• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
News, Video

Look to Laser, Not Lamp Projectors, to Cut the Costs of Meetings

Laser projectors pose many benefits towards driving more engaged, creative presentations and eliminating the steep hidden costs of lamp replacement.

September 17, 2020 Bob Wudeck Leave a Comment

laser projector advantages, laser projector benefits

This year marks the 60th anniversary of laser technology. According to the Science and Entertainment Exchange, Theodore Maiman was the first scientist to create the first laser light beam using a ruby and some theories from Einstein. Today, laser technology isn’t the work of science fiction. It brings to bear many constructive uses, including as the best light source of some of today’s top meeting room projectors. But with cheap lamp-based projectors still widely available, what laser projector advantages does the technology pose?

Lamps Are Expensive

Lamp-based projectors have been a mainstay of the boardroom for decades, but their low upfront costs are misleading. There are other hidden costs beyond the initial price tag to factor into the bottom line.

First, they require replacement lamps or bulbs. A replacement bulb can cost anywhere from $50 to $400 each, depending on the model. That’s a cost that can add up quickly when there are dozens of projectors in the building, and when there are hundreds, the it becomes exorbitant.

Another contributing factor behind lamps is that they may not last as long as expected. Typically, lamps are specified to burn a maximum of 5,000 hours, but a more accurate number is closer to 2,000.

Related: The ROI of Projectors: Better Than It’s Ever Been

They also are plagued with poor brightness. Brightness can vary from bulb to bulb and manufacturer to manufacturer; in addition, every bulb will dim over the course of its lifetime.

A picture that’s too dim to be seen in the back of the room may need a new lamp much sooner than expected, which means a lamp budget is more of a ballpark figure.

There’s also lamp recycling fees. Because lamps can contain hazardous chemicals, such as mercury gas, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends recycling them. There may be some associated fees on the state level or within the local jurisdiction.

The second most expensive cost is labor. A company with 400 projectors can spend 7.5 weeks’ worth of workhours replacing bulbs, and that doesn’t even account for the labor to clean or replace the filter.

Filters Are the Other Line Item

A projector filter, much like those use on an HVAC system, keeps dust from entering the engine. Without a filter, the projector will overheat and shut down temporarily or worse, short out completely due to the accumulation of dust.

But filters have to be cleaned or replaced to be effective, whether that’s simply blowing off the dust, thoroughly washing and drying them. Then they have to be replaced.

That’s even more labor. In addition, where projectors are installed in spaces where a ceiling is vaulted, replacing the bulb and cleaning the filter may require renting a lift to reach it.

Rather than trust paper or cloth filters, a sealed laser projector is filter free while preventing dust from entering the unit. Look for laser models that have an Ingress Protection IP5X or IP6X rating, which signifies that is certified for dust protection. Almost everyone is familiar with IP Codes. They’re the

testing used to certify that the most widely available smartphone and watch technology available today is impervious to dust and water. For a projector, the IP rating shaves off substantial maintenance cost and prolongs the life of the investment in projector technology.

Laser projector advantages to cost

Filter-free laser projectors not only eliminate the need for bulbs, they also reduce the associated maintenance, delivering a total cost of ownership (TCO) that’s 50% lower than traditional projectors. Companies with 250 employees or more have been shown to spend $250,000 on time spent in meetings.

Time is money, and maintenance only drives up that costs even further. By opting for laser, companies can save time and money spent on meetings.

Bob Wudeck serves as Senior Director of Business Development for BenQ, a leading global visual display solutions provider. He can be reached at [email protected].

The bottom line isn’t the only reason to consider laser projectors. Meetings are incredibly valuable and a vital part of innovation, and they demand technology that keeps pace.

Proven color accuracy also helps drive information retention. Studies show that a bright, color-accurate presentation can help employees retain info 82% more effectively.

The best 4K laser projector is DLP Rec. 709-color-accurate, demonstrating its full ability to replicate the color space and preventing any shift to yellow experienced by some models. And models rated for 20,000 hours of performance without ever degrading help ensure that every presentation is delivered with impact.

Making the switch to maintenance-free, color-accurate laser technology isn’t only good for the bottom line, it also helps to foster new ideas. After all, no one wants a projector to be the reason the wheels fall off at the next client presentation.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!

Tagged With: Collaboration, Projection

Related Content:

  • Cloud, SASE, Aryaka How the Cloud is Redefining Media Production and…
  • Singlewire Software mass notification interview Singlewire Software on Mass Notification Solutions
  • URI catchbox 1 Catchbox Plus: The Mic Solution That Finally Gave…
  • Engaging virtual meeting with diverse participants discussing creative ideas in a bright office space during daylight hours Diversified Survey: Workplace AV Tech is Falling Short,…

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • Practical Design Guide for Office SpacesPractical Design Guide for Office Spaces

    Recent Gartner research shows that workers prefer to return to the office for in-person meetings for relevant milestones, as well as for face-to-face time with co-workers. When designing the office spaces — and meeting spaces in particular — enabling that connection between co-workers is crucial. But introducing the right collaboration technology in meeting spaces can […]

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Downloads

Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces
Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces

Recent Gartner research shows that workers prefer to return to the office for in-person meetings for relevant milestones, as well as for face-to-fa...

New Camera Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow
New Camera System Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow

Sony's HXC-FZ90 studio camera system combines flexibility and exceptional image quality with entry-level pricing.

Creating Great User Experience and Ultimate Flexibility with Clickshare

Working and collaborating in any office environment today should be meaningful, as workers today go to office for very specific reasons. When desig...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Contact Us
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSYour Privacy ChoicesTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2025 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.