 Buying
an LCD projector is not an insignificant investment, so you'll want to
think carefully about how you're going to use the projector so you can
match the features you need with the best price point. For instance, an
LCD projector's brightness is a key buying factor, but if you're not
planning to frequently give presentations in large conference rooms or
classrooms, you may not need high performance in this area. These key
buying factors will help you choose an LCD projector.
LCD Projector Resolution
SVGA (800 x 600), XGA (1024 x 768), SXGA (1280
x 1024), or UXGA (1600 x 1200)? The higher the projector's resolution, the
higher the price. If you will use your LCD projector mainly for PowerPoint
presentations, the SVGA resolution will be fine, while XGA is a good
choice for displaying numerical data. You'll only need the higher
resolution LCD projectors if you need fine details to be accurately
displayed.
LCD Projector Brightness
The higher the ANSI lumens rating, the
brighter the LCD projector's light output. Projectors of less than 1000
lumens may not put out enough light for your needs. Projectors of
1000-2000 lumens put out enough light for normal business or classroom
situations, while projectors of 2000-3000 lumens produce enough light to
illuminate images without washout in large conference rooms and
classrooms.
LCD Projector Contrast
Projector contrast is expressed as a ratio
between the brightest and darkest areas of the image. Look for LCD
projectors with contrast ratios of 400:1 or higher so that graphics and
video images are clear. You'll want to choose an LCD projector with a very
high contrast ratio if you plan to frequently project images with the
lights on.
LCD Projector Weight
Projector weight is a portability issue; if
you're going to be carrying the projector around a lot, making
presentations in different locations, the lighter the better. There are
now many LCD projectors available that weigh less than 5 pounds, which can
lighten your load considerably if you're a mobile presenter. However,
generally, the lighter the projector the more it costs.
LCD Projector Connectivity
When you buy an LCD projector, you'll choose
one that connects with the computer you use, of course. But will you
always use the same computer? You may need a separate connector cable or
adapter in some cases. Check as well to see if the LCD projector has
multiple computer ports, in case you want to connect multiple computers or
video sources to the projector at the same time.
LCD Projector Lamp Life
Another factor you may want to consider when
buying an LCD projector is the listed lamp life, as replacement lamps cost
hundreds of dollars. A listed lamp life of 2000 hours is excellent. Some
projectors come with mode choices, such as "eco-mode" that allow
extended lamp life, and cut down on operating costs.
Make your business or academic
presentations stand out with one of these DLP or LCD projectors. Even if
you're a mobile presenter, you should have a look at these mid-weight DLP
and LCD projectors. All the projectors listed here have the necessary
brightness and contrast ratios to produce sharp clear images. And they all
weigh less than 10 pounds. If you can handle a bit of extra weight, you
may find a mid-weight portable projector a better deal than an ultralight.
1)NEC LT240K Portable DLP Projector
It's the extra features that put this DLP
projector at the top of the list. Besides 1024 x 768 XGA resolution
and 2000 lumens brightness, this projector has NEC's Autosense to
quickly optimize incoming images and horizontal keystone technology to
square off skewed images. The wireless capability gives presentation
options you may not even have thought of before and this projector has
built in security features. And at 7.2 pounds, it's eminently portable
for projection on the go.
2) InFocus LP540 LCD Projector
With 1700 lumens brightness, XGA 1024 x 768
resolution, and a contrast ratio of 400:1, the LP540 also produces bright,
sharp images. Features of this LCD projector that I especially like are
the user-defined keypad which allows you to use one-touch commands, the
automatic synchronization which makes transitions smoother, the quietness
of this projector's operation - and the price. All this, in an 7.5 pounds
package.
3) Epson PowerLite S1+ LCD Projector
You don't actually need a projector with
XGA resolution to give quality business or academic presentations - which
means you should definitely take a look at this LCD projector. Weighing
just a tad over 7 pounds, this portable projector has SVGA resolution (800
x 600), a 500:1 contrast ratio, and 1400 lumens brightness, which means
your presentation won't suffer even in well lit rooms. What you're really
going to like about this one, though, is the price.
4) Panasonic PT-L735U LCD Projector
Want performance? At 2600 lumens, XGA
resolution and a contrast ratio of 300:1, you'll be able to dazzle your
audience in just about any light conditions. In addition, this LCD
projector has a lot of bells and whistles, such as two RGB inputs
(eliminating the need to juggle equipment when giving consecutive
presentations), Speed Start, and two built-in 5-watt stereo speakers, just
to name a few. If you give a lot of presentations, this projector is worth
the investment.
5) InFocus LP640 LCD Projector
Another projector with enough brightness
for any environment (at 2200 lumens), the LP640 has XGA (1024 x 768)
resolution and a 400:1 contrast ratio. As this is basically the same
InFocus projector as the LP540 with more brightness, it has all the same
great features, and at 7.5 pounds, is realistically portable. If you can
find one of these at a good price, it's a great choice
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