Ease of Use
Most of today's projectors are very easy to use. They come with about as much hardware as a laptop. Usually just two to three cords (power, PS II mouse, USB, and audio/video cables) and the projector itself will pack into a bag small enough to carry on the plane, or place in the back seat.
They are plug-and-play, user-friendly and they can be set-up in a matter of minutes. Even with the challenges of a constantly changing environment, in most cases all you will need is a power outlet.
Brightness
Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens. Entry level portables now start at 1100 ANSI lumens, all the way up to a stunning 4200. A projector with at least 1000 ANSI lumens is desirable for use in rooms where there will be ambient light. Older model used projectors with 800 lumens or less; require low or lights off presentations. As a presenter you may be inviting a few to doze (or pass notes) during your presentation when the lights go down.
An 2500 or more ANSI lumen projector would put you ahead of the pack, and these brighter projectors have now become the industry standard. In any case, brighter can't hurt you, but it may cost a little more.
Image Quality
A lot of people think first about resolution when fretting over image quality. The quick and easy answer is simply matching your projector's resolution to your laptop's resolution. New laptops are moving away from SVGA into XGA resolutions, so keep that in mind.
Consider what you're projecting:
| Presentation Content |
Minimum Resolution Recommended |
Projector Class Recommended |
| Power Point |
800 X 600 |
SVGA |
| Internet, Spreadsheets, CAD |
1024 X 768 |
XGA |
| Photos, High Resolution Graphics |
1280 X 1024 |
SXGA |
Contrast ratio is the ratio between the brightest and darkest areas of the image. If you think this doesn't matter, turn the contrast setting on your computer monitor to its most extreme and see what kind of picture you get. Contrast lends crispness to an image. A projector's contrast ratio should be 400:1 or higher for cleanest video image or the most intelligible computer image. Remember that room light significantly impacts contrast.
A little bit about the video side of things... Almost all projectors accept composite and s-video.
For awesome video image quality, component video is the way to go. New DVD players offer component video, as
do some satellite systems. On projector spec sheets this feature may be called component video, (Y,R-Y,B-Y)
or YPbPr... don't try and pronounce it.
Portability
Portable projectors now run between 2 and 13 pounds. The lightest weight projectors are convenient to carry, however
often there is a trade off for brightness, image quality, or features. If you're moving the projector between classes
or offices, weight is not a deal. If you're traveling, it starts to matter. While a pound or two may not sound like
much, consider lugging a projector from the office to a taxi, onto an airplane, back in the taxi and then to the hotel.
Oh, and don't forget you're also towing a laptop, brief case, suitcase and hopefully your notes. A sturdy hardcase is
recommended for anyone who travels by air. Consider one with wheels to consolidate your load.
Use
There are two and a half projector technologies to consider for portable projection:
DLP (Digital Light Processing), DMD (Digital Micromirror Device), the next generation of DLP, and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
If you plan to have the projector running for long periods of time,
more 8-10 hours per day, DLP technology is the answer. DLP projectors
use a reflective design to create an image from thousands of tiny
mirrors. Heat from the lamp does not affect any of its components.
DLP projectors can be in operation continuously with no loss in performance, and DMD technology promises a longer projector life. TI DMD Field Reliability Study
Conversely, LCD projectors do their best work in the first 8 hours of the day. (Don't we all). Anything longer and the image will begin to deteriorate. The transmissive design of an LCD projector has light passing through the LCD chips, then on through the optics, and onto the screen. Unfortunately, heat is also transferred with the light. Continuous overtime (read: longer than 8 hours) and the heat build-up is actually melting the LCD surfaces. This will skew colors, contrast and overall picture quality. Something to think about when buying used.
In defense of LCD projectors, they appear brighter when compared to their DLP lumen counterpart. And best of all... they are cheaper!
Warranty
Projector warranties range from 1-3 years on parts and labor depending on the manufacturer. When offered, standard bulb coverage tends to be 90 days. If you travel frequently or if your operation depends on a working projector you'll want to check into warranties that cover 1-3 day instant repair or exchange. If you're considering a projector whose warranty does not offer short term replacement, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're out of luck. Talk to potential dealers to find out what after sales support they can offer.
Intangibles
Today, the technology has greatly improved. Projector manufacturers have added things that can make your presenting life easier and more successful. Some examples are: memory cards for computer-less presentation, digital keystone correction for versatility in projector placement, digital zoom and digital freeze for visual poignancy, wireless mouse control, on-screen pointer, multiple computer inputs for complex presentations, built-in security cameras, and wireless/wired LAN options. You may not require all of these bells and whistles for your purposes, but know they are there.
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