the projector will be used. A brighter projector may be necessary for a room with a lot of ambient light or for larger screen sizes, while a lower ANSI lumen projector may be suitable for smaller rooms or darker environments.
What's the difference and how to convert between them?
The main difference between the lumen and ANSI lumen is the method used to measure brightness.
Lumen is a unit of measurement that indicates the total amount of light emitted by a light source, such as a projector lamp or a bulb. It measures the total luminous flux or the amount of light that a source produces without considering the specifics of how the light is projected onto a surface.
ANSI lumen, on the other hand, is a standardized method of measuring the brightness of a projector's image. The ANSI lumen rating takes into account several factors which result in that two projectors with the same ANSI lumen rating will have similar perceived brightness, even if they have different light sources or technologies.
In summary, lumen measures the total amount of light that a light source produces, while ANSI lumen measures the brightness of a projector's image using a specific standard. While lumen can give an idea of a projector's potential brightness, ANSI lumen is generally considered a more reliable way to compare the actual brightness of different projectors.
As for how to convert between them, here is a simple equation between ANSI lumens and Lumens for your reference:
ANSI lumens ≈ LED Lumens value / 2.4.
What are the suitable Lumens/ANSI Lumens for a projector?
The suitable lumens or ANSI lumens for a projector depend on several factors, such as the environment, screen size, ambient light, and intended use.
For indoor use, a projector with a brightness of 200 ANSI lumen is usually sufficient for a small to medium-sized room with controlled lighting. For larger rooms or brighter environments, such as conference rooms or classrooms with windows, a projector with 1,000 to 2,000 ANSI lumen or higher may be required to ensure a clear and bright image.
For outdoor use, the required brightness will depend on the time of day and the amount of ambient light in the environment. For daytime use, a projector with at least 4,000 ANSI lumen or higher may be necessary to overcome the brightness of the sun. For nighttime use or in low-light environments, a projector with 2,000 to 3,000 ANSI lumen may be sufficient.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed what are lumen and ANSI lumen, as well as how to convert between them ( simple equation is ANSI lumens ≈ LED Lumens value / 2.4 ). What's more, suitable lumen ranges for indoor and outdoor needs were suggested.
However, it's also important to note that higher brightness doesn't always mean better quality. A projector with a very high brightness level in a dark room may cause eye strain or wash out the colors in the image. In addition to brightness, other factors such as contrast ratio, resolution, throw distance, and color accuracy should also be considered when choosing a projector.
By the way, it's best to consult with a professional or do some research to determine the appropriate lumens or ANSI lumens for your specific needs and environment. Feel free to Contact Us if in need!