Business Projectors: Choosing the Right Projector for Your Presentations

If part of your job description is creating PowerPoint, videos or photo slide shows, you are probably already aware that all of these projects can be more useful and captivating to your target audience when presented on a big screen using a business projector.

The new age of digital projectors can make large-scale presentations relatively simple to coordinate and produce. Today's models also boast features far beyond what was available just a few years ago, so you're certain to find a projector that fits your presentation requirements.

Digital projectors come in all sorts of varieties and prices, so before you begin shopping, it's critical to understand how you'll be using the projector and the budget you can allot to this expense. If you plan to install the projector in a fixed location, for example, this will be an important factor in making your buying decision. But if high-portability is a factor, and you will be carrying the projector to many locations, then a light-weight unit that is easy of setup will be a big consideration.

Another major consideration:  what kind of projection surface do you plan to use? A basic white wall will be fine for some uses, but to "go pro," you will definitely want to use a dedicated screen. Your images will appear much brighter and well-defined on a good dedicated screen. Portable screens are available, as are the permanent wall-mounted variety. A third variation is the retractable screen, which can be conveniently rolled up after use into a compact ceiling fixture.

Projectors can also be ceiling mounted in permanent installations. A ceiling-mounted projector is usually controlled by remote control or permanent wall switch, though this option will include an added cost for installation. For the utmost in versatility, high-end projectors can usually be controlled by a PC or laptop via a simple Ethernet connection.

Once you ascertain the environment you'll be working in and the features you will require, it's time to select a projector. Prices tend to rise dramatically with high resolution units and ultra lightweight portables. If you're using PowerPoint presentations, it's best to use a resolution of 1024 by 768 or higher. If you're using a large projection, it's usually wise to go for a brighter output. For smaller set-ups, the brightness of the projector is not as critical.

If you are planning to use the projector for video, video inputs and more sophisticated processors will be at the top of your list. Most projectors have standard VGA inputs to facilitate connecting laptops or PC's. The process of connecting via a VGA input is straightforward, but Laptop users will need to understand how to switch their output from the laptop screen to the external video out.

In addition, most laptops or PC's can show images on both the screen and the external display simultaneously. This can be really convenient if the operator is standing at a podium in front of the projection screen. The user might also need to switch the display resolution if the project and laptop use different resolutions. They will need to match up in order to display correctly on both units.

Choosing the right business projector can make your presentations more vibrant and informative to both your clients and staff.