Go beyond brightness and resolution to find the best fit
Purchasing a new projector can be an important decision for any organization. This is a device that can bring teams together. It can share information in an efficient and accessible way. It can be easy to read, ideally in various lighting conditions. And it should last for years of regular use with minimal need for upkeep and maintenance.
How do you check all those boxes? Do your homework on what determines projector quality before you start shopping. Some features that separate great projectors from good ones will be obvious. Others may not be apparent unless you have experience using projectors for various purposes and settings. This guide will give you the information you need to make the best choice for your team.
Want to know more about finding the right projector for your needs? Check out our guide, How Do Projectors Work? Everything You Need to Know.
Brightness
The brightness of your projector determines how easy it is to see its image in a variety of settings. That said, there is such a thing as too much brightness. A washed-out image can be just as hard to read as one that is too dim.
Projector brightness is measured in lumens. A projector with a maximum of 5,000 lumens is well-suited for most meeting rooms. Lumen counts closer to 10,000 or beyond are appropriate for most large convention rooms or theaters.
Did You Know?High-lumen projectors may be the best fit if you plan on presenting in areas with lots of ambient light. Click here to learn more.
Resolution
Resolution is just as important for projector quality as it is for televisions and monitors. This determines how sharp an image the projector will be able to display based on pixel count.
You may be asking “are 4K projectors worth it?” The answer depends on the type of media you plan to project. If you intend to show movies and other highly produced media, 4K support makes for a future-proof purchase. If you plan on mostly projecting slide presentations and documents for discussion, 4K resolution may not merit the added investment.
Light source
Your projector’s light source is what creates the initial image. Other steps contribute to the quality of the image, but light source is perhaps the most fundamental feature that determines overall projector quality.
Lamps, LEDs, and lasers are the three most common light sources for projectors. Lasers tend to create the highest quality image and last the longest of the three. They also tend to be the most expensive. Considering how many hours projector lamps last compared to lasers, the difference in total cost-to-own diminishes over time.
Zoom
You may not always be able to control how far the projector is from its screen. Some tasks may require a larger image than others. A projector’s zoom determines how well it can adapt to these situations without a need to reposition the device.
Zoom makes the image larger or smaller. Look for a projector with a motorized zoom function, especially if it will be installed somewhere that is hard to reach.
Focus
Projectors throw an image over variable distances. An adjustable focus allows you to make the image crisp and clear in a range of setups.
Simply having an adjustable focus is a standard projector quality. However, choosing a projector with a motorized focus will allow you to make minute adjustments even after setup. This can be invaluable both for temporary and permanent installations.
Offset
Projector offset determines how much the image is positioned up or down from the projector’s lens. For instance, a projector hung from the ceiling may need a larger offset to display an image midway down a wall.
Make sure your projector offset is a good match for the environment where it will be used. That said, some projectors do offer a way to correct for image offset.
Lens shift
Projector lens shift lets you adjust where the image falls both vertically and horizontally. This is ideal for correcting situations where the projecting surface is off-center from the projector itself.
Look for a device that comes with a motorized projector lens shift function. This will let you position the image perfectly for each application without tedious manual repositioning.
Did You Know?:RICOH projectors are eligible for Advance Exchange priority replacement. It’s a simple and economical on-site alternative for service. Click here to learn more.
Optical lenses
The technology behind the projection lens unit itself is another key projector quality. A well-crafted lens can create a better image while resisting scratches and smudges.
Curved image correction
Projecting onto curved or cylindrical surfaces such as walls, pillars, and stairwells can result in image distortion. That does not mean these surfaces are off-limits for projection.
Projectors with curved image correction technology can alter their projected image to eliminate this problem. They create a clear-looking image wherever it’s needed.
Geometric adjustment
Your projection surface may not always be perfectly flat. Bumps, grooves, and depressions in the surface can lessen image quality.
Some projectors offer geometric adjustment to correct this problem, though they can be complicated to use. A free-grid function allows you to use your remote control and an easy interface to quickly address these problems for a better image.
Blending
Using multiple projectors at once can allow you to create a larger image without loss of detail. However, it can also lead to bright spots where the images overlap.
Multi-projection blending capabilities allow projectors to adjust their image to avoid this discrepancy. They create one image with nearly invisible overlaps and flexible borders.
Our recommendation: RICOH High-End Laser Projectors PJ 6600 Series
RICOH High-End Laser Projectors PJ 6600 Series redefines visual excellence for large conference rooms and auditoriums. Its three models are available in 7,200, 8,500, and 9,600 lumens, each of which features Ricoh’s long-lasting laser light source and image processing. Its motorized zoom, lens shift, and focus functions let users make adjustments for the perfect image even after the projector has been mounted. Find the perfect projector for your organization in the full range of RICOH laser projectors.
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