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What is an ANSI lumen?
Light-output specification set in 1993 used mainly to measure brightness of front-projection televisions; more exact than undefined lumens. The average 7-inch, CRT front-projection television is capable of between 150 and 175 ANSI lumens, while 9-inch CRT sets emit between 200 and 240. DLP and LCD projectors range from 600 to 7,000, depending on the model.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6029_7-6301087-1.html
This won't mean much to many people searching for a projector for their home or office. ANSI lumen is basically a brightness measurement. The higher the ANSI lumen of a projector, the brighter the displayed picture. For example 3500 lumens is brighter than 1500 ANSI lumens.
On saying the above; not everyone is going to require a 3500 ANSI lumen projector. There are some factors which need to be taken in to consideration. - What will be displayed? i.e power point presentations, video or movies, text
- Where will it be displayed? i.e office board room, home lounge, various locations
- What will it be displayed on to? i.e screen, office or home coloured or white wall
Where it will be displayed is more often than not the most important factor from the above. The reason for this is the one downfall of all projectors is natural light. As a projector is trying to 'project' light, any interfering light does reduce its projection quality.
The following table explains light conditions.
Lumen Guide
How bright should your projector be for your room?
Below is a fast and easy reference for you to use to help determine how bright a projector you need for your room.
| * | Controlled lighting |
| LOW | Low ambient light |
| MED | Some ambient light | | HIGH | Bright ambient light
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4:3 Screen
| Screen Size/ Lumens | 72"
(43" x 57") | 100"
(60" x 80") | 120"
(72" x 96") | 150"
(87" x 116") | 1000 | LOW | LOW | | | 1200 | MED | MED | LOW | LOW | 1400 | HIGH | MED | MED | LOW | 1600 | HIGH | HIGH | MED | MED | 1700 | HIGH | HIGH | MED | MED | 2000 | | HIGH | MED | MED | 2200 | | | HIGH | MED | 2500 | | | HIGH | MED | 3000 | | | HIGH | HIGH | 3500 | | | | HIGH | 3700 | | | | HIGH |
Controlled lighting- If you plan to use your projector in a room where there are no windows, such as a basement, or if you use your projector primarily at night, any of today's projectors will provide a bright image.
Low ambient light- Little to no light entering room.
Some ambient light- Some additional light in room. Slightly dimmed, window blinds leaking some light.
Bright ambient light- Windows open during daylight hours, lights that cannot be dimmed like in an open office settings. Bright enough for audience note taking. |
As from the table above, the greater the ambient light, the greater the ANSI Lumen required.
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