LCD Projectors

LCD Projectors
By Ken Marlborough

A LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Projector is the modern version of the slide projector and overhead projector. Unlike CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) projectors, the LCD projector does not function according to the traditional projection-tube system.

The LCD Projector usually contains three separate LCD glass panels - one each for the red, green, and blue components of the video signal. The LCD chip is transparent, and when a powerful light source is passed through it, each individual pixel transforms the light and projects the image or data through a lens onto the screen.

The LCD Projector technological revolution started around the mid-1990s, when manufacturers began to use microdisplays and merge illumination and imaging in one device. Following this development, Compaq introduced one of the first ultra-lightweight data projectors in 2000 - the MP1400 using the DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology from Texas Instruments. Most LCD Projectors today support VGA output at resolutions ranging up to 800x600 and 1024x768. They are also usually capable of projecting standard video from a VCRs, DVDs, and cable boxes; and many of them are specialized for use at home, known as Front-Projection TVs.

The main advantage of the LCD projector is that since the LCD chip is miniature in size, the whole unit is quite compact, which is very practical, especially for mobile professionals. Most LCD projectors are also typically capable of producing 2,000 to 2,500 ANSI lumens brightness with 1024 x 768 VGA resolution, resulting in better image quality. Power consumption is also relatively low. And, in comparison to CRT Projectors (which are still manufactured), LCD versions are quite inexpensive. For example, the Sony VPL-CX1 Superlite LCD Video Projector only costs around $2,000, but is still capable of producing super image quality.

LCD Projectors provides detailed information on LCD Projectors, LCD Projector Rentals, LCD Projector Lamps, LCD Video Projectors and more. LCD Projectors is affiliated with Cheap LCD TVs.

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Digital LCD Projectors

Digital LCD Projectors
By Ken Marlborough

Digital projectors are the modern replacements for the rather traditional transparency projectors. Transparency projectors worked by shining light through a semi-transparent material. Digital projectors, by contrast, project a digital image directly from a computer through a lens on to a screen.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) digital projectors are much lighter and more portable than their CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) versions, making them widely popular. With the advent of new LCD technologies, digital projectors have been developed which have very clear and crisp fidelity even at large projection sizes. The LCDs used in digital projectors are approximately the size of a small color slide, and in fact the projectors operate very much like a traditional slide projector. The main difference is that the slide is constantly changing.

A Digital LCD projector has its light source contained within its base. It projects light upwards through the transparent image (which sits on a glass stage) to a lens on the top (head) of the unit and out onto the projection screen. In other words, the light shines through the image to project it. These projectors work well with printed film transparencies or an LCD panel computer display and provide bright, sharp images.

Slightly higher end Digital LCD Projectors can be used for Cinema/exhibition, Post-production, On-screen advertising, Digital film mastering, Multi-media theatrical productions or other large entertainment venues. Most of the recent Digital LCD projectors can be installed with existing film projectors and also provide an interface for theatre automation equipment.

The future of digital projectors is exciting, with new technologies constantly being developed. As more and more theatres switch to digital projection, consumers cannot help but reap the benefits. As these technologies become more affordable they will inevitably find their way into home systems and allow each of us to experience the joy of a full theatre projection in our own home.

LCD Projectors provides detailed information on LCD Projectors, LCD Projector Rentals, LCD Projector Lamps, LCD Video Projectors and more. LCD Projectors is affiliated with Cheap LCD TVs.

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Home Theater Front Projectors

Home Theater Front Projectors
By Jason Gluckman

The supreme home theater experience has been made possible with the help of home theater front projectors. Front projectors reproduce the experience that one undergoes while watching a movie in a theater. However, the viewing experience is more intense and personal. Front-projection home theaters offer images that are full of cinematic details and color on a larger-than-life screen that transforms viewing into a rare and novel experience.

A front-projection home theater is a system that basically consists of the projector and the screen. In the past home theater front projectors were costly and could be installed only with the help of professionals. There were heavy CRT-based units that were difficult to handle and maintain. But modern projectors incorporate LCD or DLP technology, making the projectors compressed and not too heavy to carry. Front projectors are more reasonably priced than the CRT projectors of yesteryears.

The latest types of front projectors are known for their ability to create big, beautiful images, which is their primary function. As the image is projected onto a discrete screen, the entire system within a projector's compact case is devoted to producing the picture. A projector has fewer parts than a TV, and all parts are of premier quality. A high-resolution imager (DLP chip or LCD panels), an ultra-high-intensity lamp, superb scaling and de-interlacing circuitry, superior-grade optics, and an extensive variety of video inputs can generally be found in a projector, but a projector is devoid of a built-in screen, or an awkward cabinet, or stereo speakers. No built-in TV tuner of any sort is present in a front projector, but it still exhibits signals from an HDTV tuner, satellite receiver, cable box, or the VCR's TV tuner.

Home Theater Projectors provides detailed information on Home Theater Video Projectors, Home Theater LCD Projectors, Home Theater Projector Packages, Home Theater Front Projectors and more. Home Theater Projectors is affiliated with Curtains For Home Theater Screens.

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LCD Projectors for Sale

LCD Projectors for Sale
By Ken Marlborough

Do you want to continue to be at the cutting edge of technology with high-end presentation products? Do you want to keep your audience glued to you and the vibrant graphics and clear characters of your presentation? Whether you are presenting to 10 or 10,000 people, there is bound to be an LCD projector that is perfect for you. Here is a simple guide on what to look for when you want to purchase one.

Resolution

The first consideration to look for when shopping for an LCD projector is resolution. Resolution is the number of light dots (called pixels) per square inch of the image produced. The higher the number of the pixels, the clearer and tighter your image will be. Also, if your LCD projector of choice is high in resolution, the image you can broadcast can be expanded to greater degrees. If your lecture or presentation is heavy on graphics and high quality color, or if you need to present to a large crowd, then you will need an LCD projector with high resolution.

Brightness

Since the image your LCD projector will broadcast is projected with a high-powered light bulb, you will also want to consider how bright a projection you will need. Again, the brighter the image you project, the farther away it can be seen. This is an important consideration for people thinking of presenting to large and small groups.

Price and other considerations

These projectors do not come cheap, so price is a major consideration. If your company is small, a desktop projector with resolution the size of your typical computer monitor should suffice. Also, be sure to check on compatibility issues. Is the projector you want compatible with your hardware? If it is not, you may wind up with a very expensive lamp. Finally, ask about user support. Does it come with a warranty? If it does, how long is the coverage? Is there a technical support hotline you can call if you have trouble with your projector? All these things will factor into getting an LCD projector that suits your needs.

LCD Projectors provides detailed information on LCD Projectors, LCD Projector Rentals, LCD Projector Lamps, LCD Video Projectors and more. LCD Projectors is affiliated with Cheap LCD TVs.

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Home Theater Projectors

Home Theater Projectors
By Peter Emerson

Some people who set up home theater systems prefer to use projectors rather than the traditional television sets because projectors typically produce higher quality pictures. A projector also appeals to some people due to the fact that it can offer a more authentic movie-viewing experience with its large projection.

Disadvantages of Projectors

Most light-projection theater systems produce a big picture that is not suitable for smaller rooms. These products are also not good in rooms with bright, ambient lighting. Since these projectors produce the picture by emitting the picture on a screen using light, any other light source can interfere with the projection.

If you intend to use projectors in your home theater system, you will need to have a dedicated room for theater purposes. It requires you to have a room capable of being in complete darkness, as well as having enough room for a large screen for your projector to project the picture.

Cost

The cost of the average projector is comparable to a high-quality, big-screen, HDTV-capable television. The higher quality projectors can end up costing more than the television set themselves.

The least expensive projectors can cost as much as $3,000. These products will have lower resolution than the more expensive ones. It is not be better to purchase a large-screen, HDTV-capable television rather than a $3,000 projector.

The good, quality projectors begin at $5,000 and can go as high as $12,000 or more. These are the products with very good resolution, which will give you the proper home theater experience.

If you are in the market to purchase a theater projector and are only looking to buy an average system, expect to spend up to $7,000 for the projector. You should then modify the room to allow for complete darkness.

Home Theaters provides detailed information on Home Theaters, Home Theater Systems, Home Theater Projectors, Home Theater Speakers and more. Home Theaters is affiliated with HDTV Antennas.

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An Introduction To Projectors

An Introduction To Projectors
By Elizabeth Morgan

A projector is an apparatus for presenting an enlarged image on a screen from a transparency such as a photographic slide or a film. In a motion picture projector, each frame is held stationary at an illuminated aperture for a brief period, and then advanced by an intermittent sprocket or reciprocating claw, the light being cut off by a rotating shutter during the movement. The soundtrack on the film is reproduced at a separate sound head where the film is moved continuously at a constant speed.

An average projector usually has a picture resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. Most of the projectors weigh four to six pounds and come with a carrying case. All of the projectors have varied brightness and contrast levels usually the brightness varies from 1300 lumens to 1500 lumens. A projector with a brightness of 1400 lumens proves to be a good choice for small to medium-sized, well-lit rooms.

Some of the indispensable parts of a projector are the feed spool, xenon arc lamp, projection lens, optical sound head, take up spool, an aperture, normal lens and rotating shutter. But with the advancement of science, new technologies have come into play. The projectors have become much more advanced in terms of clarity of picture and quality of the pixels. Also, the projectors have found use in everyday households, as new versions of domestic projectors have arrived on the market. The abundance of LCD projectors, DLP projectors and video projectors has enabled the common man to enjoy the experience of a big theater hall in his living room.

Projectors provides detailed information on Projectors, LCD Projectors, DLP Projectors, Video Projectors and more. Projectors is affiliated with DVD Projector Rentals.

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Auditorium LCD Projectors

Auditorium LCD Projectors
By Ken Marlborough

Auditorium LCD Projectors are generally up to 40kg in weight, with 3,000 lumens (a measure of brightness) and above, have SVGA (brightness range from 1700 - 2000 lumens) or XGA (brightness range from 2000 - 3000 lumens, are more expensive than SVGA) native resolution. Auditorium projectors are mostly LCD projectors and usually come with a ceiling or rear mount facility. They usually have motorized zoom lens, are generally operated via remote control and offer multiple input and output ports for both PC and video. Auditorium LCD Projectors generally require external speakers and are targeted at spacious venues like theaters, auditoriums and convention halls.

In other words, auditorium LCD projectors are heavy duty, and super bright, allowing them to provide the added illumination for very large applications. These projectors deliver high brightness that can be used in a wide range of places. They generally come with a lens shift function and a wide range of optional, interchangeable lenses also contributes to installation ease. These LCD Projectors have a variety of functions for high picture quality and network compatibility is also included. Providing realistic colors, sharp contrast, and super bright images, they enable presentations with persuasive impact in a variety of situations.

Some factors which help in choosing a better Auditorium LCD Projector are: Lumens, Resolution, Lens Power, Keystone Correction, Scanning Frequency, Contrast, Lens Throw Ratio, Aspect Ratio, Image Offset Range, Computer Compatibility, Video Compatibility, Image and Mouse control, Projection Modes, Color Reproduction and Lamp Life.

These projectors generally have a specially designed auto focus lens, which allows for quick and easy switching between multiple screens with minimal user adjustments. Their automatic color correction feature provides true color reproduction even when projecting onto colored or textured walls for a perfect presentation anywhere. Some of them have a 3-D Reform technology, which lets one set up the projector virtually anywhere in the room and still get an aligned image.

While choosing the right LCD projector for an auditorium, the dimensions of the auditorium, the ambient light conditions and the distance where the projector will be placed from the screen should considered and projectors whose specifications exceed the requirements should be considered.

LCD Projectors provides detailed information on LCD Projectors, LCD Projector Rentals, LCD Projector Lamps, LCD Video Projectors and more. LCD Projectors is affiliated with Cheap LCD TVs.

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LCD Video Projectors

LCD Video Projectors
By Ken Marlborough

Below are some of the best and most widely-used LCD Video Projectors below $2,000 (except for the Panasonic product, which is a little above $2,000) available on the market.

Epson PowerLite 81p LCD Video Projector XGA features a 5-watt audio system; high-aperture LCD with 2,000 ANSI lumens with 1,024 x 768 XGA resolution to deliver accurate color, color saturation, and image quality; four input connections; and automatic source selection, setup and operation. It also supports USB connectivity; NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and HDTV signals.

Hitachi CPX275 Video to XGA LCD Projector can project various computer signals as well as NTSC/PAL/SECAM video signals and is specifically designed for mobile professionals and budget-conscious consumers. It features 1200 ANSI lumens with 1,024 x 768 XGA max resolution, UHB lamp, and magnifying for closer viewing.

NEC VT670 Value LCD Video Projector enables you to use a variety of inputs, including video and HDTV. The projector is designed with NEC VTs Vortex and Image Processing Technology. It also features 2,100 ANSI lumens of brightness, 1,024 x 768 resolution, and Simple color-coded connections for all sources.

Panasonic PT-LB10U Video Projector is a super-slim projector from Panasonics family of ultra-compact XGA micro-portable LCD projectors, offering an XGA resolution of 1,024 x 768, 2000 ANSI lumens brightness and Digital Keystone Correction. It can display 480p, 480i and 625i component video and S-Video signals in either 4:3 or 16:9 widescreen aspect ratios.

Sony VPL-CX1 Superlite LCD Video Projector is the smallest and lightest projector from Sony, featuring a mechanical cooling structure; internal scan converter to display 1024 x 768 resolutions such as VGA, XGA, and SXGA (in addition to its native SVGA resolution); USB hub port for enhanced digital connectivity; and 550 ANSI lumens brightness.

LCD Projectors provides detailed information on LCD Projectors, LCD Projector Rentals, LCD Projector Lamps, LCD Video Projectors and more. LCD Projectors is affiliated with Cheap LCD TVs.

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Tips on Comparing Prices on Projectors

Tips on Comparing Prices on Projectors
By Jim Gelder

Buying a projector is an investment that you want to be sure you make wisely. So taking the time to do some comparison shopping when it comes to prices is simply a smart thing to do and something you certainly wont regret.

There are several ways you can go about comparing prices on projectors. The first is to visit electronics stores and office supply stores that sell projectors and check out their prices in the stores. This is an especially good method during sales. Its also a great way to get a good deal locally because many stores will offer to beat their competitors best price by a certain percentage, which can save you even more money.

You can also research and compare prices on projectors online. Doing your projector price comparison shopping online makes it possible for you to check out a much larger number of prices on projectors than you can do by going from store to store. This will also make it possible for you to check out the prices on a wider number of brand name projectors and even look into the prices of used projectors. Online auction sites such as eBay are great places to compare prices on used projectors.

Consumer report magazines are also a good resource for comparing prices on various projectors. These reports have the advantage of also rating the projectors, so you can compare quality as well as prices on projectors.

This is an important part of comparing prices on anything, whether its projectors or cars. You want to get the most value for your money, and that means that many times a medium priced item is actually a better value than a higher priced one because it has more features than a stripped down top brand name one has.

Also, even before you start comparing prices on projectors, its a good idea to have a budget in mind for what youre willing to spend for your projector. This will help you focus your price comparison, although you dont want to rule out looking into projectors that may cost more than youve budgeted for because you may run into an unexpected bargain as you do your research.

And if the thought of doing all the research needed to compare prices on projectors sounds like work to you, remember that at least half the fun of making any purchase is in the search! Make a game of it and see just how great a projector you can find for the least amount of money, thanks to your savvy comparison shopping. Then take those savings and splurge on something just for you!

Jim Gelder is a contributing writer for projectorian.com a website dedicated to offering information about projectors and projector rentals and also features a listing of local companies that offer LCD projector rentals, New York projector rentals and more.

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An Introduction To LCD Projectors

An Introduction To LCD Projectors
By Elizabeth Morgan

A projector is an apparatus for presenting an enlarged image on a screen from a transparency such as a photographic slide or a film. In a motion picture projector, each frame is held stationary at an illuminated aperture for a brief period, and then advanced by an intermittent sprocket or reciprocating claw, the light being cut off by a rotating shutter during the movement. The sound track on the film is reproduced at a separate sound head where the film is moved continuously at a constant speed.

LCD projectors come with the capacity to deliver high-definition pictures with high pixel density. Most of the LCD projectors are compact and lightweight; most of the advanced LCD projectors even use two-inch poly silicon panels. These panels (an advanced LCD projector might have TFT panels) help to produce high-quality images with a high-definition quality of about 1,000 scanning lines.

Most of the ordinary and average LCD screens have a screen ratio of 4:3. However, in some cases, an LCD might also have a screen ratio of 16:9. Images are projected on to a super-large screen. Some of the salient features of a compact, lightweight LCD projector are:

1. The utilization of three high-definition two-inch poly silicon TFT LCD

panels are key elements in the production of the three RGB basic colors.

2. Images of high ratio contrast are produced. Usually the image contrast is 400:1.

3. A good LCD projector adds to the normal brightness by about 40% over most other conventional and ordinary LCD video projectors. These LCD projectors use a high-transparency LCD panel for the above purpose.

For example, one of the recent high-quality LCD projectors is the Fujitsu LPF-D711 high-definition LCD projector for home theater.

Projectors provides detailed information on Projectors, LCD Projectors, DLP Projectors, Video Projectors and more. Projectors is affiliated with DVD Projector Rentals.

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A Short Guide to Video Projectors: Business vs Home Theater Projectors

A Short Guide to Video Projectors: Business vs Home Theater Projectors
By Andrew Ghigo

Today's multimedia video projectors represent a versatile, practical, and affordable tool that can serve different purposes both in the business as well as in the home entertainment arena.

The fall in price and the developments in video projection technology we have experienced during these last few years, have made the digital projector even more accessible to a larger group of home users.

Demand has increased to such an extent that manufactures are not only producing what are referred to as 'cross-over' models - i.e. projectors that can handle both PowerPoint presentations in the office as well as DVD movies at home, but they have also started to target the home entertainment domain by producing models specifically designed for home theater use. ...why?

It is true that 'cross-over' projectors can handle both worlds, but this does not mean that a video projector that can deliver a great presentation in the boardroom is also capable of delivering a great cinematic experience in the home theater.

Home theater projectors and business projectors have to fulfill distinct requirements in their use which can only be met if the video projector is specifically designed for the purpose.

What characteristics differentiate Business Video Projectors from Home Theater Projectors?

It is no surprise that video projectors are becoming a popular choice with many home theater enthusiasts. The digital projector can deliver the largest image for your dollar. Simply hook up your DVD and there you have the most cinema-like image in the home theater. Or connect a HDTV source such as a cable set-top box or satellite receiver, and there you have a huge 100 HDTV for the cost of a 50 plasma TV.

And in the boardroom, today's powerful digital multimedia projectors are proving to be more than ideal for business presentations; they are capable of delivering bright huge images under normal ambient room lighting - something only dreamt of in the days of the overhead projector. Simply plug in your laptop, and there you have the most fantastic business presentation in the world!

However, it is important to keep in mind that the boardroom and the home theater are two different arenas that require different beasts. The distinct requirements between the two are important; the discussion that follows explains what video projector attributes should apply in these two cases.

Important Projector Attributes

Brightness:

The brightness level (measured in lumens or ANSI-Lumens) is an indication of the level of light thrown out by the projector. Brightness is a lot more important for business use - this in view that many presentations are given in conference rooms with standard office lighting rather than in reduced ambient light. This means that the image needs to be bright enough to be seen, otherwise the projection would look washed out.

For small boardrooms and presentations with a lot of ambient light, a brightness of around 1000 to 1500 lumens should normally be fine. However, keep in mind that the projector brightness required depends on the projected screen size, the level of ambient light, and the projection screen gain (more on this in our projector screen guide).

For home theater applications, a high brightness level is not important. Some video projectors intended for home theater use come with bulb setting to enable the user to dim the light source for improved viewing and deeper blacks when viewing takes place in a darkened room.

Contrast:

As discussed in our Contrast Ratio article, even a minimal level of ambient light may render a high contrast image of say 5000:1 similar to one with a contrast ratio of 500:1. This means that though a minimum level of contrast is important for the eye to perceive a sufficient bright image, yet contrast is not an important attribute in business applications, nor it is in home use if one will be using the projector in the living room with the lights turned on.

In reality, anything above 400:1 for the contrast ratio would not be perceived by the eye if viewing does not take place in a completely darkened environment. In addition, due to the eye's contrast sensitivity function, a contrast ratio of say 2000:1 would not be perceived as five times better than one with a contrast ratio of 400:1. Therefore, pay more and go for a high contrast ratio only in the case of a home theater projector and as long as viewing takes place under controlled lighting.

Color, Gray-Scale Performance, and Smooth Video Playback:

These are all attributes that are more critical in home theater applications. In fact, color accuracy with natural-looking skin tones and capability to present subtle detail in bright and dark areas of the image matter more to the home user.

Similarly, the projector's ability to present smooth, video playback with no added motion artifacts, when presenting fast action sports and movie scenes, is of prime importance in any home theater application.

LCD or DLP:

It all depends. Strictly speaking, both technologies can do a good job in either of these applications in that advancement in technology has closed the gap between the two. Yet LCD projectors are normally the primary choice with business projectors in view that these still have a brightness edge over DLP.

On the other hand, DLP is still the favored technology when it comes to home theater use due to their improved black level performance and smoother looking projections that resembles more closely those at the movie theater.

Portability:

This is a major issue with the business video projector. Smaller and lighter is better, especially if you travel frequently. Weight is more of an issue for the business user. Business mobile professionals will want to hook up a lightweight projector to a computer or laptop, projecting an image on a large screen or wall for presentations.

Most business-oriented projectors weigh just a few pounds - some very light business models weigh no more than three pounds! These video projectors usually come with carrying cases and wireless remote controls that enable the user to control not only the projector, but also to send commands to the PC through appropriate connectivity. Some remotes include an integrated laser pointer.

Most multimedia projectors under this category come with a small integrated speaker for the sound; more expensive projectors have security features such as locking cables, etc.

Portability issue is of no concern in the home theater. One would normally setup a fixed place for the projector. For home theater projectors, the best installation spot is on the ceiling. This means that some planning has to go into how it is best to run cables into the ceiling to connect your projector with the rest of your home theater gear.

Video Projector Connectivity

It is critical that your video projector comes equipped with the appropriate inputs to enable you to connect with your PC or laptop in the case of a business projector, and home theater gear, DVD, or HDTV set-top-box in the case of a home theater projector.

It is clear that connectivity requirements between these two video projector categories vary.

Most - but not all - models support component, composite, S-video, and RGB connectivity. Home theater projectors normally also include a DVI or an HDMI port; this is very useful when it comes to interconnecting with a compatible DVD player or HDTV set-top boxes.

One standard that is starting to show up more on video projectors, and that is most appropriate in the business arena, is the M1, EVC, or P&D standard; this is most commonly referred to as M1 or M1-DA.

The M1 connector allows for the same connectivity as DVI digital single or dual link or analog transmissions in the case of DVI-I. But the added advantage of the M1 over DVI is that the M1 also provides connectivity to the USB or FireWire port on your PC. The USB/FireWire connection is used to supply commands from the projector's remote control to the computer - thus allowing you to scroll through PowerPoint presentations, etc.

Our advice: Always check before you buy to be sure that the projector has the inputs you need.

Projector Resolution: SVGA, XGA or Widescreen (WVGA or WXGA)?

This refers to the native or optical resolution and measures the level of picture detail that the projector can handle without compressing (down-scaling) the number of pixels in the original video content. Downscaling degrades picture quality and leads to picture content loss.

This is probably by far the most important video projector attribute that differentiate business from home theater projectors. In reality, it is not the number of pixels but rather how these are arranged on the screen in terms of width vs height i.e. the native aspect ratio of the projector.SXGA (1280x1024) is currently the highest resolution available for portable projectors; these video projectors are relatively very expensive. Most common video projector resolutions in the 4:3 aspect ratio are XGA (1024x768 pixels) and SVGA (800x600 pixels).

Widescreen versions of SVGA (WVGA: 854x480) and XGA (WXGA: 1280x720) have also started to emerge. These enable better projections of widescreen 16:9 content.

Business Video Projectors: SVGA and XGA projectors are more suited for business presentations, with the higher resolution XGA projectors being more capable of showing fine detail in your slide show.

Many may thing that the higher the resolution the better - but this does not necessary apply in the case of the business projector. A word of caution here arise out of the fact that if the text on a PowerPoint slide makes use of a too small a font to show using an SVGA projector (and therefore it necessitates the need of an XGA projector), it means that probably, the audience at the very back would still not be able to read it. Surely, you do not want that. In these circumstances, the cheaper SVGA projector would - in most circumstances - be able to do more than a good job.

On the other hand, the XGA projector is the best option for presentations that include graphics, software demonstrations, or full Web pages; this resolution also represents a better match for laptop computer displays.

Home Theater Projectors: If you want to use a video projector to project a huge image on a screen in your home theater, then the higher the resolution, the better since you will be less likely to suffer from pixelation issues. It is true that pixelation disappears as one moves further away from the screen but in the home theater, many would prefer to move a little bit closer for a wider angle of view and a more immersing movie experience.

Although most SVGA projectors can display HD images from your HD cable tuner or satellite, they don't have enough resolution to do it justice. The two main HD resolution formats are 1080i (1920 x 1080 pixels) and 720p (1280 x 720 pixels). SVGA projectors, with 800 x 600 pixels of resolution, don't have the ability to display either format without downscaling.

Even with DVD content - which at 852x480, comes with a lower resolution than HDTV - the lower-priced SVGA projectors cannot do a good job with DVD movies. XGA, on the other hand, gets much closer but...

Both standard SVGA and XGA projectors have a native aspect ratio of 4:3, so the image corresponds to a standard computer screen or regular television. Widescreen content - such as that available from DVDs and HDTV programming - have an aspect ratio of 16:9. The best way to match this is to use a home theater projector with a widescreen native resolution; it is only in this way that you can avoid the letterboxing, image stretching, or image cropping, or other aspect ratio management techniques that are often used to present a 16:9 content on a 4:3 screen.

Widescreen projectors come in either WVGA or WXGA. Opting for the cheaper WVGA projector makes sense if you will be watching only DVD movies. For HDTV content, a WXGA projector is necessary. This will enable you to display all HDTV content up to 720p without re-scaling. You still will be able to see 1080i HDTV material on a WXGA projector but the projected image will have to be compressed to fit the 1920x1080 pixels in a 1080i or 1080p HDTV, in the available pixel field of a WXGA video projector.

(c) 2004/2005 www.practical-home-theater-guide.com. All rights reserved.

Andrew Ghigo A Telecoms/Electronics engineer by profession. Editor and publisher of http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com - a comprehensive home theater guide to home theater systems, product reviews and home theater design.

This article is an excerpt from a series of informative guides appearing under the Projection Television section of the site.

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Used LCD Projectors

Used LCD Projectors
By Ken Marlborough

Apart from the usual used LCD projectors, those which have been used from some considerable amount of time by someone and are now for sale, there are some other categories of used LCD Projectors.

One of these categories is called demo projectors - projectors that have been used sparingly in-house for customer demonstrations. The majority of demo projectors generally have 90% or more of the original lamp life remaining at the time of resale. Demo models that are still in production ship with a full manufacturer's warranty. The length of warranty varies on demo models that are no longer in production.

Another category is refurbished projectors - projectors are most often the source of best projector deals. These projectors have been returned to an authorized factory service center and restored to meet manufacturer's original quality standards. Refurbished projectors feature new lamps, yet the warranty varies by manufacturer.

Yet another category is bargain buys - projectors that are new, factory-sealed units and are priced less than US $1500. These projectors are typically SVGA resolution, are portable, and feature an adequate amount of brightness for most any environment. Because of their budget price, the length of warranty on these projectors varies.

There are several Web sites that sell used LCD Projectors over the Internet. However, when buying over the Internet, one should not only look at the security of the mode of payment, but also about the vendor who is selling the product on the Web site. Generally, some people who have bought a product from a vendor leave a comment about the quality of service and product sold by the vendor; these comments are often very helpful in eliminating the vendors with a poor track record.

Finding a used LCD Projector is not difficult, what is though, is narrowing down to decide on a projector that meets the requirements, comes from a vendor who can be relied upon, and is at available at the best price among all the Web sites on the Internet that sell used LCD projectors.

LCD Projectors provides detailed information on LCD Projectors, LCD Projector Rentals, LCD Projector Lamps, LCD Video Projectors and more. LCD Projectors is affiliated with Cheap LCD TVs.

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Video Projectors

Video Projectors
By Elizabeth Morgan

Some of the various indispensable parts of a video projector are the feed spool, xenon arc lamp, projection lens, optical sound head, take up spool, an aperture, normal lens and a rotating shutter. But with the advancement of science, new technologies have come into play. The projectors have become much more advanced in terms of clarity of picture and the quality of the pixels. Also, the projectors have found use in everyday households, as new versions of domestic projectors have arrived on the market. The abundance of LCD projectors, DLP projectors and video projectors has allowed the common man to enjoy the experience of a big theater hall in his living room.

Video projectors have become very common throughout the world. One can have all the excitement and enjoyment of a big movie blockbuster at home. They are also used in schools and colleges where it is necessary to show videos and films on a regular basis to a large number of people.

It is always advisable to the users of video projectors or projection televisions to pay attention to the scaler. One can use a number of processors, scalers or switches to optimize the video sources to best match the native resolution of your video projector, flat panel, or LCD/DLP-based rear projection television. Video projectors have some kind of capability for scaling. Making use of or implementing an outboard processor or a scaler can raise the performance level to a much higher level for both video display and source components.

Projectors provides detailed information on Projectors, LCD Projectors, DLP Projectors, Video Projectors and more. Projectors is affiliated with DVD Projector Rentals.

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Video Projectors Advice On Choosing The Right Model For Home Or Business

Video Projectors - Advice On Choosing The Right Model For Home Or Business
By Steve Jones

As video projectors become more affordable then more people are using them both at work and at home. You might be thinking that projectors are all alike and the more you spend the better it will be. Well this is not strictly true. The more expensive projectors will be of a higher standard, but you might not experience any benefit if you do not choose the correct model. This is why we have written this article to try and guide you and help you choose the model most suited to you.

Before any purchase it is important to have a think about what you will be using it for and in what kind of environment. The business user will have very different requirements to someone wanting to set up a home cinema. Companies are now marketing hybrid projectors that claim to be able to be used for both home cinema and business. These two environments are very different though and will need projectors designed specifically to be able to handle these two very different uses. As you read the rest of the article you will begin to understand what you need to look out for when purchasing your video projector.

LCD or DLP

Both are excellent formats and which you choose will depend on your use. The business user will be more suited to an LCD projector due to the increased brightness. The home user on the other hand would be better to opt for a DLP projector as these will give a more cinematic experience.

Brightness

Think about the level of ambient light in the room where you will be using your projector. In the home cinema you will hopefully have control of the level of light so this will not be an issue. If you are using a room at home that has ambient light then you will need to opt for a brighter projector. In the business arena you are likely to be presenting in very bright rooms with standard office lighting and windows. A good projector for business use will need to have a high brightness level.

Brightness is measured in ANSI lumens. For home cinema you should be looking at projectors that have around 700 ANSI lumens brightness and for business projectors you will need between 1000 and 1500.

Color

The color, gray-scale performance, and video playback, are only really important to the home user as they will give more natural and detailed videos.

Contrast

There is no point spending money on a high contrast video projector for business use or use in a room at home that has significant ambient light as your eyes will not notice the benefit. If you have a dedicated cinema room at home then it will be worth looking at projectors with contrast ratios of 400:1 or higher. If you are looking for a projector for business use then there is no point by one with a ratio of higher than 400:1

Portability

This will probably only be an issue for a business user. If you travel around a lot and take your projector with you then the more compact and light the better. It is possible to buy extremely light projectors.

The home user may not be concerned too much with size and weight, but it is worth considering how you will set your projector up at home. Will it be fixed to the ceiling or on a stand? If you have it on the ceiling you should look for a projector which comes with a remote control as this will make adjusting settings a lot easier.

We hope that this look at the differences with video projectors will help you make your decision.

Find more articles by Steve Jones at http://www.a1-lcdprojectors.com.

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