The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Business Projectors: Part 2

In our first installment of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Business Projectors, we talked about the features and benefits included on some business projectors that make life easier for the end user. Things like intuitive controls, automatic input selection, ultra-short throw projectors, low maintenance, and wireless connectivity. But what about The Bad aspects of business projectors?

Part 2 of our three-part exploration of business projectors includes those aspects of projectors that you need to watch out for. This is especially true if you’re the one responsible for choosing and buying the projectors that will be used for your company’s business applications. Now, let’s get to it.

While the Good and the Ugly represent the extremes on what an end user can experience the Bad is what can turn the tides. Here are a few points of caution and aspects to watch for:

While turning off the lights in a room is not the end of the world, it is not always possible given the situation or time of day. Ensuring the projector works in a variety of scenarios and ambient brightness levels is a must-do. Using an existing projector where the lumens are known in this new room is a simple solution to test this potential shortcoming.

For example, say you’ve got a projector that you know is 3,000 lumens. Test it in the room that you will be buying the new projector for, and you’ll know whether or not 3,000 lumens is fine for those lighting conditions, or if you need something with a bit more power.

To help guide your research projectors typically fall in three categories: Under 3,000 lumens. 3,000 – 4,000 lumens and over 4,000 lumens. Understanding which is needed given your usage will help lower your selection pool and drive many of the other decisions.

The physical size of the projector may not be top of mind but it sure can make a difference. The projector dimensions as compared to the conference room and even more so, a boardroom table, is important. A table with a large projector will seem ill planned if not rendered ineffective. If unsure, a ceiling mount or UST are often a safer bet.

I almost hate to say it, given how many other factors there are to consider. However, color can play a significant role. A projector is best suited to blend in and compliment any other permanent fixtures such as a conference room phone or office table. A harsh black may clash with a light-colored table and in a similar vein, a projector with your competitor’s colors may stand out to the careful eye.