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Buyer's Guide
Need some help choosing the Projector that's right for you or your business?
The Buyer's Guide should help you decide which projector best suits your needs. You can narrow your choices down by simply answering some questions about what kind of projector you want. How sharp and clear of an image do you want? What amount of brightness are you looking for? Do you want your projector to be portable? What else should I look for? How much do you want to spend? Once you answer these questions you should have a good idea of which projectors will accommodate your needs.
How sharp and clear of an image do you want?
Resolution is what determines how sharp and clear the picture will be. Put simply, resolution is the number of pixels, or picture elements, the projector uses to create the image. The more pixels, the higher the resolution. Resolution is usually measured by two numbers, horizontal by vertical (800 x 600.) A projector's resolution is usually referred to as "true" or "native" resolution meaning a native resolution of 800 x 600 actually has 800 x 600 physical pixels displayed. Some projectors use what's called compression technology to be compatible with higher resolutions.
There are advantages to both higher and lower resolutions. A projector with a higher resolution will show more details and the pixels will be harder to see because they are smaller but they are also more expensive. Lower resolution projectors won't cost you as much but can still produce high quality images that are just as bright and attractive as higher resolutions would. So unless you need to have a clearer, more detailed image, a lower resolution will be your best bet when thinking about cost.
The most common resolutions are:
1. SVGA, or "800 x 600" - best for simple pie and bar charts, clip art, great for PowerPoint type software, good for standard NTSC video, or American television.
2. XGA, or "1024 x 768" - great for newer laptops, a must for higher detailed spreadsheets, better than SVGA for HDTV and home theater applications.
3. SXGA, or "1280 x 1024" - best for high tech applications like CAD/CAM drawings, great for HDTV and home theater applications.
4. WXGA, or "1366 x 768" - works best for HDTV and home theater applications.
5. UXGA, or "1600 x 1200" - workstation applications with very high resolution. There aren't very many products with UXGA native resolution.
Choose resolution based on how you plan on using your projector and what applications you will be using on it. For business purposes keep in mind that the best resolution for your projector is the resolution of the computer you plan to use it with. Again, you can use a higher resolution computer with a lower resolution projector or vice versa if its compatible but the picture will lose some sharpness and detail in the conversion.
What amount of brightness are you looking for?
Brightness refers to how much light output a projector has and is measured in ANSI(American National Standards Institute) lumens. Typically, the more brightness you have the better the image will look. The brightness you need will depend on how and where you plan to use your projector. A darker, smaller environment with not much ambient light won't require as much brightness as a bigger, brighter environment that has more ambient light. For a home theater you can use a projector with a lower brightness since it will probably be used in a smaller and darker environment. A projector for your business will require a little more brightness if you are giving a presentation that requires taking notes and reading detailed reports. On the other hand, a presentation with more graphics and/or video can be viewed in a darker room allowing for less brightness. Basically, the more light in the room or the farther away the projector, the brighter your projector should be.
Do you want your projector to be portable?
Projectors come in a wide range of size and weight. They can be smaller than a laptop computer and weigh as little 2-3 pounds. The smaller projectors will usually have some compromise in brightness and image quality. If you are going to be making many presentations and traveling frequently you will want a projector to be more portable and lightweight. If you plan to use your projector in the same place most of the time you should sacrifice portability for better performance.
What else should I look for?
There are a few other features included in most projectors that you should
also pay attention to.
Contrast Ratio: Contrast is the ratio between the
brightest and darkest areas of the image. Generally, you want a contrast ratio
of 400:1 or higher to get the best video image or the most legible
computer/graphics image. The higher the contrast ratio, the greater the
ability of a projector to show subtle color details and tolerate extraneous
room light. Room light substantially impacts contrast ratios. If you intend to
use your projector with the lights on, consider projectors with very high
contrast ratios.
Lamp Life: All projectors use lamps that only last a
certain amount of hours. The manufacturer sets a limit based on how long the
projector will function at its highest quality. LCD and DLP projectors
typically have a lamp life between 1000-2000 hours. This specification is
actually referring to the 'half-life' of the lamp. The half-life is the point
where the lamp is half as bright as it was new. The lamp will generally last
longer but the brightness of the image will start to deteriorate. Replacement
lamps are usually around $400 depending on model and manufacturer. You will
want to factor in lamp replacement based on how you intend to use your
projector.
Video Compatibility and Signal Standards: Most projectors
accept the standard video formats NTSC, PAL and SECAM. A lot of newer
projectors will also be HDTV compatible. Most video devices accept composite
and S-video as two types of signal transmission. Almost all projectors will
accept both inputs. However, there is a new standard known as component video.
Some of the new DVD players offer a component video output signal in addition
to composite and S-video. You will also be able to get component video signals
from some satellite systems. Televisions and projectors that are equipped to
handle the component video signal will produce a superior video image than
those which cannot. If you are interested in optimizing video performance and
you have a video source that offers component video output, check the spec
sheet for component video, or alternatively (Y, R-Y, B-Y) or YPbPr.
Mount Ability: With most projectors you will have the
option of mounting from the ceiling along with on top of a table or cart. If
you're planning on a permanent setup for your projector, consider the
convenience of rear screen or ceiling mountable projectors. Be aware that rear
screen and ceiling mounted projector images must be reversed or flipped in
order to appear properly on the screen. Although most projectors these days
have this feature, you will want to verify that the projector has that
capability and that a ceiling mount exists for the desired projector.
Keystone Correction: A keystone effect happens when you
project an image from any angle except straight onto the projection surface
and results in an image that is not completely square. Many projectors now
include a feature that corrects horizontal keystone (when you are projecting
downward or upward). Others go a step further and provide additional
correction for vertical displacement (when you are projecting from either side
of the screen). Multiple Computer Ports: If you want to connect multiple
computers or video sources to the projector simultaneously, you will need
multiple input jacks to accommodate this. Data Signal Ports: Most importantly,
make sure the projector you choose supports the computers you intend to use
now and in the near future. This is a significant investment and the pace of
change in the computer industry should be a consideration. PC and PC
compatibles are nearly always supported with a direct connection, but
Macintosh may be a separate connector or require an adaptor. If you are using
a workstation, check that the models you intend to use are supported in the
manner you intend to use them and if adaptors are needed, know whether they
are included or an additional cost item. Uniformity: The uniformity of
brightness and contrast between black and white can be just as important to
overall image quality as the brightness figure. Uniformity is the percentage
of brightness carried from corner to corner and edge to edge of your image. A
higher uniformity rating means better consistency throughout your image. For
the most consistent images, look for a uniformity rating of 85% or better.
Lens Specifications: The effectiveness of a lens is indicated by a throw
ratio. The throw ratio represents the video projector's distance from the
screen compared to the width of the projected image. This will determine how
big of an image you can have when consider how far back your projector will be
from the projection screen.
How much do you want to spend?
Projector prices can vary from around $1,000 to over $15,000 with most of them falling between $3,000 to $7,000. The biggest factors in dictating the price of projector will be resolution and brightness. Size and other features will also influence how expensive a projector is. Finding the best fit for your needs that also falls into your price range isn't easy but hopefully we've cleared things up a lot.
Some content used with permission from ProjectorCentral.com
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