Q:

I'm looking for a projector that is compatible with both my laptop computer for presentations, and my Blu-ray player. I would like to connect the projector to my Blu-ray player without buying any additional hardware.

The projector will be primarily used for business and will only occasionally be set up for entertainment. Are there any particular specifications I should be looking for when choosing a unit?

~ Working for the Weekend

A:

Dear Working for the Weekend,

You aren't the first person to try and mix business, pleasure and a projector. In fact, many projector manufacturers have been designing new products with people like you in mind. That means there are plenty of new products available to choose from. But what do you need to look for?

Using a projector to display video from a Blu-ray or DVD player is pretty much like using any other display device. All you need to do is match your source's (Blu-ray or DVD player) output connection type to your projector's available inputs.

Your best bet is to look for a projector with an HDMI input. These have seen a huge drop in price recently and can now be bought for less than $600. For best results, look for a projector with at least XGA (1024 x 768) resolution. These high-resolution projectors will deliver the best image at, quite often, the lowest price.

SXGA (1280 x 1024), widescreen WXGA (1366-1280 x 768-720) and HD (1920 X 1080) are also good choices, with HD (1920 X 1080) packing the biggest punch image-wise.

Our projector finder allows you to sort our wide selection of projectors by resolution.

Q:

What is the difference between a demo projector and a new projector? Are demo units of lesser quality than non-demo projectors? Please let me know. I want to save money if I can, without sacrificing quality.

~ Penny Wise

A:

Dear Penny Wise,

Put simply, demo projectors are projectors that were taken out of our inventory primarily for sales training purposes. The projector has been opened and used, so we can't sell it as new, and therefore we have to reduce its price. It's a great way to save some money without sacrificing any quality.

What do you need to know about buying a demo projector?

Lamp Life

While the projector itself is the same as a new projector, the replaceable lamp inside is used. Lamp usage on a demo projector varies from projector to projector. Your Projector Expert can provide you with information on the number of hours on a demo unit.

Warranties

Warranties on demo projectors vary by product. Some will come with the full factory warranty and some will come with a limited 6-month warranty. Call your Projector Expert for details on the projector you want.

Availability

Demo projectors featured on our website are available on a first come first serve basis. We don't get very many, so if you see something you want, it's best to act quickly.

To see our current demo inventory, click here »

Q:

I am a teacher at a small high school that is in dire need of upgrading its technology. We would like to get a video projector, however our budget is tight. Can you help me find a good, low-priced projector that fits our minimal budget? It doesn't have to be the absolute latest and greatest technology, just something inexpensive that can get the job done.

You will be graded on this assignment.

~ Ed U. Cator

A:

Dear Ed U. Cator,

Thank you for your question. In order to help you find an answer, let's start by determining your basic needs. We'll begin with lumens and resolution, and then we'll show you the easiest way to find inexpensive projectors on our site.

Resolution

Buying a lower resolution projector is the most significant way to reduce the overall cost of your projector. Since you are working with a tight budget, SVGA or XGA would probably be the best resolution choices for you. However, you may be able to find a deal on an HD demo unit.

Lumens

For school use, you will probably face varying lighting situations and class sizes. You want to make sure the projector you choose is bright enough for a large classroom or in a small room with ambient light from windows or doors. A 3,000 lumen projector is considered bright enough for lights on presenting. These projectors have seen a huge dip in price recently.

Educational Discounts

Select manufacturers also include discounted prices for Education buyers. Browse by manufacturer to see available discounts, or call and speak to a Projector Expert.

Q:

I need to find a low cost projector for use in our church sanctuary. We are currently using an old, dim and heavy projector. It's so old, the manufacturer no longer makes replacement bulbs for it.

We use the projector primarily for displaying lyrics for hymns during our services. Some of the congregation has trouble reading smaller text, so it would be best if we could get a larger image (we already have a large screen in place).

Also, a brighter projector would help as well. We do not dim the lights during service and we have a fair amount of light that comes in through the windows. We may also use the projector for special events as well, so if the projector can be moved without too much effort that would be wonderful.

~ Dim Song

A:

Dear Dim Song,

Thank you for your question. We have a lot of customers who use their projectors for the same purpose. Here is an outline of what your top considerations should be.

Brightness

To start, you should try and get a projector with at least 4,000 lumens of brightness to keep your image bright and legible. If your audience is larger than 150, you should opt for a 6,000 lumen projector.

Resolution

For displaying lyrics to hymns, particularly with larger text, an XGA (1024 X 768) projector should do the trick. If you're connecting to a widescreen computer, a WXGA (1280 X 800) wide resolution would be better.

Ceiling Mounting

If you plan to use your projector for every service, ceiling mounting your projector is your best option. Mounting keeps the projector and cables out of sight and out of the way. That saves wear and tear on your projector and keeps your congregation away from cables that may trip them up. Since you still want the option to move your projector around, consider a ceiling mount with a quick release. That will make for faster, easier removal of your projector. The cables installed can stay in your ceiling, and you can use the cables that came in the box with your projector for your special occasions. Make sure to hang on to them.

House of Worship discounts

Some manufacturers offer additional discounts to those buying for religious institutions. Call a Projector Expert to learn more about available discounts.

Q:

Projectors are new to me. I need one to replace my family room's 65" rear-projection television. I want a high-quality picture, good colors and good blacks. I also need to be sure the projector is bright enough to watch TV on during the daytime hours. My living room's window has blinds, but it still lets in a lot of light. What do you recommend for me?

~ Big Screen

A:

Dear Big Screen,

You're in luck. Most projectors can give you a much larger display than your 65" TV. There are only a few specs you need to pay attention to to get the best image.

Brightness

In a room with some ambient light, we recommend at least 1500 lumens. There are many bright, affordable HD projectors out there. Depending on how much light your windows let in, you may want to consider a brighter model.

Rich colors and deep blacks

To experience the most true to life image, look for a projector with a high contrast ratio, at least 10,000:1. 4K/ UHD (3840 x 2160) or better, HD (1920 x 1080), and WUXGA (1920 x 1200) projectors connected to a native source with the proper HDMI cable will give you the sharpest detail, best overall colors and image.

Q:

I want to use my projector wirelessly, just like all the rest of my electronic equipment. What projector do I need to use to make this possible? What else is required?

~ Les Chords

A:

Dear Les,

Wireless projectors have seen great strides in recent years. Check out our selection of wireless projectors that use the 802.11 a, b and g protocol. We also sell network-compatible projectors that can be accessed through a LAN or WAN.

If you're looking to make your existing projector wireless, we have wireless adapters that can transmit wireless HD signals throughout your home or office.

Q:

I'm planning to buy a video projector for my new media room. I'm trying to work within a budget so I want to avoid buying a screen and instead project onto my wall. I have a large wall and I'm wondering what would be the best color to paint it for the best image. Can you help me?

~ Matt White

A:

Dear Matt,

As a general rule, we do not recommend painting a wall as the best option for getting the most from your projected image. However, we do understand that budgets can be tight and saving money is important. Here are some good options for a person on a budget.

No Budget for A Screen

We may be Projector Experts, but we are not paint experts. However, there are some basic principles we may be able to apply, based on what we know about screens. In general, a low contrast projector will work best on a surface with a hint of gray. A high-contrast, low-brightness projector may benefit from a slightly reflective finish like white satin. For a high contrast, high-resolution projector, a matte white with a bit of gray might work well. Textured walls/surface should be avoided at all costs.

Again, we are not paint experts and we do not recommend using a painted wall as the optimal surface for viewing. Many screens are inexpensive, and any screen will exponentially improve your image over a painted wall.

Low budget for a screen

Screen manufacturers offer low priced screens for $200 or less. These screens will make your image look significantly better than a painted wall. If you're handy, you can also purchase just the screen material, make your own frame, and save a little money. An inexpensive portable screen may also be a good choice if you think you may use your projector outside of your media room.

Cheaper than you think

Getting the best screen may not be as expensive as you think. For a very nice fixed screen with gray or white screen material, you can spend as little as $500. Saving a little more for a screen will help you get the best possible images out of your projector. It will also help create a finished look to your room.

Click here for more about high quality screens from Draper.

Q:

I keep reading about projectors for home and projectors for office, and some projectors claim to be good for both. Bottom line, what constitutes a "home" versus an "office" projector?

~ B. Fuddled

A:

Dear B. Fuddled,

The primary distinction between home and office projectors is their native resolution or aspect ratio.

What is 'native aspect ratio'?

Projectors most often come with native aspect ratios. Our most popular are 4:3, 16:10 and 16:9. That means that the chip (or panel) inside the projector is shaped in the specified 4:3, 16:10 or 16:9 proportions. Think of the chip as a miniature version of the image you will see on your screen.

A 16:9 native aspect ratio projector is designed primarily for home theater use. This is because widescreen Blu-ray and HDTV signals are broadcast or encoded in this aspect ratio. Home theater enthusiasts tend to prefer 16:9 aspect ratios because they are closer to the movie's original format.

Most computers output in a 4:3 native aspect ratio. However, many newer models geared toward entertainment use also output in 16:10 or 16:9.

Most projectors, regardless of their native aspect ratio, are able to display 16:9, 16:10 and 4:3 content. However, you will see black bars either on the sides or at the top and bottom of your image (see illustration).

If you are looking for a projector for both home and office, make sure your projector has the capability to display all formats.

Q:

Our church plans to purchase a projector, but we need to position it back several feet from the screen. Our computer will also be several feet away from the projector. Our question is how far can we run cable before the picture looks bad?

~ Grace and Charity

A:

Dear Grace and Charity,

Signal loss due to distance will vary based on the type of cable you are using. In most cases, the signal loss can be prevented by using some additional hardware. Here's a brief look at what length cables can typically run.

Data Cables

VGA cables can be run up as far as 25 ft. from source to projector without losing the signal. If you want to run the cable any farther, it is a good idea to consider purchasing a "distribution amplifier" which will allow you to increase the distance.

HDMI cables

HDMI cables as long as 75 feet are available. Your best bet is to call a Projector Expert at 1-888-248-0675 if you need a longer digital connection.

Q:

In my home theater setup, my center channel speaker is located behind where I intend to place my screen. My question is, will the screen hinder my sound quality? If so, are there screens that are designed to allow sound through with a minimum of attenuation?

~ Mr. Soundman

A:

Dear Mr. Soundman,

To get the best results from your sound system, avoid placing the speaker behind your screen. If that is not an option, there are screens made specifically to allow sound through them.

A Draper screen called the AT1200 is a special woven fabric that is similar to high quality speaker grille cloth. This special screen material is similar in gain to standard matte white material. This acoustically transparent screen has also recently been made available in gray.

The AT1200 is available with many different mounting options.

Call your projector expert at 1-888-248-0675 for pricing and details.

Q:

I have a Blu-ray player, cable box, PS3 and a Wii. I have too many sources for the connection panel on the back of the projector. What do I do?

~ Seymour Stuff

A:

Dear Seymour,

It looks like you could benefit from using a receiver. A receiver will not only solve your input issues, but can also act as a central control device for your home theater system. Receivers run from as low as $150 to as high as $2,500 for a receiver and surround sound speaker setup.

Q:

I run my own photography business and I want to use a projector to assist with client meetings. What do I need to consider when shopping for a projector to use with large size images from a professional digital camera?

~ Stu Dio

A:

Dear Stu,

There are a number of considerations that should factor into your final decision. However, for obvious reasons, your most important consideration should be the color reproduction and overall image quality. After you find a few projectors that will reproduce accurate color, then you can look for features that will help complete the package.

Specs To Watch For:

If you have more questions about which projectors provide the most accurate and best looking images, call a Projector Expert.

Q:

We are planning to have a projector mounted in our new conference room for sales meetings. However, we may wish to use the projector in other locations from time to time. Is there a mount design that makes the process of removing a projector quicker and easier?

~ E.Z. Moves

A:

Dear E.Z.,

Indeed there are projector mounts that allow for the quick and easy removal from the installation. Chief and Peerless both have what are known as "quick release" mounts that require just a few twists with a specially provided key tool to remove the projector. Typically the removal and reinstallation takes just a few minutes.

Once you remove the projector you will need to have additional cables available to use with your projector as the others will remain in the ceiling. Be sure to keep your special key tool in a secure, easy to remember spot.

Q:

I want to start using a projector in our church sanctuary to display images and text before, during and after services. My concern is that if we install a screen (preferably an electric screen), it will obstruct the front of the sanctuary when it is not in use. Is there anything I can do?

~ Good Neighbor

A:

Dear Good Neighbor,

You are not the first to encounter this problem, and the good news is there is a relatively inexpensive solution for you. Screen manufacturers can add extra screen material (or drop) which allows you to hang your screen closer to the ceiling and out of site when not in use. When in use, the screen will show some extra fabric at the top of the screen, but the message will still appear in the desired location.