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Types of Projectors

Step 1: Select your type of Projector Type - LCD or DLP

Standard LCD - These LCD (liquid crystal display) projectors have one panel of LCD glass that controls the three primary colors. These projectors are becoming less common in the projector marketplace, as polysilicon LCD and DLP projectors gain popularity.

Polysilicon LCD - These projectors control colors through three panels and are considered to be of higher quality than standard LCD. The projection through three panels allows polysilicon LCD projectors to have higher color saturation than a standard LCD projector.

DLP - DLP (digital light processing) projectors use a single chip with thousands of micro mirrors to modulate the lamp's light and project it through the lens. DLP systems are composed of over 400,000 tiny mirrors, which modulate light from a lamp and project the "modulated" signal out through the lens onto a screen. This technology is also referred to as DMD (Digital Mirror Device). DLP projectors are one of the more common types of projectors on the market.

Step 2: Choosing Size and Weight

Projectors fall into three broad categories: Ultralights, conference room projectors,and fixed installation projectors.

Ultralights (Personal)
If you make frequent presentations while on the road, look for an ultralight model. These lightweights have been on a slim-fast diet as of late. The lightest ultralight a year ago was proud to be under ten pounds. The latest models tip the scales at just under five pounds. Created to serve the mobile business community, ultralights make up in portability what they give away in brightness and other extra features. If weight is an important issue for you, be sure to find out the total weight of the projection system (cables, remote, case) and not just the projector.

Conference Room
If you're not going to be lugging your projector across the country - maybe just from room to room - there is a class of projectors less mindful of weight and more attentive to performance. Conference room projectors tend to be heavier, brighter, and more adaptable to a large room than their ultralight counterparts. Depending on your budget, these projectors come with many extra features such as a document camera, extra computer ports, remote mousing, or a laser pointing device.

Fixed Installation
The mother of all projectors, a fixed or in-house projector is usually assigned a permanent spot in an auditorium or presentation hall. Weighing as much as one hundred pounds, fixed machines are the most expensive projectors of the bunch, but they also are the most powerful and versatile. Fixed projectors can handle different resolutions and image sizes, easily project in large, bright rooms, and often include ceiling mounts for permanent installation.

Projector Buying Tips:
  An Introduction to Projectors
  Product Types
  DLP vs LCD Projectors
  Resolution - which is best for you?
  Resolution - the FAQs
  Weight and Portability
  Pricing
  Brightness
  Aspect Ratio
  Other Features
  Other Considerations
  Guide to Inputs
  Lens and Optics Specifications
  Zoom Lenses
  Projector - Quick FAQs

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