Multimedia projectors introduction
As far as critical equipment goes, the multimedia projector you choose for your make-or-break presentation is as important as it gets. You can spend hours memorizing figures, writing witty anecdotes on note cards, and ironing that power suit.
But even if your content is knock-’em dead good, the effectiveness of your presentation depends on the audience being able to see it clearly. A high quality digital projector can make the difference between a presentation that sings or falls flat.
The multimedia projector industry has exploded as notebook computers and projectors have replaced slide trays and transparencies in conference rooms everywhere. The size and price of projectors have shrunk accordingly, as manufacturers scramble to cater to businesses that want projection devices that are as small and affordable as the laptops their presentations are built on.
Different projection technologies have helped pave the way for the current crop of low-weight machines. Of course, depending on the type of projector you need, weight may not be a factor at all. Not that that makes your decision any easier - choosing a model with the correct resolution, brightness, and other features can still be a difficult task.
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Types of video projectors
As is the case with most office products, video projectors have a few important features that are crucial to understand before making the right purchase. The projector type, resolution, brightness, lamp type, and lens specifications will all depend on the primary role the projector will fill: part of your traveling show, or permanent addition to your conference room?
Video projectors fall into three broad categories: ultralights, conference room projectors, and fixed installation projectors.
Ultralights (Personal)
If you're a "road warrior" – a sales or business development professional who makes frequent presentations on the road – an ultralight video projector is probably right for you. Every year, these lightweights get smaller. The lightest ultralight a couple of years ago was proud to be less than five pounds. The latest models tip the scales at under three pounds, spurring some manufacturers to offer an even smaller “micro portable” category.
Created to serve the mobile business community, ultralights now come close to matching larger models in brightness and other extra features. If weight is an important issue for you, be sure to find out the total weight of the projection system (cables, remote, case) and not just the projector. But try not to get carried away: even on an extended trip, you are not likely to notice a difference of six ounces and you'll pay extra for the very smallest models.
Conference Room
If your projector is more likely to move from room to room rather than across the country, focus on less on weight and pay more attention to performance. Conference room video projectors, sometimes called multipurpose projectors, tend to be heavier, brighter, and more adaptable to a large room than their ultralight counterparts. Depending on your budget, these projectors come with many extra features such as extra computer or video ports, remote mousing, or a laser pointer.
Fixed Installation
The pinnacle of all video projectors, fixed or in-house machines are usually installed in a permanent spot in an auditorium or presentation hall. Weighing as much as one hundred pounds, fixed machines are the most expensive projectors of the bunch, but they also are the most powerful and versatile. These projectors can handle different resolutions and image sizes, easily project in large, bright rooms, and often include ceiling mounts for permanent installation.
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LCD and DLP projection systems
Digital projection systems are often referred to as “LCD projectors” even when they're not actually using LCD technology. There are two main types of machines for projecting computer images onto a screen: LCD projectors and DLP projectors. Though not substantial, the differences between these technologies are important to recognize when comparing similarly priced models.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
LCD projectors operate by shining light through transparent LCD cells. In older thin film transistor (TFT) displays, transistors controlled each cell, changing their polarity to produce the appropriate color. More common now are advanced polysilicon LCDs, which use three separate color panels (red, green, and blue) to produce the desired color. In both types, the combination of light shining through the LCD cells produces the desired image.
DLP (Digital Light Processing)
Developed by Texas Instruments in 1996, DLP projection systems produce images by reflecting light against hundreds of tiny mirrors known as digital micromirror devices (DMD). Each mirror, representing one pixel, is individually powered by electronics that adjust the angle of the mirror according to the color being displayed. That, along with the fact they are leading the weight loss trend in the projector market, makes them very appealing for presentations. DLP projectors also handle video images extremely well.
LCD vs. DLP
There is no easy answer to this question of what type of technology to purchase. LCD projections systems tend to produce more highly saturated colors and sharper images, while some DLP projectors offer deeper blacks and higher contrast. Depending on the resolution and size of your image, you may find LCD screens too pixilated, meaning that you notice each individual point of light. However if you tend to display very detailed images, you may find the softness of DLP projectors to be a problem.
DLP projection systems were initially more expensive than similar LCD models, but that difference has largely disappeared. We recommend that you compare two projectors with the same brightness and resolution to see which type of projection is best for you.
LCOS projectors
Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) technology uses liquid crystals to control the path of light to micro mirrors. By combining elements of DLP and LCD projectors, LCOS projectors are able to create very high-resolution images with excellent color saturation.
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Portable projector weight
The first feature that you should decide upon is projector weight – or whether weight is even an issue. If the "portable" projector is going to be mounted in a boardroom or carted from office to office, how much it weighs is not going to matter.
On the other hand, if you plan on bringing your portable projector on external sales pitches or to conferences, weight will be critical to your future happiness. While a couple of pounds may not sound significant, consider lugging that weight from the office to a taxi to an airplane, back in the taxi and then over to the conference center. And do not forget you will also be toting your laptop, your notes, and any other extraneous materials.
The lightest projectors on the market are now tipping the scales below three pounds. While portable projectors have gotten lighter and lighter recently, they seem to be about as light as they are going to get for the time being. Just because a projectors is small doesn’t mean it can't measure up to larger models for image quality, brightness, and extra features.
If weight is a big issue, then get the smallest model you can, but know that you’re paying a premium for that small size. You can often save quite a bit of money buying the same features and power in a portable projector that weighs 6 ounces or a pound more. And remember, the projector weight doesn't equal what you'll be carrying through the airport. Be sure to ask about the total weight of the package, including the carrying case and any other peripherals.
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Visibility concerns
The visibility of your projected image depends on three important features: the brightness of the projector, the projection surface, and the type of lamp in your machine.
Brightness
Your presentation will crash and burn if your projector cannot produce enough light to throw images across a room and onto a screen. Accordingly, the brightness (measured in ANSI lumens) of your LCD projector or DLP projector is a key consideration.
While projectors with fewer than 1000 lumens may be sufficient for projecting black and white images in dark rooms, they may not have enough firepower to keep multicolored PowerPoint presentations from appearing washed out. When deciding how much brightness your projector should have, keep in mind how dark the rooms will typically be for your presentations and how far your projector will be from the screen. The basic rule of thumb is that big rooms with more light require brighter projectors.
Brightness ranges from 1,000 lumens for ultralights up to as much as 10,000 for fixed machines. For on-the-road presentations, 1,000 to 2,000 lumens should be fine, while larger conference rooms will need 2,000 to 4,000 lumens. Fixed installation machines in large auditoriums can require 4,000 to 5,000 lumens and up – but be prepared, these machines carry much higher price tags.
Projection surfaces
Screens are much better reflectors than plain walls, so they make projected images much more visible: you may need more brightness if you often present in locations without screens. If you purchase your own screen, you'll have to choose between white and grey backgrounds.
Perceived color in a projected image is a factor of both the projection surface and projector quality. White surfaces are best suited for natural color tones; as such, white projection surfaces are more common in most business and school presentation environments.
However, darkest black in a projected image is dependent on how dark the screen is. Because of this, some presenters and presentation space planners prefer gray screens, which create higher perceived contrast. The trade-off is that darker backgrounds can throw off color tones. Color problems can sometimes be adjusted through the projector settings, but may not be as accurate as they would on a white background.
Lamp Type
Also related to image brightness is lamp type. The most common types are UHP (Ultra High Performance) and UHE (Ultra High Efficiency) lamps; some models still use metal halide, as well. Lamp life will be rated for any projector you buy – typical lifespans are between 1,000 and 4,000 hours. Typically, lamps don't burn out suddenly, but gradually grow dimmer, giving you plenty of warning that it’s time for a replacement.
Lamps can be one of the hidden costs of a projector, as they are likely to burn out or break sometime over the life of your machine and replacement bulbs cost $250 - $600. Knowing the replacement cost of the lamp can help you determine your future spending on a given projector.
If you are comparing two projectors of the same brightness, ask about the wattage of their respective lamps. If there is a difference, go with the projector that has a lower-powered bulb. The low-watt lamp will last longer, stay cooler, and be more efficient than a bulb with a higher wattage.
Also look for projectors that have an “economy mode.” This setting reduces the power consumption of the projector, cutting brightness by about 20% in exchange for less noise, reduced electricity usage, and longer lamp lifespans. Some models have a bulb lifespan of 3,000 hours in economy mode, as opposed to 2,000 hours in standard mode.
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Digital projector resolution and lenses
Resolution refers to the number of dots of light that appear on a screen or a projection to make up a projected image, and measures the amount of detail that can be seen in an image. Take care to note the "native" resolution of the digital projectors you are interested in - while a projector may be able to work with several different resolutions, there is one native resolution at which it works best.
Choosing the right resolution for your projector is as easy as knowing the resolution of your computer. If you plan on upgrading your PC after getting a new projector, you're best off buying a projector with a fairly high resolution that will match newer laptops.
Your presentation won't come to a screeching halt if the resolution on your notebook and projector differ. Virtually all models can accept higher or lower resolution images than their native resolution via interpolation, which either expands or compresses the pixels that compose the image. However, you can expect lower quality images when using interpolation.
The two most common resolutions right now are SVGA (800x600) and XGA (1024x768). Higher resolutions like SXGA (1,280x1,024) will dramatically increase the price you should expect to pay. VGA (640x480) is no longer an acceptable resolution, and you would be hard-pressed to find modern projectors that support it.
Digital projector lenses
Zoom lenses are nearly standard on today's projectors. A zoom lens lets you project a larger or smaller image to compensate for the distance between your projector and the screen.
The f-number of the lens is a measure of how much light gets through the lens to the screen. Be sure to check how much a lens' f-number (the smaller the number, the more light) changes at different zoom settings. If the change is minimal your image will remain uniformly bright regardless of lens position.
Some lenses are now manufactured using lightweight plastics. If weight is not an issue, try to find a machine with an all-glass lens. Glass is the optimal filter for projecting images and will give you a clearer picture. However, glass lenses do make a projector heavier, so pick plastic if you are going to be on the road a lot.
Optional lenses are also available through some manufacturers and resellers. If your conference room machine will be called upon to project at different positions, angles, and varying room brightness, you should ask about interchangeable lenses.
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Prices for digital projectors
Projector prices vary dramatically, ranging from under $800 at the low end to well over $40,000 at the high end – ultra-high performance projectors for auditoriums can hit $200,000. Keep in mind the market is extremely competitive and prices continue to drop each year. The two features that have the biggest impact on price are resolution and brightness. If you want to see actual examples of what other BuyerZone users paid for LCD projectors, check out our real-world LCD projector prices article.
Most ultralight SVGA projectors fall between $800 and $2,000, with XGA's going between $1,500 and $4,000. Prices for conference room and fixed installation machines vary depending on resolution, brightness, and other extras, but expect to spend between $4,000 and $10,000 for a good system, or more if you are outfitting a large auditorium.
Prices also vary among dealers, so it usually pays to shop around. Often, the same model (with only slight variations in features) may be sold by as many as four different manufacturers under different names. Additionally, some manufacturers may give special pricing to their top dealers, which can translate to larger discounts for you.
Renting/leasing digital projectors
If the idea of an $8,000 hole in your budget keeps you from picking out the perfect addition to your conference room, there are other options. It is fairly common to rent or lease digital projectors for a monthly fee. Many three-year leases tend to run from $125 to $250 per month for a moderately priced model.
However, it’s up to you to read the contract carefully to avoid lowball offers that end up costing you more in the long run. The price will depend on the type of projector you rent, and there are wide variations in projector capabilities and construction. Make sure the contract specifies exactly the right projector for your needs.
Projector warranties and service
Warranties on digital projectors range from one to three years on parts and labor depending on the manufacturer. When offered, standard bulb coverage tends to be for 90 days.
If you travel frequently, you will want to check into warranties that cover 24-hour projector replacement in the event that shipping the projector back to the manufacturer for repair will take too long. If you are considering a projector whose warranty does not offer overnight replacements, it does not necessarily mean that you are out of luck. Some manufacturers work informally with their resellers to offer such services. Talk to potential dealers to find out if they would be willing to offer such a service.
When purchasing a projector, make sure to inquire about return policies. Some discount vendors simply do not accept returns – others may charge surprisingly high restocking fees. While you're not likely to need to return a new projector, understanding the policies can help you avoid a nasty surprise.
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More LCD projector buying tips
Here are some more tips to help you pick the right LCD or DLP projector for your needs. Much like air conditioning or power steering in a new car, these extras may help make your projector more manageable in difficult presenting conditions.
Inputs
The projector you buy is not an island unto itself. You will probably be hooking up a laptop or two, maybe a mouse, a VCR, or audio player to boot. Be sure to check out your input and output options and buy the projector that can meet your connectivity needs.
Remote Control
While the remote that comes with your projector may not be a life or death feature, it is important. The ideal remote lets you control all the features you use during a presentation without making it too complex. With your remote, you should be able to advance slides, control audio volume, switch between input sources, laser point, and zoom. In addition, most come standard with remote mousing capabilities and screen markup that allows you to digitally draw on a screen to highlight areas of interest.
Infrared remotes work just like TV remotes – they require a direct line of sight between the remote and the unit. Radio frequency (RF) remotes that do not require line of sight are becoming more common and can be useful if you have employees who like to pace around the room while giving a presentation.
Infrared remotes work just like TV remotes - they require a direct line of sight between the
remote and the unit. Radio frequency (RF) remotes that do not require line of sight are becoming
more common and can be useful if you have employees who like to pace around the room while giving
a presentation.
Picture Adjustment
You should be able to set the contrast, brightness, and sharpness for a presentation. “Keystone” correction is useful if you have to set up the projector at an angle – it allows you to square up the borders of the picture and remove distortion. Automatic keystone correction takes care of the adjustment for you. Better models allow you to save different settings for each input source.
Projection Options
For permanent installations, you may want to look for a model that can be adjusted for rear projection or inverse projection to make the projector less intrusive. Rear projection flips the image so the projector can be positioned behind the screen, while inverse projection turns the image upside down for projectors that are mounted on a ceiling.
Memory
If you plan on giving the same presentation to different audiences, you might want to look into projector memory capabilities. Memory presentation allows you to run a previously stored presentation without a computer. Simply insert a disk into the machine or a PC card into a PCMCIA slot, and present away. This can result in substantially less luggage, but eliminates the option to make changes to the presentation on the fly.
Audio amplifier and speakers
Most projectors have a built-in speaker, but the quality can vary widely. If sound plays a big role in your presentations, it's easy and economical to add a lightweight sound system for use with large groups. Add-on speakers almost always have sound quality way beyond anything built into a projector.
Wireless
Some newer projectors are wireless for easy set-up and less clutter.
More tips
Want more LCD projector tips? Read buying tips submitted by other BuyerZone users.
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