Last Updated: October 31, 2023
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Today’s tech industry has developed something of a reputation for developing new technology just for another excuse to ramp up the prices. There’s been some concern that projector manufacturers have taken this angle with laser projection. But we don’t think so.
They’re not right for everyone, but laser projectors have some huge benefits over old lamp technology. We’ve delved in to the differences between the lamp and laser technology to bring you our top three reasons why you need to believe the hype.
1. Better colour and brightness
Let’s start with picture quality. The main visual benefit of laser projection is that laser light sources offer better colour accuracy – often called a wider colour gamut. In addition to the colours themselves, laser projectors offer better brightness uniformity and lower brightness decline over the lifetime of the projector vs. projection lamp counterparts. Furthermore, a laser light source is more controllable which means that laser projectors often feature higher contrast than lamp-based projectors.
Some people are focused on brightness as a laser projector benefit, but we believe it’s not just about creating more light. Laser projectors create a better quality of light. The light released from a regular lamp-powered projector is unfocused and scattered. Imagine shining a torch against a wall – the closer you move to the wall, the more focused, sharper and brighter the light becomes. Lasers can create that sharp clarity of focus, regardless of distance. The result is a sharper picture and better colours than often appear brighter than their spec sheet would insinuate.
At the very top end of laser projection, some models even feature three different light sources, red green and blue which means that the unit creates the colour that it needs.
The bulbs in a lamp projector start out by creating white light. But in order to control the colours that are being projected, and thus create an image, most of the colour here has to be filtered out, in order to create red, green and blue – the primary colours.
A digital laser need only input the specific wavelength and the desired colour is achieved automatically. It optimises all the energy that would otherwise be wasted and uses it to create extra brightness.
2. Lower maintenance costs
For many people, the big barrier to investing in a laser projector is that it’s undeniably a step up in cost when it comes to the initial outlay. But we see it as a long term investment. With a lamp projector there are regular maintenance costs and of course the cost of replacement lamps that really start to add up when you look at the lifetime cost of ownership.
Laser projectors on the other hand, require little to no maintenance at all. These light sources have an average lifespan of 20,000 hours without any need to replace the bulb, or any other part of the setup. By comparison, projector lamps will typically last between 3,000 and 6,000 hours. Based on the lower end of this estimate and you’re looking at 7 lamp changes in the 20,000 hour lifetime. In some cases where the operating environment isn’t ideal (dust, heat or moisture) lamps could fail under this estimate too and the replacement lamps themselves aren’t warrantied extensively.
Lamp projectors also need regular cleaning and filter changes. The filter is designed to stop dust and general dirt from inhibiting the function of the projector’s technology, but this will need regular maintenance in order to keep the device operating at its best.
That’s yet more operational costs of AV engineer time, and an awkward bit of downtime that not all projector owners can afford. For large auditoriums, boardrooms or lecture theatres therefore, a laser projector is ideal.
3. More efficient operation
Our final big win for laser projectors is their efficiency. This isn’t just about lowering energy use; it also offers practical benefits. A lamp projector takes a while to reach the optimum operational temperature as it basically warms up. Laser, on the other hand, will get going at the instant touch of a button.
This might not seem like an important distinction, but those precious minutes here and there spent waiting for the projector to warm up do eventually add up. For your business, wasted time is inefficient – and in an auditorium or presentation, it sometimes just isn’t even an option. Many laser projectors have flexible brightness adjustment too, so you can also save money by dialling this down in darker environments.
We’re pretty confident that laser projector technology is going to dominate the industry for some time to come. If you want to get started with your own laser projector today, then have a look through our fantastic range of models.
FAQs
Laser projectors create a better quality of light. The light released from a regular lamp-powered projector is unfocused and scattered. Imagine shining a torch against a wall – the closer you move to the wall, the more focused, sharper and brighter the light becomes.
What is a laser projector? ›
A laser projector may contain one laser light source for single-color projection or three sources for RGB (red, green, and blue) full color projection. Lasers offer potentially brighter projected images as compared to a conventional projector, with more vibrant colors.
Is A laser projector better than a regular projector? ›
As compared to lamp-based projectors, a laser projector offers brightness that lasts longer, truer colors, improved contrast, almost zero maintenance, and no generation of heat. With these features, you can experience fine viewing for many years without having to change the lamp frequently.
What are the disadvantages of laser projectors? ›
Laser projectors, while offering excellent brightness and longevity, do have some drawbacks. They tend to be more expensive initially than their lamp-based counterparts. Also, although the lasers last longer, once they do fail, you typically need to replace the entire projector as the lasers are not user-replaceable.
What happens to a laser projector after 20,000 hours? ›
Sony's VPL-FHZ120 example:
Sony VPL-FHZ120, 12,000-lumen installation laser light source projector after 20,000 hours of use would typically average 8,400lm of brightness (30% reduction) under normal working conditions.
How long do laser projectors last? ›
A Longer Life
A laser projector has the potential to last between 20 000 - 30 000 hours if it's well taken care of. That's approximately 12 years if you use it for 8 hours a day, five days a week. Without the proper care, you'll need to replace the laser projector before the end of its estimated lifespan.
Can I use a laser projector as a TV? ›
Larger-Than-Life Screen
One of the most compelling reasons to use a projector as a TV is the screen size. Projectors can produce massive images, turning your living room into a home theater. With a projector, you can enjoy movies, sports, and video games on a screen that dwarfs even the largest flat-panel TVs.
Do you need a screen for a laser projector? ›
If money is tight, you can skip the screen altogether and just use a blank wall. But that's not a great idea for several reasons. First of all, the wall is probably not an ideal color of white, and any color cast in the paint will affect the color of the image projected onto it.
Can laser projector replace TV? ›
Laser TV projectors are often marketed as TV replacements because they can deliver huge images at a short distance and take up less space than any TV. It's hard not to be intrigued by the idea of swapping a clunky big-screen TV for a small box and still getting a 100-inch (or even 150-inch) image.
Do laser projectors use a lot of electricity? ›
Lamp projectors produce more heat and use more power, which means these systems can be noisy and expensive to run. On the other hand, laser projectors are known for their quiet operation and low energy consumption—a great feature if your audience is sensitive to noise or if you want to minimize your carbon footprint.
Yes, it's possible to use a projector as a TV in daylight, and it can work well. To achieve a great viewing experience, opt for a high-brightness projector that works in daylight, pair it with a screen suitable for daylight conditions, and manage ambient light effectively.
Is laser projector bad for eyes? ›
Human eye does not zoom, and the reception area is much larger compared to the actually projected image on the retina. Conclusion: A safe laser show (class 3R in MPE area) does not harm human eye, but can damage your camera/photo sensor or video projector.
What is the lifespan of LED vs laser projector? ›
Durability and lifespan
Both LED and laser light sources boast high reliability and longevity. LED lamps last around 20,000-30,000 hours; lasers 30,000-40,000 hours.
Is a laser projector better than a LED? ›
Laser projectors are capable of producing a wider range of color than LED projectors. The picture on a laser TV also appears more alive with details and displays better contrast ratios than LEDs. Heard of a lumen? That's a measurement of the light visible to the human eye from a single source.
Are laser projectors good for daylight? ›
The Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K projector is an outstanding choice for outdoor daylight use.
Which is better OLED TV or laser projector? ›
Laser technology allows for bigger displays without compromising image quality, making it suitable for home theaters. Additionally, laser TVs or projectors provide better visibility in well-lit rooms compared to OLED TVs, making them a preferred choice for versatile viewing environments.
Are laser projectors better for your eyes? ›
A Laser Projector Is Safer For Your Eyes Than A TV
Blue light scatters easily causing you to blink less. All these lead to dry eyes and eye strain, more so in children than in adults. The laser projector overcomes these problems because what you see on a projected screen is similar to looking at the moon at night.
