Information about Projector

A projector is a photographic device.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Uses of projector

  1. To watch movies in cinema theatres.
  2. To see the proceedings of the meeting in a large hall.
  3. Presentation for a business conference.
  4. To teach students in school.
  5. To project a TV or computer with a movie on a big screen.
  6. To showcase the products or services at the convention center.
  7. For everyone to see the event taking place in a crowded place

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Advantages of projector

  1. We can use the projector as a home theater for home entertainment.
  2. The screen size can be changed as desired.
  3. You can operate on any surface instead of the screen.
  4. We can resize images.
  5. Larger images are easier to see and less stress on the eyes.
  6. It takes up less space than other means of entertainment.
  7. Projectors are not only small but also light in weight.
  8. Projectors are easy to handle.
  9. Projectors are easy to transport.
  10. The price is very reasonable.

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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.

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Things to know when buying a projector?

  1. Get the right throw ratio to ensure the right image size.
  2. Upgrade the resolution
  3. Proper throw ratio to ensure proper image size.
  4. HDMI connection for future-proofing, quality
  5. Projectors cost, reliability, portability, resolution, brightness, contrast ratio, technology, connectivity, screen, sound, etc.
  6. 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.

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