Digital Projector Buyers Guide

Digital projectors range in price from $899 to $15,000, so it's important to know the kind best suited to your needs.

Choosing a projector involves many considerations, including whether to choose digital light processing (DLP), liquid crystal display (LCD) or liquid crystal on silicone (LCOS). Some advantages of digital projectors include their clarity and light weight.

Function

DLP projectors are created using a proprietary technology called DLM, invented by Texas Instruments and licensed to different projector manufacturers. A DLP projector reflects the light produced by the projector lamp off of millions of tiny mirrors to create a high definition picture. A DLP chip reduces the gaps between pixels in a projected picture, making it appear seamless.

Features

To make the right choice between DLP projectors, you need to understand your specific needs for a projector. Because of DLM technology, DLP projectors are leading the push to lighter weight projectors. They can also be smaller, and technology is developing so that they are less expensive. In 2010, DLP projectors range in price from $899 to $15,000.

Considerations

In making the decision on what digital projector to buy, consider first the resolution and brightness. These are the two factors that most affect price. The size of the room and the size of the audience where the projector will most often be used should be considered when deciding on lumens, or brightness. In a small office, cubicle or classroom with low light, a projector with 1000 to 1500 lumens is usually adequate. However, in a church or auditorium, you'll need a projector of at least 3000 lumens. When it comes to resolution, a digital projector gives a great contrast ratio, better than the best LCD projectors at 800:1.

References

• AV Partner: Projector Buying Tips
• Projector Reviews: Projector Advice and Information