What is a projector?

A projector works like a kind of inverted camera. Instead of capturing light, a projector sends light outwards. Although the technology of different types of projectors varies, it always relies on 3 key components: the light source (an LED lamp or laser), an image chip that determines which light is transmitted, and the lens that projects the image. The projector converts the signal from the digital image of a laptop, television, or game console into light that passes through the image chip. The chip consists of millions of tiny mirrors or filters that determine, for each pixel, which colour and brightness are transmitted. The result is an enlarged projection on your screen or wall. For the best results, use a projection screen in a darkened room.

3D projectors

A 3D projector projects 2 slightly different images that together create a depth effect. To see this effect, you need special 3D glasses. 3D projectors are especially suitable for movie lovers who transform their living room into a spectacular home cinema. One advantage of a 3D bridge is the impressive depth effect and immersive viewing experience it provides. You often must purchase 3D glasses yourself to enjoy them. In addition, the content you view must be suitable for 3D technology.

Short throw projectors

Short throw projectors project a large image from a short distance. Even if they are only 30 centimetres from the wall, they still give a 100-inch image. This makes these types of projectors very suitable in small rooms or offices, because they hardly take up any space. Other advantages of these projectors are that no one can walk through the image, and you won't be bothered by shadows. For a short throw projector, it is important that the projection surface is completely even, otherwise the image will not come across nicely.

4K projectors

A 4K projector projects images with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. This ensures 4 times sharper images than projectors with Full HD resolution. This allows you to see even more detail, even on large screens. 4K projectors are suitable for movie buffs, gamers, and professionals who often give presentations. This is mainly due to the exceptional image quality and razor-sharp image transmission of this type of projector. However, you do need sources that support 4K content to benefit from that higher image quality.

Laser projectors

Laser projectors use laser technology instead of traditional lamps, as traditional projectors do. They also produce brighter and more vivid images with better colours. Laser projectors are a television and projector in one. They are therefore suitable for use in your living room, although they also come in handy in an office. The handy thing about laser projectors is that they turn on and off immediately, where traditional projectors need some time to warm up.

Smart projectors

Smart projectors come with built-in operating systems (like Android) and Wi-Fi, so you can stream apps like Netflix or YouTube without an extra device. They’re great for watching content or giving presentations directly from the projector – just like a smart TV, but with a larger projected image.

Mini projectors

Mini projectors are so compact that they easily fit in your bag. You can easily connect these types of projectors wirelessly to your phone or tablet, although you can also connect them using an HDMI cable. It makes mini projectors very suitable to take with you, whether during a caravan trip or for an important presentation outside the door. Despite their size, they can project screens up to 100 inches – ideal for travel, camping or quick presentations.

A big advantage of projectors is their versatility. For example, they come in handy in different rooms. At school or office, they make presentations more impressive and more visible to large groups. In the living room, they transform your wall or projection screen into a home cinema. There are even projectors that project clear images on a screen in the open air, so that you can watch a movie in the garden on a beautiful summer evening, for example. Pay attention to the lighting conditions of the room: the darker the room, the better the image. For bright rooms, you need a projector with more brightness. This is called lumen. You can read more about this later in the article.