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Consumer - Home Theatre Buying Guide - Projectors
Not sure how to buy a projector
or what projector to choose? We've put some information together
to help you learn a little bit about projectors and what you need
to know when buying one.
What resolution do I need?
Projector resolution is measured in pixels which
are tiny squares that make up the image of a picture. The more
pixels there are, the sharper the image will appear. Knowing
how you will use your projector will help determine the resolution
you will need.
SVGA Projector Resolution = 800 X 600 pixels
SVGA is adequate for watching movies,
DVDs or TV, however it may show "jaggies" when trying
to show computer graphics or PowerPoint slides.
XGA Projector Resolution = 1,024 x 767
pixels
XGA has nearly become the standard
for business applications. It can display data, graphics or
video without any problem. Not only that, but most notebook
computers have a native resolution of XGA, which means the
projector will not have to down convert the data.
SXGA Projector Resolution = 1,280 x 1,024
pixels
SXGA is even better resolution.
Those who need larger images and/or extra-sharp detail should
consider an SXGA resolution projector.
UXGA Projector Resolution = 1,600 x 1200
pixels
UXGA provides very high resolution
providing superior detail. UXGA-native resolution projectors
are rare, and usually cost quite a bit more.
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Home Theater:
SVGA is adequate for home use - watching TV or movies. |
Business or Educational Room:
Will need at least XGA, possibly SXGA resolution to show computer
displays. |
Large Venue: Will probably need SXGA
resolution because of the size of the projected image. |
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How much brightness do
I need?
How big of room you will be using your projector
in, how much lighting control there is, and how much ambient
light is let into the room will help determine the brightness
you will need. Because you may have a room that is very small
and the lighting is poor, or the room size with the light available
do not match up, an adjustment of brightness will need to be
made to accommodate for both factors. The size of picture you
are projecting and the material of the screen you will use, also
play a part in brightness level you'll need. Brightness in projectors
is measure by ANSI lumens. |
Conditions
for low brightness (under 1500 ANSI):
Small rooms, controlled lighting |
 Controlled
lighting: No windows, no need for any light. A brightness under
1500 should be adequate. |
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Conditions for medium brightness (1500 - 3000 ANSI):
Medium size room such as a boardroom or classroom
(light allowing for note-taking), somewhat controlled light |
 Somewhat
controlled lighting: Allows for note taking. We recommend a brightness
between 1500 - 3000 ANSI. |
Conditions for
high brightness (3000+ ANSI):
Large room or venue, no light control
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 Poor
light conditions: Too much outside light - assuming windows cannot
be covered. We recommend at least 3000 ANSI. |
Small room: Under 1500 ANSI
should be adequate for a room this size. |
Medium-sized room: For a room
this size, we would recommend a brightness between 1500
- 3000 ANSI lumens. |
Large room: For a large venue
we would recommend having a brightness of 3000 ANSI or
higher. |
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How picture size affects
brightness
In general, the larger size image you want to
project, the higher brightness you will need to project that
image. Generally, when the size of image is doubled, the brightness
will need to be quadrupled. Note that picture size is measured
diagonally.
Here's an example: A projected image
of 100" with 2,000 ANSI brightness, would need to be about
8,000 ANSI lumens for a 200" picture size.
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What is the difference between
LCD, DLP, and LCoS/D-ILA Technology?
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display
Generally less expensive
Superior color saturation
More light efficient
DLP: Digital Light Processing
Developed by Texas Instruments
Higher contrast which can make images appear brighter than they really
are
Sharper images
Smoother gradation of colors and grays
LCoS/D-ILA: Liquid Crystal on Silicon/Direct
Drive Image Light Amplifier
LCoS Developed by IBM/D-ILA Developed
by JVC
Higher contrast
Improved white balance
Competitors to DLP technology
Keep in mind that no matter which projector
technology sounds better, that just looking at brightness specs
and contrast ratios can be deceiving. Often times projectors
with higher contrast ratios look brighter than they actually
are. The best way to choose which chip you want is by seeing
live comparisons.
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Other things to consider
Lamp Life: Replacement
lamps are one of the things that are generally not looked at
when buying a new projector, but if cost is important to you,
then the lamp life and replacement lamp cost should be looked
at. Generally, lamp life is between 1,000 to 2,000 hours. Some
lamps can have lower or higher lamp life than that, but regardless
of the lamp life, the cost of a replacement lamp can be anywhere
between $250 - $10,000 for the large venue projectors.
Extra Features: Many
features are available for projectors such as network capability,
wireless capability, security controls, changeable lenses. Please
speak with a professional to find out more.
Warranty: Most
projectors come with either a one year, a two year, or a three
year warranty. However, these warranties usually do not cover
the lamp life. Lamps usually have their own warranty of around
90 hours. If a lamp is bad, it will usually fail within that
time frame. Also, be aware that with different manufacturers,
there are different warranty programs. For example, some have
a program where the manufacturer will replace your projector
if it fails within the warranty time - within 24-48 hours. Or,
some will provide a temporary projector if your projector is
in need of repair and will not be available at the time of a
presentation. Nevertheless, don't forget to look at warranty
features available. Some manufacturers will sell extended warranties,
and a good idea is to buy from a dealer that is authorized to
service your brand of projector.
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Our Recommendation
So what projector should you buy? It depends upon
the application, where you will be using it, the quality you will
settle for, and the various features you want. Our recommendation
at TV Specialists, Inc. is to come in and speak to a specialist
with experience in this field. Our salesman know how to help you
in making the best choice for your application, and they can also
show you side-by-side views - of the same image with different
projectors - so you can make the ultimate judgment for yourself.
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