How every number is measured.

Every figure in a SpykeVision review comes from the same bench protocol, so results are comparable across projectors and reproducible by anyone with similar equipment. This page documents that protocol in full. If a review deviates from it, the deviation is stated next to the measurement.

The bench

• Meter: calibrated lux meter (NIST-certified), mounted on a tripod.
• Stray light control: the sensor sits inside a velvet tube — velvet both inside and outside — to minimize stray reflections. The sensor is always fully illuminated, and the angle is chosen so no shadows fall inside the tube.
• Picture modes: unless stated otherwise, measurements use the manufacturer-calibrated modes — typically ISF Night / D65 or Movie.
• Thermal stabilization: the projector warms up before any reading is taken.

The 90-second rule

Laser projectors throttle. On a sustained full-white field, light output can start decaying after ~2 minutes and keep dropping for 10–15 minutes before stabilizing — I’ve measured drops of over 12%. That’s invisible with real content, but fatal for measurement consistency. So every reading is taken within 90 seconds of pattern display. Each review also documents the throttling behaviour itself: how soon decay starts, how deep it goes, and when it stabilizes.

Brightness

Brightness is measured across the full zoom and iris range, not just the spec-sheet sweet spot. That’s how you find out what the projector actually delivers at your throw distance — and how much light the “best contrast” configuration really costs.

Native contrast (On/Off)

Full-field on/off contrast, measured at every zoom and iris combination. Black level readings are taken with the same tube-shielded sensor; the protocol keeps black readings well above the meter’s noise floor so the ratios are trustworthy.

ANSI contrast

Standard checkerboard pattern, measured in two lens configurations: centered and shifted to the vertical extreme. Lens shift measurably changes ANSI contrast on many projectors, and most published numbers silently use whichever position flatters the product — here both are reported.

ADL contrast curve

The headline metric of these reviews: the full contrast curve across Average Display Level (ADL) — from on/off through 1%, 5%, and up to the 50% ANSI point — measured at several zoom positions in the projector’s maximum-contrast configuration. On/off and ANSI are two single points; the ADL curve is what your eyes actually get across real scenes. You can explore and compare these curves yourself in the ADL Calculator.

Dynamic systems (iris, laser dimming)

Dynamic contrast features are measured, not just eyeballed. Laser dimming and highlight brightness are measured separately, across a defined set of film scenes spanning a wide range of ADL values. The result is assessed as a function of scene ADL: how active the system is, how much it dims, and what the real contrast multiplier looks like — with particular attention below 5% ADL, the perceptually most sensitive zone for black level. Activation behaviour, speed, and the content that defeats the system are documented alongside the numbers.

Optics

• Sharpness: resolution test patterns across the frame and the zoom range.
• Distortion: checked against a laser level.
• White-field uniformity: full-field maps at multiple zoom positions, including color tint shifts across the frame.
• Lens shift: optical behaviour across the shift range.
• Laser speckle: evaluated on the screen surfaces used for testing.

Noise, power, gaming

• Fan and system noise is assessed per picture mode, including the acoustic side effects of features like anti-RBE.
• Power consumption is measured per mode.
• Input lag and motion are tested with real gaming content across the projector’s game-mode options.

Corrections

The pattern, instrument, and conditions are documented alongside each chart, so any measurement can be reproduced. Spotted something off? Write via the contact form — corrections are published openly.