Digital Projector
Expert’s Guide To Buying A Digital Projector For Education Or Business
Buying a digital projector means focusing on seven key points that give a price and performance comparison across brands.
The problem is manufacturers try and muddy the market by making comparison difficult.
Before considering any projector, make a mental note of what the digital projector will do for your business or organisation, where it will be used and the budget.
This sets parameters for the reseller that lets them make sensible recommendations.
For each digital projector, cross-compare these seven key points by award points out of 10 for each category that should give one or two products that meet the specification required:
Resolution
The higher the screen resolution in pixels is reflected in a higher digital projector price. Match the projector to the place where it will be used and what will be displayed.
PowerPoint presentations in small rooms or classrooms are generally fine at a low resolution.
Brightness
These depend on the light output, measured in lumens. A projector output of less than 1000 lumens may not give a clear image. Presentations in rooms with bright lighting left on probably need a high-performing LCD projector.
Contrast
Contrast is the ratio between the lightest and darkest areas of an image. Look for a ratio of 400:1 or more to get a balanced image.
Portability
If a digital projector is static, weight doesn’t matter, but if someone has to carry the equipment around together with leads and cables, a lightweight model in a tough case is better. Portable digital projectors can weigh in at less than 5lbs, but less weight can come with a heavy price tag.
Connectivity
Check out the devices that need an input on the projector and make sure the model has the right jacks and plugs plus a couple spare. Consider the computer that will input as well – is it a Mac or a Windows machine and will the digital projector’s software and/or drivers run on it?
All these factors have to be considered to make sure a projector delivers maximum usability.
Lamp life
Replacing digital projector lamps is expensive. Look for a machine that has a listed lamp life of 2000 hours and any power saving options as extras like lamp management features to extend lamp life.
Warranty
Other key points that affect price are projector and lamp warranty. The longer and more comprehensive the warranty generally pushes the digital projector price up.
Don’t forget to check out the support that’s available from the reseller and the availability of spare lamps.
If the cost is much less than expected, find out if the projector is cheaper because it’s an end-of-line and whether a new model is due.
Should the price come in more than expected, the digital projector could be a new model with early takers paying over the odds so the maker can reclaim R&D costs.
Lastly, don’t make a quick decision – ask the reseller to provide a range of choices and request a demo in the room where the digital projector will be installed if possible.
About the Author
Steve Hine tests and reviews cutting edge digital signage, videoconferencing equipment and related software and hardware for Smarter Interactive, a leading UK audiovisual consultancy
The Ultimate HD Digital Projector
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Genica – UC20-PB Mini AV LED Digital Projector with USB SD Card Slot & Speaker $89.84 |
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Sharp Multimedia Widescreen Digital Projector $1,099.00 |
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Cars 2 Lightning McQueens Child’s Cool LCD Digital Watch with Image Projector $8.49 |
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Nikon COOLPIX S1200pj Pink 14MP Digital Camera w/ Projector $349.00 |
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Viewsonic PJ260D Digital Multimedia Projector 2000 lumens QT9081000896* $269.00 |
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NEC Multimedia LCD Digital Projector NP4100W-09ZL $4,925.00 |
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NEC Multimedia LCD Digital Projector NP4100W-10ZL $4,925.00 |
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Yamaha YSP-2200 TV Speakers Digital Sound Projector (Black) YSP-2200B $1,290.00 |
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NEC Multimedia LCD Digital Projector NP4100W-08ZL $4,000.00 |
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Epson Powerlite 820P Multimedia LCD Projector Home Theater Computer HD Digital $325.00 |
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NEC Multimedia LCD Digital Projector NP4100W-06FL $5,300.00 |
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Visionmax Digital LCD Projector 1920x1080P Model:HD-4K $360.00 |
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3M™ Mobile Digital HD Camcorder CP45R w/ Built-In Projector Shoot n’ Share CP45 $150.00 |
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Christie CP2210 Digital Cinema Projector DLP $29,950.00 |
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Runco DLP VX-2c Digital Projector And VX2c HD Digital Video Controller/Processor $255.00 |
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NEC Multimedia LCD Digital Projector NP4100-09ZL $4,925.00 |
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NEC Multimedia LCD Digital Projector NP4100-07ZL $4,925.00 |
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NEC Multimedia LCD Digital Projector NP4100-06FL $5,300.00 |
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Mitsubishi XL5900U , 4000 Lumens 1.3″ 3 LCD Digital Multimedia Projector ! $675.00 |
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Nikon Coolpix S1100PJ – Black – 14.1 MP Projector Digital Camera Bundle $117.95 |
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Cn102 Hello Kitty Kids Digital Projector Watch $7.99 |
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Yamaha Digital Sound Projector YSP-3050 5.1 Channel 82 Watt Receiver ***New*** $315.00 |
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Vivitek D732MX DLP Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Home Theater HDTV $799.00 |
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Yamaha YSP-800SL Digital Sound Projector $0.99 |
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EPSON PowerLite 7900P 16:9 Theater/Computer Home Projector W/Digital HD Input $202.50 |
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Canon LV-5210 Digital Multimedia Projector HDTV 720p 1080i $9.99 |
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INFOCUS X2 16:9 HD DLP HOME THEATER / COMPUTER PROJECTOR W/DIGITAL HD INPUT $130.00 |
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BenQ SP920P DLP Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Home Theater Portable HDMI $2,999.00 |
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NEC NP4100 DLP Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Home Theater HDTV NEW $3,699.00 |
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NEC NP4000 DLP Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Home Theater HDTV $1,999.00 |
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Casio XJ-M155 DLP Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Portable Home Theater $1,299.00 |
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Casio XJ-M255 DLP Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Portable Home Theater $1,449.00 |
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Casio XJ-M245 DLP Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Portable Home Theater $1,199.00 |
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NEC NP-V260 DLP Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Home Theater HDTV HDMI $449.00 |
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NEC NP4100W DLP Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Home Theater HDTV $2,499.00 |
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Epson G5750WU LCD Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Home Theater New HDTV $4,999.00 |
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NEC NP-M300XS LCD Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Home Theater HDTV HDMI $999.00 |
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Epson G5650W LCD Digital Video Projector HD Multimedia Home Theater New HDTV $3,599.00 |
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Epson G5950NL LCD Digital Video Projector HD Portable Home Theater HDTV $2,200.00 |