What is a projector and how does it work?

A projector is an optical device that takes a video signal and projects the corresponding image onto a screen or surface using a lens system. Inside every projector, a light source generates white light, which is focused through a light path. That white light is then separated into its red, green, and blue components by dichroic mirrors or a beam-splitting prism. Each color is processed individually, then recombined and projected through the lens as a full-color image.

The two main variables that differentiate projectors are the light source (how white light is created) and the image processing technology (how that light is turned into a picture).

Read more about projectors in our Comprehensive Guide to Projectors article.