What size presentation projector should I look for?
Depending on how portable you want your LCD or DLP projector to be,
there are a variety of options concerning the size of presentation projectors. For the on-the-go presenter,
weight and ease of set-up is extremely important. There are varieties of business projectors that are
geared toward portability and generally weigh approximately 7 lbs or less. There are even
travel projector cases
available to accommodate a business projector and a laptop for ultimate mobility for “road warriors.”
Wireless presentation projectors add to ultimate portability and versatility. For presenters that may
only need to transport a projector on occasion, desktop models are available and generally possess more features
and increased brightness for a better quality presentation. Desktop business projectors can range
in weight from 7 lbs to approximately 14 lbs. If transporting the projector is not necessary,
stationary presentation projectors are the ideal solution. This type of business projector can range in
weight from 15 lbs to 50 lbs and possess a range of features depending on how it will be used. They can easily be mounted to the ceiling for a space-saving design and a professional appearance. Many offer specific features geared towards the type of environment they are going to be used in, whether small conference rooms or larger venues, such as increased brightness, contrast ratios, and larger image sizes.
How bright should my business presentation projector be?
How bright your presentation projector should be is determined by the setting that you are going to be using it in. Brightness is measured in ANSI lumens (or just lumens), and the more lumens produced by the projector, the brighter the projected image will be. Similarly, the brighter the room that you will be presenting in, the brighter the lamp you will need to produce a quality image. Audience size is also a factor, in that a larger audience will require a larger image for viewing, and a larger image will require a higher light output. Here is a simple guide for determining which brightness is appropriate for your individual needs:
Projector Brightness |
Appropriate for: |
500 lumens and less |
- Dark or dimly lit spaces
- Small audiences
- Smaller rooms – small conference rooms or classrooms
- Presentations that are typically in black and white
|
500 to 1,000 lumens |
- Dim, low ambient lighting
- Mid-size conference rooms and classrooms
- Presentations that do not consist of video or high resolution graphics
|
1,000 to 2,000 lumens |
- Low ambient lighting
- Mid-size conference rooms and classrooms
- Some graphics or images, depending on how far the projector is placed from the projection screen
|
2,000 to 3,000 lumens |
- Low to normal ambient lighting depending on room size
- Large conference rooms and board rooms
- Larger audiences
- Presentations with graphics, image, and video
|
3,000 lumens and above |
- High ambient lighting or normal lighting conditions
- Large conference rooms, auditoriums, theaters
- Large audiences
- Intensive graphics and/or video usage
|
What resolution would be most appropriate for what I’m using it for?
Typically, the best resolution to have for your presentation projector is the same as the resolution of the computer or laptop that you are going to be running applications from. Matching these two resolutions will ensure the best quality image possible. Many business projectors will accept higher or lower resolutions by expanding or contracting the image to its native (standard) resolution, but what you sacrifice in this flexibility is image quality. Here is a simple guide for determining which resolution best suites your presentation needs:
Resolution |
Presentation Characteristics |
VGA (640 x 480) |
- Not suggested for presentations or video usage
|
SVGA (800 x 600) |
- Suggested choice for use with SVGA computers
- Perfect for PowerPoint projector presentations
- Can be used to watch standard television
|
XGA (1024 x 768) |
- Suggested choice for use with XGA computers and newer laptops
- Perfect choice for presentations containing higher detail aspects such as spreadsheets and photographs
|
WXGA (1366 x 768) |
- Great for home theaters and HDTV
|
SXGA (1280 x 1024) |
- Highest resolution available, produces more realistic images
- Great for home theaters and HDTV
- Perfect for highly detail-intense functions
|
Do I need to worry about contrast ratio?
The contrast ratio is the ratio between black and white
areas of the image. Ambient room lighting will generally impact the contrast ratio by making blacks
appear less black, so if you plan on presenting in situations where there will be excess ambient light, it
is suggested to go with a business presentation projector that has a contrast ratio of 400:1 with a higher
lumen output. 400:1 contrast ratio is usually sufficient for computer graphics and data, but if you plan
to use your business projector for higher quality images and video, it is recommended to have a presentation projector
with a contrast ratio of at least 1000:1.
What else do I need to know before I buy a presentation projector?
There are added features that are worth considering
before you buy a presentation projector. Of course, depending upon what you will be using the business
projector for, determines whether some of these additional features apply. Some features to consider include
wireless business projectors if you are looking for something easy to use and looking to get rid of the clutter
associated with wires. Keystone correction allows you to correct an image that isn’t completely
square with ease. Network capability would allow you to control the presentation projector from a remote location.
Now that you know what characteristics you need in a business project, use our tools to help narrow it down!
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