Until recently, projectors were used in offices and educational institutions to display slides with graphs and presentations, which was more like watching filmstrips. Now video projectors cope with more non-trivial tasks - watching movies, playing computer games - but do not lose their relevance for work and study. We suggest you figure out which projector is intended for what purposes.
Short review
Video projectors have several classes:
- Pocket, weighing no more than 300 grams. These projectors are multimedia, but with extremely limited functionality;
- Ultraportable. Compact and lightweight. Suitable for work purposes, low quality functionality;
- Portable. Can be used as portable or stationary equipment. Compact but high resolution;
- Stationary. They are low mobile, have high performance, and can often connect several signal sources.
More and more people are choosing stationary video projectors, replacing them with TVs, which also have their advantages. Comparing pocket projectors with TVs, of course, is unreasonable, but if you take into account the average indicators, then an approximate comparative table of advantages and disadvantages looks like this:
| TV | Projector |
| pros | |
| bright | large image size |
| silent | compact, mobile |
| independent of lighting | you can change the image format |
| high contrast | not harmful to eyes |
| Minuses | |
| image format does not change | darkening of the room is required |
| eyes get tired when watching | lamps need replacing |
| expensive models with a large diagonal | requires separate audio equipment |
| noisy | |
Screen
A multimedia device can project a picture onto any surface: even on a wall, even on a ceiling, even on a curtain. But such an image will have poor quality. Therefore, when choosing a projector, take a look at the screen at the same time. To purchase all the necessary equipment at once and not have to adapt to already purchased equipment.
The larger the audience, the wider the frame should be. But still, do not install a screen that is too bulky. Firstly, it is more difficult to work with. Secondly, the distance from the player to the wall depends on it. The projector description should indicate the recommended size.
Screens have different types of mounting: wall and ceiling. There are also portable options: floor and tabletop. They can be a solid board or rolled up.
Wall Projector Screen
Here the choice depends on your work. If you plan to use the projector in only one room, choose permanent screens. If you are going to carry it, use mobile phones.
Main characteristics
Matrix type
- LCD. Mainly three LCD matrices are used. The image is stable, realistic, rich, but the contrast is low and there may be a “chicken-mesh” feel.
- DLP. Projectors are reliable and durable. The matrix consists of rotating micromirrors. The contrast of the picture is high, deep shadows and blacks. The downside is that the image may flicker.
- LCoS. A silicon LCD matrix with a mirror surface underneath. High definition image, contrast, high-quality color rendition. Equipment of this type is expensive, mainly produced using two technologies: SXRD (Sony company) and D-ILA (JVC company).
- CRT. The image is high quality, deep black color, low luminous flux. The devices are durable, but heavy, expensive and difficult to install.
- Laser Scan. Used in small portable projectors. The image remains in focus, regardless of the distance to the projected surface or its unevenness.
Permission
The detail and quality of the picture depends on the resolution; the higher it is, the better the image. The resolution of the video projector must match the resolution of the device from which the broadcast is intended.
On average, a resolution of 1024x768 is sufficient for working with presentations, 1280x720 for HDTV movies, and 1920x1080 for watching videos in Full HD quality.
Brightness
The aperture number of the video projector is responsible for the brightness of playback. The lower it is, the brighter the image on the screen.
Contrast
With high contrast, shades and midtones are better conveyed, and dark images and videos are reproduced well.
Luminous flux power
The luminous flux power depends on the quality and quantity of lamps; in a single-lamp projector it ranges from 1000 to 3000 lumens. The worse the room is darkened, the more lumens will be required.
Focal and throw distance
The shorter the focal length, the wider the viewing angle.
The projection distance from the lens to the screen is the distance at which the image remains bright. But this parameter is strongly influenced by external lighting conditions, so this characteristic is conditional.
Noise level
Comfortable noise level for a video projector is 25-45 dB.
Weight
The weight of the device depends on its class. For example, portable projectors weigh from 2 to 4 kg, and stationary ones weigh more than 4 kg.
ViewSonic PLED-W800
Very portable DLP LED projector
Projection system: DLP | Resolution: 1280 x 800 | Brightness: 800 lumens | Contrast: 120000:1 | Video connectors: HDMI, VGA, S-Video, USB | Dimensions: 175 x 138 x 51.5 mm
This model is cheaper than other ViewSonic projectors on this list. Despite this, the quality is still at a high level. The projector is very portable and weighs only 830g .
The brightness of the lamp reaches 800 lumens, which allows you to show presentations in a room with any lighting. There is a compartment for installing an SD memory card, a USB connector, HDMI with MHL support for connecting DVD/Blu-ray players and smartphones with tablets, VGA for connecting a laptop.
Like other portable projectors on this list, this one can display video. True, this does not mean that you need to take advantage of this opportunity. You may need to purchase an additional Wi-Fi key. The manufacturer recommends the PJ-WPD-200 model with support for Miracast and DLNA.
If you frequently make presentations with Microsoft Office, this projector stands out thanks to its native support for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files from a memory card or flash drive.
Features of projectors for school
Projectors for educational institutions and offices are usually designed to work with static images and presentations. The main characteristic is the power of the luminous flux. Since classrooms are poorly dimmed, you will need a projector with at least 2,000 lumens. The projector format must be suitable for computer resolution with a 4:3 ratio. Among the specific features: support for interactive modes - a pointer, gestures, finger touches are used, as when working with a touch screen.
Device for educational institutions
Recently, such a device has proven its worth when used in the learning process. It helps to display all the necessary graphics on an interactive whiteboard or a simple white screen.
How to choose a projector for school? To answer this question, you should not lose sight of these important parameters:
- the ability to transfer pictures from a DVD player;
- using a device with an interactive whiteboard;
- the ability to demonstrate the contents of a PC or laptop.
A separate item in such a device will be lighting. At school it is most often used during the daytime, and not every office has the opportunity to curtain the windows. This means there must be efficient and bright image transmission.
In terms of brightness, it is worth paying attention to the capacity of the room in which the slide show is supposed to be held. For assembly halls, for example, completely different devices are recommended than in classrooms. A school projector used may have the following lumens:
- 2500 is suitable for a hundred people gathered;
- 3000 lumens will be needed if there are about 200 audience members;
- at least 5000 is needed for the larger number of people present.
Here are some more worthwhile tips for choosing an educational projector. Any such device is purchased for a budget establishment, so built-in functionality in the form of headphones will be completely useful. What else is relevant for such a device (or a projector intended for a conference room)?
- Good color reproduction will be provided by 3LCD projectors (they have three liquid crystal matrices).
- The desired working format is 4:3.
- Increased wear resistance of the device.
- Installation in places hard to reach for children.
Rating of the best projector manufacturers
Each brand in our rating has a large selection of high-quality video projectors. Choose a model that meets your individual requirements, we will consider the best models according to customers.
BenQ
- Price
- from 19,148 rubles. - Type
- DLP - Country of origin
: China
BenQ produces ultraportable, portable and stationary devices. The cost of some large-format stationary models exceeds 1.5 million rubles. The BenQ W1720 with a price of about 80,000 rubles is popular; let’s look at its pros and cons.
benq projectors
| pros | Minuses |
| high quality image | no built-in media player |
| good color rendition | low brightness |
| HDR emulation | a little noisy |
| not heavy | gray pixel frame |
| good quality built-in sound | |
| easy to install | |
| color calibration passport | |
| 4K HDR |
Acer
- Price
- from 16,180 rubles. - Type
- DLP - Country of origin
: China
The Taiwanese company Acer is known for its computer equipment and electronics; it produces video projectors for offices and home theaters costing up to 700 thousand rubles. Among the models there are all classes of devices - from pocket to stationary, the best of which, according to buyers, is the portable widescreen Acer X138WH.
acer projectors
| pros | Minuses |
| screen diagonal up to 300“ | Dead pixels appear over time |
| high brightness | Lamp warranty - 1 year |
| easy to use | a bit noisy |
| 2 year warranty | |
| 3D support |
Epson
- Price
- from 22,840 rubles. - Type
- LCD - Country of origin
: Philippines
The Japanese company of the diversified concern Seiko Group produces all classes of projectors, except interactive ones, as well as pocket ones. The most expensive device is the Epson EB-L1710S, its cost reaches 1.5 million rubles, while buyers recommend the Epson EH-TW5400 model, the average price of which is 50,000 rubles.
epson projectors
| pros | Minuses |
| saturated color | high noise level |
| clear and deep picture | low contrast |
| 3LCD technology | weak native speaker |
| high color rendering | |
| eco mode | |
| convenient control |
Ricon
- Price
- from 20,779 rubles. - Type
- DLP, LCD - Country of origin
: China
A brand from Japan, founded in 1936, produces media projectors for offices and concert halls. The inexpensive Ricon PJ X2440 with a luminous flux of 3000 lumens is popular.
ricon projectors
| pros | Minuses |
| inexpensive | heats up quickly, cools down for a long time |
| compact | |
| built-in speakers d | |
| auto shutdown timer | |
| good image quality even in a bright room | |
| easy focusing |
Xiaomi
- Price
- from 49,900 rubles. - Type
- DLP - Country of origin
: China
Xiaomi multimedia devices are presented in all classes except pocket ones. The most popular stationary wide-format model is Xiaomi Mijia Laser Projection MJJ GYY02FM with an average cost of about 90,000 rubles, the luminous flux of which is 5000 lm.
xiaomi projectors
| pros | Minuses |
| high quality plastic | there are versions without Russification |
| bright contrast image | noisy |
| remote control | |
| good sound | |
| design |
Ledunix
- Price
- from 3,970 rub. - Type
- LCD, 3LCD, DLP - Country of origin
: South Korea, China
The Russian company Ledunix is engaged in the production/sales of LED video projectors and their components. Product prices are inexpensive; menu, instructions in Russian. The manufacturer claims a service life of up to 50,000 hours. Ledunix LED-PRO 60 is the brand’s most popular model.
ledunix projectors
| pros | Minuses |
| inexpensive | Full blackout required |
| high quality clear image | |
| low noise level | |
| remote control | |
| doesn't overheat |
Sony
- Price
- from 26,120 rubles. - Type
– DLP, LCD, SXRD - Country of origin
: Japan, China
The range of Sony brand video projectors includes all types and classes of devices, except interactive ones. The price for the most expensive model reaches two million rubles. The most in demand is the Sony VPL-HW45ES - a stationary wide-format projector with Full HD resolution, a light flux of 1800 lm, and an average cost of 130 thousand rubles.
sony projectors
| pros | Minuses |
| low noise level | no trapezoid adjustment |
| color rendering | long focal length |
| contrast | dark room required |
| image smoothing | large-sized |
LG
- Price
- from 30,488 rubles. - Type
- DLP - Country of origin
: China
LG presents portable, ultraportable, stationary video projectors for offices and home theaters with Full HD resolution, the cost of which does not exceed 200 thousand rubles. The LG PF1500G projector is loved by users for its picture quality and is the most popular model with a price of about 60 thousand rubles.
lg projectors
| pros | Minuses |
| low noise level | insufficient brightness in economy mode |
| good sound | weak optics |
| compact | The built-in player does not play all codecs and subtitles |
| good image quality | |
| long lamp life |
Toshiba
- Price
- from 18,490 rubles. - Type
- DLP - Country of origin
: China
At the moment, Toshiba markets only portable, stationary office video projectors with a luminous flux of 2000 lm. Maximum resolution 1024x768. The TDP-S35 model is the most common among Toshiba media projectors.
toshiba projectors
| pros | Minuses |
| easy | gets very hot |
| mobile | manual setting |
| works smoothly | freezes after years of use |
| many input connectors | |
| speaker |
Epson EB-S41
Large projector with large projection
Design system: LCD | Resolution: 800 x 600 | Brightness: 3300 lumens | Contrast: 15000:1 | Video connectors: USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, VGA, HDMI, composite, S-Video
Usually, when choosing a portable business projector, you have to sacrifice something. This is not the case with the Epson EB-S41.
Epson has excellent projector manufacturing skills. The brightness of 3300 lumens is far superior to other projectors, so you can use them even in ambient light.
The EB-S41 is small and light enough to take with you on trips. At the same time, it has a large projection area, up to 300 inches. This makes its capabilities very diverse.
Prices for Yandex.Market
Epson EB-S41
Why do you need a multimedia device?
It is no coincidence that a multimedia projector stands apart in the general list of similar devices. This technique is worth paying attention to when thinking about how to choose a projector for presentations. Its main difference from simple devices is the presence of several “sockets” for various sources (as a rule, they have a DVI input for a high-quality signal from a computer and a VGA input for a laptop).
You can connect everything at the same time - this will make it easier to switch from one to another if necessary.
The advantages of using this technique are as follows:
- device portability;
- excellent image quality;
- high reliability.
There were some downsides:
- frequent replacement of the incandescent lamp (limit of 2000 hours);
- heating the device;
- possible noise during operation of the device (it is better that it does not exceed 34 dB - this will allow you not to be distracted from the idea shown on the screen).
Why is this technique needed? In addition to mobility and a large number of connectivity options, its bonuses are revealed already in the process of work. For example, if it is impossible to darken the room (and it is important to make some notes on the image), then you can simply increase the brightness. Usually it is enough to select a value from 1250 ml.
