Digital Projectors for Business

Using a multimedia or data projector

Multimedia and data projectors have become common business tools in office and meeting rooms but also in banquet halls, bars and restaurants. Some are dedicated data projectors, others need to be more flexible to handle a variety of sources. The more you know about how you plan to use your projector, the easier choosing the right model will be.

Conference center and office projection

Depending on the nature of your business you may only need a projector for displaying text and still images, or you may need something with more flexibility that will do a good job with video as well. Beyond the obvious PowerPoint presentations, an office projector might be used for video conferencing or showing movies, so it’s best to anticipate your needs before you make a purchase.

Ideally the resolution of your projector should match that of your computer. XGA is a popular choice because it gives you clear text for data presentation and is compatible with most computer displays.

A LCD (liquid crystal display) projector works well for most business applications. LCD is particularly good at handling graphic design and color coded charts because of its color accuracy. However, if you need to project high quality video you might consider DLP (digital light processing) because of how well it deals with moving images.

Controlling ambient light goes a long way in helping you get the best image possible. You can start by placing your screen in the darkest corner of the room whenever possible, but if you have a room with some ambient light you’ll want a projector with at least 1500 ANSI lumens brightness output - more in a larger room. A high gain screen is a good option for long narrow board rooms with ambient light. In a large room, if you have to place projector far away from the screen, make sure the image won’t be too big or that you can attach a long throw lens to shrink the image down to size.

You’ll also want to consider how you want your projector mounted. Do you want the projector to retract into ceiling when it’s not in use? Will you need to move it occasionally? Do you require extra security features? Does the architecture of your room support the installation you want?

Before you settle on a projector, evaluate its warranty to make sure the manufacturer and vendor offer plenty of after-purchase support. Once you’ve made your purchase always remember to have a spare projector lamp on hand so you’re not at a loss if one fails or burns out mid-presentation.

Restaurants, bars and banquet halls

As entertainment becomes more of a multisensory experience, pubs, bars, restaurants and banquet halls are finding it worthwhile to have a projector on hand for special events. Public venues generally need multimedia projectors with more flexibility for projecting television, movies and photograph slide shows, to name only a few common uses.

Many of the same questions apply for any business buying a projector - how large is your room, how much ambient light will there be, where and how do you want to mount the projection system.

A few other considerations will come into play if you’re purchasing a machine for a bar or restaurant, including whether your projector will be subjected to smoke. CRT projectors are a sturdy choice for some of the tougher environments, but many DLP projectors feature sealed optics that help resist smoke and dust. There are also mounting cases available that have built-in fans to minimize the impact of harsh atmospheres.