LCD Projectors Buyer's Guide
More LCD projector buying tips
Table of Contents
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
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.
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
Projectors with memory capabilities allow you to run your presentation without a computer: you simply insert a CD or PCMCIA card and get started. This can result in substantially less luggage, but eliminates the option to make changes to the presentation on the fly. Also be aware that PCMCIA cards can't handle anything beyond still images: they can't display PowerPoint slide transitions, animations, MPEG movies, or sounds.
Network connectivity
Another option for computerless presenting, a built-in network connection lets you pull your slide deck directly from a network. Look for wired and/or wireless LAN support.
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, PC server use, and less clutter.
More tips
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