How An LCD Projector Works

LCD, or Liquid Crystal Display, uses a powerful light passed through a transparent LCD chip containing video pixels. The video pixels are magnified through a lens and then projected onto a screen. LCD projectors offer solid contrast and brightness and are often easily portable, since the chip is relatively small compared to standard CRT tubes. LCD projectors are subject to pixel burn-out, which can leave annoying black or white dots on the screen, and cannot run for super-long times (8 to 10 hours) without risking overheating and pixel burn-out.

The Purchasing Factor

Once you've chosen the LCD projector model you will be purchasing, make sure and comparison shop for prices. Because of the many Internet outlets, prices can range drastically for the same product. Many people purchase LCD projectors and products from standard retail stores because they don't want to wait for shipping. However, many online retailers offer next day shipping and even after paying shipping charges. There is a lot of money to be saved by LCD projector comparison shopping. You may be surprised to see a price difference of hundreds of dollars for the same product.

LCD Projector Lamps

LCD projector lamps are what make or break a projector. Without a working lamp, it's impossible to make a presentation. Depending on the model of your LCD projector, the life of a lamp can vary anywhere from 1,000 hours to 4,000 hours. The cost of replacing LCD projector lamps will vary as well, anywhere from $200 to more than $1,000, with most costing between $300 and $400. Make sure to ask if a warranty, or even an extended warranty, for the lamp is available when you purchase the projector.

Popular Brands That Offer LCD Projectors

LCD projectors are used in businesses, schools, and even homes every day. There are many brands on the market, although you can probably find a model that fits your needs from most any brand out there. The LCD projector is a standard in business projectors today, and you can find smaller models that are very affordable for home use as well! Some popular brands are: Epson, Hitachi, Sanyo.

Smart Shopping

When it comes to making a big investment on something like an LCD projector, it's important to know that you are making the right choice. Don't settle for an unknown brand just to save a few hundred dollars up front, because it's quite possible you'll be spending that money in the long run anyway just to maintain the projector. If the savings are extreme enough to warrant a second thought, make sure to review LCD projector prices through the the manufacturer and online shopping sites, including consumer reviews. This can help save you precious time and money by making the right decision. If you end up investing in a product because of the price but you are not aware of many aspects of the brand, make sure you are fully aware of the warranty and return policy. It's also a good idea to make sure accessories you need will be available for the brand you have chosen.

The Mitsubishi Projectors

Mitsubishi does offer LCD projectors, but most of the line these days is DLP, especially home models. If you want a large, high-end business model LCD projector, you can get one from Mitsubishi. But home theater users who want Mitsubishi these days are going to have to go DLP.

Things To Think About Before Purchasing

When it comes to purchasing an LCD projector, a lot of time and investment comes into play. There are some questions you can ask yourself to help determine what type of projector is right for you:

* Resolution – Are you going to be projecting simple PowerPoints, spreadsheets with lots of numbers, or detailed images and video? Each of these requires different levels of resolution.

* Portability – Do you need to bring the projector on the road or is it going to stay in one place?

* Price – This is going to depend on how you answer the above questions first. But if you need to stay within an overall budget, this is going to be among the most important considerations.

* Brightness – Are you going to always be in dark rooms? How much detail do you need to show? Generally, DLP projectors will run between 1,000 to 3,000 lumens, with the higher numbers brighter and more expensive.


It's important to read consumer reports on LCD projector reviews to find ratings and buyer information.

Toshiba LCD Projectors

Toshiba is another company, like Mitsubishi, that has moved away from LCD to mostly DLP units. Toshiba's remaining LCD projector is a top-of-the-line business machine in the $6,000 range and is not suitable for home theater.

Epson Powerlite Projectors

Epson Powerlite projectors are well known, reliable, and function with ease. The Powerlite 76c in particular offers easy operation straight from the box, and a set of features that enable flexibility. On the down side, the projector lamp does not have as long as a life as other models, so that cost can mean a lot when the projector is used frequently. So for the price of under $1,000 the ROI is favorable.

Panasonic's Popular Model

Panasonic offers a wide range of LCD projectors, with many different features to accommodate even the most modest of users. For an excellent choice in all-around features, the Panasonic PT-AE900U, may be just what you were looking for. It's a popular home theater model because of the many features available with the model, and the affordable price doesn't hurt. Some features include: - Manual zoom and focus – High-quality brightness and resolution - Horizontal and vertical lens shift - Five video inputs - Smooth screen technology - Long lasting, 3,000-hour projector lamp.