Do you want to watch your favorite movie or baseball game on a large screen (larger than HDTV) using an RCA home theater projector but are not sure how it works? Well, you're in the right place. We've scoured the internet for the answer and have it below!
It's easy and a breeze to use an RCA home theater projector. You don't have to be an engineer or a computer expert. Here are five things you need to learn:
- Projector Placement
- Projector Controls
- Connecting Media To The Projector Screen
- Connecting Audio Output (Aux Out / Line Out / Earphones)
- Projector Menus
In this article, we are featuring more than the best practices in using RCA home theater projectors. We'll also cover how to connect your iPhone using a projector, a list of related RCA home theater products, and why it is safer than an HDTV.
How To Use An RCA Home Theater Projector
According to Gadget Review, RCA projectors are simple, relatively inexpensive, and designed for versatility and easy setup.
RCA home theater projector offers an easy smartphone connection without downloading an app. It's capable of HDMI, VGA, AV, and USB interfaces. It provides 60% more brightness than an ordinary projector.
It supports 1920 x 1080 resolutions for home entertainment and is ideal for playing videos, watching TV series, football matches, and photo-sharing.
Step-By-Step User Guide
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The RCA official website provides a manual on how to use their home theater projectors.
You only need to follow these basic steps:
1. Projector Placement
The first step is to find the best location at your home. A room with no windows is ideally the best place since it eliminates unnecessary illumination. If there is none, blackout roller blinds can do the trick.
You can opt for any of these arrangements when installing an RCA theater projector:
- Front table: This is the most common and easy way where the projector is in front of the screen.
- Rear table: The projector is placed near the floor behind the screen.
- Front ceiling: Using a mount, the projector is suspended upside down from the ceiling in front of the screen.
- Rear ceiling. The projector is suspended upside down from the ceiling behind the screen, and a rear projection screen for this setup.
Both the front and rear table configurations are easy to do. The front and rear ceilings require purchasing a projector mount before installation.
2. Projector Controls
- Remove the lens cover.
- Connect the power plug using the AC power adapter and set it on.
- To reduce any image distortions, move the projector close to the center of the screen.
- The focus adjustment knob located at the front near the lens will ensure the focus of the images.
- The distance between the projector and the screen will determine the screen size. Note that the farther the projector, the larger the screen size, and vice versa.
- If you prefer your projector mounted at the ceiling, you need to measure the distance before attaching it.
- The remote control requires batteries; they are the triple A/UM4 types.
3. Connecting Media To The Projector Screen
The RCA home theater projector has ports for HDMI, AV, and VGA connections. They are on the right side of the device, opposite the lens. Make sure to locate the specific cords for the port you want to use.
4. Connecting Audio Output (Aux Out / Line Out / Earphones)
Aside from the ports above, the projector also has ports for earphones, USB, and Micro SD Card “TF." There is also Bluetooth Playback.
You can pair the Bluetooth device with the audio to a speaker to activate. After accomplishing Step 4, you can choose the media you want and start watching a show.
5. Projector Menus
There are five menu options to make adjustments to your projector. Press ‘M’, and then press again to the previous status before you can use the various menus below:
- Menu 1.0 - contains the software upgrade and native information of your projector model.
- Menu 2.0 - shows settings for picture mode standard, color temperature, screen ratio, noise reduction, MPEG noise, and panel flip rotation settings.
- Menu 3.0 - allows you to select the sound effects for standard, movie, music, or sports.
- Menu 4.0 - shows the clock (Day/Month/Year/Hour/Minutes), On-Off timer settings, and auto sleep timer adjustment.
- Menu 5.0 - shows how to get back to factory default, the language, and the auto color range.
Check out this RCA Theater projector on Amazon.
Will An RCA Home Theater Projector Work With An iPhone?
Apple's official website provides instructions on connecting an iPhone to a projector. Further research reveals you can connect an iPhone to an RCA projector by following any of these two methods:
Using An HDMI Adapter And Cable
You need (1) an HDMI adapter for your iPhone and (2) Lightning-HDMI-Projection Screen Converter.
- Once the projector is on, select HMDI mode as the input source.
- Plug the HDMI port of the adapter into the projector's HDMI port.
- Plug the lighting port of the adapter into the port of the iPhone.
- Click the 'trust' button on the iPhone to allow access to the projector. It mirrors what's on the iPhone's screen.
- Some programs like YouTube and PowerPoint will automatically adjust on the projector screen. Other programs may need setting adjustments.
See this Apple Lightning to HDMI digital adapter at Amazon.
Apple makes plenty of version upgrades to its software. Make sure to use Apple-branded accessories to prevent third-party lockups.
Using Bluetooth For Mirror Screening
- Start the projector and press the menu button.
- Use the arrow buttons to select Bluetooth and then push "on."
- Turn the Bluetooth on the iPhone and choose the Bluetooth signal to pair with the projector.
- You can use your song list on your iPhone to play on the projector.
What Are Some Similar RCA Projectors? What Are Their Features?
The RCA projectors below offer features like streaming services, portability, and a built-in DVD player. You can choose which one suits your needs:
RCA Roku Smart Home Theater Projector
The product offers streaming options from Roku and Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV+, and other streaming services.
View this RCA Roku Home Theater projector on Amazon.
It's also capable of a voice remote that controls power and volume and other features of the Roku platform. This model features a 1,000:1 contrast and supports 1080p (as well as 1080i, 720p, 576i, 480p, and 480i) through HDMI input.
RCA - RPJ060 Portable Projector Home Theater Entertainment System
It boasts an integrated 8400mAh lithium battery with a 2.5-hour runtime after a full charge.
Check out this RCA Portable projector on Amazon.
Built as a projector-on-the-move type, it doesn't require a cable to operate after charging, allowing you to watch a whole movie or any content without an outlet.
RCA RPJ140 Projector with Built-in Bluetooth & DVD Player and Movie Projector
The product features a built-in DVD player and supports direct playback of CD, DVD, and VCD, on a large screen.
See this RCA Projector and DVD Player on Amazon.
This projector has HDMI, AV, VGA, and Micro SD card ports, which allows you to use it with a laptop, PC, TV boxes, Fire TV stick, Chrome book, tablets, Blu-ray DVD players, Micro SD card, USB flash drives, media players, iPad, iPhone, Android Smartphones.
What Makes A Home Theater Projector Safer Than HDTV?
According to UC Davis Health, the long-term effects of screen exposure from digital devices, such as TV screens, are a severe concern.
TV screens produce direct blue light that can damage the eyes. Projectors release blue light in an indirect form which makes them less harmful. Projectors show larger images which put less strain on the eyes.
The human eye is not good at blocking blue light. Almost all visible blue light passes through the cornea and lens and reaches the retina, which converts light for the brain to process into images.
Consequently, prolonged exposure to blue light can damage the retina and our vision.
What Are Common Issues With Projectors? [And How To Fix Them]
K12 Tech, a service partner of top tech companies, offers these tips:
- If a projector is not turning on, ensure it's properly plugged in. A remote control may have fully-spent batteries, so ensure the projector is not on standby mode.
- If there is overheating, make sure to clear the area around it.
- If the projector light is blinking, it may need maintenance. The lamp light burns out due to use and needs replacement. Take care of any clutter around the projector that may block its vents.
- If the projector image has discoloration, check the color settings. The projector's lamp causes discoloration. When using a VGA cable, inspect it to see if it needs replacement.
- If the projector lamp burns out, then no image will appear.
Contact a technician to repair or replace parts if the above recommendations don't work.
To Finish
RCA Home Theater projector offers a simple, inexpensive, and durable alternative to HDTV. Setting it up is easy with a few steps. Further, it's also adaptable for the iPhone. Studies show it is safer than HDTV due to the indirect use of blue light.
Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related home articles below!
How To Connect Home Theater To TV Without HDMI [Step By Step Guide]