A Digital Projector is an electo-optical machine which converts image data from a computer or video source to a bright image which is then imaged on a distant wall or screen using a lens system.

The projector serves the following purposes:

• Visualization of data stored in a computer for presentations
• Demonstration of program products for a large number of prospective customers
• The projector replaces the white board as well as written documents.
• Watching moving images from a video tape player or digital video disk player.

Digital projectors may also be built into cabinets which use a rear projection screen to form a single unified display device, now popular for "home theater" applications.

A typical resolution for a portable projector will be the SVGA-standard (800×600 pixels), with more expensive devices supporting XVGA (1024×768 pixels).

The cost of a device is not only determined by its resolution, but also by its brightness. For use in large conference rooms the brightness should be between 1,000 and 4,000 ANSI lumens.

Digital projection technologies:

• high intensity CRT
• LCD projectors using LCD light gates
• Texas Instruments' DLP technology

Obsolete electronic projection technologies:

• Eidophor oil-film projectors

The current dominant technology at the high end for portable digital projectors is Texas Instruments' DLP technology, with LCD projectors dominating the low end. High intensity CRT devices are suitable only for fixed instalations.

Producers of projectors

• Acer
• ASK
• BenQ
• Barco
• Canon
• Dell
• Epson
• Hewlett-Packard
• Hitachi
• IBM
• InFocus
• LG
• Mitsubishi Electric
• NEC
• Optoma
• Panasonic
• Philips
• Runco
• SIM2 Multimedia
• Sony
• ViewSonic

See also

• Projector for a directory of projector types