Tell Me More: Power Point Projector Resolution

When choosing an LCD projector for your Power Point presentations, choosing the correct resolution is essential. The wrong resolution on your Power Point projector can drastically reduce the sharpness of the projected images.

Resolution refers to the number of dots of light that appear on a screen or a projection to make up a projected image. Take care to note the "native" resolution of the Power Point 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 Power Point projector is as easy as knowing the resolution of your computer. If you plan on upgrading your PC soon, buy a projector with a fairly high resolution that will match newer laptops.

Your presentation will not come to a screeching halt if the resolution on your notebook and Power Point 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’ll have to lower your image quality standards: interpolation degrades the sharpness and readability of your images.

The two most common resolutions right now are SVGA (800x600) and XGA (1024x768). Higher resolutions like SXGA (1,280x1,024) will dramatically increase your costs but can look great when paired with the right computer. VGA (640x480) is no longer an acceptable resolution, and you would be hard-pressed to find modern projectors that support it.