HELPFUL INFORMATION

Choosing the right Projector

ANSI Lumens


Projectors typically rate light output in terms of ANSI lumens. While this term specifies light output, other issues such a room light, screen size and distance to screen, will affect a projector's apparent light output. It is recommended that you consider your room environment first, and then decide how many lumens you will require.

Ambient light conditions, such as sunlight, will have an adverse affect on your projected image if they are competing on your screen's surface. Where possible limit the amount of ambient light that will compete with your projector's image. If you're a mobile user and don't know what level of ambient light you're likely to encounter when you set up your projector, you will need to consider a high brightness of 2000+ ANSI Lumens.

Resolution

One of the key factors in choosing the right resolution is your typical application. Do you have a need for very accurate display of small visual details, or not?
If your primary use of the system is for "PowerPoint" style graphics, pie charts, graphs, and general business presentation, you don't need to pay extra for high resolution equipment. SVGA resolution is perfect for this kind of work and the best solution for the money.

On the other hand, if you are often presenting materials like Excel spreadsheets with a lot of numeric data on the screen, you will probably be happier with XGA resolution. This format is able to produce a clearer and more legible image of small numbers and other data.

Finally, if you are projecting engineering drawings or other images of a highly detailed and technical nature, you will probably need a very high resolution SXGA projector to produce an acceptable image for your purposes.

Keep in mind that the best resolution for your projector is the resolution of the computer you intend to use with it. If you typically use a notebook computer with SVGA resolution, you will want a projector with the same native SVGA resolution in order to get the sharpest and cleanest image. Similarly, if you normally use a computer with XGA output, you will get the best picture from a projector that has XGA as its native resolution.

Weight

Another consideration in selecting the ideal projector is its weight. If you are often on the road, you may want the lightest, most portable machine available. Have a look at projectors under 2 Kgs.

If you travel once in a while, but want a bit more performance and are willing to carry a heavier unit, consider projectors in the 2-3Kg weight range. As a class, these very portable projectors are brighter and more fully featured than the >2Kg range.

If you don't intend to travel with the projector, but still want the ability to move it around the office, from classroom to classroom, or to take it home on weekends, there are many excellent products in the 3-5 Kg range that should be considered.

Finally, if you are going to use the projector in a specific place and have no need to move it around weight is not an issue, ignore it and make your selection on other cost and performance factors.