Presentation Projector Buyers Guide

Updated 4/14/2010

Here's a quick look at some common projection concerns for presenters:

How bright should my projector be?
How do I get the best image?
How portable should my projector be?
Which features make a projector easy to use?
Is there more to look for?

How bright should my projector be? [ top ]

Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens. DLP and LCD projectors come in various sizes and brightness to fit the various needs of consumers.

Portable Projectors:

Ultra-portable projectors (between 2-7 pounds) range from around 2000-4000 lumens in brightness. Low or lights-off presentations are generally considered less desirable, as they allow for less visual interaction with the audience. A projector with at least 2000 lumens is desirable for use in rooms where there will be little ambient light. You should also consider the size of your typical audience when selecting the right brightness. Larger audiences require larger images, which also require higher lumen output.

2000-2500 lumens for lights-off, low ambient light, presentations
2500-3000 lumens with some ambient light
3500-4000 lumens with bright ambient light

Training/Conference Room Projectors

Typically, the brightest projectors (around 3000-7000 lumens) are slightly less portable. These larger projectors (around 10-25 lbs.) are perfect for conference rooms, training rooms and classrooms.

3000 lumens for audiences of less than a hundred with ambient light
4500 lumens for audiences of 100-200 with ambient light
6000 lumens for audiences of 100 or more under bright lights

How do I get the best image? [ top ]

Choosing a Resolution

The fast and easy answer to getting the best image is to match your projector resolution to your computer resolution. If it's widescreen, get a widescreen projector. There are a lot of older computers that are still 4:3 aspect ratio. If you have one, the widescreen projector will adapt, but you might as well save money by buying an XGA resolution projector. Granted, widescreen does seem to be the future of display technology. It might even get wider. But you'll have time. For now, there are some great deals on XGA resolution projectors.

Quick Tip: Search for widescreen and XGA projectors, or sort by feature and price, using our handy projector finder »

What is Uniformity?

There is more to image quality than just resolution. Brightness uniformity is also important. Uniformity is the percentage of brightness carried from corner to corner and edge to edge of your image. A higher uniformity rating means better consistency throughout your image. For the most consistent images, look for a uniformity rating of 85% or better.

Match the computer's aspect ratio to your projector's aspect ratio
Brightness uniformity should be 85% or better
XGA (1024x768) is the most common projector resolution sold today in the 4:3 aspect ratio. There are multiple widescreen resolutions. Don't worry about directly matching those. They should all scale appropriately.

Did you know? Many business projectors produce such brilliant and clear video that you can also use them for big screen, cinematic images at home. A projector with an HDMI connection is something you may want to consider if you have the option of taking your projector home.

How portable should my projector be? [ top ]

Thanks to advancing technology, presentation projectors have become more portable than ever. Portable projectors weigh in around 3 to 8 lbs. and have footprints that are smaller than a laptop computer. Pocket or pico projectors are also available. These are super-portable, often weighing in at mere ounces. However, they are less bright than their larger counterparts.

Portable projectors range from 3 to 8 lbs.
Choose a smaller footprint for easier portability.
Invest in case that carries laptop and projector for added convenience.

Additional considerations for Road Warriors:

You will want at least 2000-2500 lumens to combat ambient light.
Remote with mouse control frees you from the computer. Check the specs because not all projectors ship with this option.
Wireless projectors are now readily available and can make your travel bag a little lighter.

Quick Tip: A good projector travel case that carries both a projector and a laptop is a convenient accessory for 'road warrior' presenters.

Which features make a projector easy to use? [ top ]

Most of today's portable projectors are very easy to use. They come with about as much hardware as a laptop. Usually just two to three cords (power, PS II mouse, and audio/video cables) and the projector itself packs into a bag small enough to carry on the plane, or place in the back seat.

Projectors are plug-and-play, user-friendly and can be set-up in a matter of seconds. Even with the challenges of a constantly changing environment, in most cases all you will need to shine is a power outlet.

Most projectors are plug-and-play user friendly.
Most projectors come with as few as 2 or 3 cables.
Most projectors can be set up in seconds.

Quick Tip: Always run a "dummy presentation" before you hit the road. That way our Tech Support team can help you with any setup problems you may experience before the big day.

Is there more to look for? [ top ]

Many projectors have added features that can make your presenting life easier and more successful. Here are some examples:

Wireless projectors for easy set-up. New wireless products are very easy to setup and operate.
Networkability for control from remote location and added security
Component video inputs for better quality video
Digital keystone correction for versatility in projector placement
Wireless mouse control, for freedom to move while you present
Lens shift for more convenient set-up

LCD and DLP technology offer different benefits. LCD projectors typically offer better color accuracy, and DLP projectors have higher contrast ratios for deeper blacks and richer colors.

You may not require all of these bells and whistles, but keep them in mind when choosing the right projector for you. Click here to search our database by feature.