Action Steps for Video Projectors
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a video projector rental to save money

The least expensive way to get the projector equipment that you need is to rent it by the day or week from a number of companies that specialize in renting this type of equipment to individuals and businesses. You can get a DVD projector rental from as low as $99 per day from most places. Higher end equipment can cost up to $500 a day.

I recommend: Projector123.com offers a couple of projector styles to rent for businesses. Meeting Tomorrow offers LCD, HD, and DVD projector models to rent for comparable prices.

Purchase a used digital video projector

If you want to have a projector full time but do not want to spend the money on a brand new model, buying used equipment can save a lot of money and get you the equipment you need quickly. You can expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $1,000 for name brand used equipment in good to excellent condition.

I recommend: John Guild Comunications offers many types of projector equipment and supplies for sale in used condition. Rentcom is another great source for used equipment. This company sells projector equipment that was rented out in the past.

Choose wholesale DVD projectors for sale

If you want a brand new model of DVD projector or any other type of projector available on the market, checking out wholesale dealers and distributors will save you a lot of money. Wholesale prices can range from $500 to $1,200, which is well below retail prices from any other store.

I recommend: Rhinomart offers video projectors at wholesale prices. So does Daily Trader, which offers many models of projectors and other projector supplies wholesale with many models available for under $1,000.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Know the type of technology you need when you shop for multimedia projectors. LCD, DVD, digital and DLP projectors all work differently and are compatible with different types of sound equipment.

Guide to Projectors and Projector Supplies

Finding the right video projector for your presentation needs

By Toni Klym McLellan, Freelance Writer & Editor, Toni Writes

1. How often will my company give presentations?
2. What's our budget for new technology?
3. Will used equipment or an occasional rental suffice?
4. Will I need to take my projector on the road for off-site presentations?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compare projectors by features and brands

Projectors for office use come in two basic types: liquid crystal display (LCD) and digital light processing (DLP), each with its pros and cons. Also consider weight, portability, brightness, resolution, warm-up time and audio capabilities.

I recommend: Small businesses with smaller budgets will appreciate CNet's reviews of the best budget projectors. PC Magazine lets you compare projectors by price, editor's rating and other criteria. When you're ready to shop, check out Projector Central or the Projector SuperStore. BuyerZone has advice on purchasing projectors. Business.com provides vendors to compare on its video projectors page.

Don't forget the software

While Microsoft's PowerPoint is the big daddy of presentation software, don't dismiss other offerings to streamline or enliven your presentations.

I recommend: CNet reviews some of the top names in presentation software. ProjectorCentral offers a good listing of the many products available, including Apple Keynote 3 and Adobe Macromedia Breeze 5.

Projector supplies and accessories

Projector supplies and accessories include everything from carrying cases to wireless remotes, screens, lamps, mounts, switchers, cables, lenses and other items.

I recommend: The accessories section at ProjectorPros lists most of the add-ons you may want to consider. Check out manufacturer Web sites such as Dell and Sony to see what accessories they offer for your model.

Travel light with a portable projector

A bulky projector make travel a real hassle. Consider a sleek, lightweight model and keep your projector from being a pain in the neck (and back).

I recommend: Mitsubishi's line of ultraportable video projectors were designed with the business traveler in mind. Review various portable projector suppliers on Business.com.

To travel event lighter, rent projectors

If visual presentations are not a regular part of your business, you may not need to own a video projector.

I recommend: See Business.com video projector rentals page for a list of outifts around the country which rent projectors, or their list of specialists in LCD projector rental.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As with any technology, don't be swayed by all the bells and whistles that accompany your projector and presentation software. Often the simplest functions and elements will serve to keep your audience awake and interested.
• •  If your presentation software comes with an online or DVD-based tutorial, take the time to view it to make the most efficient use of the software's features.
• •  The last thing you want is a product failure while you're on the road: Be sure to carry an extra projector bulb and filter in your carrying case.
• •  Fold sticky address labels over each cable and power cord and note where they connect for easy set-up before each presentation.
• •  If your projector has a filter, make sure to clean it per the manufacturer's instructions to increase the projector's bulb life.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find print or online trade publications to learn more about DVD projector technology

Trade publications are a great resource for those who want to stay up to date with the latest technology. With digital, DVD and multimedia projectors on the market, it can be difficult to know the difference and what product is best for specific settings. Trade publications can help to answer these questions.

I recommend: AV Technology is a magazine for those in the AV/IT business who work with speaker, computers and video projectors on a daily basis. This magazine is available both in print and online. If you work with a digital video projector or similar technology, DV Magazine is your best resource on the subject.

Discuss issues about projectors and projector suppliers at blogs and online forums

If you want to get a first-hand perspective on specific models of DLP, digital or DVD projectors for sale, choose online forums and blogs where you can interact with people who use these products in their business. You can get recommendations and also help with troubleshooting common problems.

I recommend: The blog from Projector People offers a lot for readers, including videos, information on top brands of video projectors, and special deals. Audio Video Revolution hosts a forum where you can discuss the latest projector technology with experts and users alike.

Read reviews about video projectors for sale

As with all products, it is helpful to read professional and user reviews of products to get an in-depth analysis on the equipment's technology. You can also get tips on which models are best for certain settings; for instance, some types work well for office use, while other projectors are better for making presentations at a public event.

I recommend: Projector Central offers industry reviews on all the top brands and models or video projectors. Projector.com is another site that offers comprehensive reviews on many models of video projectors, plus reviews on popular projector supplies.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A great way to check out any DLP or LCD video projector product is to go to a retail store that sells the models you are interested in. Once you see what a projector can do, check out wholesale or online stores to find the best price.

Guide to Video Projector Key Terms

Don't let video projector technology intimidate you

By Denise Brown

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Lumen

The lumen is the measure of light output by a video projector lamp. With video projectors, you want enough lumens to adequately display the screen in your projection room. You also need to consider whether you are going to darken the room during projection or not.

I recommend: PCMag.com explains lumens as they pertain to video projectors.

Resolution

The number of pixels, or dots of light, produced by a video projector onto a screen determines its resolution. More pixels result in better resolution. There are four basic types of resolution: UXGA, SXGA, XGA and SVGA.

I recommend: Read the complete description of each resolution type on Abby's Guide.

Contrast ratio

The contrast ratio compares the number of white pixels to black. The higher the number of black pixels, the sharper the contrast capability of the video projector. The contrast ratio is often a number such as 300:1; the first figure is the number of black pixels and the second represents the white pixels.

I recommend: For more information, check out Practical-Home-Theater-Guide.com.

Throw distance

The throw distance of a video projector refers to the largest size screen your projector can fill. You should find a projector compatible to your screen size.

I recommend: Cousin’s Video has information about video projector throw distance as well as a link to a throw distance calculator.

Keystone correction

Unless your video projector is exactly square with the projection screen, there may be some picture distortion. Keystone correction allows for this problem and corrects it. Newer projectors are using keystone correction less and relying on variable lens shifting more.

I recommend: This article from Gizmodo.com discusses keystone correction.

LCD, or liquid crystal display

LCD, or liquid crystal display, refers to how light projects through three panels to produce an image. One panel is red, one is green and the third is blue. LCD projectors produce images with sharp color contrasts.

I recommend: Read a detailed explanation of LCD displays and other video projectors key terms from Long’s Electronics.