What is a Video Projector?

A video projector is a device that receives a video signal and sends the corresponding image to a projection screen. The term projector is the generic term used to describe any device capable of receiving signals and projecting the same image onto a screen via a lens system. Projectors were formerly used to project only videos, but as technology progressed, the functionality of projectors improved. Projectors can now project documents and photos.

History of Projectors

The first projector was made in 1970 and it was a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) projector. This kind of projector can only project movies and videos. As time went on, there arose a demand for projectors that could project not just videos, but also documents. This led to the introduction of Epson’s VPJ-700 which was the first projector that could project both videos and documents. From then on, projectors have gone through a lot of evolutions.

Projector Technologies

DLP Projectors

DLP projectors function on a technology developed by Texas Instruments to project movies and documents onto a screen. DLP projectors use a digital micro mirror device (DMD) and a rotating glass to project images. DLP projectors are no longer being produced, but there are still a few on the market today.

LCD Projector

An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) projector is one of the most affordable and commonly used projectors available today. LCD projectors are used to project movies and documents from a source such as a computer to a screen. LCD projectors are very common and they range in sizes from 20 inches to as large as 100 inches.

CRT Projector

A Cathode Ray Tube projector commonly referred to as CRT projector is one of the oldest forms of projector technologies available today. This projector has a heavy or bulky back which makes it difficult to move it around. CRT projectors use a mixture of three colors, blue, green and red tubes to give some of the best picture qualities you will ever experience using a projector.

Factors to Consider when Buying a Projector

Projector prices depend on so many factors including brand, size, function and quality. There are some factors you need to consider before buying a projector. These factors include:

The type of images you want to Display

Projectors basically show four kinds of images: data, video, photos and games. Most projectors are built to show one type of image better than the other three. If you are planning to use your projector as a home theater system, then you should buy the one that shows videos the best. A business projector shows data better than videos. The purpose of the projector will determine which one you should buy.

Portability of the projector

Projectors range in size from thin and light that can be carried in your pocket, often referred to as Pico projectors, to heavy and large projectors that sometimes have to be installed permanently. You should consider how much you want to move your projector around deciding which size of projector to buy.

Resolution of the projector

You should consider the resolution of the projector and the kind of images you want to project before making a purchase. The format of the screen to be used should also be put into consideration. If you want to use a wide screen format such a 16:9, then you will need a projector with a resolution of 1280*720 or 1024*576.