RICOH - Set up your projector in 5 easy steps

How to configure the projector and what to look for before buying?

When was the last time you visited a movie theater? Statistics clearly indicate that over the years fewer and fewer people are choosing this form of entertainment. One of the key factors in this phenomenon is undoubtedly streaming platforms. For the price of one cinema ticket, they even offer a whole month of access to a variety of content. What's more, thanks to projectors, we can get even closer to the authentic experience of movie theaters.

So if you don't have a projector yet, now is a great time to buy one. Projectors, also known as multimedia projectors or simply overhead projectors, are often portable devices that allow you to display images in a variety of formats and resolutions. Both portable projectors and desktop versions allow for dynamic presentations and the sharing of work in a clear and transparent manner.

Today's projectors are mainly characterized by large display sizes and impressive brightness. We can also meet in them with various features such as wireless connectivity. They can support a variety of resolutions, both lower and Full HD, which makes it easier to find the right model to suit your needs, space and, of course, price.

Today's projection uses different technologies. We have LCD projectors, LED projectors or DLP projectors available and this affects the quality of the image its brightness or contrast. If you're looking for a projector with cinematic characteristics, it's worth considering projectors dedicated just for home theater.

When choosing the best solution for yourself, it is worth paying attention to models that are energy-efficient and offer various signal sources. Ricoh laser projectors, as an example of high-quality equipment, have a good reputation among customers.

How to choose a space for a projector?

There are many different types or models of projectors on the market and also many options to consider when making a choice. However, we can easily be tempted to list two, in my opinion, very important factors to keep in mind. The first is where we plan to use the projector. A projected image meeting the light from a large window, for example, will need better quality than a standard image to give us good and acceptable quality. The second important factor is whether the projector will be in one place permanently? Here, of course, it is a question of the mobility of the device, cable routing or ceiling mount.

Projector distance

Projection distance is a key aspect in choosing the right projector, very significantly affecting not only the size of the projected image, but also the functionality of the device in our room. When making a decision, it is worth asking ourselves: do we have the right amount of space we need for the projector? Will it be in the room in the right place? Information on the size of the obtainable screen can usually be found on the manufacturer's website, in the manual or available image calculators.

In our room, we need to provide enough space to get the size of the generated image satisfactory to us, while remembering that the image should fit on the wall or screen. When choosing the best projector for us, it is also worth noting the format of the image and what technology was used by the equipment to generate this image in the projector, such as laser technology.

Mobility

The next step in the process of choosing a projector is to think about the mobility of this device. Is it to be used as a portable piece of equipment that will be moved between different rooms, or will it be permanently installed in a dedicated location? When deciding on portable projectors, it's worth remembering that they tend to be smaller and easier to set up. However, they may offer fewer options compared to desktop projectors. Portable models often work well in smaller rooms, although their brightness and image sharpness may be lower than those of desktop projectors. If the projector will be used periodically and stored out of use, it is worth considering more portable solutions.

Portable projectors are a great choice if you want to move the equipment easily, for example, between meeting rooms. However, if you plan to install and use the projector once in larger rooms, it is worth considering desktop projectors. These devices are usually larger and more powerful, offering more powerful image performance.

For a home theater, it is also worth considering aspects such as the technology used in the projector, image format, resolution, brightness and contrast. Multimedia projectors, overhead projectors or home theater projectors, especially those based on LED technology, can provide high quality images

Brightness

Brightness depends on many factors, including the size and power of the light source inside the projector. The brightness of the projector affects the clarity of the projected image. It will also determine how well you see the projection in a bright room compared to a dark room.
Brightness is measured in lumens . In general, the brighter the projector, the better, but brightness is especially important in offices and conference rooms. These rooms are usually brightly lit, and the projector needs to be brighter than the light in the room so that people can see the image clearly.
Large conference rooms often have windows that let in a lot of sunlight. A sunny room can make meetings more enjoyable, but it also makes it difficult to see the projected images. When reviewing the available options, consider whether the projector you are buying will have to compete with the sun.
For small and medium-sized conference rooms without windows, a projector with a brightness of about 4,000 lumens will work best. For larger conference or meeting rooms, especially those with windows, you will need a projector with at least 5000 lumens of brightness to counteract the sun's rays.

Resolution

Resolution is the key parameter that defines the image quality of projectors. It is measured as the number of pixels on the horizontal and vertical axes, such as 1920 x 1200. The higher the resolution, the clearer the image. Projectors offer a variety of resolutions, ranging from 800 x 600 pixels to an impressive 3840 x 2160, known as "4K." 4K projectors provide extremely high image quality, ideal for use in a home theater or for watching movies in 4K resolution. For most office applications, "Full HD" or 1080p resolution is usually sufficient. It is also worth noting the aspect ratio, or the ratio of the width of the image to its height. Popular ratios include 4:3, 16:9 and 16:10. Various projector resolutions include: SVGA (800 x 600 pixels), XGA (1024 x 768 pixels), WXGA (1280 x 800 pixels), FHD (1920 x 1080 pixels), WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixels) and 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels).

When choosing projectors, it is worth considering the application. Multimedia solutions, both portable and desktop, offer different resolutions to suit different needs.

Connectors and cables

When considering a projector setup, it's important to make sure the model you choose has the right connectors. Nowadays, with connection technologies and ports changing dynamically, the type of cables and connectors you will need depends mainly on the device you plan to connect to the projector.

For some time, the dominant connector type in computers was the 15-pin SVGA connector. Although many computers still use this standard to connect monitors or projectors, HDMI connectors have now become more common. Many computers have a built-in HDMI port, allowing direct connection to a projector or monitor.

Some computer brands use proprietary connectors, such as Mini DisplayPort, which was used for many years on Apple laptops. Other computers, on the other hand, may have only a few USB-C ports, which may require specialized cables to connect to the projector's HDMI or SVGA port. So it's worth paying attention to the type of connectors used by your devices to effectively and efficiently connect them to the projector.

Reliability

A non-negligible aspect of choosing a projector is the overall reliability of the device. When making a decision, it is worth "looking at" customer reviews. Taking into account, in particular, reviews about the manufacturer. Companies with a respected and long history in the industry, are usually known for producing high-quality and reliable products.

Ricoh, with more than 50 years of experience in consumer electronics manufacturing, is one of the leading manufacturers in the market. The projector line uses an innovative laser light source, guaranteeing trouble-free operation for more than 20,000 hours.

Connecting audio - sound system

Multimedia projectors, despite their advanced technology, are not always equipped with powerful speakers, and if they do have any, their limited power can make it challenging to have a full audio experience while watching movies. As a result, consider adding a sound system to your projector setup. Of course, for displaying a presentation, speakers are not essential so for a home theater they are already essential.

On the positive side, most projectors offer standard sound outputs that are compatible with a variety of audio solutions. Whether you opt for a simple soundbar or prefer a more advanced audio setup with an amplifier and separate speakers, be sure to check that the back of the projector has the appropriate connector for connecting an audio system. For a mobile solution, you should also consider using a portable speaker.

Sound a key aspect that very much affects the final experience of using the projector, so it is worth taking care of it as meticulously as the parameters of the image itself.