Choosing the Right DLP or LCD Projector

Wether buying a new projector or a pre-owned Panasonic LCD Projector, there’s a large amount of information to process and this can be a bit overwhelming at times. Today we will focus on just 2 specs, brightness and panel technology type. Knowledge is always a good thing, and we hope that learning about these two parameters will allow you to make the most informed buying decision about your next digital projector.

The Brightness Parameter

One of the most fundamental projector qualities is it’s brightness. Your screening environment will often dictate what you choose and how many lumens (the measure of brightness) you need. Also related to brightness and projection environment is adjustability (projection angle and distance), when using portable compact projectors on the go this can be important. Pricier, high end projectors are usually brighter and capable of putting out more lumens. As technology advances, the standards will move upwards, in any case though for now, here are some rough guidelines for luminosity amount and projector use; please be aware that these are just loose recommendations and are not written in stone.

• 3000 ANSI lumens or more. These are really bright projectors suitable for use in very large venues or even outdoors. High lumen projectors also excell at greater distances and projecting larger screen sizes.

• 1800 to 3000 ANSI lumens. Good for large classrooms or lecture halls, also projectors in this range can be great for home theaters, movie DVD and HD viewing.

• 1000 to 1800 ANSI is suitable for simple presentations, especially in business applications like meetings, personal projects or brief overviews. It can be suitable for entertainment purposes, but be prepared to consider getting a bigger resolution.

DLP and LCD

LCD and DLP are currently the dominant projector panel technologies. LCD is the most popular of the two currently. DLP technology is licensed from Texas Instruments, more proprietary, and slightly more expensive than LCD panel technology like that used in the Infocus LCD Projectors. LCD projectors also seem to do a very good job of producing deep and rich colors with greater levels of brightness. Looking at the actual specs with the strengths and weaknesses of the LCD panel when choosing a projector can prove very useful.

Projectors utilizing DLP technology can cost the same or slightly more than LCD projectors but are generally thought to produce deeper, darker black levels and higher contrast ratios than LCDs. Home theater buffs also seem to gravitate to DLP projectors for their greater contrast and general ability to project warm, film like images. Some feel that DLP lamps are stronger and generally last longer than LCD ones. You can view actual DLP projector specs like that of the DLP Optoma Projectors to see the current state of this technology now.