The experience you get when you watch a movie, a football match or a presentation through a projector can be compared to none. There must be a reason why the demand for projectors keeps increasing. There are millions of shipments of projectors every year which goes to show the high rate of demand for this viewing tool. According to Statista, in the first quarter of the year 2018, a total number of 1.78 million units of projectors were shipped globally.

If this does not show just how popular projectors are, I wonder what will. And due to advancements in technology, projectors are becoming more affordable and available to the common man. This was not the case in the past when it was reserved for the “perceived rich.”

But with projectors becoming available, there are some things you must bear in mind before buying one for indoor or outdoor use. If you are looking for a projector,here is a good list by Newswatchngr.

6 Factors To Consider When Buying A Projector

1.       Brightness

You need to ask yourself where the projector will be used as this will determine the type you should go for. Will the projector be used in a dark or bright environment? Once you answer that, you will then be able to determine the number of lumens you will need. Lumen is how the brightness of a projector is measured. And, brighter projectors are known to give better viewing quality.

If the projector will be used in a small living room, 1000 lumens can serve. If it is for a cinema or a viewing center, consider lumens from 2000 to 4000 lumens. But if the area is quite large, anything from 5000 to 10,000 lumens can serve.

2.       Resolution

A projector’s resolution refers to its pixel per unit of the area covered. It is measured in width and height. You can have a width of 1152 pixels and a height of 720 pixels. The higher the resolution, the better the visual quality. You should take note of the source of the view so as to match it with the projector.

3.       Contrast Ratio

This refers to the ratio between the darkness and brightness of the device. For instance, if a projector’s contrast ratio is 1000:1 what it means is that the projector is 1000 times brighter than the projector’s darkest black.

A higher contrast ratio means that the projector’s videos and images will be of higher quality and clarity. When buying a projector, you can find the ones with a contrast of 1000:1, 5000:1 and even 20000:1.

4.       Connection

Another thing to bear in mind is how you are going to connect the projector. There are 2 types of connection – Digital and Analog. Analog connections are more affordable and have been around for the longest. But they don’t offer high image or video quality. The terms found in such connections are VGA, S-video, component video, composite video, and VGA out.

Digital, on the other hand, offers higher and better-quality definitions. You will see terms like HDMI, USB-C, DisplayPort, and DVI when it comes to digital. HDMI is very popular and you should consider whether you are going for analog or digital. And consider multiple HDMI inputs if you are connecting the projector to different devices at a time.

5.       Speakers

Will you be needing the projector for presentations that do not involve sound? Or would you need it for videos? Once you can answer that, it will help you in deciding whether you should go for projectors that come with built-in speakers which work well for projections from laptop, mobile or tablet devices. If you need more sound, go for an external sound system.

6.       Screen

You should consider the screen the images and video will be projected on to help you in reaching a decision on which projector to buy. The different types of screens are:

Manual – these are for small conference rooms and classrooms. They don’t cost much and can be mounted on the wall or ceiling.

Portable - small projectors that can be moved from one room to another but with poor image/video quality.

Fixed frame -these are for home, board or media room as well as auditoriums.

Electric – these are the most expensive and can only be mounted by an electrician. They are quite large but offer the best image/video quality.

Final Thoughts!

These 6 points will help you in getting not just any projector but the one that suits your taste and preference. Don’t just buy a projector without considering its technicalities. Although affordability is a major factor in reaching a decision on which type to buy. However, if you can splurge a little more to get a projector that will offer you a better view, it will be worth it in the long run.