What is the true brightness of the projector? Quickly learn how to distinguish ANSI/CVIA/ISO lumens

Understanding Lumens, ANSI Lumens, CVIA, and ISO Brightness Standards

When buying a projector, one of the most confusing and misused specifications is brightness. Sellers often use terms like “3000 lumens,” “150 ANSI lumens,” “CVIA lumens,” or “ISO brightness.” But these values are not interchangeable—and often not accurate.

This article provides a clear breakdown of the four most common brightness terms used in the projector industry, helps you avoid misleading marketing claims, and explains how to evaluate true projector performance.

1. "Lumens" (No Standard – Marketing Value Only)

When a product simply lists "lumens" without a standard (e.g., ANSI or ISO), it usually refers to a marketing value rather than a measurable specification.

• No official test method
• Easily exaggerated, often 5–10× higher than reality
• Frequently used in low-end or unbranded models

Example: A projector advertised as “3000 lumens” might only deliver 100–150 ANSI lumens in real performance.

2. ANSI Lumens – Global Industry Standard (USA)

ANSI lumens are defined by the American National Standards Institute and are the most globally recognized way to measure projector brightness.

• Uses a 9-point light test method across the image
• Provides average brightness across the entire projected screen
• Suitable for fair performance comparison

However, many sellers now falsely claim "ANSI lumens" without offering proper testing proof.

Best practice: Always ask for real test photos, lab measurement reports, or comparison videos to verify claims.

3. CVIA Lumens – China’s New Official Standard

Introduced in 2023, CVIA lumens (developed by the China Video Industry Association) is a standardized brightness measurement designed to reflect actual user experience.

• Takes into account factors like ambient light, image size, and projection contrast
• More consumer-friendly than raw ANSI values
• Becoming common in newer Chinese-brand projectors

Although CVIA values may appear slightly higher than ANSI, they provide a realistic reference for home-use projectors.

4. ISO Lumens – European Measurement Standard

ISO 21118 is an international brightness standard, widely used by Japanese and European manufacturers.

• Similar testing method to ANSI lumens, but more detailed documentation required
• Often used by big brands like Epson, Sony, and XGIMI
• Less common in budget or entry-level projectors

ISO lumens are highly reliable, but testing is expensive, so it’s mainly adopted by top-tier global brands.

Brightness Term Comparison Table

Why the Right Brightness Matters

Projector brightness directly affects:

• Image clarity in different lighting environments
• Screen size and projection distance
• Viewer comfort and contrast perception

However, brighter is not always better. Overshooting brightness can reduce color saturation, affect black levels, and hurt eye comfort in dark rooms.

Recommended Brightness by Use Scenario

Beware of Misleading Brightness Claims

Due to the growing popularity of projector usage, some sellers deliberately inflate brightness specs—even when labeling as "ANSI."

To avoid being misled:

• Ask for actual measurement photos or videos
• Verify whether the seller uses ANSI, CVIA, ISO, or marketing values
• Compare real-world projection effects

Ehomm’s Commitment to Honest Brightness Specs

At Ehomm, we are committed to providing only accurate and measurable brightness data. All ANSI brightness values listed on our official website are based on actual lab testing, not guesswork or inflated numbers.

We believe that long-term trust is built on transparency, and we’re happy to provide real projection photos or demo footage for our partners.

Final Thoughts

Understanding brightness units—Lumens vs ANSI vs CVIA vs ISO—is essential to avoid making a costly mistake.

When choosing a projector, don’t focus only on high numbers. Instead, focus on authentic measurements, real use cases, and transparent suppliers.

If you’re sourcing home-use projectors for your brand or business, contact our team today. We’ll help you choose the right brightness level for your needs—backed by real testing and data.