Information about Projector
Key Points
- What is the projector?
- When was the first projector invented?
- How is the projector used?
- How does a projector get its input?
- What are the types of projectors?
- DLP (Digital Light Processing)Projector
- LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)Projector
- LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)Projector
- Laser Projector
- Uses of projector
- Advantages of projector
- What to do to make the projector lamp last longer?
- Things to know when buying a projector.
What is the projector?
The projector is an output device. It
captures images created by a computer or blue-ray player and transmits them to
a projector screen, wall, or another surface. The projector screen or outside
of the wall is large enough for everyone in the hall can see. The image looks
clear if the color of the screen is white or plain.
When was the first projector invented?
Following are the views about the invention
of the projector.
The Kinetoscope, the forerunner of the
motion-picture film projector, was invented by Thomas A. Edison and William Dickson
of the United States in 1891. In it, a strip of film was passed rapidly between
a lens and an electric light bulb while the viewer peered through a peephole.
On April 21, 1895, Woodville Latham and
his sons, Otway and Gray, demonstrated their ‘Panopticon’ in the first movie
projector developed in the United States.
The first projector was invented in 1895;
Louis and Auguste Lumiere gave birth to the big screen projector. They invented the camera that could record, develop,
and project film, but they regarded their creation as little more than a
curious novelty.
How is the projector used?
A projector or image projector is an
optical device that projects an image (or moving images) onto a surface,
commonly a projection screen. Most projectors create an image by shining a
light through a small transparent lens, but some newer types of projectors can
project the image directly by using lasers. The handheld projector uses lasers
or LEDs to project images.
The most common type of projector used
today is called a video projector. Video projectors are digital replacements
for earlier types of projectors such as slide projectors and overhead
projectors. Digital video projectors replaced the place of previous
projectors throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, but old analog projectors are
still being used to some extent.
The newest types of projectors are
handheld projectors that use lasers or LEDs to project images. Their
projections are hard to see if there is too much ambient light.
How does a projector get its input?
Today, most projectors use either an
HDMI cable or a VGA cable from a computer as their input source.
Recently all modern televisions and
projectors have one or more ports that allow them to retrieve and display
computer-generated images. Both desktop and laptop computers are capable of
connecting to a TV or projector.
What are the types of projectors?
In the world of projection technology,
there are four main types of projectors. The features of each projector are
different. The advantages or disadvantages are also dissimilar.
1) DLP (Digital Light Processing) Projector
A DLP projector contains an array of
microscopic mirrors that lean towards the light source in the projector or
create light or dark pixels on the projection screen away from it.
DLP projectors are available in
single-chip and three-chip types. Single-chip DLPs offer the best images.
Usually, in a home projector, a single chip is used.
All other types of projectors use three
chips, also called panels. (One for each primary color in the image) LP uses a
single chip in the projector. Even so, their picture is clear, which means that
the image range of the DLP projector is sharp.
Single-chip DLP projectors use three primary color rotating color wheels. DLP 3 Chip Projectors are high-performance, high-brightness applications in large rooms such as lecture halls, digital cinemas, and other large audience venues. Three-chip systems produce stunning images in almost any environment.
These 3 Chip DLP technologies produce
maximum brightness output and spectacular images in large venue applications. 3
Chip DLP technology is currently considered the top-of-the-line technology for
digital projection.
The 3-chip system passes light through a
prism that divides it into red, green, and blue. Each chip identifies with one
of these three colors.
DLP 3 Chip projectors can create more
colors than other types of projectors. These projectors are usually the best
for watching 3D movies and for video games, as they are fast.
2) LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Projector
LCD projectors come in the middle of DLP
and LCOS projectors. They are not as bright as DLP projectors, but brighter
than LCOS projectors. 3D images captured by an LCD projector may be less
accurate than 3D images produced by a DLP projector.
However, the LCD projector can outperform the
LCOS projector due to its ability to create bright images. Single-chip DLP
projectors are affordable, starting at the same price as LCD jacks.
3) LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) Projector
It uses a solid-state laser instead of a
lamp for the light source. Like the LCD projector, the LCOS projector flashes
light through the panel to create the image. The beam of the LCOS projector
reflects three separate LCOS panels which, are then combined to create images.
LCOS projectors offer the darkest black layer and contrast ratio of any
technology.
The shadows of cinemascope format films
look better when viewed in a dark hall. LCOS projectors generally do not
provide as much brightness as DLP and LCD projectors, so they cannot give clear
images in a room with perfect lighting.
4) Laser Projector
A laser projector is a device that
projects to create a rotating image for entertainment or commercial use. It
contains lasers, mirrors, galvanometers, scanners, and other optical
components. Laser projectors can have up to three sources for one color
projection. Home entertainment laser projectors can be turned on or off
quickly.
Uses of projector
- To watch movies in cinema theatres.
- To see the proceedings of the meeting in a large hall.
- Presentation for a business conference.
- To teach students in school.
- To project a TV or computer with a movie on a big screen.
- To showcase the products or services at the convention center.
- For everyone to see the event taking place in a crowded place
Advantages of projector
- We can use the projector as a home theater for home entertainment.
- The screen size can be changed as desired.
- You can operate on any surface instead of the screen.
- We can resize images.
- Larger images are easier to see and less stress on the eyes.
- It takes up less space than other means of entertainment.
- Projectors are not only small but also light in weight.
- Projectors are easy to handle.
- Projectors are easy to transport.
- The price is very reasonable.
What to do to make the projector lamp last longer?
Set the projector on eco mode
Some projectors have
the eco mode or, lamp economy mode that reduces projector lamp brightness. It extended
the lamp's life by about forty to fifty percent. Most projectors are shipped with
the factory setting at maximum brightness so you will have to change the lamp
mode manually.
Let the lamp cool properly
The projector has a cooling fan that keeps the projector lamp from overheating. Allow the projector
fan to run through its cycle and shut down before turning off the projector.
Flicking the off switch before the projector has cooled can cause the projector
lamp to crack.
Don’t unplug directly
Don’t turn off the power button
immediately when turning off the projector. After you turn off your projector,
wait at least five minutes before unplugging. Allow the projector fan to cool
properly.
Avoid frequent switching on and
off
Every time you fire
up the projector lamp you create a power surge that puts stress on the
connections in the lamp. Light up your projector when you are ready to
use it and avoid frequent switching on and off.
Keep air filters clean
The air filters on
your projector are designed to keep the air flowing around your projector and
prevent overheating. Clean them from time to time. Be sure to clean the
air filters every three months or more often if there is a lot of dust. Regular
maintenance will increase the projector lamp's life.
Check the heat
An overheated
projector puts stress on the projector lamp and can cause it to explode. Make
sure there is enough airflow around the projector particularly if it’s been
permanently mounted. The mounting plates should never block the fan vent.
Don’t cover it with plastic
Do not place plastic or other paper on
the projector to protect it from dust. To do this, the air filters of the
projector are closed. The projector does not get air to cool the lamp, and then
the life of the projector lamp is reduced.
Things to know when buying a projector?
- Get the right throw ratio to ensure the right image size.
- Upgrade the resolution
- Proper throw ratio to ensure proper image size.
- HDMI connection for future-proofing, quality
- Projectors cost, reliability, portability, resolution, brightness, contrast ratio, technology, connectivity, screen, sound, etc.
- The most important of them is the projection size. But along with this, you also need to consider the distance at which you plan to place your projector.