Learn More About Projectors

What kind of projector do you need?

Overhead

Ideal for: Small business owners and other professionals who are looking for a low–cost alternative to multimedia projectors.

Key features:

Overhead transparency presentations fit in a briefcase, can be printed in color using Microsoft PowerPoint™, and don't require a computer to project.
Models come with between 2,000 and 6,000 lumens. The more lumens, the brighter the light projected through the transparency. 2,000 lumens is adequate for copier–printed black and white transparencies and for use in small rooms; a model with at least 3,000 or 4,000 is needed for medium and large–sized rooms; 4000 plus lumens is recommended for inkjet–printed, color transparencies and for use in rooms with high ambient light.
Projector head is either open or closed. An open–head design provides brighter light. A closed head protects against dust and smudging and is recommended for classroom or industrial use.
The lens element can be a singlet, doublet, triplet, or five–segmented, depending on the model. A singlet is the most affordable and is sufficient for basic, black–and–white applications. Detailed or color transparencies are best displayed with a doublet or triplet lens.
Choose between a transmissive (light source comes from the base, beneath the stage) or a reflective (light source is located in the projector head) projector. Reflective models are compact, weigh as few as 8 pounds, and are recommended for travel. Transmissive models weigh between 12 and 29 pounds.
Some models include a lamp–changer switch, which automatically activates a fresh lamp in case the first one blows out. This prevents disruptions to a presentation.
Transparencies sit on a projector's stage. Stage dimensions range from 10"x10" to 16.5"x16.5". A large or oversized stage can accommodate landscape or portrait transparencies.

Tip: Some models have a high–low economy switch that allows for the lumen output to be adjusted to fit the type of transparency and the conditions of the room being used.

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Multimedia

Ideal for: Small business owners and other professionals who want to produce and project multimedia presentations with (and in some cases, without) the aid of a notebook computer — and without the hassle of transparencies.

Key features:

Models come with between 300 and 3,500 lumens. The more lumens, the brighter the light projected through the transparency. A model with 1,000 lumens is intended for use in small conference rooms with no windows. The higher lumens ratings are recommended for use in large auditoriums or rooms with lots of natural light.
Resolution is measured by pixels, or distinct dots. The most popular resolutions are, in order of image sharpness, SVGA (800x600 pixels), XGA (1024x768 pixels), SXGA (1280x1024 pixels), and UXGA (1600x1200 pixels).
Important: using a projector with a lower resolution than the LCD screen of the companion notebook computer will result in image distortion. The projector's resolution should match or exceed the resolution of the companion notebook computer.
Contrast ratio of between 120:1 and 1800:1. The greater the projector's ratio, the more subtle its color details and representation, and the more tolerant it is of extraneous light. If projecting with lights on, opt for a model with at least a 400:1 contrast ratio.
Portable models weigh as little as 4 or 5 lbs.
Opt for a projector with zoom to avoid having to move the projector to adjust screen size.
Some models have PIP (Picture in Picture), which allows for a smaller projected picture to appear within the larger picture.
FlashCard or SmartMedia capable models can be used without the aide of a laptop computer.