Amy McCray
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Anyone have any recommendations for a decent/good presentation projector - or any to definitely stay away from?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Projector
- Thread starter Amy McCray
- Start date
What sort of presentation? PowerPoint? Recorded video? Live video/TV?
How large is the screen? What kind of room? What level & type of lighting?
How large is the screen? What kind of room? What level & type of lighting?
Rob Markoff
PFG, Picture Framing God
Jim raises some great points- to which I will add-
If using it for PowerPoint presentations, what is the average room size you will be presenting to?
Since most of my classes are in smaller rooms, the distance from the projector to the screen is important to me. With many projectors, with a small room your maximum image is limited by the distance from the projector to the screen.
I chose a projector (Hitachi) with a "close proximity" lens that allowed me to get a very wide picture from a close distance (instead of having to have the projector at the back of the room and thereby requiring a brighter output - which can mean a bigger projector).
Will you travel with the projector? The footprint and lumen output may be a consideration. My projector fits into my carryon suitcase (which is a plus).
Jim's point about sound is a good one. Some projectors have built in amplification which can be connected to external speakers. Also, what is the dB rating of the fan? Again, if you are in a small room, a noisy projector means you need to overcome the projector noise by either talking loudly or using a microphone.
If your needs are business related, this may be helpful: http://www.projectorcentral.com/buyers_guide.htm
If using it for PowerPoint presentations, what is the average room size you will be presenting to?
Since most of my classes are in smaller rooms, the distance from the projector to the screen is important to me. With many projectors, with a small room your maximum image is limited by the distance from the projector to the screen.
I chose a projector (Hitachi) with a "close proximity" lens that allowed me to get a very wide picture from a close distance (instead of having to have the projector at the back of the room and thereby requiring a brighter output - which can mean a bigger projector).
Will you travel with the projector? The footprint and lumen output may be a consideration. My projector fits into my carryon suitcase (which is a plus).
Jim's point about sound is a good one. Some projectors have built in amplification which can be connected to external speakers. Also, what is the dB rating of the fan? Again, if you are in a small room, a noisy projector means you need to overcome the projector noise by either talking loudly or using a microphone.
If your needs are business related, this may be helpful: http://www.projectorcentral.com/buyers_guide.htm
Great points. Here are some more:
How you wish to connect it to the source is also important. VGA/DB9 plug, HDMI, DVI, Composite, RGB, Whatever Apple uses(Im not sure), etc. The device should be compat with the source you wish to use. Most of the newer ones will have HDMI inputs, but not all computers have this type of port. Many will also support VGA port (DB9 plug), which is being phased out. (VGA is common on PC laptops, especially if it is more than 2 years old)
Are there any resolution requirements? Generally, most signals will go about 5 meters or 16 feet at high resolution. When you go beyond that, the signal wont be strong enough to support the higher resolution modes. Some of the classrooms in Vegas had 25-30 foot wires, and as a result they could only support 800x600 (very low resolution). While this is good enough for PowerPoint, it isn't for POS or CMC programs which have minimum resolution requirements. I ran into this last year, when teaching a class. I could use Powerpoint, but not LifeSaver.
Many of the new ones these days are using LED technology, rather than a traditional (HOT and FRAGILE) bulb. The LED will last longer and be better for travelling, but make sure it has the brightness specs that you want. Some of the low end LED models aren't very bright, but the new ones are decent. These also have a much smaller footprint(weight and size), because they don't have the cooling requirements of the older technology. (fan, heat sink, etc)
We're not trying to over complicate this - honestly!
These are some things to consider.
Disclaimer: In a previous life I worked installing these type of systems in offices and night clubs, as well as renting them for short term events. (for much of the 1980s) I still hold contractors licenses for video, audio, data, wiring and telephone systems. This is why the above sounds so 'geeky', which I cant avoid
Mike
How you wish to connect it to the source is also important. VGA/DB9 plug, HDMI, DVI, Composite, RGB, Whatever Apple uses(Im not sure), etc. The device should be compat with the source you wish to use. Most of the newer ones will have HDMI inputs, but not all computers have this type of port. Many will also support VGA port (DB9 plug), which is being phased out. (VGA is common on PC laptops, especially if it is more than 2 years old)
Are there any resolution requirements? Generally, most signals will go about 5 meters or 16 feet at high resolution. When you go beyond that, the signal wont be strong enough to support the higher resolution modes. Some of the classrooms in Vegas had 25-30 foot wires, and as a result they could only support 800x600 (very low resolution). While this is good enough for PowerPoint, it isn't for POS or CMC programs which have minimum resolution requirements. I ran into this last year, when teaching a class. I could use Powerpoint, but not LifeSaver.
Many of the new ones these days are using LED technology, rather than a traditional (HOT and FRAGILE) bulb. The LED will last longer and be better for travelling, but make sure it has the brightness specs that you want. Some of the low end LED models aren't very bright, but the new ones are decent. These also have a much smaller footprint(weight and size), because they don't have the cooling requirements of the older technology. (fan, heat sink, etc)
We're not trying to over complicate this - honestly!
These are some things to consider.Disclaimer: In a previous life I worked installing these type of systems in offices and night clubs, as well as renting them for short term events. (for much of the 1980s) I still hold contractors licenses for video, audio, data, wiring and telephone systems. This is why the above sounds so 'geeky', which I cant avoid
Mike
Rob Markoff
PFG, Picture Framing God
Which also meant very blurry screens when attempting to project screenshots - I.E. when trying to teach a Facebook Class, the screen shots were almost illegible - though they looked great on a computer screen.
The wire length issue Mike brings up is also why I use a close proximity projector or carry my own VGA cable. In Las Vegas, I sometimes replace the long VGA cable supplied by the venue with my own, shorter cable and connect the projector directly to my laptop- which I can then use as a TelePrompTer with a wireless remote.
stcstc
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
I often run VGA over 20 m, BUT using proper pro cables, a decent cable will cost 100 euros +
when i am doing bog shows, with screens of 30-50 FT, we often run DVI over cat5, using dual cat5 cables and dvi extenders/convertors
the best thing to do as much as possible is run the projector at its native resolution, and drive a signal into it at that res
and preferably not using vga
by using the native resolution , you dont allow the projector to do any kind of interpolation of the signal internally
by not using VGA you eliminate 2 conversion processes from digital to analogue and then back the other way
the other thing to think about is how colour accurate you need to be. i often project corporate graphics and very hi resolution images +5K Wide pixels
some projectors are better than others at colour
when i am doing bog shows, with screens of 30-50 FT, we often run DVI over cat5, using dual cat5 cables and dvi extenders/convertors
the best thing to do as much as possible is run the projector at its native resolution, and drive a signal into it at that res
and preferably not using vga
by using the native resolution , you dont allow the projector to do any kind of interpolation of the signal internally
by not using VGA you eliminate 2 conversion processes from digital to analogue and then back the other way
the other thing to think about is how colour accurate you need to be. i often project corporate graphics and very hi resolution images +5K Wide pixels
some projectors are better than others at colour
Kirstie
PFG, Picture Framing God
I have used a Dell 1510X Projector for the last two years to teach in smaller WCAF/PPFA 40 seat rooms with no trouble at all. I was worried about resolution issues at first, but it has proved to be such a great projector that I pay no attention to cable length or anything else, and it works beautifully. It comes with a carry case that is easy to carry on an airplane. It comes with a remote control, but I did add my own clicker, a Logitech Professional Presenter R800 as recommended by Jim Miller, and it is well worth the money. The vibrating timer and green laser are really helpful.
I use this set up with a Mac laptop, but it should work with a PC just as well. If you are using it with a Mac, be sure to bring your own dongle for attachment. They can help you at the Apple store. I have only used it for Power Point presentations.
I use this set up with a Mac laptop, but it should work with a PC just as well. If you are using it with a Mac, be sure to bring your own dongle for attachment. They can help you at the Apple store. I have only used it for Power Point presentations.
Rick Bergeron - CPF
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Timely thread for me too.
Is this enough info for specific recommendations.
Last year's event just connected to HD tv but venues flatscreen size was a bit smaller than optimal but class size was only 8 people seated around a boardroom table.
TNX
Rick
PS: Mike, you're not old enough to have been doing that stuff for ALL of the 1980s listed in your disclaimer. :smiley:
- Room size 15 x 25 feet more or less
- Laptop age not known at this time so may or may not have HDMI output
- HD webcam connected to laptop connected to projector being used for very closeup demonstrations ( tips of 2 pair of pliers with threading jumprings together )
- 50" projected image size is probably large enough.
- Class size 10-15 people
- Room lighting: typical fluorescent w/10-15 ft ceilings. Minimal dimming since students will be 'following' the instructors demonstrations. This makes me believe that the lower end models may not be bright enough.
- May be possible to dim one end of the room and have students on the other end with better lighting.
- Projector to screen distance can be short.
- Heck, it might be less expensive to buy/rent a 60" tabletop flatscreen TV
Is this enough info for specific recommendations.
Last year's event just connected to HD tv but venues flatscreen size was a bit smaller than optimal but class size was only 8 people seated around a boardroom table.
TNX
Rick
PS: Mike, you're not old enough to have been doing that stuff for ALL of the 1980s listed in your disclaimer. :smiley:
Amy McCray
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Thanks for the great advice on things to think about. I hate to say it, but the type of room and usage will be all over the board.
The room type will vary from smaller classroom size (say in a Library or school) to a large room in a county exhibition hall. The presentations will be a combination of power point, photos and some video w/ sound.
PC laptop will be used (yeah, I know . . . not a Mac, but it will work).
Will check into the ports provided on the laptop.
Thanks again.
The room type will vary from smaller classroom size (say in a Library or school) to a large room in a county exhibition hall. The presentations will be a combination of power point, photos and some video w/ sound.
PC laptop will be used (yeah, I know . . . not a Mac, but it will work).
Will check into the ports provided on the laptop.
Thanks again.