March 23rd, 2012
You love your kids, and you want to show off their achievements. But, you only have so much space in your trophy case to display all of their awards and photographs. Plus, you probably want to do more for your little star than simply hang another picture of them with a ribbon on the wall. An MVP night just for your athlete or even the whole team is a great way to memorialize their season, winning games or multiple achievements.
Most parents capture their children’s events in one of two ways: photographs or videos. Either way, you can put together a short movie or slideshow of the best moments of each game. For example, you can create a slideshow that shows off Timmy’s game winning hit and followed by the team celebrating and holding the trophy.
 Creating Your Movie or Slideshow
There are many free or inexpensive slideshow and movie editing programs available. Sites like Slideroll and PhotoShow allow you to add captions, themes or even a soundtrack to your slideshow of photographs. If you have a Windows computer, many versions come with Windows Movie Maker, which makes it easier to cut out unwanted clips and add transitions, title pages and ending credits.
Once your movie or video is made, burn it on to a DVD, and rent a projector and screen. The DVD not only allows you to showcase your MVPs on the big screen, you can also give copies of the DVD to the kids and parents as a parting gift for coming to your MVP night.
Planning the Night
Now, it’s time to start planning your MVP night. Pick a day when all or most of the families can make it. Pick a room in your house that can accommodate the entire team. If you don’t have a room large enough, and it’s warm outside, you can consider setting up your rental projector and screen outside.
Want your MVP night to be truly special? Then spice up the set up with small tables with nice tablecloths and centerpieces. Take the event to a whole different level, and have attendees dress up like they’re going to a real Hall of Fame event.
Satisfying the Crowd
Since you are generally going to be displaying the events of younger kids, don’t go too fancy on the food. Popcorn, hot dogs, hamburgers and the like will satisfy this crowd. Finally, just have fun with your slideshow or movie. Clap or cheer when each kid or a special moment is featured. The point of the evening is to make little Timmy and his team feel special.
Want to find the best rental projectors on the market? Check out Projector123.com. Click here to learn more.
March 9th, 2012
Spring is just around the corner, which means the weather will be getting warmer, and many people will be getting the travel bug. With the economy the way it has been, however, many people are short on cash or are just looking to save their money. You may not be able to fly away to that beautiful island or take a cruise. You may though still want to take a vacation of some sort.
Staycations have never been more popular. You still take time off of work, but you stay at home. Your staycation, however, doesn’t have to be generic. Step it up a notch, and take a virtual vacation around the world.
 Rental Projectors Equal a Whole New World
Your own backyard can be the gateway to a whole new world, and that’s just not a reference to playing Disney’s Aladdin. (You can, however, pretend to take a magic carpet ride if you really want to.) Renting a projector and screen allows you to reminisce about places you’ve been or even take virtual tours of places you want to go.
You can attach your computer to the projector, and play slideshows or videos of different places. Set up your backyard like the place where you want to go or have been. For example, if you want to pretend like you’re in a Mexican resort, decorate your patio with tiki huts with a Mexican flare, grab some lounge chairs (preferably around a pool if you have one), and kick back with some Coronas. On the screen, showcase photos or videos of one of the resorts, which you can often find on their or other people’s websites.
If you have previously taken a vacation to the resort, put together a slideshow, and project your memories on to the big screen.
Take a Virtual Walk around a New City
Google Streetview has taken exploration to a whole new level. You can now virtually “walk” around major attractions, including Pompeii and the Iraq Museum in Baghdad from the comfort of your own home. With your computer attached to the projector, stroll around Rome’s Colosseum, or ski down the slopes of Whistler Peak in Whistler, Canada.
Again, make it feel real. If you’re in a cold climate already, snap on your winter gear as you go down the slopes of famous ski resorts. Or, take pictures of each other to “capture the memories” of your staycation.
You’ll get all the benefit of seeing some place new without all the expense and hassle of traveling around the world. Think of the money you’ll save on baggage fees alone. Just don’t forget to rent your projector ahead of time so you’ll have it set up the moment your staycation begins.
Projector123.com has a large selection of quality rental projectors. Click here to learn more.
February 21st, 2012
Murals brighten up any blank wall in any room of your house, but mural artists are expensive. You can, however, have all the benefits of a mural without the expense of a professional. Rental art projectors allow you to take works by famous artists, cool sketches or even your child’s artwork and project them on to your wall. From there, you just need a few drawing pencil, brushes and paint to make your own mural.
 Murals of the Past and Future
Murals have been created via projection methods since the Renaissance. The camera obscura (a type of optical device that reflects an image onto a surface) allowed artists to project images on to canvases, allowing them to create traces of the image. The rental projector just makes the process so much easier.
While older projectors required you to have enough room to fit the bulk of the image you wanted to project, you can now use slides. With slides, you don’t have to worry about the image shifting. Plus, you can use any type of illustration with slides: photographs, newspaper articles or magazine images.
Consider Your Space
Before you start selecting the images that you want to use, think about the space, the décor and furniture you plan on using in the room. For example, in an atrium or similar type space with lots of windows, a nature scene might be your best choice. For a baby’s room on the other hand, you might want cartoon characters, fish or whimsical decorations.
Next, you need to think about how large you want the projected image to be. Some projectors are meant for smaller screens, and you may not have enough room to pull them back far enough to fill the entire space. If that’s the case, rent a projector that can make your image significantly larger.
Create Your Masterpiece
Once you get your rental projector, it’s time to start sketching out your mural. Insert your slide or position the image that you want to use on the projector. Turn off or dim the lights as much as possible. You don’t want to leave the overhead lights at full power since you won’t be able to see all the details of your picture.
Take a pencil (regular or drafting), and start outlining the reflected image. Do not use a pen or marker since you want to be able to erase any mis-drawn lines. Outline as much or as little of the image that you want to use.
Finally, go over your traced image with a permanent marker or a paint brush. For the outline, use the smallest brush possible. Then, paint in the rest of the image with your selected colors.
If you’re looking for a projector, Projector123.com has a wide variety of inexpensive rental projectors that you can use for any project. Learn more here.
January 3rd, 2012
January is usually cold and dreary for most families. While playing in the snow is fun, it’s not something you can do all month long. Plus, skiing and snowboarding can be expensive activities. A projector rental gives you the opportunity to have some real family fun on a budget.
 At-Home Movie Night
Going to the movies can be an ordeal – not to mention expensive outing — for large families. Renting a Projector, however, is a great budget solution. You don’t have to worry about buying expensive snacks. Pop your own popcorn, and grab some candy at the grocery store. Then, gather up the blankets, and set up your own cozy home theater.
This is a great idea for the coldest and snowiest days of January. Make it an annual or weekly tradition. Your kids will have something to look forward to at the end of a long school day.
Get Your Exercise On
We all need some extra exercise during the winter months. Study after study proves that we eat more when the days are shorter and colder. Exercising around a small television screen, however, can be difficult. Showcase that exercise DVD on a large wall in your home with a projector and screen.
This gives you plenty of time to bust a move and work off some of the extra pounds that you may have added over the holiday season. It’s also a great way to secure some quality family time.
Create a Dance Revolution or Sing Off
Games like Guitar Hero are highly popular, but they are even more exciting on the big screen. You can set up a rental projector for your next party, especially your January birthday parties. All of the attendees can then participate, leaving no one out.
If you aren’t one to dance the night away, you can always have a sing off with your friends and family. Rent a projector and a karaoke machine, and sing along with your favorite songs. Make it a competition, and pick a winner after everyone has had a turn.
A Whole New Way to Scrapbook
Most of us have hundreds — if not thousands — of digital pictures of our family sitting on our computer. We almost never print these out. Say goodbye to the old year by gathering the family around the projector screen, and go through your collected memories from the previous year.
Find your favorite digital pictures, enhance them with online software programs, and make your own virtual scrapbook. These online programs allow you to add embellishments similar to stickers. If you have “swag” that you collected from travels, photograph these items, and upload them to your virtual scrapbook. Use a slideshow program, add some transitions, and set the photographs to music. Finally, get a rental projector, and show off all of your hard work.
If you have never rented a projector before, Projector123.com makes it easy for you with its inexpensive prices and fast turnaround time. Learn more here.
December 8th, 2011
Do you live in an area where it gets bitterly cold, where you just want to stay indoors and cozy up in the winter? This winter, why not find a fun and unique way to enjoy time spent with friends and family, making memories together and having a blast. A rental projector is the ideal way to gather loved ones and find creative ways to enjoy the warm and comfortable indoors. Here are our best suggestions:
Gaming Tournaments
This is the time of year to enjoy each other’s company, so why not start by laughing and creating fun challenges? Rent a projector and let the games begin! You can battle out frustrations, engage in some healthy competition, and improve your hand-eye coordination with your favorite games (or new releases) displayed larger than life.
 Home Movie Time
When was the last time you gathered the kids, popped some popcorn and took a trip down memory lane? Grab those old digital photos or video tapes and have a few good laughs (and maybe a cry or two). Sure, it’s sappy, but everyone will wind up thanking you for bringing up those sweet old memories. Nothing warms the heart on a chilly evening quite like the love of family and friends. Super-size your experience with a rental projector to sweeten the deal.
Movie Night
Can you think of anything better than going out to the movie theater with a group? If it’s a cold and bitter evening, forget the traffic and crowds and create your own movie night right at home. Where else can you grab your favorite blanket, laugh or cry unabashedly, enjoy bottomless popcorn (at a fraction of concession pricing), and drink unlimited hot cocoa, all at your fingertips? Nothing beats movie night in the comfort of your own home. And for a family of four, the cost is surprisingly comparable to an evening out at the movie theater (but without all the crowds and hassle, and without rushing to avoid being late…plus at home, you’re guaranteed the best seats in the house).
Projects
Just because it’s freezing cold outside doesn’t mean the family has to go stir-crazy indoors. Create your own visions of art, and take plenty of pictures. The whole family can be involved with this ongoing activity. You can invite friends over to join in on the fun of making and baking. Even if you may be inclined to say you’re not an “artist,” it’s the coming together and expressing yourself that creates a joyful memory. Create a grand finale by renting a projector to show off all the pictures and relive the fun.
To begin creating memories and a new winter tradition, click here to rent a projector from Projector123.com today.
November 29th, 2011
Looking for something fun and interesting to do with family and friends? Why not coordinate an exciting gaming tournament? A gaming tournament is a great way to gather neighbors and friends while entertaining every member of your family for a full weekend for one low price.
From adults to little ones, everyone is sure to love the fun and excitement that comes with a rousing gaming event. Here are our easy tips for planning this family fun.
Plan ahead (just a little)
Whether it’s over winter break or just for the weekend, a projector rental can really enhance a gaming event. Be sure to get input from everyone – kids and adults. As a family, decide when to host your tournament, what the rules will be, which games will be played, how the winner will be determined, and what prizes will be awarded.
Winner might be decided by most challenges won, a round-robin style playoff, most points awarded, etc. Out of fairness, you might want to select a new game that no one in the family has played, so that frequent players don’t get the home-play advantage.
With regards to prizes, it’s important to get input from all the family members. Keep in mind – it’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on prizes. In fact, sometimes the best prizes are the ones that cost nothing. Consider awarding the winner the privilege of a whole day without chores, or staying up (or out) extra late one evening. Perhaps it’s as simple as bragging rights as family champion.
Go all out
Build up some anticipation for the event, and plan food and snacks for your gaming tournament. Put it on the family calendar and prioritize this event as special. Plan at least a week or two ahead, which should give you plenty of time to arrange for that projector rental (not to mention a little friendly smack-talk!)
Set the stage, choose the location in your home and get ready to have some fun. It only takes a few minutes to handle rental projector setup, and you’ll want to position your unit directed towards a blank wall. Be sure to feature plenty of comfy seating for players and spectators, and keep the phone and computer off-limits during this family bonding time. If you don’t have a blank wall to use, you can easily hang a light-colored solid sheet instead (white works best, but beige or gray will suffice).
If you as a parent don’t plan to participate, why not let the kids invite a few friends and make it an informal party? It’s a fun and affordable way to keep them entertained for hours.
Remember to rent a projector from Projector123.com for the best service at competitive pricing. Click here now to reserve yours today.
November 18th, 2011
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Are you a scrapbooker? While many people love the joy and satisfaction that comes with creating a unique and special scrapbook, others simply cannot find the time or creative materials necessary to do the memories justice. Well, perhaps it’s time to enter the digital area and learn to have fun with digital scrapbooking and more.
Traditional scrapbooking makes for a memorable keepsake, but it can be costly and time-consuming. Plus, you can’t share it with family members unless they live geographically near you. Digital storage allows you the freedom to create and design fun memories, while making your creations available to share with family and friends who live far away. Thanks to the wonders of technology, digital storage can keep family members in the loop and help you share those extra special memories. Here are a few ways to have fun with digital storage:
Family website
Many applications are available to help even the most technically challenged of people to upload their best digital photos into a family website with ease and grace. Some online applications even offer free services and hosting.
Digital photo frames
These fun little gadgets are affordable, easy to use and interesting to look at. The perfect gift for moms, aunts, grandparents, teachers, and more.
CD-ROM
More and more households are choosing CD storage to replace photo books, preserving backup copies of the family’s most cherished photos. Naturally, it’s easy to have prints made of any of your favorite or most frame-able snapshots.
DVD
Why not create a photo montage of favorite family photos? If you’re hopelessly non-techy, you can always pay someone to handle this for you. Set to music, a photo montage is the perfect keepsake solution.
Published Memory Books
There are several online companies available to help you upload your digital photos online, choose simple page layouts and backgrounds, add text and comments, and more. A bound, professional-grade hardcover book of your memories can be printed and shipped for a reasonable fee. Soft cover versions are even more affordable.
Best of all, once you take the time to create your photo memories in digital format, it’s easy to display them on a rental projector for all your friends and family to enjoy. Why not rent a projector for your next social gathering? Your guests will thank you for it, and will surely be talking about it for years to come. Renting a projector is more affordable than you may think.
Plus, digital storage provides versatility. Having all your pictures saved digitally allows you to create slide shows, photo montages, and more — just perfect for showcasing at milestone celebrations, weddings, showers, bar mitzvahs, etc.
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to showcase memories with friends and family. Rent a projector for all of Thanksgiving week for just $95 – reserve your projector for 11/21 through 11/27 and your projector will ship to you on 11/18 with a prepaid return label to ship it back on Monday, 11/28. Just click here to visit Projector123.com and remember to enter TKYDAY as the promo code during checkout.
September 19th, 2011
Welcome back to part two of kids and cameras. Whether you decided to help your child take still photos with a digital camera, or shoot video instead, now comes the fun part: putting together a montage of his or her best shots.
Tools
If your child mainly took digital photographs, creating a montage is very simple. If you opted for video instead, you will need a few additional tools to edit his or her raw footage into a brief yet interesting segment. Let’s take a look at still photography first.
Photo Montage
Creating a photo montage with digital pics is easy. Simply load the photos onto your computer and help your child choose his or her favorites. Look for photos that are in focus, well-composed, and tell a story or depict something interesting. Remember that your child will likely have a different opinion about what constitutes “interesting,” and that is perfectly OK.
Once the pictures have been selected, the next step is to load them into a PowerPoint presentation, and select the order and any desired templates or transitions. Once this is complete, help your child set the slide show to music and burn it to a DVD. Then you are ready for its premiere!
 Video Montage
A video montage takes a bit more time to edit, and if your child is small you will likely need to assist him or her. Keep in mind that it’s better to have a short (two or three minute) video that’s interesting rather than a longer video that doesn’t keep the viewer’s interest. Avoid cheesy transitional effects and let the video make its own statements. Always include your child’s name (and any starring participants) in the opening or closing credits – everyone likes to see their name in lights.
Remember to trust Projector123.com for your slide show rental projector. With low rates and fast delivery, it’s easy and affordable to share your child’s masterpiece in larger than life style, for friends, family, and neighbors. Click here now to explore projector rentals from Projector123.com and most of all, have fun with it!
September 16th, 2011
Looking for a fun fall project for your family this year? Why not give the kids a still or video camera, teach them do some simple editing, and then invite everyone over with a rental projector to view the finished result? This is a project that lets the kids take control, but quickly becomes a project the whole family can enjoy together.
Equipment
What equipment you decide to use will largely depend on the age of your children. Even smaller children can participate, depending on how careful the individual child tends to be with smart phones and other electronics. Rather than buying new equipment, consider what you already have that would work. For example, some digital pocket cameras have a video feature that allows you to record up to one or two minutes of video. While this might sound like a tiny amount of time, it will teach your child to become selective about what he or she chooses to record (or else suffer a lot of time and effort editing later).
You may have an older camcorder you would feel comfortable letting your child use, or you may choose to do all recording under your close supervision. Whatever you decide, be sure to teach your child about proper care of the equipment.
Ground Rules
Where video (or still photography, or any type of recording) is involved, it’s always a good idea to set some ground rules beforehand. For example: anything that happens in the bathroom (toileting, showering, bathing, dressing, etc.) should be off-limits. This may be an ideal time to have a conversation about personal privacy. Another sound ground rule would be to let a person know before recording them. You can decide whether you want to set ground rules about what is off-limits for recording, or instead, make suggestions as to what would be OK for recording.
 Content
Some suggestions for great content might include:
- pets – performing a trick or doing something interesting or funny
- people – siblings or family members putting on a performance or theatrical presentation, or perhaps a bike or skateboarding stunt (safety first!)
- sports – sporting events (only when and where recording is allowable) or pickup teams
- singing, dancing or other talents
- storytelling – ghost stories, fun stories, silly stories, true stories, or mad-lib style stories
- “a day in the life” – tracking ordinary family practices, such as performing chores, cooking dinner, eating together, family walks or games, etc.
Be sure to join us in our next installment of Give a Kid a Camera, where we’ll cover what to do once the filming is complete.
In the meantime, check out Projector123.com – we are your one-stop shop for slide show rental projectors for your kids’ projects, and any other time you need a quality projector rental at an affordable price. Click here now to learn more.
September 7th, 2011
If you’re hooked on a favorite television show, you might find yourself feeling a bit blue when it’s time to close out the season for a few months. Combat those end-of-season blues with a season finale party for your favorite show (or shows).
Step 1 – Set the Date and Mark Your Calendar
Your first step is to check with the broadcaster to find out the date the final episode will air. This is easy enough to find online with a quick search. Note the date and time, as well as any additional or unusual changes. For example, a half-hour show can sometimes run a one-hour finale. Many reality shows have a “reunion” show immediately following the finale, or a “highlights and never-before-seen-footage” show immediately preceding the finale.
 Step 2 – Rent a Projector
Why watch the culmination of an entire season on your regular, boring sized television? Instead, spring for a rental projector so you and your friends can enjoy the finale in style. Short-term LCD projector rentals of one or two days are more affordable than you may think, and it’s easy to connect to your television, DVD player or TiVo system.
Step 3 – Plan the Snacks
It’s entirely up to you whether you want to order in food or plan some simple or elegant snacks to share. Alternatively, you could ask your guests to bring a snack or dish to share, which reduces your cost and time commitment in preparing for the event.
You might want to choose snacks that somehow connect to the theme of your show. For example, you could serve tropical snacks and beverages for an island show like “Lost” or “Survivor.”
Step 4 – Additional Fun
A quick and easy way to stylize your party is to add some additional fun. For die-hard fans, you might consider a trivia contest about the show, a cash pool for whomever predicts the outcome accurately, or a costume contest. How far you want to go is limited only by your imagination, and your friends’ willingness to play along.
Step 5 – Party Favors
Why not include a simple yet memorable party favor to remember the event by? Perhaps a piece of bling (or a hair extension clip!) for something along the lines of “Desperate Housewives” or “Real Housewives,” or a magnifying glass for “CSI,” “NCIS,” or “Bones,” or a toy microphone for “American Idol” or “Glee.” Have fun and let your creativity shine – a favor will make it a night to remember and hard core fans will love that you took the extra effort.
No matter what show you love best, make sure you choose the best rental projector company for your finale event. Click here now to reserve a projector or learn more about Projector123.com today.
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