How to choose the right projector
It can be tough to get your head around all there is to know about projectors. Let's explain some of the most common terms and learn the basics. Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens. Home theater projectors generally start out at about 1000 lumens and range upwards to 2500 lumens and more. Your viewing environment is the deciding factor on how many lumens your projector needs. Dedicated home theaters (rooms with controlled lighting and no ambient light) will not require as much brightness as a space with ambient light from windows or other household lighting.
Technology maturation has made projectors far more portable than they used to be. Portable projectors, weighing from 3 to 8 lbs., have smaller footprints than the typical laptop, and tiny pocket or "pico" projectors can weigh in at under a pound, though they are not as bright as larger projectors. It is important to bear in mind that the quality of the PowerPoint or other document makes a big difference in the quality of the image projected. A great projector can't save low-resolution graphics from looking low-res, even when they're enlarged for a big screen.
If you have a home theater room that is very dark, a projector with a lumens rating of under 1,500 will tend to provide an adequate picture. Media presentations given in dim light typically require about 1,500 to 2,000 lumens, and a room with regular ambient lighting may require a projector with over 2,000 lumens to provide a good picture.
Resolution is another item to consider when looking for the best digital projector. If you will use the projector to watch standard definition (SD) content, such as movies on digital versatile disc (DVD), then a wide video graphics array (WVGA) or super video graphics array (SVGA) digital projector will typically be sufficient. This type of resolution may also suit some business needs, though higher resolutions may be required for some presentations. If you expect to watch high definition content, then you may want to look at a projector capable of displaying extended graphics array (XGA) or even higher resolutions.
Aside from screen size, and deciding between a manual pull-down, motorized retractable, or fixed-frame design, the other major consideration is screen "gain." Gain measures the amount of light reflected by the screen back at viewers - higher gain means more reflected light and a brighter image. Different screen coatings applied to the base vinyl screen material are how different gain values are achieved. Higher brightness is helpful with very large screens, or in rooms with significant ambient light, but as the screen gain increases, the optimum viewing angle decreases - it becomes more important that viewers sit more directly in front of the screen rather than off to the sides.
Technology maturation has made projectors far more portable than they used to be. Portable projectors, weighing from 3 to 8 lbs., have smaller footprints than the typical laptop, and tiny pocket or "pico" projectors can weigh in at under a pound, though they are not as bright as larger projectors. It is important to bear in mind that the quality of the PowerPoint or other document makes a big difference in the quality of the image projected. A great projector can't save low-resolution graphics from looking low-res, even when they're enlarged for a big screen.
If you have a home theater room that is very dark, a projector with a lumens rating of under 1,500 will tend to provide an adequate picture. Media presentations given in dim light typically require about 1,500 to 2,000 lumens, and a room with regular ambient lighting may require a projector with over 2,000 lumens to provide a good picture.
Resolution is another item to consider when looking for the best digital projector. If you will use the projector to watch standard definition (SD) content, such as movies on digital versatile disc (DVD), then a wide video graphics array (WVGA) or super video graphics array (SVGA) digital projector will typically be sufficient. This type of resolution may also suit some business needs, though higher resolutions may be required for some presentations. If you expect to watch high definition content, then you may want to look at a projector capable of displaying extended graphics array (XGA) or even higher resolutions.
Aside from screen size, and deciding between a manual pull-down, motorized retractable, or fixed-frame design, the other major consideration is screen "gain." Gain measures the amount of light reflected by the screen back at viewers - higher gain means more reflected light and a brighter image. Different screen coatings applied to the base vinyl screen material are how different gain values are achieved. Higher brightness is helpful with very large screens, or in rooms with significant ambient light, but as the screen gain increases, the optimum viewing angle decreases - it becomes more important that viewers sit more directly in front of the screen rather than off to the sides.
About the Author:
Looking to find the best deal on Best Viewsonic Projectors, then visit www.business2community.com to find the best advice on Best DLP Projectors for you.