What is a Laser Projector?

Laser projectors are an exciting new breed of projector that utilise a Laser to create the light rather than a traditional mercury lamp.

As shown in the diagram below, Laser Projectors still use a DLP or LCD system to create the image. They still shine out through a lens. The major change is the traditional lamp has been replaced by a laser module. LED based projectors perform a similar role but are limited to the amount of brightness they can produce so are mostly used in smaller portable projectors (although there are now some home theatre models using LED's too). Laser projectors’ brightness is still measured in ANSI lumens at the screen so you can compare apples with apples. There is a common myth that a laser projector always equals brighter, but this is not the case. A projector with a higher ANSI lumen rating will be brighter than a projector with a lower ANSI lumen rating.

Some benefits of a Laser Projector are:

• Laser projectors tend to more energy efficient with lower power consumption than a lamp projector of equivalent brightness level.
• Laser projectors are mercury free.
• Laser projectors often have longer warranties than a lamp projector.
• Laser projectors often have higher contrast levels than many lamp projectors.
• Laser projectors have lower maintenance costs with no lamp to replace.
• Laser projectors can operate for longer periods of time, many up to 24 hours a day.

The resounding benefit of a laser projector is the life of the light source. Though lamps have made improvements boasting a 10,000 and even 15,000 hour lamp life, the numbers are only achievable on the darkest economic mode where you lose a lot of projector brightness. In many cases the actual lamp life, if you are using the projector on normal mode, is only up to 5,000 hours. Most Laser projectors offer a 20,000 hour life with some coming out with economic mode settings to extend this to 30,000 hours and beyond. This saves you money on lamps, downtime and, in tricky installations, hiring scaffolds or scissor lifts