Types Of Projector – Which Is Best For Your Need?

Written by: Kaushik Jethva

Last Updated: January 31, 2023

a white colored lcd projector
A white colored LCD projector

There is a growing trend among people to enjoy real entertainment on large-screen monitors, with rich sound quality, true colors, and breathtaking resolution.

A digital projector is now an essential piece of equipment in offices, schools, and universities. When the projector is connected to a computer system, it can display content such as videos, data, or image projection. The projector takes images generated from the computer and displays the moving images onto an empty space or an external projection screen.

Digital projectors come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they’re used in a variety of settings, such as classrooms, home cinemas, or office training sessions. Here we will discuss about what a projector is, how it works, and its different types.

1 How does a projector work?

A projector is a device that transforms a beam of light into high-definition images using chips, lenses, color wheels, and various other gadgets and gizmos. The history of projectors is very old. The first carousel slide projector was officially patented in 1965 by David Hensen.

Home projectors or video projectors are used by most of us, but how does high-quality projector work? Do projection units need a stand or support for outdoor settings? Are there any ceiling-mounted projectors?

Typically, projectors create images using a small transparent lens, though some newer types also utilize lasers as the light source to project the image directly on the projector screen. Using a projector, you can project images from a Blu-ray player or computer onto a wall or white screen as an output device.

2 DLP projector (Digital Light Processing)

a silver colored dlp projector.
A silver colored DLP projector.

DLP projectors or digital light processing projectors are popular for projecting images that are of high quality and clear resolution onto a screen. DLP technology is utilized in both front-projection and back-projection units. The front projectors are used to reflect the light source. eg. a television. In the rear projection, the light diffuses through the material behind the screen and back through the surface. eg. projectors used for presentations in a school or any organization.

Among the different DLP structures, there are 1-chip DLPs and 3-chip DLPs. An image rendered by a DLP projector with 1 chip may contain over 16 million colors, while an image rendered by a digital light processing projector with 3 chips may contain more than 35 trillion colors. Consequently, the projector can produce more realistic, natural-looking images.

In contrast with LCD projectors, DLP projectors display each color simultaneously, resulting in remarkably accurate color levels and stunning pictures. While comparing the price, DLP projectors are on the more expensive side than LCD projectors. There is no doubt why digital light processing projectors are becoming more common in projection booths in movie theaters.

3 LCD projector (Liquid Crystal Display)

a white colored lcd projector
A white colored LCD projector

From the name, LCD or liquid crystal display, we can easily deduce that LCD projectors use 2 different matters i.e. solid and liquid. LCD projectors use a liquid crystal that performs the task to display images, videos, or any type of data. With LCD technology, there are thousands of tiny mirrors inside the projector that allow it to reflect video signals back to the screen, resulting in improved clarity and resolution. Generally, an LCD projector is used for business and board meetings, seminars, and presentations inside a conference room.

LCD projectors generally use a standard bulb as their primary light source. The source light passes through 3- colored liquid crystal display panels. These panels allow some colors to pass through them and also block some colors. When compared with digital light processing projectors, LCD projectors can deliver higher light output on a big screen at lower costs. There are no rainbow effects or dithering problems with LCD projectors as opposed to DLP projectors.

LCD projectors are less portable projectors because they are relatively bulkier than other projectors. Long-term use of LCD projectors may result in image degradation, as well as faster temperature rise than most projectors.

4 CRT projector (Cathode ray tube)

cathode ray tube for crt projector
Cathode Ray Tube

CRT projectors work much like CRT televisions, with 3 CRT tubes producing one of the primary optic colors, each at the same time. It is necessary to apply high voltage inside a television set to excite the electron beam within a picture tube, which generates light output when it hits the phosphor surface. Most of these projectors have a lower lumen output than other types and project images best in a dark room.

In essence, CRT projectors are basically video-projecting device. CRT projectors work much like CRT televisions, with three picture tubes producing one of the primary optic colors, each at the same time. Analog CRT projectors do not have a fixed number of pixels as digital projectors do. Afterward, the three primary colors are aligned on the screen to create one color-integrated picture on the white screen. This gives them greater flexibility when it comes to generating clear image directly from sources with different resolutions.

Images produced by CRT technology exhibit excellent color balance, contrast, and saturation, as well as good reproduction of flesh tones and black levels. It also has the advantage of not requiring frequent lamp replacement. Despite their benefits, they are generally bulky, expensive, and difficult to set up at the initial stage.

5 Wrapping Up

We hope that this guide on different types of projectors has helped you in outlining the difference between the three types of projectors; CRT, LCD, and DLP projectors. Since the first projector, technology has evolved tremendously. However, this method of watching movies is still one of the most convenient ways to have the experience of being in a full-sized movie theater without spending a lot of money.

FAQ's about Types Of Projectors

Which is better LCD or DLP projector?

DLP projectors are a better option than LCD projectors. Compared to LCD projectors, DLP projectors have more mirrors and pixels to project your images and videos in high definition. Talking about the price, LCD projectors are generally less expensive compared to any other projectors. The downside of LCD projectors is that they also require more upkeep and maintenance, especially when it comes to changing filters and preventing dust buildup. DLP projectors can picture more realistic and natural images.

A refresh rate of 30 Hz was common on older projectors. However, high-quality projectors which are mostly used in schools, presentations, and conferences have a refresh rate of 60 Hz. There are also a number of new gaming projectors that can produce up to 120 Hz of refresh rate. There are a number of factors that affect a projector’s refresh rate, including built-in technology, what the projector is connected to, and input lag when playing games.

There are a variety of projectors currently in the market that use 150-800 watts per hour on average, but most use around 300 watts per hour. The smallest projector available today consumes about 50-60 watts depending on how the projector works.

With the advancement in technology, many projectors are now capable to display projections in 4K and UHD resolution. You might ensure that the surface projected with the projection must be flat and capture the light sources in an optimal way to project the best resolution.

If you want to enjoy a theater-like movie experience in the comfort of your home, you should buy a 4K projector rather than watch movies on flat-screen TVs.

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Kaushik Jethva
Written by: Kaushik Jethva author

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Updated: January 31, 2023
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