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Conference Room Solutions: Projector vs. Display

I’ve run into this debate time and time again. Which solution is ideal? The problem with most conference rooms is that there is no order. Many times I’ve walked into a conference room where the table costs more than a house, and there is a poorly installed $500 projector from BestBuy placed on top. Is it priorities or lack of audio visual knowledge? I usually assume the lack of knowledge. The real question regards how the room is used and how large the space is. With this dilemma, Dobil Laboratories assists all of our clients by providing a wide range of solutions and informative training to any conference room facility or staff.  

The most common problematic occurrences relate to 3 major components: brightness, image size and price. With a projector, substantial image size is undoubtedly obtained. However, the drawback is that along with an increase in brightness is an increase in price. With your typical conference rooms, presentations and collaborations aren’t devised in the dark, so a projector with at least 3,000 lumens is needed. Personally, I would prefer a projector containing 4,000 to 6,000 lumens, especially when choosing projection based on image size and clarity. Glamour aside, there is no point in using a projector in any conference room if the plan is to project an image less than 80”.

Now-a-days, the price of flat panel displays is falling so drastically, it’s almost a no-brainer to buy one of these for your conference room. If you’re looking for a display that is smaller than 80”, I suggest a flat panel display. An advantage of flat panels is that you can present in front of them without getting blinded and casting a shadow behind you. Also, their brightness simply can’t be matched for the price. There is no filter cleaning or lamp replacement, which can be a deal maker. No need to climb up on a ladder and wrestle the projector trying to get the lamp out. The flat panel display will simply hang on the wall and will most likely outlive almost any projector on the market. With Sharp releasing their relatively inexpensive 70” and 80” displays, I can see a lot of the manufactures going this route. If this is the case, it will definitely assist in swaying our decision.

I’ve ran into several clients who would rather spend over $30k on a 103” display because they simply don’t want to see the projector or have a drop down screen. This tends to happen in conference/board rooms holding over 10 people. If money is far from tight, demands are lavish, and you are determined to hang a 400lb display on the wall, more power to you. I however, would suggest a projector in conference rooms. With a high lumen output projector and some innovative ideas from Dobil Laboratories, I would argue that a projection solution can rival the latter. I’m certainly not saying that a 103” plasma hanging on a board room wall isn’t impressive, because it is. I’m simply saying that there is a more cost effective solution that can provide the same “wow” factor.

When it comes down to it, Dobil Laboratories can supply an appropriate solution for any space. It’s just a matter of what your needs are and the facility being used. Projection is always a first-rate solution when you’re looking for image size. But, if you can spare the size, go for the large flat panel display. Both have their uses and either could be the right choice. Give us a call so we can come up with the right solution together.