How Do Projector Work? Complete Explanation

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Introduction:

In past decades Tv was the sole device used for media consumption, but as time passed, technology began to upgrade. Projectors are now the competitors of Tv in media consumption. Still, Tv is the undisputed winner of this competition. Projectors are used for media consumption on a larger screen and are still emerging technology. The main question that is asked by many people who are going to buy their first projector is how do projector work.

There are various projectors; if you want to know how a projector works, you can just read the following article.

How Do Projector Work?

Just before explaining to you how do projector work, it is essential to know that there are three major types of projectors

  • LCD projectors.
  • DLP projectors.
  • LCoS projectors.

All these types of projectors are used in various places.

LCD Projector:

LCD projector, also called liquid crystal display, uses a particular type of polarised light. This light is passed through three different liquid crystal panels. These three other panels are used for three different colors. Then it passes through a prism. After the prism, it passes from a lamp and filter, so the image is prepared. Then the image is projected on the screen as light through the lens. The three screens are used for three colors: red, green, and blue. The light that passes through is collected and combined with a mirror, and the image is formed. Such types of projectors are used for home theatres.

how do projector work
Figure 1

DLP projector:

DLP projectors are very advanced types. DLP stands for digital light processing projectors. Such projectors work with the help of a DMD chip(Digital micromirror chip). These chips contained thousands of tiny mirrors attached to them. When these mirrors are viewed closely, they do not provide a look of an image, but when viewed in a combined look, they project a high-quality image.

how do projector work
Figure 2

LCoS projector:

The above two types were the most common, while LCoS projectors are the latest type among others. The manufacturing of this projector is complex, and it is also the most expensive projector. Below are some facts about LCoS projectors.

how do projector work
Figure 3
  1. It is a mixture of other two types of projectors.
  2. Its resolution, clarity and working is very superior and premium than other types.
  3. Motion blurness can occur in LCoS projectors while it does not occurs in DLP projectors.

Explanation of throw in projectors:

To understand how do projector work, it is vital to comprehend throw in projectors. It is not essential how projectors create images because all the types of projectors use light as the source of the projector, which in the end, passes through the lens to produce the desired image. The throw is a word for the distance from which the light has the perfect-sized idea of the selected location. Throw directly depends upon the space available for the use of projectors. Most projectors use a long throw as they provide a larger image but require a more extensive spread to operate.

how do projector work
Figure 4

The advantage of short throw over long throw projectors is that they produce a shallow field, so they project a similar-sized image as long throw projectors by using half of the distance. They are more convenient for small size rooms.

The rare type is ultra-short throw projectors. These are the most expensive type as they can project the largest image over 100′ with the smallest distance of about 1 foot. These are used for small-spaced areas but are very rare and expensive.

DLP vs LCD vs LCoS:

Each type of projector has its pros and cons. Some of them are expensive others use a larger space to operate. You can choose projectors based on your requirements. If you are a gamer and need a lightning-fast screen, you must consider buying an LCoS projector, as it is the fastest among others. If you want a cheaper projector with good colours, go for a DLP projector. And if you are looking for a brighter projector, go all out for an LCD projector, as it is proven to be more optimistic than the sun.

Some common terms of projectors:

Various common terms which help to understand how do projector work are explained below:

Brightness:

The unit of light measurement is lumens. The brightness is the primary factor in whether an image can be seen. If the projector has fewer lumens, you cannot see the picture in a bright place.

Aspect ratio:

The aspect ratio is the ratio of image size from height to width. This ratio defines whether the image is squared or it is rectangular.

Contrast ratio:

The contrast ratio is the visual difference between the screen’s lightest and darkest pixel. It defines the overall clarity of the image. So when buying a projector, three things must be considered accurate colour, compactness and longer life.

FAQs:

What is the most common type of projector?

The most common type of projector is the LCD projector, as it is the brightest and cheapest option available in the market.

Which projector is best for gamers?

If you are a gamer and want a projector, you must go all out for an LCoS projector. LCoS projector is the fastest projector with the lowest latency, which is best for gamers.

Which is the most expensive projector?

The most expensive projector is an ultra-short throw projector because it provides the most prominent image while using the smallest space possible. These types of projectors are used for small working rooms or apartments.

Conclusion:

Projectors are among the latest media consumption devices which are rapidly replacing TV. Every new projector user requires time to understand the working of projectors. So we are here to explain to you how do projector work. Various types of projectors are elaborated on along with terms of projectors. Projectors are devices designed for multiple types of users, such as workplaces, gaming stations, and home theatres; it all depends on the personal requirements of the users and which projector is best for them.

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Maira Bano

Hi, my name is Maira, and I'm a Projector Expert. I am passionate about projectors and have been using them for years. With that said, I have an excellent knowledge about them and can help you find the perfect one.

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