Learn about DLP® projectors
The right projector, demystified.
How bright should my projector be?
Lumens: Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens. Front projectors start as low as 1,000 lumens and can reach an output of more than 2,500 lumens.
Ambient light: Projectors with a lower brightness are perfectly adequate for lights-off presentations. However, if you present in rooms where ambient light is difficult to control, or if you want the advantage of presenting to your audience without turning off the lights, you'll require a projector with an output of at least 1,500 lumens.
Audience size: The size of your audience also affects how bright your projector needs to be. Larger audiences require larger images, which also require higher lumen output. For larger presentations, brighter projectors outputting 2,000 lumens or more are quickly becoming the industry standard.
Deciding on brightness:
- For low ambient light situations, 1,000 lumens is enough.
- For rooms with some ambient light, 1,500 lumens is the standard and the minimum for larger presentations.
- For presenting in bright ambient light, >2,000 lumens is recommended—and is ideal for large-audience presentations.
How do I get the clearest picture?
Resolution: To ensure the best picture quality, you can adjust your laptop's resolution setting to match the projector's native resolution.
Brightness uniformity: Brightness uniformity is also an important part of image quality. Uniformity represents the percentage of brightness carried throughout a projected image. A higher uniformity percentage indicates that the projector delivers brightness more evenly from the center to the corners of the projected image, eliminating hot spots and distortion. For consistently high image quality, look for a uniformity rating of 85% or better.
Work or play? Many DLP® projectors produce such clear and brilliant video that they're also great for big screen images at home. HDTV compatibility in your DLP® projector is something you should consider if you have the option of taking your DLP® projector home.
For the clearest picture:
- Manually adjust your computer's resolution to match that of your projector.
- Look for brightness uniformity of 85% or better.
What are the features
I should look for?
Plug-and-play: Most of today's DLP® projectors are plug-and-play and user-friendly, and can be put together in a matter of minutes. Even with the challenges of a constantly changing environment, in most cases all you'll need wherever you go is a power outlet.
Your projector will probably come with about as much hardware as a laptop (usually 2 or 3 cables: power cord, PS/2 mouse cord and audio/video cables).
Additional features: Keep in mind that there are many special features available to meet your specific needs. Examples include: memory cards for computer-free presentations, digital keystone correction for versatility in projector placement, wireless mouse control, on-screen pointer, and multiple computer inputs for complex presentations.
Features to keep in mind:
- Digital keystone correction for versatile projector placement
- Wireless mouse controls and screen pointer
- Multiple computer inputs
- All DLP® projectors have 16.7 million colors
- All DLP® projectors are PC and Mac compatible.
- Invest in a sturdy travel case for easier portability and stowing.
How portable should my projector be?
Weight and size: Presentation projectors have become more portable than ever. With total weights as low as two pounds, DLP® projectors lead the pack for lightness. When choosing your projector, keep in mind that size also affects portability. DLP® projectors can be as small as 120 cubic inches in total volume. To calculate the total volume of a projector, simply multiply its length x width x height.
Frequent travelers: If you're planning to travel often with your laptop and projector, a two- to five-pound unit is the way to go. Smaller footprints and lower weights make packing and stowing your projector much easier. And remember, when you're presenting in an unfamiliar venue, you'll want to be prepared for anything. Consider the following requirements for your projector.
Road warriors take note:
- Aim for a two- to five-pound projector.
- A smaller footprint means better portability.
- You'll want at least 1500 lumens to combat ambient light in unfamiliar environments.
- A remote with mouse control frees you from your computer.
- Invest in a sturdy travel case for easier portability and stowing.
Type of connections for projectors
Connectivity and compatibility are important factors in getting the clearest images from your home theater system. Projectors specifically designed for home theater use have multiple inputs for video, special video chips and other features. Keep in mind that many projectors based on DLP® technology created for business use also produce great video at home.
Component Video
Component video is the most common type of high-quality signal available today. While a composite cable carries the entire video signal on a single cable, component video cables split the signal in three. This connection gives a much better image than do composite or S-video connections; the projector you buy should have at least one of these inputs.
S-Video and Composite Video
Nearly all projectors featuring DLP® technology will have at least one composite and one S-video connection. S-video cables differ from composite cables in that they split the video signal into two different components, luminance and chrominance, resulting in a significantly better image than a composite cable can provide.
Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a connection type designed specifically for high-bandwidth, all-digital signals that are anticipated to become the industry standard for HDTV set-top boxes. While DVI is relatively new, watch for more DVI-compatible projectors coming soon.
HDMI
High Definition Multimedia Interface is a hi-speed Digital interface for both video and multichannel audio that also incorporates HDCP copy protection.
What are the different screen formats?
Screen formats are measured by their aspect ratio, or the width of the projected image divided by its height. There are two primary aspect ratios used today. The most familiar screen format for television is the square, 4:3 aspect ratio. However, true "home theater" signals mimic the shape of a movie theater screen rather than a standard TV. That is, the ratio of width to height is much more exaggerated, in a ratio of 16:9 (1.78 times wider than high) rather than 4:3 (1.33 times wider than high).
Native resolution: Video projectors featuring DLP® technology come with both standard (4:3) and wide screen (16:9) "native" resolutions. In other words, the chip inside the projector, which is like a miniature version of the image it helps create, is shaped in the specified 4:3 or 16:9 dimension. Most projectors can switch between 4:3 and 16:9 ratios—you will see black bars either on the sides or top and bottom of your projected image when they do so. If you will be using your projector for standard TV, HDTV and DVDs, make sure your projector can switch between these modes.
Should I buy a ceiling-mount or tabletop projector for my home theater?
Up and out of the way: Ceiling-mounting your projector is a popular and elegant way to set up your home theater. It also requires you to know the optimal fixed distance between your projector and your screen. That's because projectors have different throw ratios.
A projector's throw ratio is the relationship between its distance from the screen and the width of the image it projects. For example, if your projector will be ceiling-mounted ten feet away from your screen, the image it projects will be larger than if your projector is mounted only five feet away.
If your projector has a zoom lens, determine exactly where you wish to mount the unit, and verify that the projector can meet your ideal image size from that distance.
The portable alternative: If you prefer not to mount your projector, it's easy to find projectors of outstanding image quality weighing less than 10 pounds. They can be placed in different areas of a room, such as on a coffee table or under it, and deliver the added advantage of portability. In most cases, you can always ceiling-mount your tabletop projector if you choose to do so later on.
Includes content adapted from DLPStore.com - the Web's best selection of projectors featuring DLP® technology. Click here to shop