Connections of a projector

We must take into account both the devices that we are going to connect to the projector and those that we can connect in the future, to make sure that our projector has all the necessary connections. The main ones to consider are:

VGA and S-Video: These analog technologies are increasingly obsolete. Anyway, the VGA connection is still used in some computers a few years ago, so it would not be a bad idea to have it, although we will always get better quality with digital connections.

HDMI and DVI: They are the main channels of transmission of video and digital audio (or analog in the case of the old DVI-A). The HDMI connector is the most frequent and the one that allows the most information to be transmitted, which is why it is the one that will provide us with the highest quality, especially at high resolutions.

Audio:  Although most projectors have built-in speakers, the sound usually leaves a lot to be desired, and it is always advisable to connect some speakers to the composite audio input or 3.5mm Jack input.

USB: The USB port is a projector can have different functions, but it will always be interesting that our device has it.

USB Type B: It can act as a substitute for HDMI or DVI to take video from another device with a USB cable.

USB Dongle: Used to connect a wireless card to our projector and connect it to a Wi-Fi network.

USB for pen drive: It is a very interesting option since without relying on any other device such as laptops or desktop computers, we can directly reproduce the content that we have in the Pendrive in the projector, without more cables or connections.

Projector functions:  As always, depending on the use we are going to give you, we must take into account the extra functions that our projector must have:

Lens shift: It is of great importance since it moves the lens vertically and horizontally without distorting the image to center it without the need to place the projector directly in front of the projection screen.

Optical zoom:  It gives us more flexibility when it comes to finding the right distance from the projector to the projection screen.

Keystone correction or trapezoidal correction:  Factors of great importance to correct the deformations of the image due to the inclination of the projector or when the surface on which we are projecting the image.

Smart smoothing:  The video projector is responsible for introducing more frames in images with faster movement, such as action scenes, to soften the image.

Projector technology

As regards the 200 dollar projector method, there are mainly these 5 technologies. Let's see in a simple way the pros and cons of each one.

DLP Projectors (Digital Light Processing)

This technology consists of millions of mirrors that project light onto a screen. It occupies very little space and is usually used in smaller devices and requires little maintenance. (Ideal for corporate scope)

Pros:

Durability

High Contrast

The vision of texts is very clear.

Cons:

Less accurate colors

Eventually, light flashes of colors are seen.

LCD projectors (Liquid Crystal Display)

This technology divides white light into the 3 primary colors, blue-green and red, and passes through 3 LCD screens. (Ideal for home theater)

Pros:

Great image quality

Huge fidelity of colors.

The image is brighter than with DLP.

Cons:

It requires cleaning the dust filters from time to time

We can see grid effect (lines that separate each pixel)

LCoS Projectors (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)

Operation very similar to LCD. In this case, instead of allowing light to pass through, the panels reflect it (as in DLP projectors). (Ideal for home theater)

Pros:

Higher resolution

Contrast and no grid effect. 

Cons:

They tend to have smaller amounts of lumens

Its price is higher.

LED (Light Emitting Diode)

LED projectors without simply a light emitting diode formed by two semiconductors that convert electrical energy into light energy.

Pros:

They do not need hardly maintenance.

They deliver a uniform light throughout their useful life.

They are economical

Great durability: 20,000h

Instant power off and on.

Small size

Cons:

Currently, they are more expensive than LCD.

They are more sensitive to voltage variations.

Laser Projector

It is the latest technology and comes to solve the shortcomings of the other systems. It is the one that gives us the highest quality, but it is also the one with the highest price.

Pros: 

Concentrate light better.

They emit less heat and consume less energy

Improves brightness intensity and color saturation

Similar life to LED: 20,000h.

Instant power off and on.

Cons:

Price more expensive.

Home theater projector

If we want a projector to enjoy football matches with friends, we are movie lovers and series or we want to enjoy video games to the fullest we should look for a projector with the following characteristics:

Resolution between Full HD (1920 × 1080) and Ultra HD or 4K (3840 × 2160) would be the best option. Every day there is a more content 4K resolution, so if we can stretch our budget a bit, this would be the best option.

3D function: If we are not going to see 3D content, this function is indifferent, although almost all medium-high range projectors tend to incorporate it.

Contrast:  a ratio of 5000: 1 will be sufficient in most cases. If you have more, even better.

Luminosity:  We should try to buy a projector with at least 3000 lumens. If we are going to use it mainly at night or in a dark room, with 1500 - 2000 lumens it may be enough.

Noise: lower than 30 dBs.

Projector for corporate or educational scope

If what we are looking for is a projector for a more professional or educational use we should look for something with characteristics similar to the following:

Resolution:  the highest resolution is WUXGA, followed by WXGA. They are the most common and are more than enough for this type of use.

3D function: In the professional or educational field, the 3D function is not usually used, although almost all medium-high range projectors usually incorporate it.

Contrast:  a ratio of 5000: 1 will be sufficient in most cases. If you have more, even better.

Luminosity:  Given in these areas are usually used in large rooms and we can not always regulate the lighting, especially the natural, it would be advisable that the projector had  4000 lumens or more.

Noise: lower than 30 dBs.

More Topic:

How to choose the right projector for your needs

HOW TO CHOOSE A PROJECTOR, 7 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

How to choose the right projector for your needs

The adventure of buying something may not always be so simple. The best thing would be to detect a need and go to satisfy it, that simple. But in this world, the connection between need and satisfaction is not so immediate. The options are many and the doubts are plunging us into a strange kind of anguish. Has it happened to you? In this Zen corner, you will find peace those tormented by the search for a projector.

I need a projector. The first step clear, or at least it seems. If you have in mind a purchase of this type accompany me to review the elements that must be taken into account to make a good purchase. Of course, I would start by asking: why do you need a projector? Let's consider the possibilities: 

professional reasons, academic reasons or playful reasons. The first two have a primary element to consider, namely size. If it is a projector that will have to be constantly moving and is for personal use, it is best to start discarding all those foggy. Some advantages will be sacrificed, but many inconveniences will also be saved. For those who want to set up a kind of cinema at home, this may not be so problematic unless the space you have is very small.

But, beyond the use, what should you take into account? Simple: size of the room, size of the screen (especially the width), the distance to which it is projected, the lighting of the space (particularly the one that directly affects the screen) and the number of people expected. Enjoy the function or presentation. I propose to use a quadrant with two axes: the use and space, that is, having clear the type of use ( what do I want the projector for? ) And the characteristics of the space ( where do I plan to use it? ) enter to see the technical specifications. If you already know that you want to acquire one, you can always buy your projector at www.proyector24.es

Resolution

Nobody wants a projector that does not provide a good image. The problem is in determining what good image means in each case. Hence, the coordinates of use and space are very important to make decisions. The standard resolution options are the following:

If you want to enjoy a good movie at home and you only have to use the projector for this purpose, you could think of a Full HD (depends on the budget). But if you think about replacing the TV with a projector, it might be better for you to think of a WXGA or SXGA. Remember that the projector lamp has an average lifetime of 2,000 hours (although there are some that last up to 5,000), so you should always think about replacements at a convenient price or, in any case, review very well then they promise you. Another element to decide the resolution is what you think plugin as the source of the images because the ideal is that the resolutions between the source and the projector coincide. Of course, if you only think of professional or academic presentations without many graphics the SVGA resolution is more than enough.

Brightness

This is a key element in a projector and we must take into account the space in which we intend to make use of it. The data that interests you is the lumen, which is the unit of light measurement, although it can also be found as ANSI lumen. The more natural light we have in the space, the more lumens we need in our projector. The size of the room also affects, because larger size requires more power. For screens and small distances in a space where we have control of 1600 lumens lighting is more than enough. For larger spaces, a minimum of 2000 lumens is recommended depending on the lighting conditions in the room.

Contrast

Contrast is a relationship that measures blacks and whites in the image. The bigger the relationship, the blacks will be blacker and whites whiter. Depending on the quality sought, a 500: 1 ratio may be sufficient (for presentations, for example). Now that if you have a home theater in mind you should look for a minimum contrast of 1500: 1 and keep in mind that obscuring space will be fundamental.

LCD or DLP

Another technical fact is in the technology used for the projection. The options are two: LCD ( Liquid Crystal Display ) and DLP ( Digital Light Processing ). The first is older and occupies a little more space, although it achieves a very good intensity of color. The second, developed by Texas Instruments, is more economical and has its greatest strength in the contrast. Now that, once the other aspects are valued, the budget should have already thrown you into a couple of options where maybe choosing between one and another technology will no longer be necessary. But if you still have the dilemma, you will have to decide if you like more appreciate the color of things or if you prefer an image where the contrast is very clear.

Screen and projection distance

The last of the elements to consider is the surface where the projection is planned. More than the material of the same must be aware of the size. Depending on it, it is how we can calculate the distance to which the projector must be placed in order to obtain good results. As a measure of orientation (each brand has its specific recommendations), it can be considered that the distance between the projector and the screen is twice the horizontal of the latter. Thus, if the screen measures 1.5 meters wide, the distance between it and the projector would be 3 meters. This means that the bigger the screen, the more distance we need, so we will have to think about more light power. It is an orientation, but it gives you a clear idea of ​​the space you need.

I hope that after this you can better understand the specifications of the thousands of options that populate the market, or that you can ask the right questions when approaching the purchase. I have not discussed the budget here because I think it is best to have concrete and clear options before we get discouraged (or encouraged) completely. If you want to have an idea price can go from 200 to 1600 euros. Much depends on what your quadrant of use and space that I propose here as guidance to decide. Finally, do not forget to check the type of connection that the projector supports. For domestic use, an HDMI connector is indispensable, while for professional use it is enough to be compatible with your computer. Look at options, do accounts and compare prices. Good luck on the trip!

More Topic: 

HOW TO CHOOSE A PROJECTOR, 7 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Connections of a projector

HOW TO CHOOSE A PROJECTOR, 7 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Choosing a projector can become an arduous task taking into account the number of brands (Epson, Optoma, Benq, LG ...), models and technologies (LED, LCD, Laser ...) that exist.

From Projectors. Pro we want to help you choose the ideal projector for you at the best price, without paying for what you do not need. For this, we start by looking very simple at the features that we should look at when buying a projector. Also, do not miss our analysis of the best cheap projector and the best short throw projector of 2018.

Resolution

This tells us the number of pixels that an image has, the higher it is, the sharper we will get. The increase in resolution will be linked to the price, although today we can already find projectors with good resolutions at an economical price.

• ·         SVGA resolution : 800 × 600 pixels, 4: 3 ratio.
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• ·         XGA resolution : 1024 × 768 pixels, 4: 3 ratio.
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• ·         WXGA resolution: 1280 × 800 pixels, ratio 16:10.
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• ·         HD Ready Resolution : 1280 x 720 pixels, 16: 9 aspect ratio.
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• ·         Full HD resolution : 1920 x 1080 pixels, 16: 9 aspect ratio.
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• ·         WUXGA resolution : 1920 x 1200 pixels, ratio 16:10.
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• ·         4K resolution : 3840 x 2160 pixels, 16: 9 ratio.

For home, we should try to buy video projectors with Full HD or 4K resolution. They provide a better image quality and adequate to the quality of the current contents.

In the corporate sphere, the WUXGA and WXGA resolutions are the most common. SVGA, XGA is in disuse.

3D function

While it is true that 3D on a television leaves us with a taste of bittersweet wedding, this technology in projectors is much more enjoyed. Today this content is not widespread, although it is not difficult to find 3D movies.

Therefore, unless we are 3D lovers and see the content of this type, this would not be a relevant factor when choosing our projector. Anyway, most mid-high range projectors come prepared for this technology, both active 3D, and passive 3D.

Contrast

The contrast is the maximum difference of luminosity between the black and white color. We should always look for a video projector with the highest possible contrast. This will help make the image more realistic and clear. If we are going to use the projector in dark environments, it is recommended that the contrast be greater than a 5000: 1 ratio. In a lighted environment, the contrast has a secondary role.

Regarding the projectors of short or short range, the contrast is much higher, due to the much closer arrangement of the video projector to the projection screen.

Luminosity or luminous power

The luminosity or luminous power is the amount of light that a projector can emit on a surface and is measured in lumens. This factor is especially important in terms of:

Ambient light: The brighter the place where we want to use the projector, the more lumens the projector can count.

• ·         Room without any lighting: 1000-2000 lumens.
• ·         Room with closed shutters: 2500 lumens.
• ·         Room with open shutters or artificial lighting: 3000 lumens.
• ·         Large and bright meeting room: 5000 lumens

Projection distance: As happens with the ambient luminosity, the greater the distance from the projection screen, the more lumens our projector must have. This in figures translates into:

While we must have these data in mind, the higher the brightness, the better. It will allow us to work in environments with different lighting conditions and distances without as many limitations as would a projector with a lower luminous power.

In the case of short-throw or ultra-short throw projectors, this factor varies, since when they are at a much shorter distance than a long-throw projector, the loss of brightness is much less. These projectors are located a few centimeters from the projection screen, so there is no such significant loss of luminosity.

Noise

Video projectors produce noise. When we use them they get hot, and that heat needs to be dissipated by a fan. Generally, large projectors usually produce less noise than smaller projectors. This is because the more compact, the worse they usually dissipate heat. Here also the brightness of the lamp influences. The larger, more heat produces and therefore more noise. An adequate value would be all that below 30 decibels, and of course, the lower, the better.

However, the intrusion of LED projectors and Laser projectors on the market is helping to create quieter projectors every time since they produce a smaller amount of heat.

More Topic: Connections of a projector