The value and efficiency of a projector--a device to display still or moving images or data on a screen or other flat surface--depend on the size of the image to be projected and the amount of ambient light in the surrounding room. The projector's lumen capacity is a determinant in its effectiveness.
Definition
A lumen is the metric unit of luminous flux or the total light output from a specific source. In a projector system, the number of lumens indicates the amount of light reaching the screen.
Typical Lumen Ratings
The larger the image required, the larger the area the light from a projector must cover and the more lumens that are required. Home theater projectors typically have a rating of 1,000 to 1,300 lumens. Projectors suitable for boardrooms are rated 2,000 to 3,00 lumens; those for larger spaces are rated at 4,000 lumens or higher.
Considerations
Lumens are not the only consideration to determine the performance of a projector. The type of lamp used is a contributing factor, as is the lamp's age--projector lamps become dimmer over time.
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