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Why the Color Brightness Lumens Spec Matters

Color finally gets its due

So how can you do this for a display product such as a projector? When you go shopping for a flat panel TV, you want to see the products on display side-by-side so you can decide for your- self which one has the best color and brightest image. Rarely are projectors set up so that buyers can make this comparison. So, there is a movement in the projector industry to help people understand the importance of color brightness without having to see the projected image.

Brightness in lumens has long been the specification used to compare projectors, and traditionally, white light output was the only measured brightness spec shared with the buyer. However, the white brightness tells us nothing about how bright the colors will be. Integrators and consultants should look to color brightness when assessing the right projection solution for an environment, especially for brighter rooms with a lot of light or windows, as this can further wash out the colors.

Studies show that the overwhelming majority of projected content is in color – from presentations, images and layouts to videos and animation. White brightness alone doesn’t tell the full story. So why would you make a buying decision without the most important piece of information: the color brightness?

Let’s take a look at this example. There are many brands of projectors on the market today that utilize the 1-chip DLP technology. And while a 1-chip DLP projector may have a spec of, say, 2,700 lumens in white light output, when projecting color content, the color brightness could be as low as 700 lumens. You just paid for a 2700 lumens projector, and in color, are receiving a quarter of what you paid for.

In June 2012, the “Color Light Output” standard was published as a way to provide scientific data with which to compare projected color. Leading manufacturers have adopted this standard and are now including two measurements – White Bright- ness (White Light Output) and Color Brightness (Color Light Output).

You can think about it like the mileage rating for cars. It is mandatory for manufacturers to disclose both the city and highway mileage ratings. The reason is that nobody only drives on the highway. The same goes for projectors – buyers should know the brightness of their projectors for color content, as well as black and white. That allows them to make an informed buy- ing decision without having to do a side-by-side comparison.

But since we know that seeing really is believing, the following website offers additional information, images and is a great resource for consumers looking to make an educated decision before making a purchase – www.colorlightoutput.com.

Phong Phanel is product manager of large venue projectors, Epson America, Inc.

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