LCD projector - Definition and Overview

An LCD projector is a device for giving presentations generated on a computer. They are the modern equivalent to the slide projector and overhead projector used in the past. LCD projectors place a small LCD panel, almost always color, in front of the bright lamp used in all overhead systems, with the imagery on the LCD being provided by an attached computer. With no need to physically move the images in and out of the machine, LCD projectors tend to be smaller and much more portable than older systems.

Early systems were often intended to be used with existing overhead projectors, built as a large "plate" that was put on the projector in place of the transparencies. This provided the market with a stop-gap solution in the era when the computer was not yet the universal display medium.

This technology is expected to be employed in some sizes of rear projection television consoles in the near future, as there are cost advantages when employed in mid size sets (40 to 50 inch diagonal). This is not expected to have much longevity in the "home theater" marketplace due to expected improvements cost/performance of competing technologies, particularly in direct-view LCD panels at the lower range of sizes and DLP projection in the larger sizes.

See also: Projector for a directory of projector types