More and more projectors are entering the market using lamp-free light sources. These types of projectors are known as solid-state light sources, SSL, or just Laser Projectors. SSL or laser projectors are light-producing systems made up of either LED devices or Laser
So what does this mean? Well, laser projectors are projectors with light-producing systems made up of either LED devices or laser diodes. Changing the light source brings with it many benefits. The light produced with SSL systems inherently has a longer and steadier brightness that decreases at a much slower pace over time than that of lamp-based systems. As such, this technology offers high image quality and providing an operating life span that far exceeds traditional lamp projectors.
It’s an increasingly popular choice of technology for manufacturers and consumers alike and well worth understanding if you’re in the market for a new projector.
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Benefits of Laser Projectors (Solid Light Source)
There are a huge number of benefits associated with laser projectors, including:
Quick start-up / shut down times
Projectors need to be operated within a very specific temperature range. Traditional lamp-based projectors require over 30 minutes to reach a stable operating state to avoid damage to the lamp. In addition, they will require up to 2 minutes of warm-up time from start-up to achieve operational brightness. Powering down the projector is just as important and can take up to 3 minutes or longer for the fans to cool the lamp before you can disconnect it from the power supply. Failure to do so will dramatically reduce the lamp lifespan.
Laser projectors, on the other hand, operate at a much lower temperature and can achieve near-instant on / off times as well as operational brightness.
Projector lamps have a limited life span between 1500 and 8000 hours (this figure varies dependent on projector model). Manufacturers recommend that a lamp be replaced when brightness falls to 50% of initial output. As an example a projector with a lamp rated for 2000 hours use being used in a corporate environment 7 hours a day, 5 days a week for 45 weeks in a year would equate to a lamp replacement every 15 months. Over the course of the projector’s life span, that’s a significant cost in replacing the lamp and one that needs to be factored in.
Laser projectors have a lifespan of 20,000 hours. In the above example during this course of time, the lamp-based projector would have required 13 lamp replacements.
Longer Life Span
Projector lamps have a limited life span between 1500 and 8000 hours (this figure varies dependent on projector model). Manufacturers recommend that a lamp be replaced when brightness falls to 50% of initial output. As an example a projector with a lamp rated for 2000 hours use being used in a corporate environment 7 hours a day, 5 days a week for 45 weeks in a year would equate to a lamp replacement every 15 months. Over the course of the projector’s life span, that’s a significant cost in replacing the lamp and one that needs to be factored in.
Laser projectors have a lifespan of 20,000 hours. In the above example during this course of time, the lamp-based projector would have required 13 lamp replacements.
24/7 Operation & Lower Maintenance Costs
Laser projectors are designed for continuous operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to lamp replacement maintenance and associated cost, traditional lamp-based LCD projectors will require their filter cleaned periodically to maintain clean airflow for projector operation. Failure to do so can result in the projector overheating with consequential damage. Both lamp replacement and filter cleaning should be carried out by a skilled technician, a further cost to factor in when considering purchasing a traditional lamp-based projector.
Laser projectors as well as being lamp free have sealed optics and DMD chip. They do not require a filter. Minimal maintenance is required.
Lower Brightness Decline During LifeTime
Traditional projector lamps lose a lot of their initial brightness in the early hours of operation. This curve then flattens out before reaching 50% of initial brightness at which time the Manufacturer recommends the lamp be replaced.
Laser projectors lose operational brightness much more slowly and at a steady rate. A laser projector soon after starting its lifetime will be outputting more brightness than an equivalent lamp-based projector. As an example tests carried out by Panasonic showed that after only 1000 hours of its 6000 hours rated use (approx 6 months under normal operating conditions) a 4000 ansi lumen lamp-based projector’s brightness had fallen below that of a 3500 ansi lumen laser projector with the laser projector producing 10% greater light output. After approx 6ooo hours usage, the laser projector still achieves 85% of its initial brightness whereas the lamp-based projector required 4 lamp replacements to not fall below that figure.
Lower Power Consumption
Traditional projector lamps run at 100% of their power requirement which in turn means producing 100% of the brightness regardless of the content they are projecting.
Laser installation grade projectors have the ability to reduce the light source output (check individual projector model specifications) thereby dramatically reducing the power requirement and cost.
Other benefits laser projectors bring include :
- Consistent light output
- Better brightness uniformity
- Higher reliability
- Constant colour rendition over time
- Wider Colour Gamut
- Lower thermal emission
- Mercury-free
- Installation flexibility:Can be mounted horizontally, vertically and through 360 degrees
Is A Laser Projector Right For You?
Crisp, bright images, an impressively long lifespan, and reduced maintenance costs make laser projectors appealing but do you really need to invest in this technology?
It’s still not an essential step up to make, but by now you should have a pretty clear idea that there are a lot of benefits to be had from a laser projector, even in everyday usage scenarios whether it be an office, large venue or home.
Laser Office Projectors
Meeting rooms are dynamic environments requiring efficient technology that can go from standby to full working mode in seconds. Laser projectors allow businesses to stay productive and reduce interruptions, providing instant access to presentations and meeting notes.
In the long-term, laser projectors also benefit business environments by removing the need for costly lamp replacement, as well as reducing the need for downtime during maintenance periods. In addition, laser projectors offer impressive brightness and improved quality of image, both of which help drive productivity in the meeting room and office environments.
Projectorpoint offers a wide range of laser office projectors to suit just about any budget. If you are looking for a laser projector for home use or large venues such as house of worship, we have those as well. Take a look at our range and as always, get in touch on email or give us a call on freephone 0800 073 0833 if you need any help making a decision.