January 29th, 2010
If you own your own LCD projector (or are thinking of buying equipment like this), this piece is a must-read. We summarized this very long article into about a page for your quick review – to access the full feature article by Kate Parrish, click here: http://www.avtechnologyonline.com/article/27274.aspx 
Preventive projector maintenance often plays a hand in averting lamp failure, and AV companies providing programs to service projectors on a yearly, semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly basis help eliminate unexpected breakdowns. But is this service right for you? In many cases, the environment, knowledge of the staff, and available time all take part in determining the need for an outsourced preventive maintenance program.
FACTORS CAUSING FAILURE
According to Chris Frederick, help desk manager for Sensory Technologies, Indianapolis, IN, the average life of a typical projector lamp is between 1,200 and 1,500 hours with the environment and usage presenting the biggest variables.
Without a regular cleaning, a projector’s life has limits. For example, dust in the air can become magnified, attaching to the LCD panels and causing burn spots in the panels, says Bob Normandin, owner of Carolina Projector Solutions, Raleigh, NC. “If you burn one of the panels on a $2,000 projector, it’s going to cost $1,500 to replace the panel,” he adds.
AN ARRAY OF SERVICES OFFERED
Preventive maintenance programs vary by the provider and location.
Projector Doctor and other service providers offer similar preventive maintenance programs, which include cleaning and aligning the optics and LCD panels; cleaning or replacing the air filter; and multi-point inspections that include verifying color quality, testing inputs, checking keypad functionality, and testing the focus and zoom functions of the lens.
The cost for servicing a single projector ranges from $125 to $199. For many companies, this price does not include the service call, shipping, projectors that weigh more than 45 pounds, or machines that require extra cleaning, such as those from clubs that are caked with nicotine or residue from fog machines.
Projectors that use DLP technology, which have high-speed color wheels that dirt has a hard time attaching to, should be disassembled and cleaned at least once a year, Normandin says. “If it’s an LCD-type machine, you need to do it twice a year,” he adds.
SEND IT OUT OR KEEP IT IN-HOUSE?
Corporations and schools with a large number of projectors face the reality that preventing projector failure can create quite a demand on its technical staff.
Not only is it physically demanding, but the in-house technical staff may not be trained to maintain a projector, aside from changing the lamp or cleaning the filter.
McLeod says if a person who is not authorized to work on a projector opens it up, it will void the warranty. “If they have their own technicians, they need to clear it through the manufacturer,” she says.
At less than $200 a cleaning per projector, outsourcing preventive maintenance is a small price to pay to get the most out of a projector, but there is a breakeven point for some companies. “It’s the cost of replacement vs. maintenance,” McLeod says. “If you want your projectors to last a certain number of years, then preventive maintenance will ensure that time frame is kept to, rather than having to send the projectors out for repair or replace them faster. It’s more of a budget decision.”
End of excerpt.
Sound like far too much to manage? Consider renting a projector whenever – and wherever—you need one. Visit us at Projector123.com to learn more.
January 27th, 2010
Thinking of purchasing an LCD projector for your home or office? The information in this guide will help you decide whether it’s best to rent or own this diverse – yet expensive — piece of audiovisual equipment.
1. How often would you use a projector?
With a purchase price ranging up to $1000 or more, and average yearly preventative maintenance costs of about $150, plus high costs for replacement parts (for example, a projector lamp costs approximately $350 to replace), it doesn’t always pay to purchase an LCD projector when you can rent one when you need it at rates starting at just $99 per rental. Additionally, purchasing a projector for infrequent use means you’ll have yet another piece of equipment to depreciate, store, manage and track. Add the risk of obsolescence into the mix and your choice may become a no-brainer.
2. Where will you use a projector?
If the only place you ever plan to use a projector is in your own conference room for in-house meetings, it may be wise to invest in a projector. However, if you plan to travel to client sites or use your projector during business travel for trade shows, conventions, out-of-state sales meetings and the like, you’ll likely find it much easier to have a rental projector shipped to your meeting location each time you need it.
If you make the choice to rent a projector when you need it, rely on Projector123.com for all of your projector rental needs. We specialize in renting projectors all across the U.S. and we’ll ship your projector rental to the location you specify – exactly when you need it. All our LCD rental projectors are of the highest grade, quality inspected to ensure everything runs smoothly on your end. And with rental rates starting at just $99, this is one business decision that won’t break your budget.
Click here to learn more about rental projectors from Projector123.com.
January 25th, 2010
Curious as to how projectors work? This article from eHow.com explains everything in plain language. Enjoy!
What Is a Projector?
1. A projector is any device which creates a light-projected image by shining a light through a small, transparent image. In order to refine this image, projectors must also employ lenses in order to focus the light. Projectors can transform a very small image into a large one because the image which is projected will be the same size as the pool of light created by the light source behind the transparent image.
There are many different kinds of projectors, but they work on the same basic principle. One of the more complicated of the commonly known projectors is the movie projector.
 Movie Projectors
2. The modern movie projector evolved out of the slide projector. A slide projector focuses, projects and enlarges an image which is made from a photograph. In order to be projected, these images have to be rendered in a transparent format onto various forms of clear plastic, such as nitrocelluloid. The slide projector moves these individual images into a precise location in front of the projector light and behind the lens(es).
A movie projector works on a similar principle, but in this case, the individual photos are strung together on one extremely long piece of film. This film is wound around a spool and the projector contains a motorized unit which winds the film from one spool to another. In between spools, the film is stretched between the light and lenses and projected onto a large, white screen. The screen is white in order to provide the images with an opaque quality, just as photographs are printed on white paper.
Visual Perception
3. No form of moving image projection or animation really utilizes true moving images. Instead, single, non-moving photos or illustrations depict objects or people in various progressive, chronological states of movement.
As the human eye processes visual data, each image entering the brain is retained for a brief period of time. This phenomenon is referred to in the theory of “persistence of vision.” As a film projector moves through a reel of film, it pauses for a tiny fraction of a second at each image, but this amount of time is actually less than the amount of time that it takes for the human brain to move from one image to the next. This means that the eye and brain can’t distinguish between the visual data of actual moving objects and the visual data of the still film images, so the images appear to be moving.
End of article.
For your next projector rental, be sure to contact us here at Projector123.com – we’ll deliver the highest quality rental projector to you — any time, any place! Click here to get started.
January 22nd, 2010
Savvy business travelers have picked up a money-saving trick or two out of necessity. For most of us, gone are the days of cushy expense accounts and virtually unlimited travel budgets. But just because you’re saving money on business travel, that doesn’t mean you’ll need to sacrifice anything in the way of comfort or necessity. Check out these tips for making the most of your travel dollars.
Rent a car. What sounds expensive can actually often save you money. Consider renting a car instead of using the airport shuttle. Many times the cost of the shuttle is more than that of a modest car rental – and you have the flexibility of having available transportation. Also, if you are driving to your destination, renting a car instead of using your own vehicle is often cheaper than the extra wear and tear on your own car. Take advantage of coupons to upgrade to a larger, and more comfortable, vehicle.
Do a last-minute check. More than likely, you prefer to book your hotel rooms and rental cars with plenty of notice to be sure you get what you want, but don’t forget to check prices again a few days before your trip. In many cases, rental car prices go down (and most agencies have no cancellation fees or penalties) as the dates approach, and hotels sometimes offer last-minute specials that you may be able to re-negotiate or change within the parameters of the hotel’s specific cancellation policy.
Alternative to Hotel Rentals. Hotels tend to include an astronomical markup on necessity items such as rental projectors, and you can save a bundle by renting your projector through Projector123.com. Plus, we’ll ship your rental projector to arrive the day before you need it so you’ll have plenty of time to get set up and perform a quick test drive before your presentation.
To rent your projector, click here to access Projector123.com and see why we are the #1 choice for projector rentals throughout the U.S.
January 20th, 2010
It’s true – a picture is worth 1,000 words, and adding visual enhancement to a presentation can add power and impact. However, adding too much audio or visual to a presentation can confuse and distract your audience. Here’s how to strike a balance.
Why Use Visuals?
Approximately 65% of the population is made up of visual learners. Therefore, if you are giving an oral presentation with absolutely no visual support, you’ve got to consider that most of your audience is not getting (or retaining) the bulk of your message.
On the other hand, too much visual stimulation can distract audiences away from the message itself, which is why it’s essential to use images in moderation. Used appropriately, visuals help to cement concepts and illustrate key points throughout your presentation.
 How Many Visuals?
Naturally, the most optimal number of images will vary from presentation to presentation. Highly technical or statistical presentations loaded with complex data will likely require more visual support than a presentation that’s based more on subjective measures, or one that is highly interactive.
What Kind of Visuals?
Again, this will depend upon the nature of your presentation, as well as your audience. Consider these questions:
How familiar is your audience with the subject matter?
How complex is your topic?
How many different ideas or concepts are you presenting?
A slide may be useful whenever you are presenting complex data, comparative data, or introducing a new term, idea or concept.
No matter what kind of visuals you decide to add to your PowerPoint presentation, Projector123.com can assist you in creating a powerful, professional display with our high quality projector rentals. Just click here now to learn more about our pricing and procedures.
January 18th, 2010
Are you getting ready to launch a new business or expand on your existing business? We recently ran across this article “5 Tips for Effective Business Planning” at www.score.org and thought you might find it helpful. Be sure to read all the way to the end for some helpful notes we’ve added. Enjoy!
5 Tips for Effective Business Planning
Brought to you by SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business.” www.score.org
1. Clearly define your business idea and be able to succinctly articulate it. Know your mission.
2. Examine your motives. Make sure that you have a passion for owning a business and for this particular business.
3. Be willing to commit to the hours, discipline, continuous learning and the frustrations of owning your own business.
4. Conduct a competitive analysis in your market, including products, prices, promotions, advertising, distribution, quality, service, and be aware of the outside influences that affect your business.
5. Seek help from other small businesses, vendors, professionals, government agencies, employees, trade associations and trade shows. Be alert, ask questions, and visit your local SCORE office.
End of article.
 Here are Projector123.com, our mission is simple:
We strive to be the absolute best projector rental company in the entire United States. Period.
If you need a projector rental for any reason – corporate meetings, employee training, sales presentations, trade show booths, etc. – we are your #1 resource for projector rentals in the U.S.
Click here and discover the Projector123.com difference today.
January 15th, 2010
Planning your corporate travel for 2010? Remember to include Projector123.com in your preparations. We can save you time, money and effort whenever you’re traveling and presenting for business, anywhere in the U.S.
Save Time
Travel has become more cumbersome over the past few years, which means savvy business travelers are always looking for ways to streamline their journey through airport security. Renting a projector from Projector123.com means you won’t have to lug or ship any bulky, suspicious-looking equipment – we’ll ship or deliver your projector rental directly to the location you specify, whether at a hotel, conference center, or corporate office. Relax and focus on getting yourself through security quickly and easily with nothing more obtrusive than a laptop.
 Save Money
Projector rentals are much more affordable than paying fees for checking extra luggage or handling maintenance on expensive audiovisual equipment that depreciates quickly. Our projector rentals start as low as just $99 for a weekend rental.
Save Effort
Streamlining your journey through various airports means you have more time to relax and focus on what matters: your presentation. You can rent a projector through our online website as far in advance as you like (or have your rental projector delivered as soon as tomorrow, for those last-minute trips!)
Renting a projector is as easy as 1-2-3, and our 24/7 customer service support is always there when you need us. Although with our easy ordering, overnight shipping and prepaid return, and quickstart guide included with every rental, odds are high that you won’t need any help. But just in case, we’re always here to make sure you have a smooth, professional and seamless presentation.
Ready to request your PowerPoint presentation projector rental today? Just click here to get started and discover the Projector123.com difference.
January 13th, 2010
One of the most important rules in creating a powerful PowerPoint presentation is simple: don’t put everything on a slide.
 Remember that audiovisuals are meant to support and enhance the verbal delivery of your presentation – not to serve as a visual replacement of it. Each slide should contain only bullet points to keep your audience focused and allow you to speak without relying heavily on printed notes. Displaying only a bullet point requires your audience members to listen to your speaking voice in order to grasp each key point, yet the projected display stimulates and satisfies their need for visual interaction.
When you remember to focus on only the key points of your presentation, it becomes easy to streamline your PowerPoint presentation.
How many slides should you have?
The answer depends on several factors, including:
1 – the length (duration) of your presentation
2 – the amount of technical terms, required data displays, comparative data, and new concepts being introduced
3 – the level of audience participation you’re planning
4 – the diversity of the information being presented
Generally speaking, you should have no more than 2-3 slides per five (5) minutes of presentation. So a 30-minute presentation shouldn’t need more than 18 slides altogether, and many presentations of this length could get by on fewer slides.
As a general rule, you will want to group similar bulleted points together on the same slide, and always give each chart or graph its own slide, unless you are comparing side-by-side data that fits easily and legibly on a single slide.
If in doubt, leave it out. And at the end of your presentation, it’s a good idea to include a summary slide that features the key takeaway points of your presentation. Leave your audience with a visual representation of your most important points.
Remember, when it’s time to rent a projector, your friends here at Projector123.com are ready and willing to supply you with exactly what you need – and we’ll even deliver it directly to the location of your choosing. Click here to request a projector rental now.
January 11th, 2010
If you’re like most working professionals, odds are you’ve experienced your share of budget cuts over the past 12-24 months. In addition to everything on your plate, you’re now faced with the challenge of accomplishing just as much (if not more) with fewer resources.
Fortunately, Projector123.com is here to help. We understand your plight and we have streamlined our systems and our overhead in order to bring you the highest quality projector rentals at the most competitive prices possible.
Instead of lugging clunky equipment and risking costly damage or additional maintenance, rent a projector from Projector123.com and we’ll ship your projector rental to the location of your choosing, anywhere throughout the U.S.
What’s more, our rentals are highly affordable – as little as $99 per rental – which means you won’t have to stock, store or maintain depreciating equipment. You can simply rent whenever (and wherever) you need to make a powerful visual display to get your point across, increase your sales, and improve your bottom line.
Whether you’re planning for a sales meeting, corporate training, trade show booth, new product rollout or a corporate gathering of any size, a rental projector can assist you in making a memorable impact on your target audience.
Our skilled representatives can assist you in choosing the appropriate projector for your next event, and all our rentals include 24/7 service support.
It’s as easy as 1-2-3 to rent a projector from Projector123.com. Just click here to get started and it’s possible to have your professional projector rental delivered as early as tomorrow. Start saving money today with Projector123.com.
January 8th, 2010
If you’ve never used a projector until now, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the available choices. Never fear – choosing the right projector is as easy as 1-2-3 with Projector123.com.
Step 1: Know Your Location
In what kind of environment will you use your rental projector? Very bright environments (such as trade show floors or certain outdoor venues during daylight hours) require a high-lumen output projector. Rooms with low light (or dimmable light) are more suitable for low-lumen projectors. The easiest way to remember this rule is: more light = more lumens; less light = less lumens.
Step 2: Know Your Audience
How many people will be present? Smaller groups (up to about 75 people) generally require a low-lumen projector, which larger groups (especially if you can’t dim the lights in the room) will require a high-lumen projector. You may also want to choose a high-lumen projector if your audience is spread out, with varied viewing angles. If your audience is more confined to rows with straight-on viewing, a low-lumen projector may suffice.
Step 3: Place your order.
Ordering a projector rental is a snap with Projector123.com. Still can’t decide which projector you need? Call to speak to one of our highly qualified reps who can help you choose the right unit.
Projector123.com is your best choice for rental projectors. We only rent the highest quality projectors and we guarantee you’ll be satisfied with our award-winning service, ease of ordering and return, and 24/7 technical support. With competitive pricing and extensive quality control, you can rest easy when you rent from us.
Let us handle the projector details while you focus on what really matters — delivering the best possible presentation.
Click here to learn more about Projector123.com today.
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