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An LCD projector displays images on any flat screen. It can display videos, photos or computer presentations. It is similar to a slide projector or an overhead projector and works like a video projector. LCD projectors have a metal halide lamp that yields a broad range of colours at an ideal temperature. These lamps generate a lot of light within a small spot. This brightness is measured in ANSI lumens. Due to these lamps, LCD projectors are compact enough to be carried around. The images that they project are usually seen on a white or grey screen. Natural colour tones are best seen on a white screen, which is mainly used in computer presentations. The grey screen heightens the contrast but colour tones are not as good.

The LCD projector is a recent invention. Before the LCD projector, 3-CRT projectors were used. In 1968, New York inventor Gene Dolgoff decided to build a brighter projector. He used liquid crystals to alter light and in 1984 he had created the LCD projector. He researched and developed the “liquid crystal display” to make it more modern and created a highly efficient and bright projector that removed pixilation.

The type of LCD projector you purchase often depends on the level of detail that needs to be displayed. LCD projector resolutions range from SVGA (800 x 600 pixels), XGA (1024 x 768), SXGA (1280 x 1024) to UXGA (1600 x 1200). It is always a good idea to opt for the highest possible contrast ratio in a projector. This ensures that the projected images are easily visible even when the room’s lights have not been switched off.

Another important purchasing factor is portability. A lighter projector is obviously better but more expensive. Connectivity with a computer is another important consideration. Although most projectors come with cables that can be plugged into one of the many commonly available ports on computers, some modern projectors also have provision for wireless connectivity.

The most critical purchase decision should be regarding the kind of lamp the projector has. The cheaper projectors may not have a long lamp life and lamps are expensive to change. It is important to have this in mind and decide if a more expensive projector with a longer lamp life may in fact turn out to be the most economical option. Some projectors also let you operate in an economical mode and conserve lamp life. Other features include zoom lenses and “keystone correction” which allows a level projection on the screen even when the projector is placed unevenly.