A projector is an apparatus for presenting an enlarged image on a screen from a transparency such as a photographic slide or a film. But how does a projector work? To display images, LCD (liquid crystal display) projectors typically send light from a metal halide lamp through a prism that separates light to three poly silicone panels -- one each for the red, green, and blue components of the video signal. As polarized light passes through the panels (combination of polarizer, LCD panel and analyzer), individual pixels can be opened to allow light to pass or closed to block the light. The combination of open and closed pixels can produce a wide range of colours and shades in the projected image. Metal Halide lamps are used because they output an ideal colour temperature and a broad spectrum of colour. These lamps also have the ability to produce an extremely large amount of light within a small area: current projectors average about 2,000-4,000 ANSI lumens.



Newer technologies, such as DLP and LCOS are becoming more popular in video projection. In practice, the term ?LCD Projector? is often used as a catch-all for any type of computer projector, regardless of the technology being used. But there are serious differences between DLP projectors and LCD projectors. The proponents of LCD projector technology point out that DLP suffers from issues like rainbow effect and unnatural brightness. Owing to their robust technology, LCD projectors today have come to occupy nearly 65% market share with DLP ones having the rest. This essentially implies that LCD projectors score when it comes to price vs. performance ratio. Also, in case of DLP projectors, the core technology are owned by Texas Instruments, which itself is not into the projector business. On the contrary, Epson and Sony both offer core LCD technology to other players and are themselves the manufacturers of projectors as well. This allows more room for LCD players to have modifications done in the core technology to suit their requirements, an advantage not enjoyed by the DLP projector manufacturers. So our advice would always be to go for a LCD projector rather than a DLP projector.

But before to buy yourself a projector, make sure your product has the following features:

1. Most of the ordinary and average LCD screens have a screen ratio of 4:3. However, in some cases, an LCD might also have a screen ratio of 16:9.

2. The utilization of three high-definition two-inch poly silicon TFT LCD panels are key elements in the production of the three RGB basic colours.

3. Images of high ratio contrast are produced. Usually the image contrast is 400:1.

4. A good LCD projector adds to the normal brightness by about 40% over most other conventional and ordinary LCD video projectors. These LCD projectors use a high-transparency LCD panel for the above purpose.