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How to choose a projector
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By Jose Moran
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With hundreds of portable projectors on the market, the would-bebuyer faces an overwhelming array of features and options. Thefollowing brief guide can help you choose the projector that'sright for your needs
The key features to consider are the following:
Resolution: The resolution is simply the number of pixelsprojected onto the screen. The more pixels you have, the moreclosely they are packed together, providing a smootherappearance to your image. The resolution is specified in termsof the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image.The most common configurations have names like VGA and XGA thatserve as a shorthand way of referring to these the pixelresolution. They are:
VGA (640X480 pixels)
SVGA (800x600 pixels) Standard.
XGA (1024x768 pixels) High resolution, currenly the most commonin laptops.
SXGA (1280x1024) The most common resolutions for CAD, GIS andother special graphic applications.
UXGA (1600x1280) Large format. The best choice is to purchase aprojector that matches the number of screen pixels on the laptopcomputer that will be driving the projector.
Luminosity: Luminosity is the quantity of light projected ontothe screen (i.e., the brightness). It is measured in terms of aninternational ANSI standard called lumens. The higher theluminosity, the brighter and more visible the projected image.The greater the distance between the projector and the screen,the more lumens you need for a clear image. To project adistance of 20 feet (unless the room is very dark) typicallyrequires a projector with at least 1000 lumens.
Dimensions and weight: If most of your presentations will bemade on the road, you'll want a small, lightweight projector.Portable projectors typically weigh between 6 and 10 pounds, andthe so-called "ultra portables" between 2 and 6 pounds. Look fora projector that includes a good, sturdy case to keep it safewhen traveling.
The Room: The qualities of the room are crucial to a clearlyprojected image. A large room requires a projector with morelumens to reach the screen with sufficient brightness. Equallyimportant is the lighting in the room itself. How dark can youmake it? How much light will your audience need (for example,will they be taking notes, or simply watching the presentationpassively?) Before the audience arrives, experiment with thelighting in the room by opening and closing blinds and turningon and off various sets of lights, so that you'll know exactlywhat to do when it comes time to darken the room for yourpresentation.
Computer connections Make sure that your projector hasconnectors that are compatible with the laptop computer you planto use with it. These are typically expressed in terms like VGA,S-Video, RCA, and sometimes by the number of pins on theinterface cables (15-pin, etc.) This information is available inthe "full specifications" part of the projector information.
Portable Projectors have other specifications in addition tothese, such as Contrast Ratio, Aspect Ratio, and many otherfeatures, but the key parameters described above are thefundamentals that will help you make the right choice.
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