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We think the first thing you'll need to consider is which technology best suits your needs. In order to answer that question, we'll have to figure out what application(s) you'll use the projector for. Please understand that we are trying to make the purchasing decision easier for you by simplifying some potentially complex issues.

We have found that, for the most part, the following guidelines will effectively serve the majority of the projector shoppers. If you need further assistance in determining the best projection technology for your specific needs, please do not hesitate to contact The Projector Pros at 800-649-9809, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (ET), or email us at info@theprojectorpros.com.

1. The projector will be used on the road, with a great deal of airline travel:

   For this application, you should consider a DLP™ powered projector. They are currently the smallest and lightest projectors on the market — with some weighing as little as 1.9 lbs — and can fit easily into a briefcase. LCD powered projectors can weigh as little as 4 lbs, but for a person who is always on the go, the lighter the projector, the better.

2. The projector will be stationary, but may occasionally move around the office:

   Any technology is likely to perform well in this application. Differences in features, brightness, and price are more likely to guide you.

3. I will use the projector 24 hours a day, 5-7 days a week:

   DLP™ projectors are powered by the only technology proven to last for long periods of time without being turned off for cooling. LCD and LCOS projectors can be used for long periods of time, but are not designed to be operated all day, every day.

4. I need a projector to show images to very large audiences:

   Currently, single-chip DLP™ projectors are only capable of displaying up to 3200 lumens. While this is certainly bright enough for some pretty large audiences, it isn't bright enough for some applications. Three-chip DLP™ projectors are available for larger audiences, but can be cost prohibitive to strict budgets, while LCD projectors can display up to 8000 lumens and are still moderately priced. If you have an application for fairly large audiences or an application where your projector is being asked to overcome a lot of outside ambient light, your best cost-per-lumen choice is an LCD projector.

5. I need a projector that will display a lot of video such as HDTV and DVD.

   These days, many companies are using their projectors for video applications in the workplace. They are creating DVD/VCR based training courses and require projectors that are adept at displaying video. If DVD and VCR are your only video sources, then any technology will work for you. However, if you want the best black levels and overall contrast, then you should consider a DLP™-based business machine.

   Using your business projector to display HDTV is another story. We suggest carefully reviewing our home theater section so that you'll understand the terminologies and recognize the best features to look for in a projector before trying to select a business projector for HDTV reproduction.

   In general, a business projector must be designed from the ground up with HDTV in mind. Things like HDCP, internal scaling, and the native resolution of your projector versus the resolution of HDTV are issues you will need to understand before choosing a projector.

Related Links

• How bright do I need it?
• What resolution is right for me?

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