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Accessories |
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Items that ship standard with the
projector. |
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Aspect
Ratio |
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The ratio of image width to image
height. Because a projector is a "fixed resolution" display
device, they have what is called a "native aspect ratio." The
most common aspect ratios for projectors are 4:3, 16:9, and
5:4.
4:3 Native Aspect Ratio generally
preferred for business use. This is because they are commonly
used to display data from a computer, and most computers are
output 4:3 signals.
16:9 Native Aspect Ratio
designed primarily for home theater use. This is because
widescreen DVD and HDTV signals are broadcast or encoded in
the 16:9 format. Home theater enthusiasts tend to prefer 16:9
aspect ratios because they are closer to original 35mm film
format.
5:4 Native Apsect Ratio used for high-end
workstations used for highly detailed images like CAD
drawings.
Note: many projectors, whether in a 16:9 or
4:3 native aspect ratio, are able to display multiple aspect
ratios (i.e. 4:3 projectors can also display widescreen images
and can therefore also be a good choice for home theater use).
While displaying their non-native signals, you will see black
bars either on the sides (16:9 displaying 4:3), or at the top
and bottom (4:3 displaying 16:9) of your image.
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Audible
Noise |
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Amount of noise emitted from projector. Lower
numbers mean less noise is generated. A very soft whisper is
approximately 30 dB. |
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Brightness
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Projector brightness is measured in ANSI
lumens. If using a projector for home theater applications,
where light is controlled, you need a projector with around
1,000 lumens or less. Areas that have windows or ambient light
require more lumens. How much depends upon a number of factors
including image size, audience size, and the amount of ambient
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Contrast
Ratio |
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Contrast Ratio is the difference between the
whitest white and the darkest black colors that the display
can show. Generally speaking, the higher contrast ratios make
for deeper blacks richer colors. Contrast ratios typically
range from 400:1 to as high as 10000:1. There are two industry
methods used: 1) Full On/Off contrast measures the ratio of
the light output of an all white image (full on) and the light
output of an all black (full off) image. 2) ANSI contrast is
measured with a pattern of 16 alternating black and white
rectangles. The average light output from the white rectangles
is divided by the average light output of the black rectangles
to determine the ANSI contrast ratio. When comparing the
contrast ratio of video devices make sure you are comparing
the same type of contrast. Full On/Off contrast will always be
a larger number than ANSI contrast for the same video device.
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DLP |
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(Digital Light Processing) is a commercial
name for a display technology from Texas Instruments (TI). The
technology inside is often referred to as DMD (Digital
Micro-Mirrors). It consists of an array of mirrors where each
mirror represents a pixel element. For example, a
high-definition DLP projector or rear projector with 1920 x
1080 pixel resolution would have and over 2 million tiny
mirrors. Each mirror is attached to an electronically driven
hinge that controls the amount of colored light that is
reflected from the mirror into the projection lens and onto a
screen. Projection systems using DLP technology use 1 to 3 DMD
devices. |
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Dimensions
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The dimensions of a projector are measured as
Width x Height x Depth. |
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Display
Device |
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Type of technology used inside of your
projector to produce the image. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
and DLP?(Digital Light Processing) are the most common
technologies used today, followed by LCoS (Liquid Crystal on
Silicon). |
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Image Size
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The size of a projected image, usually
measured diagonally. Focused Technology provides a projector
calculator to help you determine the appropriate distance and
image size. |
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Throw Ratio
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The throw ratio is the relationship between
your projectors distance from your screen and the width of the
image. For example, if your projector will be ten feet away
from your screen, your image will be larger than if your
projector is only five feet away. Width (W) x Throw ratio =
Distance (D). Focused Technology provides a projector
calculator to help you determine the appropriate distance and
image size. |
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Typical
Lamp Life |
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Projector lamps typically have a "half-life"
of 1000-2000 hours. They slowly lose intensity (brightness) as
they are used, and at the "half-life" point, they are half as
bright as when new. The lamp still works at its half-life, but
will continue to gradually lose brightness. Economy mode,
available on some projector models, will help extend the life
of your lamp. |
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Video
Signals |
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The projectors ability to project various video standards
such as:
NTSC - the USA's broadcast standard for
video and broadcasting
PAL - the standard color
system used throughout Western Europe, except in France
SECAM the French broadcast standard
HDTV
- A type of television signal, which is scheduled by
government mandate to replace the current US standard, NTSC,
by the year 2006. HDTV is different from NTSC in several ways.
First, HDTV is broadcast in the 16:9 aspect ratio as compared
to NTSC's 4:3 aspect ratio. Second, HDTV resolutions are
increased from 640 x 480 to either 1922 x 1080 (or 1080i) or
1280 x 720 (or 720p). Finally, because the signal itself is
digital rather than analog, it can carry a lot of information,
including full digital audio with multiple channels.Inputs
Types of connections accepted by a projector. Some
video and data inputs will provide better signal qualities
than others. Available input types include the following.
Computer (RGB or M1-DA) - Used for computer
to projector connections.
Composite video -
These are the most common cables, used to hook up your
standard VCR and stereo equipment. Typically, they are
color-coded: red, white, and yellow. Red is for right channel
audio. White is for left channel audio. Yellow is for video.
This is the lowest quality cable for a video
source.
Component video - Component cables
look just like composite cables. The difference is that, where
a composite cable carries the entire video signal on a single
cable, component cables split the signal in three. This
connection gives a superior image over composite or S-video
connections. Most manufacturers make connecting these cables
easy by color coordinating them. The tips of the cables and
jacks will be red, green and blue. Portable projectors usually
have very little space for connections. Due to the space
restriction, many have the 15-pin VGA connection double as the
component connection as well. Most high-end DVD players and
HDTV tuners will have component connections.
S-video - A video transmission standard that
uses a 4 pin mini-DIN connector to send video information on
two signal wires called luminance(brightness, Y) and
chrominance(color, C). S-Video is also referred to as Y/C.
Considered a higher quality video source than composite video.
DVI - Digital Visual Interface. DVI is a
standard that defines the digital interface between digital
devices such as projectors, flatscreens and personal
computers. For devices that support DVI, a digital-to-digital
connection can be made that eliminates the conversion to
analog and thereby delivers an unblemished image. HDMI -
HDMI sends and receives 24 bit, 8 channel, 192kHz digital
audio signals as well as video on the HDMI cable. HDMI has
only been available for a couple of years but is found on an
increasing number of projectors, televisions, plasma
televisions, LCD TVs, DVD players, and other consumer
electronics devices. |
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Keystone Correction
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Keystone correction makes a projected image
rectangular when a projector is placed at an odd angle from
the screen. Some projectors are able to correct for both
vertically and horizontally skewed images. Keystone correction
can be manual or automatic depending on the projector and the
manufacturer. |
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LCD |
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(Liquid Crystal Display) A display
device for generating color images using a matrix of LCD pixel
elements. Most LCD projectors have three panels. Each panel is
a prism that allows blue, red, or green light through its
pixels. These separate colors are then converged and
projected. Electrical signals turn on pixels within a set
based on the resolution of the unit. LCDs are known to produce
greater color definition, offering more shades or variations
of color than single-chip DLP?projectors. Newer LCD projectors
include special optics enhancers like micro-lens array that
minimize pixelization known as the "screen door effect." The
portability and brightness of LCD projectors have made them a
popular choice for traveling presenters. The lightest LCD
projectors weigh about 4 lbs. LCDs are used in projectors,
flatscreen displays, cameras and notebook computers to name a
few. |
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Lamp |
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The type of lamp in a projector. Metal
halide, UHP and ATL (both are similar technology) lamps are
the most common lamp types in projectors sold today.
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Lens |
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Projectors come with either a fixed focal
length or a zoom lens. With a fixed focal length lens, the
projector must be moved to adjust the image size on screen.
Zoom lenses allow adjustment to the image size without moving
the projector. Zoom lenses are standard with most projectors.
Some zoom lenses operate manually; others are motorized, which
allows you to adjust the image remotely. Zoom lenses allow
adjustment to the image size without moving the projector.
Lenses for large screen projectors are often sold separately.
Large-venue projectors often have optional lenses suitable for
long- and short-throw applications. Focused Technology
provides a projector calculator to help you determine the
appropriate distance and |
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Mfg Warranty
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A typical projector warranty is from one to
three years (excluding the lamp). Some manufacturers offer
free loaner or overnight replacement programs with their
standard warranties. Extended warranties are also available
from most manufacturers and can be purchased separately. A
typical lamp warranty is 90 days from date of purchase. Some
new projectors have lamp warranties as long as six months to a
year. |
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Number
of Colors |
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Refers to the number of colors that can be
displayed at one time based on the number of bits used to hold
a pixel. 24 bits equals 16.7 million true colors and produces
realistic TV-like colors. |
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Outputs
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Types of signals the projector can output.
Some projectors can also output audio or video to another
external source such as a video monitor or external speakers.
Some projectors allow for additional functionality such as
screen triggers and remote mouse control. |
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Product Data Sheet |
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Detailed product information document. |
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Projection Methods |
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Front means the projector is placed in front
of the screen. Rear means the projector can be used to project
from behind the screen. This requires the projector to be able
to reverse the image. Desk/Table means the projector can be
placed on a surface. Ceiling means projector can be mounted to
the ceiling, and usually requires the projector to project an
inverted image. |
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Remote
Control |
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Remote controls for projectors have varying
levels of functionality and may or may not include computer
mouse control. |
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Resolution
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Resolution is the number of pixels that
make up an image. the more pixels, the higher the resolution
and crisper images. it is measured as width by height.
SVGA (800 x 600) - Very popular because of low
price. Excellent for projecting simple graphics, presentations
or video.
XGA (1024 x 768) - Ideal for relatively
high-resolution images from videos, spreadsheets and graphics.
XGA has become the most popular resolution for business
applications.
SXGA (1280 x 1024) - 5:4 aspect
ratio. Ideal for high-end workstations used for highly
detailed images like CAD drawings.
WVGA (854 x 480) -
Lower priced entry level home theater projectors. 16:9
ratio.
WXGA (1280 to 1366 Horizontally x 720 to 768
Vertically) </i>Ideal for home theater projectors.
16:9 ratio. |
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Speaker
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Some projectors include built-in speakers for
simple audio needs. Most will prefer to use external speakers
or the speaker from their computer rather than the typically
low power projector speakers. |
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Throw
Distance |
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Also known as projection distance. The
distance from projector to screen. Focused Technology provides
a projector calculator to help you determine the appropriate
distance and image size. |
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