Choosing a projector can be a confusing task. Here we just want to cover the basic (most relevant) projector feature's, please see the individual guides for detailed information.  First write down all the features you need. We have over 200 projectors on the Projectisle site giving you the biggest selection in the UK. If your on a budget and you don't need a feature don't pay for it! e.g. if the projector is going to be ceiling mounted it doesn't have to be the most compact portable machine and if you have a dark room you won't need the Brightest projector.

OK, lets establish a number of facts before you start your search.

• What do you want to use the projector for?

• Will it stay in one place or does it need to be portable?

• Will you need to integrate your new projector with existing equipment?

Take your time, think ahead and consider the choice.

To help you in your task we have collated a number of manufacturer's details, including brightness, weight, resolution and price. There may be other factors which will influence your choice. But we have detailed what we believe to be the most basic relevant attributes.

Brightness

The brightness of projectors is measured in lumens. Generally, the higher the lumens rating the more you will pay. Choose the projector with the lumens rating which you will use. Don’t pay for features you don’t need.

Consider the following:

1. What size audience will the projector address? Larger audiences need larger images, larger images need brighter projectors, and brighter projectors have greater lumens ratings.

2. How bright is the venue? The lighter the venue, the brighter the projector needs to be to compensate.

3. What are you showing? Video or graphics tend to be shown in a darkened room therefore you need less lumens. However, if your audience needs to take notes or see the presenter, the room will be lit and you will need a brighter projector to work with the room lights.
 

Throw Distance

Throw distance is the distance from the projector's lens to the screen. The further away from the screen the projector is positioned, the larger the image will appear and the greater the light source needs to be to compensate for the light dispersion.

As a rule, approximately 700 ANSI lumens are sufficient for a presentation to a small group of say 6 people. For groups of 20-25 people you would need around 1000 ANSI lumens and for larger groups you should consider 2000 ANSI lumens. The larger the audience, the larger the venue, and the larger the screen.

Resolution

The resolution of projectors is categorized like computer monitors. You can just choose a projector with the same resolution as the laptop you intend to use it with. You should also consider the type of presentations you might make on it.

• PowerPoint – slides, simple clear graphics: choose SVGA.

• Spreadsheets, more detailed graphics: choose XGA.

• Large screen: choose XGA.

• Very detailed images, CAD, architectural drawings: choose SXGA.

Weight

Will your projector be positioned in a venue on a permanent basis, will it move from room to room in the same building, or will it take to the road? Obviously the more your projector will have to be moved, the lighter it should be.
 

• Home Cinema: These tend to be the lightest units and are becoming increasingly popular for domestic entertainment.

• Micro Portable: The smallest/ lightest of the commercial projectors, choose one if the unit is going to travel on a regular basis.

• Ultra Portable: Similar to micro portable but can weigh up to 6kg. Portability is relative. What weight could you carry comfortably?

• Desk Top: 10 – 15 kg. Meeting room/ conference room should have the facility to operate multimedia presentations.

• Fixed: The real heavyweights of the sector. Designed to be built into a specific venue and not moved around. Amongst the highest performance and price.

Price

Don’t buy down to a price, buy up to a budget. Check the features and specifications before you decide and choose a projector with the highest spec you need and can use.

Portable?

Just how portable a projector is can depend on who’s doing the carrying and how far the unit is being carried. Remember projectors are delicate machines and bumping down the stairs in a wheeled flight-case could prove to be expensive.

To assist you in determining your own criteria for portability here is a list of everyday items and their comparative weights.

• Sub Micro Portable: up to 2 kg - bag of sugar.

• Micro Portable: 2kg to 3 kg - laptop computer.

• Ultra Portable: 3kg to 6 kg - one to two laptops.

• Portable: 6kg to 10 kg - ½ case (6 bottles) of wine.

• Fixed: above 10kg

Fan Noise?

Their's nothing worse than sitting in a meeting or watching a movie with the constant humming of noisy equipment in your ear. An important consideration before purchasing is to check the Fan Noise rating. Each of the projectors listed in our database have their Decibel ratings listed when published by the manufacturer.

Here is a scale to help you put them in perspective.