Shed a Little Light
A Guide to Projector and Screen Selection for Small Spaces

By Jennifer Andrews

Choosing a projector for multiple purposes is similar to selecting a large-venue machine, but with a few key differences. You’ll still need to consider some of the same basic technical specifications — brightness (measured in lumens), resolution and connectivity, for example — but you’ll also want to compare overall weight, security features and throw ratios before making your final decision.

Brightness. You won’t need the same kind of brightness for a small audience as for a larger group; however, you will need a projector that’s bright enough to give you a nice-looking image in a lights-on environment.

Buy a projector with at least 1,200 lumens of brightness or more for lights-on presenting. This is an easy target to hit since most projectors designed for presentations meet or exceed this amount.

Resolution. There are two primary choices of resolution for these types of spaces: XGA (high-resolution, 1024 x 768 pixels) and SVGA (800 x 600 pixels, now considered entry-level resolution). The best images will result when your computer and projector resolutions match; however, XGA is still more future-proof. If budget allows, an XGA projector will produce a crisper image and be more compatible with newer technology. SVGA projectors produce nice-looking images as well, however, and they are usually the least expensive projectors, with many priced at less than $1,000.

Connectivity. A multipurpose projector is often used for different activities and in different locations. That might mean you’ll be using different sources as well, so try to find a projector that offers multiple connectivity options such as composite or S-video. These are more common connections on sources such as DVD players and VCRs.

For future-proofing, think about getting a projector with DVI and/or component video inputs. Most come with multiple connectivity options and compatibility isn’t a major issue, but component and digital options are becoming more common on DVD players and computers and will provide better signal quality.

Weight. Portable projectors now weigh as few as two pounds, and typical brighter multipurpose models weigh between five and 10 pounds and are very easy to set up and use in multiple locations. Some portable projectors ship with a convenient carrying case, which helps keep it and its cables together in one place.

Security. Most of us don’t like to think about the possibility of theft where we worship, but it’s a reality we must face. Many projectors include extra security features that will deter theft, including a Kensington security-lock slot, network notifications via e-mail (on networked projectors) and keypad-lock protection, which also prohibits prankish tampering. Of course, keeping your equipment stored and secure is also very important for a portable projector.

If, on the other hand, your projector is wall- or ceiling-mounted, some deterrents are built into the mount itself. One common security feature is proprietary hardware configurations that require specific tools be used to release the mount and basic locks.

Throw ratios. One important projector spec to consider in small spaces is the throw ratio, a measure of the size image a projector can produce from a given distance. A general rule for calculating throw distance with a standard lens is to allocate about one foot of screen for every two feet of space between the projector and screen.

If you want a large image from a short distance, consider a projector with a short-throw lens. This feature allows you to create the big picture you want in a tight space. (Some short-throw projectors can create an impressive 60-inch-diagonal image from just a few feet away from the screen!) Many manufacturers have designed projectors with built-in short-throw distances for small-room applications. They provide throw-distance calculators that help determine the size of image that can be produced from a given distance by each of their projectors. Although these distance calculators are generally very close, they don’t always provide the exact size of an image, which is created at a specific distance.

Short-throw lenses should not be confused with another helpful projector feature, the zoom lens. Manual or digital zoom is a feature on many standard, long-or short-throw lenses. This feature allows for larger or smaller images from the same distance, much like a zoom lens on a 35-millimeter camera.

Projection screens are highly recommended accessories, even in small spaces. Using a screen will create a crisper, better-looking image than blank walls. Walls are a good substitute if money is tight, but a screen might actually be less expensive than you think. (Some portable models sell for less than $200.) First, you’ll need to determine how you want to use your screen. Should it be portable so you can take it from room to room or offsite for missionary work, or do you plan to use it in a permanent location? Do you need the latest and greatest screen with all the flashy bells and whistles, or do you want something simple and inexpensive?

The four most common screens on the market are:

Portable — These screens readily travel from location to location.
Manual — An economical choice if you’ll be keeping the screen in one location Electric — These high-end screens add elegance to their permanent locations.
Fixed-frame — A permanently tensioned screen stretched around a frame and installed in a fixed location

Many screens are available in each of these mounting orientations. Some will include additional features such as designer casing, tab tensioning, adjustable masking borders and more.

The most common screen mounting options for small worship spaces are:

Portable — Good for offsite Bible studies, youth group meetings or service-entry greetings; and
Manual — Great for dedicated study areas, dedicated meeting rooms and cry rooms.

Once you’ve bought your portable projector, don’t just leave it on the shelf. There are countless creative ways to use it — for Bible studies, children’s church, in Sunday school classrooms, to display greetings and announcements before services, during Vacation Bible school, for memorial services, in church business meetings, for movie nights, and during celebrations and events. These are just a few suggestions.

Whether you’re displaying community photos and videos or intensely studying the scripture, portable projectors are a dynamic tool for sharing God’s glorious message.

Jennifer Andrews is the Internet communications manager for ProjectorPeople.com, where she has been writing tutorials on projection technology for five years. Visit www.projectorpeople.com for more information about this dynamic display technology.

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Sony’s portable VPL-ES2 projector is ideal for on-the-move presenting, combining a sleek, lightweight design with bright, crisp images for professional presentations during the day and entertainment at home at night. Part of the Sony® SuperLite™ LCD mobile projector series, the VPL-ES2 weighs just 6.3 pounds and packs into a small case for carryon convenience. The projector incorporates easy-to-use set-up features with a bright 1,500-lumen picture. Focusing on ease of use, Sony’s new “Auto Set- Up” buttons take the hassle out of setup. The lens, tilt, input search, keystone and pixel are automatically adjusted with a touch of a button. Component video input and a whopping six video modes give multiple options to connect to PCs, DVD players, game consoles and more.

In July, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America’s Presentation Products Division will offer its PocketProjector, one of the world’s smallest projectors. Weighing in at just 14 ounces and fitting easily into the palm of a hand or a coat pocket, this tiny projector is perfect for mobile presentations at a moment’s notice. The PocketProjector can be battery-powered or used with a universal car adapter for truly on-the-fly presentations. The PocketProjector has one of the shortest projection distances of mobile projectors on the market today: Users can easily create a 20-inch-diagonal screen with only one foot of projection distance, and a 40-inch image can be created with less than one yard.