Video projectors create images from a video signal by using a lens system with very bright light. Once the image is clear it can be projected on a clean flat white surface. Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) projectors, Digital Light Processing (DLP) projectors, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) projectors and Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) projectors are all types of video projectors.

Transparency projectors, on the other hand, display images that are placed on transparencies or films. Movie projectors, overhead projectors, slide projectors and their ancestor the magic lantern are examples of transparency projectors since the image still comes from an image that has light projected through it. Lastly, opaque projectors are devices that display images from opaque materials such as books through a system of imaging lenses harnessing reflected light.

There are several kinds of projectors manufactured by different companies. This means that there is a wide range of products available on the market. However projectors are still a bit more expensive. When thinking about buying a projector, it isn't really the cost that should be considered, rather the purpose and functions of the product. Here are some things that need to be considered before making the right choice:

The ideal projector must be easy to use and should match the consumer's level of knowledge. Numerous modern-day portable projectors are very user-friendly. These models usually come with as many hardware as possible, possible by as many as that of a modern laptop.

Projector brightness is measured in terms of ANSI (American National Standards Institute) lumens. A projector capable of 1500 to 2500 ANSI lumens or lower is considered best for smaller screens in a darkened room. If a projector is rated 2500 to 4000 lumens, it will be able to provide decent resolution for average-sized screens in a room with moderate lighting. A rating of over 4000 lumens makes a projector the best option for very large screens, and/or for large rooms with little or no lighting control, says in a large lecture hall.

Recent mid-range portable projectors come with XGA display resolutions, supporting images at 1024 by 768 pixels. Some models even come with higher resolutions at 1080p, giving HD quality pictures of 1920 by 1080 pixels. Opting for high resolution projectors will definitely cost a lot, while SVGA projectors (Super Video Graphics Array ? 800 by 600 pixels) are not that much of help. Settling for midrange resolutions like XGA or 720p (1280 by 720 pixels) will be the best move, where the price range is reasonable while getting above-average image resolution.

The key to obtaining the cheaper option is in essence finding the right projector according to the needs of the consumer. For instance, one might find a projector with the lowest price, but with brightness and/or durability failing to meet the requirements of the purpose for which it is to be purchased. In such case, the cheaper option really is to buy the more expensive device with the apropos brightness and/or durability.