Brightness
This is probably one of the most important features that most, if not all, buyers consider when looking for a projector.

Brightness of a projector is usually presented in ANSI Lumens (acronym of ANSI is the American National Standards Institute, who developed the method in measuring projected brightness) however not all brands adopt this standard. Due to the varying standards of measuring brightness in the market, you should be aware that two projectors with the same quoted brightness might not necessarily give you the same amount of brightness.

In general, a higher brightness projector is able to produce a better and clearer image, but it really depends on your requirement. A projector that is too bright for, say a small room, may be over-kill and will cause discomfort to the eyes.

Determine the brightness of your projector depends mainly on 3 factors:

• Screen Size
• Ambient Light (Surrounding lighting condition)
• Type of projected contents

A larger screen size will require a projector to be placed further away from the screen which translate to a bigger amount of light loss while travelling across a longer distance, hence a higher brightness projector is required to produce a clear image.

Ambient light includes electrical lighting, sunlight, lighting from other nearby light emitting devices etc. With the presence of excessive ambient light, it will result in more light reflecting off the projected screen and hence ‘dimming’ the brightness of the actual projection.

If regular projection of small, fine details and sharp images are necessary, you will need a higher brightness projector as compared to projecting images with large bulky fonts.

Projection System
There are a handful of projection systems in the market namely the common ones are:

• 3LCD – 3 Chip Liquid Crystal Display
• 1-Chip DLP – 1 Chip Digital Light Processing
• 3-Chip DLP – 3 Chip Digital Light Processing
• LCoS – Liquid Crystal on Silicon
• QuaDrive

The common ones you will see are probably 3LCD, 1-Chip DLP and LCoS. 3-Chip DLP are mainly for higher end Home Theatre or Cinema projectors while QuaDrive system is an optical engine improvement from 3LCD system by Sanyo, which by itself command a heftier price tag.

Without confusing you with the technical differences of the various systems, I suppose the more critical questions are “how does each of the system perform differently from each other and their difference in price?” I shall give a brief review on how I view each of the 3 more common systems for data projector.

3LCD

The key advantage of a 3LCD Projection System lies in the fact that most, if not all, monitors in the market uses the same LCD technology. This translates to 3LCD projectors having the capabilities of reproducing the same color you would see on your LCD screen.

Due to the nature of how a 3LCD system operates, it is also capable of producing an unparallel grayscale range, giving the projected image greater variation in shadow, depth and details.

Utilizing 3 sets of dedicated primary colored LCD chips to process white light emitted from the lamp; it maximizes the light efficiency, which translate to better energy savings.

1-Chip DLP

A DLP projector uses a combination of a DMD chip and a rotating Color Wheel to digitally process a projected image. This system not only enables a 1-Chip DLP projector in achieving excellent black and white control, it also create vivid true to life colored images.

Further developments in the design of the color wheel help enhance the color performance of the projected image, a technology they call “BrilliantColor”. Instead of using the conventional 4-segments color wheel, a maximum of 6 segments are used to further enhance the color and visual experience.

Sequential color reproduction nature of the 1-Chip DLP system requires our brain to manually piece the fast moving single colored images into a full colored one. This method of projection may have induced some to dispute the discomfort caused on ones eye during prolong viewing, but the 1-Chip DLP system makes it up by its capabilities in producing sharp and clear images, in particular on thin font characters, which inversely make viewing easier.

LCoS

Many have described an LCoS projection system as a hybrid between a 3LCD and DLP. It harnesses the benefits of both systems to achieve a smooth and high-resolution image.

LCoS may not be in the category of mass-market demand projector like the 3LCD or DLP, but it does not put it any inferior to them. One of the most prominent advantages of the LCoS system is having a less prominent pixel structure thus generating extremely smooth and natural images. Adopting the same 3-chip dedicated color-processing system like a 3LCD, ability to reproduce color is also amongst the top performers.

Having said the above, traditionally LCoS projectors does demand a heftier price tag, which could be the main reason it was not quite in the same league as the 3LCD & 1-Chip DLP Projectors.

Summary:

After a very brief run through of the 3 common projection systems, you have probably identified that each system has its advantages. To sum things off, regardless of each system advantage over others, the quality of a projected image is still subjective to individual’s preference.

Below are some white papers and reviews archived from reputable sites should you be keen to read in-depth comparison of the technologies.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/lcd_dlp.htm

http://www.projectorcentral.com/lcd_dlp_comparison.htm

http://www.projectors.co.uk/sitepage/Projector%20Technology.html

1. Do not keep spare lamp for excessively long periods
Condition of spare lamp may deteriorate even when not in use. Try to purchase the lamp(s) only when nearing the expected lamp hours on the current lamp. Note that most lamps warranty is only 3 months/ 500hrs, so keeping a spare lamp beyond that period will only be wasting the warranty. If purchasing a back-up spare lamp is really necessary, it is advisable to test the lamp and ensure it is working prior to keeping it in storage.

2. Do not touch the lamp glass during installation
Use a clean dry cloth during handling of the new lamp to avoid leaving residue on the lamp glass. Residues/ dirt left on the glass surface will cause concentration of heat during its high temperature operation, which may cause the glass to crack prematurely.

3. Normal & Eco Mode
Since new lamp condition is at its best, you may opt to operate the projector on ECO mode first, which takes lesser toll off the lamp. Switch to Normal mode only when the image becomes too dim for viewing comfort.

4. Clean filter regularly
Filters tend to be clogged with dust after some time. Cleaning helps to prevent excessive heat building up in the projector, particularly in the lamp housing. Overheating may cause lamp to crack and fail.

5. AV Mute Slide Lens Shutter
This is a function limited to certain projector models, which allow a user to slide a shutter across the lens to block the projection. User will usually find something to block the lens when they want to divert the audiences’ attention away from the projected image. This lens shutter not only fulfill the objective of blocking off the screen, when closed, the lamp is actually turned off hence saving unnecessary wastage of lamp hours.

6. Shut down projector properly
This means pressing the Power Off button and wait for the beeping sound to prompt users to turn off the hard switch. This is to allow the projector’s internal fans to sufficiently cool the lamp after use. Inadequate cooling will cause lamps to fail prematurely. Some projectors however supports instant off function, as there is an in-built mechanism to cool the lamp even after instant power off. This is especially useful for areas prone to power outage or users who do not have the patience of waiting for the cooling down time.

Ensuring the above will surely help conserve the life of your projector lamps and saving unnecessary expenditures.

Projector has come a long way since making it debut in the late 1800s and it has developed itself into more than just a simple image projection device in recent years.

Currently there are a thousand and one models available in the market with a variety of functions that even the sales person has a hard time remembering. Different projection technology, varying input sources coupled with complex networking & wireless capabilities is leaving consumer overwhelmed with choices, and hence I ask a simple question, “How do you choose the right projector?”

Before you start searching online for the cheapest deal or squeezing through armies of shoppers on the last day of a super value PC Fair, take a step back and consider the followings:

• What is my Application?
• What is my Budget?
• What is my Usage?

Believe it a not, all the above consideration eventually points to how much you will SAVE when you buy the right projector. (Note: buying the cheapest projector available does not necessarily translate to highest savings)

Application determines the type of projector you need (i.e. Desktop, Ceiling Mounted, Portable, wireless, networkable, short throw etc). Get a wrong projector for the job and you find yourself shelving a potentially costly asset.

Most if not all buyers will consider Budget to be the highest driving factor in projector selection. However, if a projector is selected solely due to budget constrain, it is more likely that it will not be performing to its requirement (e.g. buying a cheap 2000lm projector for a 50pax meeting room). Just remember that you will have to live with this projector for the next 2-3 years at minimal, so why save on a couple hundred dollars for something that is not going to properly serve its purpose?

Usage of the projector will pretty much translate into running cost, which includes replacement lamps, filters, maintenance/ servicing. Cost of ownership is often being overlooked in the presence of a ‘too good to be true’ deal.

There are in fact countless considerations prior to buying a suitable projector. So if you are unfamiliar with what you are about to purchase, find out more before jumping into the ‘perfect’ deal.

The most common problems with projector screens are:
-       Warping on the sides of the screen
-       Fabric of the screen crumbles/ wrinkles
-       Fabric turns yellowish

Things to avoid during installation:

1. Air-conditioning blowing directly at the screen
   This causes water vapor to condense on the surface of the screen once air-condition is switched off. Prolong exposure to water vapor will results in fungus ‘growing’ on the screen causing it to turn yellowish or even brownish
2. Brackets mounted on vibrating surface
   Building structures like metal beams running across the ceiling of the room might have been used to support other equipments (e.g. Air-Conditioning Unit) such equipments will cause the beam to vibrate constantly. Screens mounted on these vibrating surfaces may cause mechanism in the roller to jam easily.
3. Leveling of the screen
   Un-leveled screen installation will cause tension on one side of the fabric and slag on the other. Over time, such tension and slag may cause the fabric to warp or wrinkled

A screen should always be retracted when not in use. This is to reduce the amount of tension on the hanging fabric hence relieving it of the stress. Less stress on the fabric will help to prevent it from warping and wrinkling.

Not much of preventive maintenance but more like preventive measures on prolonging the life span of your projector screen.

A successful and well-planned AV installation job will not be possible without good coordination and on-site preparation. Of course we do not mean for the user to be preparing the cabling works but more like getting the site laid up to allow the installer sufficient work space.

Some of the good practices by users include:

-       AV Installation should be scheduled at the end after all other renovating works to prevent damage of the equipment by other contractors

-       Clearing away/ shifting aside unnecessary furniture that might obstruct the installation

-       Ensuring sufficient power points available for the equipments

-       Remove any unnecessary decorations that might obstruct the installation or mountings

-       Ensure that the necessary racking for the equipments are ready

-       Ensure that sufficient time is given for any unforeseen circumstances during testing

-       Make sure the job site is clean and free from debris from other renovation works to avoid dirtying the equipments after installation

Last but not least, users must take ownership of the position of where you want to mount the equipment. Installer will advise against some locations if it affects the performance of the equipment.

Hope the above helps to make your AV Installation a smooth and pleasant experience.

Apart from the cost of the projector, one must not overlook other important aspect of costing, like operational cost. Operational cost includes maintenance cost and replacement parts cost (i.e. Lamps)

A simple checklist to help users consider all aspects of budget projector selection:

1. Projector Price
2. Lamp Durability
3. Replacement Lamp Price
4. Ease of Maintenance
5. Warranty Coverage

It is also a common practice for manufacturers to throw in freebies during occasional promotions/ events which users can keep a look out for to grab a good deal.

So to keep a long story short, do not just simply jump for the cheapest offer but view it as along term investment and consider factors like operation cost and maintenance. This should help user make better decisions in the long run.

Some of the main reasons why some users decide to opt for Fixed Controllers:

-       No issues with mis-placing the remote controller

-       No issues of last minute flat batteries in remote controllers

-       When install at the right places, convenient for the presenter to change settings

-       Only the important Basic functions available, reducing unnecessary problems with users accidentally changing the pre-set calibrations or settings via Remote Controllers

However having said the above, working with just the remote controller is not as bad as it seems. It is quite convenient especially for smaller rooms where there are no blockages, in the line-of-sight to the projectors, for the IR signals. Having the same brand of projectors for multiple rooms can also be controlled via the same controller making it very handy with just 1 controller. Most importantly, it is going to save the user a couple hundred dollars per setup without installaing the fixed controller.

Brightness of the projector is decided largely on the ambient condition of the room during which the users would like to operate in (not when all lights and window blinds are closed). The size of the desired screen as well as the area of the room should also be taken into consideration.

Deciding on the projector brightness involves some quick assessment of your room as follows:

1. To determine the right screen size for the room
- A quick gauge is to use a screen height 1/6 the length of the distance between the screen to the last row of audience

2. Position where you can place/ mount your projector
- The further you require to mount your projector, the brighter you require due to light loss on extended projected distance

3. Identify the lighting positions
- Any lighting installed just in front of the screen would require an additional 20-30% Brightness to show projected image clearly

With the above 3 points in checked, a user will be able to filter out specific projector requirements and zoom in on the available brightness specifications.

Rule of thumb:

-       A typical meeting room of 5-10 paxs will require between 2000 – 3000lm projectors

-       A conference room of 10-20 paxs will require between 3000 – 4000lm

-       A Lecture Theatre of 50 paxs will require between 4000 – 5000lm

-       Auditoriums 5000lm and above subjective to the setup conditions

But having said the above, it is important to understand that the brightness specification in brochures and catalogues may not be a true indication of its exact brightness. It does not help with the fact that manufacturers are using different Brightness Standards for their projectors.

A ‘brand A’ 3000lm projector may look totally different from a ‘Brand B’ Projector with the exact same brightness specifications. Some projectors are bluish base bias and some are yellowish based bias giving users a harder time in distinguishing which actually looks brighter.

A side-by-side demo will help to differentiate the difference better and the user can choose the right brightness that best meets his/ her preference.

And since brightness of a projector deteriorate over time, it is always good to get a projector 500-1000lm brighter than what is required. It can be operated on ECO Mode when it is brand new and switched back to NORMAL mode when the image began to look dim. This has proven to be especially useful in saving lamp life and prolong the lifespan of the lamp.

A Quick Tip:

Getting a screen with black borders helps our eyes in perceiving the image to be brighter and sharper. The black border enclosing the projected image giving the image more depth and hence ‘boosting’ the image quality.

By projecting onto the 4:3 screen with a 16:9 image, your top and bottom half of the screen area would be wasted. To make matter worst, if you get connected to a XGA Resolution Laptop, the projected image will be even smaller than your actual screen; it shows a smaller image than the 16:9 because the left and right extreme of the pixels are ‘blocked’ off to show only 1024×768 instead of 1280×800.

It is misleading that some projector catalogues are telling you that using a WXGA Projector will give you a larger screen, but you actually end up with a smaller one.

So what are your options?

If you still prefer the WXGA Resolution, you will need to change to a larger 16:9 screen to get a larger image. The area where you install the screen must have sufficient width to cater for the increase in screen size.

A more cost effective option is actually to keep to a XGA Projector. WHY?

Without having to change your existing 4:3 screen, using a native XGA Projector will maximize the screen surface. (Not forgetting that XGA projectors are also a couple hundred dollars cheaper than the WXGA ones)

What happens when you try to connect with a WXGA Resolution Laptop? You have 2 options:

1. Fix the projector Aspect Ratio at 4:3 and the projector will compress the WXGA image to fit into a 4:3 image. This method might cause some distortion in the image you are trying to project.
2. Allow the projector to auto detect the Laptop resolution and adapt accordingly. What happens is the projector will block off the top and bottom of the image to show a 16:9 aspect ratio image. This however will not give you the full 1280×800, but 1024×576 pixels and the sharpness of the image will be compromised but not compromising the actual size as you will still be maximizing the full width of your screen. Consider the cost savings, it is perhaps a good trade off.

So in summary, if you would like to have a WXGA Resolution projector, it will serve you better if you change to a larger WXGA Format Screen. If not, buying a XGA Resolution projector need not necessarily mean that you cannot display a 16:9 image when required (all these while using your existing projector screen)

Before you jump into any decision, we must first determine the general requirement for this ceiling mounted projector.

Video:

Without doubt, the main requirement for the projector is to project a video signal from a source (i.e. PC, DVD Player) With the multiple input options, apart from the convenience of different input ports to match those in your player source, the video quality varies with different connecting ports.

So it will be radical to connect cables that give you the best possible image quality. As a guide, the quality of the transmission runs in the following sequence (lowest to highest)

1. S-Video
2. VGA
3. Composite
4. Component
5. DVI
6. HDMI

Audio:

If the projector comes with internal speakers and you have no intention to install additional speakers, it is always good to lay the cables to tap on the internal speakers.

The common options for audio connection includes Audio Mini-Jack, Composite RCA, HDMI etc.

The limitation of the cable signal strength should also be considered to avoid installing a cable that is unable to transmit good signal over long distances. So understanding the maximum signal tolerance of each cable is an important consideration during cable selection. Example a good USB signal will not last beyond 5m and a good HDMI signal will not last beyond 8-10m.

Having said the above, some of the most common uses can be used as a guide.

1. VGA Cable (For PC Connection)
2. Composite RCA (For Video Players, e.g. DVD Players)
3. HDMI (For high Definition contents, e.g. Play Station, Blu-ray Players)

No harm including the additional Audio Mini-Jack audio cable since the convenience out-weights the marginal cost.