With so many projector varieties available, it could take forever to choose the right one! Today’s article will discuss how to make the process of choosing a projector a simpler task.
Primary Activity
First, consider how your projector will be used. Projectors are chosen for one particular activity or many. However, look for specific features that can support the mainactivity. The following examples will steer you in the right direction to find the best projector for different settings and circumstances:
Interactive
An interactive projector is an powerful training medium to engage students and enhance their learning experience. The main advantage of an interactive projector is its ability to present media on any surface just like a smart board. Moreover, these types of projectors are compatible with interactive computer software applications that can be displayed on a screen.
Small Office
Projectors used in a small office need to be reasonably priced and portable to allow presentations to take place from any given location. If you need a projector to bring the “wow” factor with your presentation, opt for one that features a traditional lamp to maximize your media’s visual delivery. Other factors to consider when buying a small office projector is its maintenance requirements. Projectors integrated with LED technology provide extensive operation without maintenance compared to traditional lamp projectors.
Side Note: LEDs last 20,000 or more hours without needing to replace the light source. They allow for cooler operation than traditional lamp projectors and lead and mercury don’t exist in any of their components.
Mobile
If your projector will be used mainly on-the-go, consider investing in a Pico, Mobile LED projector, or palmtop projector. These projectors can weigh anywhere from a few pounds to just a few ounces. They can usually deliver document presentations without being connected to a computer and are designed to startup up your presentation very quickly. Some Pico projector models (just a little larger than a smartphone) can easily fit inside of your bag, backpack, briefcase, or even your pocket! Multiple models can project content through a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL)-enabled HDMI port or via Bluetooth from a smartphone or tablet.
Side Note: Pico projectors typically feature media at a dimmer brightness level and are considered pricey for their performance capability. Palmtop projectors are bigger and deliver higher brightness than Pico projectors and have more connection options. Both of these mini projectors can run files from an SD card or USB thumb drive. In addition, several models are integrated with rechargeable batteries. Some models are even capable of storing 1GB or more of media files.
Large Venue
If your presentation is meant to be seen by a large audience, you’ll need a large venue projector to deliver a presentation with excellent visual contrast and maximum brightness. Other features to look for is a dual-lamp design for power-packed operation, a range of lens options for flexibility with installation, and network support for remote handling and control.
Rooms with Ambient Light
A user-friendly data projector that features remote control options is a great pick if you need to run your presentation in a conference room setting without delay. Ambient light level combined with the actual light intensity in your viewer’s line of sight can greatly influence their perception of your presentation. Select a high-lumens projector when you need to control the presence of ambient light to achieve higher image resolutions.
Home Theater
The home theater setting always involves big-screen images. Presentations that deliver vibrant colors and high resolution complete (except for the popcorn and musty cinema smell) the “theater experience.” In this setting you’ll need a “multimedia projector” that delivers a greater level of color saturation and powerful contrast ratio to ensure that movies and other projected images maintain their visual appeal. An easy-to-use remote control will be a top feature to look for with your projector. You may also want to consider getting one with 3-D capabilities so it’s compatible with 3-D movies or 3-D games, for example, that is also integrated with stereo audio capabilities for exciting gameplay.
Side Note: Check carefully to ensure that all the elements of your 3-D system are compatible. Your projector’s required brightness level will depend on three things: the content, the image size, and the level of brightness of the room (dark to full
lights) with each element affecting the other. A home theater projector used in a pitch black room can produce a large, bright image in the 1,000 to 1,200 lumens range.
Conclusion
Projectors continue to improve in their brightness delivery, picture quality, and innovative features. Whatever a projector’s main use will be, it’s important to understand key things about projection first before you ever make an investment.