Projector Buying Guide

A projector can transform your existing video system into a home auditorium, and will offer a range of business and home entertainment functions such as gaming, presentations and picture slide shows. Here are some useful hints and tips to consider when choosing a projector.

How to Buy a Projector: Introduction

Projectors work by using a powerful lamp to project a focused image onto a specially made screen or wall. The image can be still or moving, and when used with a DVD player or television, the effect is similar to that of a cinema - a much larger, high quality viewing area than you'd get with other types of home cinema system such as LCD or plasma screens.

Increasing in popularity for their ease of use and outstanding image quality, there is a great range of projectors available to buy online, with prices and functions to suit most budgets and needs.

How to Choose the Best Type of Projector

You'll need to consider the types of projector that are available before you decide on a model that suits your needs. There are two main types of projector on the market:

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) projectors - Using a halogen lamp, light passes through a prism inside the LCD projector, which is split into three primary colours - red, green and blue. This light then passes through the LCD screen, made up of thousands of tiny, controllable panels, which block the light, open partially, or open fully, allowing the light to be modulated. After passing through a second prism and a lens, the image is then projected onto the screen surface.
DLP (Digital Light Processing) projectors - DLP projectors work by using a panel consisting of thousands of microscopic hinged mirrors, arranged on a semi-conductor chip. Each mirror represents one pixel of the image. The mirrors are controlled rapidly to reflect light. This rapid movement varies the intensity of the light going through the lens, while colour is added by spinning a coloured disc, creating the image we see on the screen.

Features to Look for When Choosing a Projector

Here are the key features to look for and points to consider when buying a projector:

Brightness - Measured in lumens or lux, brightness on projectors can vary. As a guide, select a projector with 400 - 800 lumens for use away from direct daylight or indoor lighting, 800 - 1200 lumens for indoor use with lights or daylight, or over 1200 lumens if you want excellent brightness in light conditions.
Resolution - The greater the resolution, the better the clarity and sharpness of the image projected. 800 x 600 SVGA is the most popular resolution for projectors, and models with resolutions below that may be cheaper but with significantly inferior quality. However, when using this resolution projector to show computer presentations, you may find that the picture quality is not satisfactory. Most modern monitors and graphics cards use the 1024 x 768 resolution, so an XGA projector may be more suitable for business purposes. Remember, resolutions higher than 800 x 600 SVGA will deliver excellent resolution but be prepared to pay more.
Remote control - For improved ease of use, especially if you are away from the projector.
Format - The two most popular formats for projecting video are PAL and SECAM.
Contrast - This is the measure of the difference between the black and white areas of an image. If the projector can produce a bigger range of shades of light and dark, the image will be crisp and vibrant. DLP projectors typically deliver higher contrast ratios than their LCD counterparts. Look for at least a contrast ratio of 1000:1 but ideally of around 1200:1.
HDTV compatibility - When using your projector as a home cinema, HDTV capability ensures outstanding high definition viewing when used with the appropriate playback equipment.
Fan - Some models of projector use a fan to cool the unit when in use. Make sure that if your projector has a fan, it is able to run smoothly and quietly.
Lamp - Lamps have a limited life, typically around 2000 hours, and can be expensive to replace.

Do I Need to Buy an Extended Projector Warranty?

Most projectors will come with a warranty that will cover you for repairs or a replacement under certain conditions, usually for around two years. If you're buying a more expensive projector, you may want to consider paying for an extended warranty, but most standard warranties will be sufficient for home users.

Consider what you will use your projector for and avoid paying more for a model with features or functions that you won't use. Set yourself a budget before shopping, but remember that by comparing prices between different retailers and looking for special offers and discounts, you may be able to get a better model of projector for your money.