Projectors

Professional presentations from business to pleasure

A projector is a worthwhile investment if you make many presentations, whether for school or work. Computer projectors hook up easily to a laptop and are ideal for PowerPoint and other technical demonstrations. Video projectors can attach to a video camera, DVDplayer or VCR, and are good for playing movies or home videos.

Projectors come in two varieties: LCD and DLP. An LCD projector has three liquid-crystal display panels (red, blue and green) through which a light signal is sent. The color saturation and image sharpness of LCD projectors are generally better than those of DLP projectors. They work best in small classrooms, boardrooms and living rooms for their low fan noise, but they can also address the needs of bigger classrooms and boardrooms, since they display crisp text for presentations in addition to images.

A DLP projector works through a process called digital light processing. It uses a digital micromirror device, which is a series of over one million microscopic mirrors. A DLP projector reflects light off these mirrors, each of which is angled differently according to the color it needs to display. The contrast in DLP projectors is higher than in LCD projectors, but the image is smoother and without pixilation. While LCD projectors may produce crisper still images, DLP projectors are better for video. They are also very light, making them better for mobile use – LCD projectors are excellent as a permanent installation on a ceiling or wall.

The devices you want to connect to the projector must also be taken into consideration. Many projectors include inputs for computers, video devices such as DVD players and VCRs, and components such as HDTV and video cameras, allowing for great versatility in your projector usage.

Must-Have Features

  • An easy-to-use, simple remote will allow for smooth, speedy presentations.
  • Ensure the projector is compatible with the equipment you want to use it with.
  • An aspect ratio of 4:3 is ideal for watching classic movies, television shows on DVD and IMAX specials, while 16:9 is good for HDTV and widescreen DVD.
  • A resolution of 1280 x 720 is ideal for purchasing projectors on a budget, but if you have the cash to spend, a 1920 x 1080 resolution is better.

Major Considerations

  • Do I need an LCD or a DLP projector?
  • Where do I plan to use my projector?
  • How bright do I need my projector to be?
  • What screen size or projection area will suit my needs?

Top Manufacturers

  • Sony
  • Sharp
  • Panasonic
  • InFocus
  • JVC

Common Accessories or Add-Ons

Price Range

Projectors can be found for under $1,000, or even as low as around $300. Others can cost up to $5,000. However, the costs of maintaining a projector don’t end with the initial price. Projector bulbs, which generally run at a price of $300 to $600, will need to be replaced.

Summary

Projectors can display quality presentations in the boardroom or interesting lectures in the classroom, or they can be part of an entertaining home theatre system in your living room. From LCD to DLP, there are a variety of options that make quality presentations and video a possibility in any school, business or home.