Projector glossary: spec-sheet terms, defined

ANSI lumens are a standardised measure of how much light a projector puts out, averaged across the image. A higher figure gives a brighter picture at the same size, but the visible result also depends on room light, image size and the wall or screen.

Across the range

Across the range: from 150 ANSI lumens (Q1) to 1600 (X5 and X5 Plus).

On the V6

600 ANSI lumens.

Check

View small text and a dark scene at your planned width with the lights as normal. BenQ Malaysia’s brightness guidance links brightness to room conditions the same way.

Native resolution is the projector’s fixed pixel grid: the number of pixels its imaging chip actually draws. Whatever resolution a laptop sends, the picture is scaled to this grid, so it sets how fine text and diagram labels can be.

Across the range

Across the range: the C2000 and K5 list 960 × 540; the Q1, X5 and X5 Plus 1920 × 1080; the V6 and V8 1280 × 800.

On the V6

1280 × 800 pixels.

Check

Show a worksheet in your smallest text size and read it from the back of the room.

Supported input resolution is the range of signal resolutions a projector will accept from a source device. Accepting a higher input does not add pixels, because the image is still scaled to the native grid. A sheet quoting both figures is describing two different things.

On the V6

The verified figure is the native 1280 × 800; ask Neon+ for the supported input list.

Check

See the native versus supported input guide before comparing sheets.

Aspect ratio is the shape of the image, written as width to height. When a source’s shape differs from the projector’s grid, the picture is scaled to fit and part of the grid goes unused, so matching the two uses the full image.

On the V6

The 1280 × 800 grid works out to a 16:10 shape.

Check

Set the laptop’s display output to match and check that no edge of the slide is cropped.

Contrast ratio compares the brightest white a projector can show with its darkest black. A full-on/full-off figure measures an all-white screen against an all-black one, so it is a best case: room light falling on the image lowers the contrast you actually see.

On the V6

1,000:1 full-on/full-off.

Check

Show a dark scene and a slide with grey text, with the room lights as they normally are.

Throw ratio is the distance from the lens to the image divided by the image’s width. A lower ratio fills the same width from closer. Multiply the width you want by the ratio to get the distance you need.

Across the range

Across the range: the C2000 lists 1.07:1 and the Q1 1.4:1; the other five list 1.2:1.

On the V6

1.2:1, so a 2 m-wide image needs about 2.4 m from lens to wall.

Check

Measure from where the lens will sit. The 1.2:1 throw ratio explainer works through room examples.

Throw distance is the measured gap between the projector’s lens and the wall or screen. It is the number a room gives you; dividing it by the throw ratio turns it into the image width you can expect.

On the V6

At 3 m, 3 ÷ 1.2 gives an image about 2.5 m wide.

Check

Leave room behind the projector for the adapter, cables and people walking past.

Short throw describes a lens designed to fill a large image from a short distance, useful where a presenter stands close to the wall or space behind the projector is limited. Brands do not all apply the label the same way, so compare throw ratio numbers rather than labels.

On the V6

Listed at 1.2:1; judge placement from that number and your measured distance.

Check

Check whether the distance you have gives the width you need at the listed ratio.

Image size at distance is one worked example of the throw ratio, usually a diagonal in inches at a stated distance. Width grows in step with distance, so doubling the distance roughly doubles the width and the diagonal.

On the V6

Neon+ lists a 39-inch projection frame at 1 metre.

Check

Treat larger sizes as estimates and confirm focus and brightness at your planned size.

DLP (Digital Light Processing) is a projection technology from Texas Instruments. Its chip carries microscopic mirrors that tilt to direct light towards or away from the lens, forming the image. The label names the imaging method; it does not set resolution, brightness or colour on its own.

On the V6

Texas Instruments DLP engine.

Check

Read DLP beside the resolution, brightness and light source. Texas Instruments’ DLP overview explains the technology.

An RGB-LED light source uses red, green and blue light-emitting diodes to produce the coloured light the imaging chip shapes. It names how the light is made, not how bright or colour-accurate the result will be, or how long the source lasts.

On the V6

Osram RGB-LED.

Check

Neon+’s V6 specification lists no light-source life figure; ask Neon+ for one in writing if it matters.

HDMI is a digital connection that carries video and audio on one cable between compatible equipment, with specification versions published by the HDMI Licensing Administrator. A version number describes the port; it does not guarantee every laptop, adapter or cable will work with it.

On the V6

HDMI 2.0.

Check

Test your own laptop, its adapter and the cable length you will use. HDMI Licensing Administrator lists the versions.

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless standard maintained by the Bluetooth SIG. What pairs depends on the profiles both devices support, so a version number alone does not prove a particular speaker or headset will connect.

On the V6

Bluetooth 5.0. The V6 also lists two 5 W speakers built in.

Check

Pair the specific speaker or headset you plan to use. The Bluetooth SIG overview explains the standard.

Dual-band Wi-Fi means a device can join networks on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The 2.4 GHz band generally reaches further; 5 GHz is generally faster over shorter range. Casting also depends on the router, the building and the network’s rules.

On the V6

2.4G and 5G Wi-Fi.

Check

On a school network, ask whether device isolation or sign-in rules block casting.

TF card (TransFlash) is an older name for the microSD memory card. A slot’s stated limit is the largest card it is listed to read; which file formats will play is a separate question.

On the V6

TF card slot, up to 32 GB.

Check

Test a card holding your real files before a lesson depends on it.

A manufacturing defect is a fault that comes from how a product was made rather than how it was used. Whether a specific symptom counts is decided through the warranty assessment, not by the buyer or a glossary.

At Neon+

Neon+ covers manufacturing defects for 365 days with 1-to-1 replacement; there are no cash refunds.

Neon+ terms

Neon+ states a 365-day local warranty for manufacturing defects; negligence, mishandling and misuse are excluded.

Check

Keep the invoice and film the fault before contacting Neon+. The ownership and support guide lists what to send.