Types of Projectors: Which Is Right For You?
The first thing to consider is the type of projector that’s best for you. There are three main types, and they all display an image slightly differently. For many, this won’t matter — things like price and inputs might be more important. But for those that seriously want to buy the best projector for their needs, then making sure you get the right type is imperative.
DLP PROJECTORS: HOW THEY WORK
DLP, or Digital Light Processing projectors, basically project an image through a series of tiny mirrors that tilt either towards or away from the light source to create light or dark pixels on the screen. There are two main types of DLP projectors: single-chip DLP or three-chip DLP, though most people will probably go for a single-chip DLP considering their price.
Single-chip DLP projectors are the most common type of projector and offer the sharpest image you can find on consumer projectors. Single-chip DLP projectors use a color-wheel that quickly rotates between primary colors to produce an image. The trade-off of this is that you’ll sometimes see a rainbow effect where an image is broken up into red, green, and blue images, which can be annoying while you’re watching a movie.
Three-chip DLP projectors don’t have this color-wheel issue because they have a dedicated DLP chip for each color. The downside of that is that it’s much harder to properly align each panel, resulting in more complex designs and ultimately much more expensive projectors. For that reason, three-chip DLP projectors are usually only found in high-end situations such as movie theaters, though if you can shell out the cash for a three-chip DLP projector, you might find that it’s worth the money.
In general, DLP projectors offer sharp images with little lag. They’re not, however, the best at projecting deep blacks — you’ll sometimes see somewhat muddy blacks from DLP projectors, something that’s fixed in other types of projectors.
LAMP PROJECTORS ARE THE MOST AFFORDABLE
As mentioned, the lamp is the most common light source for projectors, and there are a few reasons for that. For starters, the lamp is the most affordable option on the list. Projector lamps have been manufactured for some time now and are replaceable, so if and when the lamp eventually fails, it can be replaced. Generally, projector bulbs last between 3,000 and 4,000 hours, although the rated time should be listed on a projectors spec-sheet. Lamps are relatively bright, but not the brightest option. so if brightness is a concern you may want to look into laser projectors instead.
LASER PROJECTORS OFFER GREAT BRIGHTNESS
Laser projectors are far brighter than lamp projectors, plus they don’t require bulb replacements, so despite their higher initial cost, if you plan on using your projector a lot they could ultimately save you money. Laser projectors also offer generally better contrast than lamp projectors, meaning that blacks are a little deeper and darker, and whites are a little brighter, ultimately making for a more realistic image. Last but not least is the fact that laser projectors are more energy efficient than lamp projectors. The trade-off? Cost. Laser projectors are much more expensive than lamp ones, so the advantages may not be worth it unless you really have the cash to spare.
LED PROJECTORS HAVE BETTER COLORS & A LONGER LIFESPAN
Last but not least is the LED projector, which offers a few advantages over lamp projectors. For starters, the bulbs used in LED projectors have a much longer lifespan, often coming in at up to 20,000 hours of use.
Apart from having a longer lifespan, LED projectors also offer better colors and are quieter than lamp projectors because of the fact that they’re much more energy efficient and thus don’t require a fan for cooling. For these reasons, LED light sources are often found in miniature pico projectors. The main trade-off of LED projectors is that they have a limited brightness.
Other Features and Considerations
In the end, the type of projector you choose may not matter as much as some of the other features on offer. Why? Well, if you have a price range in mind, you may not have much of a choice in the type of projector you choose. You likely will, however, be able to choose a projector based on things like the number of inputs it has or how bright the projector is. Here’s a rundown of those features and what they mean for you.
source: https://www.lifewire.com/projector-buying-guide-4173492
