5 Projector Usage Tips

Here are a few tips to help keep your projector running at its best.

1. Have your equipment powered down before connecting any cables. A signal cable carries a current while powered on and a sudden difference in electrical current can potentially burn out the projector lamp or cause other damage to projector components.

2. Use economy mode whenever possible. If your using a projector that has over 2000 lumens (a term used to describe the brightness of the projector), it usually has some sort of economy mode. If the event does not require full projector brightness use this mode to extend lamp life. Economy mode will lower the amount of lumens to save power and lengthen lamp life.

3. Avoid moving the projector as much as possible while it is powered on. The lamp, along with various other projector components, are sensitive to shakes or bumps. Any significant trauma could damage the projector and or lamp.

4. Do not unplug the projector after powering down. The cooling fan will continue to run in order to cool the lamp after shutting down the projector. It is recommended to keep it plugged in for at least another 3 minutes, doing otherwise could shorten the lamp's life or even damage the lamp.

5. Clean your projector. Dust is the bane of projectors when allowed to collect in the filter or on the lens. A microfiber cloth works well for cleaning the lens. If dust collects on the filter it will block the filter and decrease air flow which can affect the projector's cooling and can shorten lamp life.

You will have noticed in these tips that we pay special attention to preserving the life of the lamp. The reason for this is because the lamp is the most crucial part of the projector, and as such, is the most expensive component to replace. Projector costs have gone down significantly in the past few years, but replacement lamps have not. Lamps can cost up to $400 so you can see why it might be important to conserve as much lamp life as possible.

How SVGA, XGA, SXGA and UXGA Differ

A common question many people ask when looking for projectors is "What is SVGA, XGA, SXGA and UXGA" and "Which kind should I get". The type of projector you will be looking to buy depends on what you will need to do with your projector. In making this kind of decision its good to know the differences between each type so you can make the best choice.

In short these abbreviations are the main standards of resolution. A resolution is the number of pixels that the projector will be capable of displaying. Pixels are essentially small squares that make up an image, and the more pixels you have, the sharper and less blocky the image will be when viewing.

The following is the Standard Resolution of each type.

• SVGA - Resolution: 800 * 600 - Total Pixels: 480,000
• XGA - Resolution: 1024 * 768 - Total Pixels: 768,000
• SXGA - Resolution: 1280 * 1024 - Total Pixels: 1,311,000
• UXGA - Resolution: 1600 * 1200 - Total PIxels: 1,920,000

When buying a projector not only is important to note the resolution as this will affect the overall quality of the picture, but you must also make sure that your computer will be compatible with the projector.

For example, if your computer is trying to send information to a projector that is XGA, and your projector has a SVGA resolution then this could cause some problems. You will still see an image but you will not get the clearest picture because of compatibility issues.

Micro and Nano Portable Projectors

Micro and Nano Portable Projectors are not ready for prime time but will ultimately dominate small group projector needs.

Q: How does the nano projector work?
A: The nano projector engine is based on a technology called Laser Projection. In this technology, a laser-based light source is used as the illuminator for a micro display (0.24" diagonal) that acts as a transparent dynamic slide generating the image to be projected. This light is then magnified trough a projection lens and is projected on a screen or wall. Full Article

What is a Lumen?

In layman's terms, Lumens are the unit by which we measure how much light a projector puts out. This is important to know because when you are looking into buying or renting a projector, you need to make sure the projector you get is strong enough for the lightning conditions, the size of your audience, and the size of the room you are using it in. The larger your room or venue or the brighter your venue, the more bulb strength you will need.

Projector strength starts as low as 650 lumens and ranges as high as 10,000+. The biggest consideration you should be making, other than price, is your need for projector strength versus the portability of the projector. Generally, speakers prefer to make presentations in rooms with as much ambient light as possible, making some low-strength projectors unsuitable for the occasion. However, as a rule of thumb, the more powerful the projector the less portable it becomes.

Projector Strength Guide:

• 650 - 1,000 lumens: suitable for presentations with low ambient light.


• 1,000 - 2,000 lumens: the most common type of projector on the market today. Suitable for situations with some ambient light.


• 2,000 - 4,000 lumens: smaller models in the professional projector class. Suitable for audiences of up to 100 people.


• 4,000 - 6,000 lumens: mid-range professional models suitable for usage with audiences greater than 100 people.


• 6,000 - 10,000 lumens: high end projectors suitable for large venues such as conventions or conferences where thousands of people need to see it at the same time.

Welcome to The Projector Blog

Welcome to our new Projector Blog. We hope to fill this blog in the weeks to come with useful information on AV products and their use for the business and consumer market. We promise this site will never be used for Google Adwords or other sponsored links. We will recommend at no charge those resources that can help our readers who are interested in projector technology and it’s practical application.