Projectors

FAQs

How Do I Choose the Right Projector for My Business?

When it comes to choosing the right projector, consider the main ways you’ll be using the projector.

For example, if you go out to present to clients often, then a lightweight and portable projector with a short-throw lens would be ideal. Short-throw lens projectors allow you to project large image dimensions at close range. For example, being able to place a projector a metre or so away from a screen or wall and projecting a legible image measuring 70 inches or more. 

Now, if you need projectors to play media at your business (e.g. you own a bar or nightclub and want video clips, music videos, or sports events playing), then it’s worth investing in a heavier-duty projector that is well-suited for video-first content, such as a DLP projector.

Are There Wireless Projectors for Office Presentations?

Yes, Office Choice carries a range of wireless projectors, which utilise technologies like wifi or Bluetooth. They enable you to stream content wirelessly from your device to the projector, which then projects that content onto a wall or projector screen. 

Wireless projectors tend to have a built-in operating system that works well with other operating systems (such as Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, etc.), which allows you to easily share content from a wide range of devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.

What Is the Difference Between LCD and DLP Projectors?

When considering a projector, you’ll likely come across two types: LCD and DLP. On a functional level, they produce moving images through two distinct methods.

LCD projectors use three liquid crystal panels that correspond to the primary colours red, green, and blue. Light passes through these panels, and the liquid crystals within the projector modulate the light to form images.

DLP projectors, on the other hand, utilise a technology known as a digital micromirror device (DMD) chip. Within this chip are millions of microscopic mirrors that can individually tilt thousands of times per second. These mirrors effectively direct light towards or away from the screen, which creates the resulting image.

With DLP projectors, you’ll get:

• Smoother moving images and video
• Less visible pixel artefacts
• Deeper, blacker blacks
• High contrast imagery
• With LCD projectors, you’ll typically get:
• Richer colour dynamics, especially in ambient lighting, but with greyer blacks than DLP
• Sharper imagery
• Less heat generation during operation
• Overall better image quality

While both are solid options for office settings, LCD projectors are a better choice if the main use of your office projector will be for PowerPoint presentations, analysing data, screen sharing, etc. The clearer, sharper image of LCD projectors tends to serve business settings whereas DLP are great as projectors for home theatres and watching fast-moving content.

How Can I Connect a Projector to My Laptop?

Most modern projectors are built to easily connect with computers, laptops, and even smart devices such as your phone. This will depend on the model of the projector, of course, so keep an eye out for a projector that includes HDMI and/or USB C ports.

For many projectors that include simple plug-and-play capabilities, all you’ll need to do is connect your laptop via an HDMI or USB cable and it’ll be good to go. If you’re unsure whether a particular office projector sold at Office Choice is easy to connect to your laptop, you can always contact us.

What’s the Best Portable Projector for Travel?

If you need a portable projector that you can easily take with you on trips and business flights, then you can take two main approaches.

The first is to buy a projector that, while not designed explicitly for portability, is still lightweight and compact enough to easily take with you when needed. Many modern DLP projectors tend to be lighter and more compact in design than LCD projectors, which can make them a good portable option.

The second approach is to purchase a projector or screen-sharing device designed with portability first and foremost. One such example is the BenQ Instashow Wireless Presentation range, which is an easy plug-and-play transmitter and receiver setup that you could easily fit in carry-on luggage or pop in a backpack.

Do I Need a Special Screen for My Projector?

While special projector screens are going to guarantee you the best image quality for your office projector, they’re not mandatory. Whether you use one is ultimately a personal choice, but it’s worth considering the benefits of a projector screen.

As projector screens are designed to reflect light evenly and reduce glare, you’re always going to get the best legibility and image quality through the use of a projector screen. And if your specific office room has a lot of bright ambient light and glare, then a devoted screen is certainly the right choice.

Otherwise, something as simple as a plain wall will often be enough for a projector. Ideally, you’ll want the wall to be white (consider a matt white paint) and flat rather than textured or bumpy. Uneven surfaces will impact the legibility of the projected image. It’s also worth setting up the room so you have good-quality blinds to block out external light and reduce ambient glare.

What Projector Resolution Should I Get for Presentations?

The resolution you opt for will depend on what your requirements are for your business. We’d say that, in general, HD projectors that output at 1080p will be more than enough for most office presentations.

Going for higher-resolution projectors that output at 1440p (quad HD) or 2160p (4K/ultra HD) may be a more viable option, particularly as detail is essential across any presentation.

Say, for example, you’re presenting intricate branding designs or creative that need crisper resolutions so all details stand out, that’s where projectors capable of 1440p or 2160p output may be the better fit for your office presentations.

What’s the Best 4K Projector for Business Use?

If you’re in the market for a 4K projector, there are some great options out there. While we can’t narrow it down to just one product, two specific options Office Choice recommends are the BenQ VS20 Instashow Wireless Presentation System and BenQ LK936ST Laser Projector.

The BenQ VS20 is a plug-and-play screen-sharing device that can output at up to 4K on compatible devices (e.g. 4K TVs, monitors, etc.). It works in a similar fashion to technologies like Chromecast, allowing you to broadcast content from your device (such as a laptop) to a 4K screen that has the BenQ VS20 receiver plugged in.

The laser projector is a more traditional DLP projector (which we detailed earlier) that can output everything at 4K. The image can be projected onto a projector screen or a flat, plain surface such as a blank wall in a meeting room.

Both of these devices are also ultra-portable and easy to set up, making them a great option for presentations in the office and during business trips.