6 Factors To Think About When Choosing an Interactive Projector

Image quality might not be the first thing you think about when looking to purchase an interactive projector, but it’s a factor that certainly should not be overlooked. The interactive component of an interactive projector won’t be of much benefit if it’s difficult to see the projected media. Furthermore, if you’re looking to save time and minimize distractions, you may want to look into purchasing an interactive projector that projects clear images in both light and dark spaces. Epson’s Brightlink 595Wi pictured above delivers 3300 lumens of color brightness and 3300 lumens of white brightness. It also uses 3LCD, 3-chip technology for bright images with true-to-life color. By projecting clear images in both light and dark spaces, teachers do not have to interrupt class time to eliminate light.

If your classroom is BYOD and your students use multiple types of devices, you may want to consider purchasing an interactive projector that can connect to more than just a laptop or computer. Pictured above is Dell’s S520 interactive projector, which is compatible with multiple platforms and operating systems such as Windows 7, Windows 8, Android and IOS. Interactive projectors such as Dell’s S520 allow you to connect to the projector via a smartphone or tablet in addition to a laptop or computer, which enables students to project media from their own devices and allows for more collaboration and interactivity.

Installing new technology can be a challenge in itself, and often times the more hardware there is to install, the longer it takes to get the technology implemented and ready to be used. If you’re looking to minimize installation time and potential challenges, you may want to look into purchasing an interactive projector that requires minimal hardware. With the ability to project up to 100” onto a variety of surfaces, the SMART LightRaise pictured above is a customizable solution that can fit in any sized classroom. By making any sized wall surface interactive with ultra-short-throw projection, schools do not have to invest in an additional projection screen or display to interact with the projected media, helping them save time and money.

Most interactive projectors tend to be very short throw or ultra-short throw. The throw distance is important to the interactivity component of interactive projectors as it affects whether or not the projected light will blind users interacting with the projected images. Very short throw and ultra-short throw projectors are mounted to the wall, rather than the ceiling, so users interacting with projected images are less likely to be blinded by light. When purchasing an interactive projector, ultra-short throw projectors such as the MimioProjector Interactive Projector pictured above may be your best bet if you’re looking to minimize light distraction.

Many schools are looking to increase collaboration and interactivity in the classroom when purchasing an interactive projector. When interactive projectors allow for multiple-users to touch and interact with the displayed media simultaneously, such asBenQ’s MW853UST+‘s projector with PointWrite technology pictured above, students can work together with the technology to learn from one another. Teachers can also benefit from multi-touch features as they can plan group projects that involve multiple students using the interactive projector for presentations and other group-related activities.

Another important factor to consider if you’re looking to save time and money when implementing an interactive projector is its bulb life. If bulbs go out frequently and need to be replaced, it may be costly and cause numerous classroom interruptions. Interactive projectors that consist of technology that will extend lamp life and lower power consumption, such as NEC’s UM351Wi-WK interactive projector pictured above, may help your school save money and time by reducing the instances in which you have to replace a projector’s lamp.