When you buy a Projector and Project it on the surface for the first time, you may not get a rectangular image. Due to the placement of the Projector, you might have to make Keystone Correction. So, What is Keystone on a Projector? That’s what we are going to discuss today along with How Keystone Correction Works.
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What is Keystone on a Projector?
When you buy a new Projector, the image projected on the wall might look in the shape of a Trapezoid instead of a Rectangle. It mostly happens when we don’t keep the Projector straight center to the screen, or when the Projector is not exactly perpendicular to the screen.
You may face these kinds of issues when you are settings up a new Projector or moving the Projector to another location.
So, to counter this issue, Projector manufacturers have invented a feature called Keystone Correction.
The process of correcting the Projector Image from Trapezoidal shape to Rectangular is called Keystone Correction. And, it can be done through Manual Method or Digital Method.
You can either move the Projector and place it at the proper distance & height until you see a perfect rectangle screen.
Or
You can use the Keystone Correction to adjust the image shape without moving the Projector.
Sometimes, there isn’t enough place for a Projector to move left or right. Even if you move it, you should also place it at a proper height from the ground. And, you may not find the furniture suitable for that. It is even more difficult to move a mounted projector. So, to avoid all that hassle, we use Keystone Correction.
Here is how Keystone Correction Works.
How does Keystone Correction Works?
Manual Keystone Correction:
Some Projectors have a slider on the top surface of the Projector, using which you can adjust the Image. The slider is connected to the lens inside, and by rotating it, the lens will adjust itself to change the orientation of the Image.
Most Projectors only have 2D Keystone Correction, which means you can adjust only two directions of the screen. When you move the slider, the image tilts backward and forward, through which you shall adjust your image.
There are some Projectors that have Manual 4D Keystone Correction so that you can adjust vertically as well as horizontally.
However, there is one big drawback of using Manual Keystone Correction. Manual Keystone Correction uses a slider to adjust the lens. Therefore, sometimes, the lens would lose focus, and it would take longer for you to adjust the screen and focus of the lens using the Manual Method.
Digital Keystone Correction:
With Digital Keystone Correction, you can adjust the image vertically as well as horizontally.
If you go to the Projector Settings, you will find the option Keystone Correction (if the Projector has the feature).
Some Projectors provide you the option to manually extend or shorten each corner of the image using the remote to make it a rectangle. And some Projector Models have Vertical & Horizontal aligning systems.
Degree of Correction:
Earlier we said you can adjust the Projected image manually by using the Slider. However, the slider won’t rotate 360 degrees. Even the slider has its limit. Some Projectors have 15 Degree of Correction, some have 30, and some even 45.
That means if you get a Projector with 15 Degree of Correction, you can adjust the lens only upto 15 degrees. Therefore, look at the Projector Specifications for the Keystone Correction feature before buying.
Final Words:
Try not to alter the Keystone Correction unless it is necessary. If you are not a technical person, you might even make the image worse than it already was.
However, it is a useful feature. And, if you are looking to buy a new Projector, you should get a Projector with Keystone Correction.
Also, check out What to Know When Buying a Projector?
Personally, I prefer a Projector with Digital Keystone Correction as it has fewer limitations. I hope, with this article, you understood What is Keystone on a Projector, and How Keystone Correction Works.