Projectors have long been the number 1 in meeting and conference rooms

However, as already described, the market has changed a lot in the meantime. Currently, there are displays with a screen diagonal of up to 110 inches, which is more than sufficient for many conference and meeting rooms, and the topic of hybrid collaboration has led to a significant increase in signage displays. While a professional display is still slightly more expensive than a projector, the price difference is increasingly melting away and the benefits usually outweigh the costs. The introduction of 4K displays has also contributed to a shift towards displays. Native 4K projectors are still very expensive, which is why discerning customers prefer to make a trade-off in image size and opt for a smaller but significantly better image. After all, native 4K is affordable for a display. Those who prefer the big screen, however, must always opt for a projector, because with projectors the image begins where the displays end. As a rule of thumb, we can tell you that from a room depth of about seven metres, you can hardly do without a projector, or you can opt for an LED or video wall and be prepared to spend considerably more money on it. 

Where there is light and shade

Displays offer razor-sharp images, even in unfavourable lighting conditions such as sunlight or bright room lighting. A professional display always has an advantage here, as most devices have no problem with sunlight and room light and the image still remains recognisable at all times. The colour representation is also much better with a display, which is why marketing agencies in particular, where colour representation is the be-all and end-all, are now increasingly turning to professional displays. The brighter the room, the more lumens a projector must have. But the more lumens, the louder the fan and the purchase price quickly rises to unpleasant heights. Of course, there are also very good projectors that produce absolutely perfect images in large-screen format, but the room conditions and definitely the budget must always be right. Projectors for outdoor use can only be used in the dark or at night and must then be protected from moisture and cold with special housings. This is not a problem with displays, as almost every manufacturer now offers suitable outdoor displays for outdoor use at affordable prices. Projectors for outdoor use always score points when you want to realise large-area displays, such as projections onto buildings. Something like this would not be possible with displays. The use of projectors in shop windows has also been tested time and again, but professional shop window displays have definitely won this battle. Such image quality and brightness could only be achieved with devices costing 15,000 euros or more, and a shop window display costing 1500 euros was more suitable for the masses.

Mobility is an important point

Many customers like to use their projector on the move. But mobile can mean a lot, so here, too, a distinction must first be made. A field worker who needs a display device for a presentation at a customer's will always make the right choice with a beamer. Special projectors for mobile use are small, light and often come with a carrying case. A display, however, may only ever be transported upright and must also be specially protected. In this case, there is no need to mention the unwieldy size, we have already dealt with that. A panel breakage on a display can happen quickly, especially if the load is secured incorrectly, and is not covered by the warranty. Setting up a display on site also takes much longer, as the display would first have to be attached to a wall somewhere or mounted on a trolley. The beamer is placed on the table, a free wall is found and the device is switched on. Just set up the picture and you're ready to go. However, the effort changes immediately if you want to have the beamer permanently installed. The effort for mounting and aligning it to the screen can quickly become much greater.

If it were not for the follow-up costs

A decisive factor is the follow-up costs, but these must definitely be addressed. The fact is that a projector needs to be maintained. With a classic lamp projector, the lamp must be replaced regularly, which is not really cheap. Then there is the filter change. All this automatically goes hand in hand with maintenance downtime. You have to plan time for this maintenance and cannot use the projector during this time. With LED projectors, you don't have to change the lamp, but you still have to change the filter. So here, too, you have to allow for maintenance downtime. After each disassembly, the projector must be realigned to the screen. A real Sisyphean task. With a display, there is no such maintenance. They run completely without maintenance intervals and thus facilitate 24/7 use 365 days a year. Samsung displays, for example, are nowadays protected against dust, even in the entry area, and all important technology is specially encapsulated. In terms of follow-up costs, a display has an absolute advantage and is a safe bet.

Intelligence makes the difference

Projectors are usually "dumb display devices". The dumb does not stand for intellect, but the device can only display something if a computer or a player is connected to it via signal cable. Some manufacturers now offer a rudimentary USB playback function, but the playback types are very limited and one should not expect too much from it. Many professional displays, on the other hand, have an integrated SOC (system-on-chip), which means that these devices then offer significantly more functions, even if no playback device is connected to it. In addition, there is usually software included that can be used to create time and playback lists, which is very helpful especially in the digital signage sector, and apps can now also be installed on most displays. Even PC devices can now be integrated directly into the display via an OPS slot built into the unit. All you have to do is connect a power cable to the display, which then supplies the plug-in PC. In this case, you get a real all-in-one solution that would be inconceivable with a beamer/projector. The ever-popular bring-your-own-device is also already on board with almost every touch display nowadays and external hardware can thus be dispensed with. So anyone who expects something more than a display device is better off with a display.

You want a beamer now? Then see our recommendations here

Our conclusion Beamer vs. display

Whether a beamer (projector) or a professional display is chosen depends primarily on the size of the screen to be displayed and the distance between the display and the audience. If the desired screen size is more than 110 inches, a beamer is the only option. Even inexpensive entry-level devices are capable of projecting a larger image than the largest display could currently show. From a distance of 9 m to the display surface, the image should be significantly larger than 110 inches, so these two factors are already real knock-out criteria.  Only an LCD & LED video wall could keep up with these screen sizes, but these devices are significantly more expensive and also somewhat more complex. For this reason, we have decided not to go into detail about these solutions here. However, if you are looking for a gigantic screen size, fantastic picture quality, high brightness and design-oriented integration, you should definitely take a look at our LED walls. It may be worth a look, provided you are prepared to spend a little more money. But now back to the topic: another very important point can be the desired place of use: if the device is to be used in the field, there is usually no getting around a beamer. Even if there are smaller displays available today that can be a solution for field workers, in the end they are still only small displays and are therefore only suitable to a limited extent for presentations or lectures in front of large crowds. Displays are always the right choice if you want a high level of functionality (integrated SOC, touch function, powerful media player), if you don't want annoying fan noise, if you want to keep maintenance and earnings down to a minimum, or if you place a lot of value on a high-quality image, even in difficult lighting conditions. In small to medium-sized rooms (classrooms, meeting and conference rooms), both the display and the beamer are a very good solution and in this case you have to decide for or against one of the products on the basis of the advantages and disadvantages listed above and/or the desired functions. The decision can only be made by you alone, you will find everything you need for this in this design and should you now still have open questions or are not quite sure, the M-Medientechnik team will be happy to help you in word and deed.