Guiding Principles behind Big Screen Video
A Big Video Survival Guide

    This document has been prepared to assist you in selecting the right video equipment for you big screen video needs. Many times installers and customers do not adequately qualify their needs and desires before installing a piece of video gear and are often disappointed. For that reason, you need to ask yourself the following questions.

1. What will you be displaying most of the time?

    This will have a pronounced effect of what type of projector you need. If you intend on presenting mostly computer-based images, you should most likely pick a CRT based projector. These are more commonly known as "Three Gun Projectors" due to the three light guns at the front of the projector. They usually have better overall resolution up to 1600 x 1200 or even as high as 2500 x 2000 depending on the projector.
    The weakness of a CRT projector is in its overall brightness and size. They are usually not as bright and are typically much bigger than a DLP based projector. They also require more setup time. However, the performance of a CRT and picture quality is quite impressive, and when setup correctly will generally out perform a DLP. They are also the only technology at this time that can do all emerging HDTV formats.
    DLP projectors, on the other hand, will not do most HDTV signals and will not do high-resolution computer graphics. They do however, have a few benefits. They are very bright. This means you can typically leave the lights on during a presentation with minimal dimming. They are also capable of displaying most computer images up to 1024 x 768 with out a problem. They are not nearly as difficult to setup and maintain and are also much smaller. This means that they have more flexibility of placement.

2. If you display computer information what resolutions do you normally display in?

    If you answer higher than 1024 x 768, then you should use a CRT projector. If you answer lower or equal to 1024 x 768, you should consider a DLP projector.

3. What are the lighting conditions you will present in?

    If you answer "high light" or that you have "lots of windows," you should use a DLP. If you can control the light well, then you should consider a CRT.

4. Where will you place the projector?

    If you need the projector to be close the screen, the general rule of thumb is that CRT based projectors will have a shorter throw distance to the screen than a comparable DLP model. If you really do not want the projector to show, then we recommend a lift system of some type, or a rear screen projection arrangement. If the projector will show, but you would like as small a footprint as possible, then you should use a DLP. If you want the best quality and don't mind a big projector, then use a CRT.

5. Do you want to be HDTV capable?

    If you answer "Yes," then you should choose a CRT. If you answer "No," then you should consider a DLP. Although some DLP projectors are technically HDTV capable, they will generally scale the HDTV signal down to the projector's greatest possible resolution, so you could lose some detail.

    These few questions should help you decide what type of projector that you need. Remember in your budgeting to include money for extra components and proper pre-wiring.
These components can include a line-doubler or a switcher; computer interfaces and even screen relays. These devices are all available to help you get the most out of your big screen video.

I hope this helps you make a decision. If you have any further questions please feel free to call Kyle Griffith at Dyer Electronics.

You can also feel free to call us at (512)374-0404 for more information about what's possible in your home.