Choosing the right projector.

What brightness level do I require?
What Resolution is right for me?
Should I get a DLP or LCD projector?
What is dual aspect ratio?
What inputs/connections should I use?
What projectors do you recommend for pubs & clubs?

Pub and Club Projectors
Pubs and clubs generally require a projector for a large screen sport events AFL, Rugby, cricket or Soccer and sometimes general entertainment like music video's or just background TV. These projectors generally have a higher contrast ratio and brightness level (suitable for many different locations), plus many also have an extended lamp life in order to minimise the long-term operational costs.

DLP have traditionally been the better alternative for multi-purpose projectors (with a much higher contrast), however some newer LCD models have sparked some interest for both video and data use. This is explained further in the information below.

What brightness level do I require?
Brightness with all digital projectors is universally measured in ANSI Lumens. As multi-use projectors are used in varying environments its difficult to give an exact required brightness level. If you are planning to use your projector primarily in a darkened environment then a brightness level as low as 2000 ANSI Lumens will be quite suitable. If you would like to use your projector in a lit room or for a large image, then a brightness level between 3000 and 5000 ANSI Lumens is recommended.

What Resolution is right for me? [top]
A native resolution is essentially a measurement for the number of pixels being projected. Usually this is represented in a number of pixels width to height e.g. 1280 pixels width and 800 pixels high. Projectors can accept signals higher and lower of the native resolution but will have to convert or compress the signal to display in the native resolution.

A multi-use projector usually have one of the below resolutions:
SVGA - 800x600
XGA - 1024x768
WXGA - 1280x800 (High Definition) - Recommended for movies / TV / Sport
WUXGA - 1920x1080 (Full High Definition) - Recommended for Full HD Movies / TV / Sport / Photographs

Should I get a DLP or LCD Projector ? [top]
LCD & DLP are two different types of projector technologies. The LCD type uses 3 small LCD panels to create the projected image, whereas the DLP type uses a spinning wheel of different colours to create the image. Whilst DLP is a newer technology, it does not necessarily mean its better for all uses.

LCD has traditionally been better with colour reproduction than the DLP alternative. The LCD panels are able to create more precise and exact colours, however due to restrictions with the technology, are also unable to create an absolute black resulting in a low contrast ratio. A DLP projector is able to project darker images in more detail as they generally offer a higher contrast ratio.

A projector for pubs and clubs must be be good for sport/TV as well as giving good colour longevity under long periods of use. Whilst LCD projectors offer excellent colour they are generally not as good under long periods of use and we would recommend a DLP for colour fastness and longevity in a Pub or Club environment.

DLP technology uses a spinning wheel of different colour segments that flash each colour separately onto the screen at extremely fast speeds, so fast in fact that the human eye cannot identify the individual colour instead seeing the end image. On some DLP projectors there is what is known as a rainbow effect, where some people see faint lines of varying colours. This is only a minor problem that occurs in some 4 segment DLP projectors and most people do not even notice it. Newer DLP projectors feature a 5 colour segment wheel that helps reduce the chance of ever seeing a 'rainbow' on the screen. Whilst the chance of seeing a 'rainbow' is very low we recommend purchasing a 5 segment projector just to be on the safe side.

What is dual aspect ratio ? [top]
Every digital projector has a native aspect ratio, or a ratio the projector was built for. An aspect ratio for Australian projectors is usually either 16:9 or 4:3. A 16:9 aspect ratio is the standard widescreen image that most DVD's and HDTV are encoded in. With pubs and clubs we would generally got for a widescreen 16:9 projector to match up with TV/Foxtel broadcasts.

What Inputs/Connections should I use?[top]
Most projectors have older connections like VGA, Component and S-video on the back. The best connection to use is HDMI which gives you the sharpest digital image.

What projectors do you recommend for pubs & clubs? [top]

Medium Room Recommendations
BenQ MH550 DLP Multipurpose Full HD Widescreen Projector			Your Price: $869
	SPECIFICATIONS Native Resolution: WUXGA 1920 x 1080 16:9 Brightness: 3500 ANSI Lumens Maximum Contrast: 20,000:1 Weight: 2.3kg Fan Noise: 32 / 29db (eco) Warranty: 2 Years (+1 Year $85) Lamp Warranty: 6months/750hrs Lamp Life Up To: 15,000hrs	FEATURES - Vertical Keystone Correction - 2x HDMI Connection - 3D Capable(3D glasses required) [More Information]	RRP: $999 WAS $999 SAVE $130 Must end 31st Oct Flat Rate Freight! $22 Insured Australia Wide. Pick up Available
BenQ MH733 DLP High Brightness Full HD Multipurpose Projector			Your Price: $1199
	SPECIFICATIONS Native Resolution: WUXGA 1920 x 1080 16:9 Brightness: 4000 ANSI Lumens Maximum Contrast: 16,000:1 Weight: 2.9kg Fan Noise: 33 / 29db (eco) Warranty: 2 Years (+1 Year $129) Lamp Warranty: 6months/750hrs Lamp Life Up To: 15,000hrs	FEATURES - 2x HDMI Connection - MHL Compatible - Vertical Keystone Correction - Horizontal Keystone Correction - Powerful 10W Speaker - USB Reader Jpeg, PDF, - USB Reader Word, Excel, Powerpoint - 3D Capable(3D glasses required) - Optional Wireless [More Information]	RRP: $1649 NEW!!! WAS $1649 SAVE $450 Must end 31st Oct Flat Rate Freight! $22 Insured Australia Wide. Pick up Available
Large Venue Recommendations
Optoma EH512 DLP High Brightness Full HD Multimedia Widescreen Projector			Your Price: $1879
	SPECIFICATIONS Native Resolution: WUXGA 1920 x 1080 16:9 Brightness: 5000 ANSI Lumens Maximum Contrast: 15,000:1 Weight: 4.6kg Fan Noise: 30db (eco) Warranty: 3 Years (+1 Year $135) Lamp Warranty: 12months/1000hrs Lamp Life Up To: 7,000hrs	FEATURES - Horizontal & Vertical Keystone - 2x HDMI Connection - MHL Compatible - 1.5x Zoom - Vertical Lens Shift - Powerful 2x 10W Speaker - 3D Capable(3D glasses required) - Wireless Included [More Information]	RRP: $2999 $220 OFF WAS $2099 Must end 31st Oct Flat Rate Freight! $22 Insured Australia Wide. Pick up Available
Epson EB-2250U LCD High Brightness Full HD Widescreen Multimedia Projector			Your Price: $1999
	SPECIFICATIONS Native Resolution: WUXGA 1920 x 1200 16:10 Brightness: 5000 ANSI Lumens Maximum Contrast: 15,000:1 Weight: 4.8kg Fan Noise: 39 / 29db (eco) Warranty: 3 Years (+1 Year $135) Lamp Warranty: 12 months / 750 hours Lamp Life Up To: 10,000hrs	FEATURES - Vertical & Horizontal Keystone - Powerful 16W Speaker - 1.6x Zoom - 2x HDMI Connection - MHL Compatible - USB to laptop Connection - Instant Off - Wireless - Optional - iPad, iPhone Wireless Optional [More Information]	RRP: $2299 $200 OFF WAS $2199 Must end 31st Oct Flat Rate Freight! $22 Insured Australia Wide. Pick up Available
Epson EB-2265U LCD High Brightness Full HD Widescreen Multimedia Projector			Your Price: $2399
	SPECIFICATIONS Native Resolution: WUXGA 1920 x 1200 16:10 Brightness: 5500 ANSI Lumens Maximum Contrast: 15,000:1 Weight: 4.9kg Fan Noise: 39 / 29db (eco) Warranty: 3 Years (+1 Year $135) Lamp Warranty: 12 months / 750 hours Lamp Life Up To: 10,000hrs	FEATURES - Vertical & Horizontal Keystone - Powerful 16W Speaker - 1.6x Zoom - 2x HDMI Connection - MHL Compatible - HDBaseT Compatible - USB to laptop Connection - Instant Off - Wireless - Included - WiDi and Miracast - iPad, iPhone Wireless Projection [More Information]	RRP: $2799 $300 OFF WAS $2699 Must end 31st Oct Flat Rate Freight! $22 Insured Australia Wide. Pick up Available
NEC PA653UG High Brightness Large Venue Widescreen Projector - Lens Required			Your Price: $3899
	SPECIFICATIONS Native Resolution: WUXGA 1920 x 1200 16:10 Brightness: 6500 ANSI Lumens Maximum Contrast: 8,000:1 Weight: 10.2kg Fan Noise: 39 / 33db (eco) Warranty: 5 Years Lamp Warranty: 6months/2000hrs Lamp Life Up To: 4,000hrs	FEATURES - Lens Options - Horizontal & Vertical Lens Shift - Horizontal & Vertical Keystone - 360° Installation (vertical axis) - Portrait Installation Mode - Edge Blending - Multi Screen Function - Stacking Function [More Information]	RRP: $4999 Plus Cost of Lens Flat Rate Freight! $22 Insured Australia Wide. Pick up Available