Buyer's Guide to Business Projectors: Resolution
The amount of data that can be displayed on the screen at any given time is determined by a projector's resolution. Resolution is an indicator of the number of pixels the projector uses to create the image. The more pixels it uses, the higher the resolution.
Resolution is usually quoted in two numbers, such as "1024x768," where the first number refers to the pixels from side to side across the screen, and the second number refers to the pixels from top to bottom.
Resolution can be quoted in other ways, as well. For example, 1024x768 is also known as XGA, for eXtended Graphics Array. This terminology is primarily used for computer monitors, but extends to projectors as well. Since there is little rhyme or reason to this naming scheme, the only way to learn it is memorization. Common resolutions will be discussed later in this article.
When speaking of a projector's resolution, it is common to refer to "native" resolution. If a projector's native resolution is 1024x768, that means that the actual number of physical pixels on the display is 1,024 pixels per horizontal row by 768 pixels per vertical column.
How much resolution do I need?
High-resolution projectors are able to show more picture details than low resolution projectors. Since there are more pixels used to make the image, each individual pixel is smaller, so the pixels themselves become less visible on the screen. However, you will generally pay more for higher resolution.
Lower resolution projectors are much less expensive, and they can produce images that are just as bright and attractive as higher resolution machines. Unless you have a need to display fine detail, lower resolution products will be your best bet from a cost perspective.
Resolution options
Some basic choices for native resolution include the following:
SVGA (800x600) - SVGA projectors are great for those on a tight budget, since prices have dropped dramatically in recent years. While most computers still output in higher resolution, SVGA can be a good option for Powerpoint presentations or other applications that are not heavily dependent on detail.
XGA (1024x768) - XGA projectors have come down in price over the past few years, and have become the budget standard. Many laptop computers still output in native XGA, and matching an XGA projector to your native XGA laptop ensures you won't lose any detail.
WXGA (1280x800) - WXGA projectors are widescreen, and usually a bit more expensive than XGA. These products are targeted for use with mid-range widescreen laptops, which often use 1280x800 natively. They are becoming increasingly common and are used as an inexpensive widescreen alternative to XGA.
SXGA+ (1400x1050) - SXGA+ projectors are becoming more popular, and there are several offerings available in both budget and high-end configurations. SXGA+ resolution is useful for detailed photography and data graphics, but overkill for text display or Powerpoint presentations.
UXGA (1600x1200) - UXGA is for very high resolution workstation applications that are detail or information intensive. These are expensive projectors that support a broad range of computer equipment. Relatively few products on the market have this native resolution.
WUXGA (1920x1200) - WUXGA is the widescreen 16:10 version of UXGA and can be thought of as a "taller" 1080p. WUXGA projectors have the advantage of being able to natively display 1080p HD signals in addition to WUXGA content, but are also typically quite expensive.
Which resolution is right for you?
One of the key factors in choosing the right resolution is your typical application. Do you have a need for very accurate display of small visual details, or are you looking for a general presentation tool for text and small graphics?
If your primary use of the system is for Powerpoint presentations, charts, graphs, and general business display, you probably don't need to pay extra for very high resolution equipment. SVGA or XGA resolution projectors are perfect for this kind of work, and the best solution for the money. WXGA is a good widescreen option, if required.
If you are projecting engineering drawings, digital photography, complex Excel spreadsheets, or other images of a highly detailed or technical nature, you will probably need a projector of SXGA+ resolution or higher to produce an acceptable image for your purposes.
Matching your computer to your projector
Keep in mind that the best resolution for your projector is often the resolution of the computer you intend to use with it. Laptops in particular can sometimes have a maximum resolution identical to the native resolution of their built-in display. Desktop computers are more likely to have many options for output resolution, which can open up your choice of projectors.
If you typically use a notebook computer with XGA resolution, you will want a projector with the same native XGA resolution in order to get the sharpest and cleanest image. Similarly, if you normally use a laptop with higher than XGA output, such as SXGA+, you will get the best picture from a projector that has the same native resolution. If you use a desktop computer with a range of possible resolutions, choose the resolution most appropriate for the content you want to display.
Projectors on the market today are capable of projecting input signals other than their native resolutions. For example, you can almost always hook up an XGA laptop to an older SVGA projector. The projector will automatically convert the incoming 1024x768 signal to its native 800x600 output. However, there is always a loss of sharpness and detail in the process, so you will end up with a picture that is not as sharp or clear as it would be if the incoming signal had been in the projector's native resolution.
This loss of sharpness also happens if you plug an XGA computer into a higher-resolution SXGA+ projector. You will usually get a decent image, but the conversion from 1024x768 input to a 1400x1050 output will produce some softness that you may not appreciate after having spent the money for an SXGA+ projector. The loss in quality incurred by making a large resolution smaller is generally less severe than that incurred by making a small resolution larger.
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