November 4th, 2011
We continue our series on answering your technical questions about rental projectors with a new topic this month: avoiding a pixelated image. The term “pixelated” simply means that you can see the individual pixels, as opposed to viewing a smooth and seamless image. Imagine, for example, that you were viewing a slide show through a screen door, and you would have a good idea of what a pixelated image looks like.
In fact, pixelated images are also referred to as the “screen door effect” or as “fixed-pattern noise.” The visual effect makes the whole screen look like there’s a small rectangular or hexagonal grid of black lines running throughout the image.
What Causes It?
Pixelation can occur on an LCD or DLP projector, and is merely a matter of how the device projects each dot of information onto the screen. The tiny electronics that surround each pixel deep inside the projector are what block the light from shining perfectly evenly.
Back in the 1980s, the first digital projectors all displayed fixed-pattern noise (pixelated images), but we were somewhat immune to it, and forgiving of the new technology. Today, technology has made great advancements, making pixelation far less noticeable. Yet, on those occasions when we do see pixelated images, it can cause a great distraction. There are four ways to avoid or resolve pixelation.
Use DLP
DLP stands for Digital Light Processing, and DLP projectors are far less susceptible to pixelation as compared to LCD units. Naturally, some minor pixelation will occur, but it’s less perceptible than with LCD projectors.
Go High-Res
Choose a higher-resolution projector to avoid or diminish pixelation. Resolution simply refers to how many pixels your projector unleashes onto the screen. Higher-resolution projectors (for example, a 3000-lumen projector) display more pixels at once. More pixels may mean more lines — but it also means that those lines are much smaller, creating an overall clearer and less pixelated image.
 Step Back, Jack
If you move your audience back, they will be less able to detect pixelation. The farther your audience is from the screen, the less they’ll be able to see the individual pixels and the lines between them. After all, every digital image looks pixelated at a very close distance.
Time to Re-Focus
A sure-fire way to reduce the screen door artifact is by playing with the focus a bit. This will cause the lenses inside the projector to optically blend pixels together. Start with the projector perfectly focused – so that the screen effect is crisp and visible – then move the focus ring ever so slightly. You want the pixels to blend together without intersecting, which will blur out the black lines in between. Be careful, though, because this ever-so-slight blur can cause eyestrain for viewers over a long period of time.
Fortunately, Projector123.com only rents high-resolution DLP projectors, which means you won’t have to worry about pixelated images when you rent from us. Click here now to learn more and to see our November special.
October 25th, 2011
We recently came across this excellent resource for slide slow presentations and wanted to share it with you. You can read the original article here. Remember — when you need to rent a projector for your next PowerPoint slide show presentation, don’t put your hard work in the hands of anyone but our expert team. Rent a professional grade LCD projector from Projector123.com today and discover why we are the industry leader among professionals across the U.S. Click here now to learn more.
So you’ve created your first powerpoint presentation. You’ve chosen an attractive template, good font colors, and you’ve even added some photos. Now, how do you show your presentation to other people?
If you’re presenting to only a handful of people, you could always show your presentation directly off your computer/laptop’s monitor, itself. Simply preview your show by hitting [F5] and give your presentation, navigating slide-to-slide by clicking left and right arrow keys
Viewing on a projector
If you have access to a projector, you can output your show from your laptop to the projector. Most laptops have an external port for hooking up an external monitor (or projector). The projector will have a monitor cable that will plug directly into this port.
After the monitor/projector is plugged in, you need to tell your computer to send its video output to the external projector. Every laptop manufacturer has a different method for turning on the external monitor, so you’ll have to read the manual or figure it out from the symbols drawn on your keyboard. On my Sony Vaio, I type [Fn +F7] to toggle between my LCD screen and the external monitor.
Once your video is outputting to the external monitor and you can see your computer’s desktop on the big screen, you can start your presentation by going to [Slideshow – View Show] or by typing [F5]. Your presentation will run full screen.
When you’re done, hit [escape] to end the presentation, and then you can toggle the external monitor back off.
You can find more useful PowerPoint tips-and-tricks like this one at www.mightycoach.com – they even have an online-video course that teaches you to use PowerPoint in only a few hours!
October 21st, 2011
Don’t get caught without properly functioning equipment at your next business presentation! Proper care and maintenance of any sensitive technical device will ensure a longer life span, better performance, and the best, most cost-effective use of your investment.
Projectors are not inexpensive – even though they have dropped considerably in price over the past decade, these devices still require a significant investment for a high quality machine. If you’ve chosen to own a projector as opposed to renting projectors on an as-needed basis, here are some tips you need to know in order to keep your unit in top working condition.
Storage
Store your projector properly between uses. Ideally, if you’ve invested in a high quality projector, you would be using it at least weekly, in order to justify the high investment cost. But if you find you are not using your equipment quite as often, you would be wise to store it in a case, in order to prevent dust from building up alongside sensitive working parts.
Bulb Replacement
Don’t wait until your bulb blows out to find a replacement. In many cases, you will have to order replacement bulbs online and await their arrival, so you’ll want to have replacements on-hand when the inevitable occurs (otherwise, you’ll pay a fortune in overnight shipping, or run the risk that the bulb you need is out of stock). Replacing a bulb requires a steady, gentle hand, plus the manual for your specific projector unit. How often you will have to change the bulb depends on many factors, including what kind of projector you own, how often you use it, and whether or not it is used for extended periods at a time.
Repairs
Be sure to read your owner’s manual carefully – removal of certain parts or panels by anyone other than a certified repair specialist may void your warranty. Be forewarned – repairs can be expensive.
 Prepare a Plan B
What is your backup plan in case your primary projector is not functioning when it’s time to prepare for your big presentation? A rental projector (from a company who offers guaranteed next-day delivery) may be your best bet for a backup plan. Always test your equipment a day or two in advance, so that you can make any necessary repairs, secure any replacement parts you may not have on-hand, and call in a backup plan if necessary.
Here are Projector123.com we want to be much more than your backup plan – we want to be your primary source for all your rental projector needs. For occasional use, renting a projector is often much more affordable and cost-effective than purchasing a unit outright. Explore our website to learn more about the many advantages of renting a projector from Projector123.com today.
October 11th, 2011
Before you pay that high hotel markup for your next rental projector, consider the alternatives. Here is a list of things to ponder with regards to renting a projector for your next presentation, social gathering or special occasion.
 + Hotels charge more.
The bottom line is this: hotels charge more for projector rentals than any other rental source. Why? Because they can. Renting from the hotel appears to offer convenience (since you don’t have to travel anywhere to get your rental, and often, the hotel will set up the equipment for you) and ease of use. However, that is not always the case. Unfortunately, many people are disappointed to find they have paid far too much for a rental projector that is substandard in quality and reliability. Everything in a hotel includes a significant markup, as this built-in “convenience charge” provides a large portion of a hotel’s revenue. You’re already paying more than you should have to for your business meals during your stay, why pay more than necessary for your equipment rental? There’s no sense paying $250 for a projector rental when you could outsource this function from an expert company with upgraded equipment and easy setup/takedown for just $99.
+ Hotels have old equipment.
Most hotels own older models of projectors, which means the equipment can be faulty or poorly maintained. Because it does not get used regularly, the hotels typically do not update their equipment often, and most do not know how to properly service the unit onsite. Additionally, hotels typically feature an older model with less effective technology.
+ Hotels don’t have the market cornered on convenience.
In the same way that you can often walk a very short distance for a better meal or more reasonably priced sundries than you would find at a hotel, you can also choose a rental projector company online for convenient, affordable projector rentals. Plus, some companies will ship or deliver your rental right to your hotel room or meeting facility. It really is that simple!
+ Hotels often lack experienced technical personnel.
If you’ve ever had to call the front desk for internet connectivity problems, you’ve witnessed first-hand the lack of experienced tech support that is common in most hotels. This also applies to technical equipment such as rental projectors. When you choose to rent from an experienced rental company instead, you will have access to their trained, courteous tech support who can actually help you to troubleshoot (without asking you “is the device plugged in?”)
The next time you require a rental projector for an important sales presentation or business meeting, don’t settle for high hotel prices and substandard quality. Count on Projector123.com instead to deliver professional grade, quality controlled equipment at an affordable price, when and where you need it. Click here to access our website now.
October 7th, 2011
We recently discovered this informative article on preventing “screen freeze” in dual monitor mode. You can read the original article in its entirety here. http://accelerating.org/articles/beyondpresenterview.html
Remember, whether you’re renting an LCD projector or digital displays, you can rely on Projector123.com to provide professional-grade equipment at competitive pricing. Click here now to find out more.
Avoiding a Common Presentation Problem: Screen Freeze in Dual Monitor Mode
by John Smart
/>PowerPoint will keep both your laptop and screen slides will remain synchronized only if you remain in PowerPoint Slide Show mode during your presentation. If you accidentally move your cursor back to your laptop / primary monitor display at any point during your presentation and click anywhere, or alternatively, if you click on the “Microsoft PowerPoint” tab in the taskbar, your slides and notes will continue to advance in Normal view on your main screen/laptop screen, BUT your Monitor 2 slides (audience slides) will stay frozen at the point where you clicked away. Also, if you don’t click on a picture element in your presentation BEFORE you select presentation mode, the two screens may not synchronize. Finally, if you hit F7 too early, the projector and laptop display may not synchronize. Depending on your content, speaking style, and audience awareness, it could be quite a while before you discover the problem.
Ouch!
Once you catch your mistake, you’ll need to surf your cursor back to Monitor 2 and click on it anywhere OR click on the “PowerPoint Slide Show” tab in your taskbar. At this point your laptop slides will resynch with Monitor 2′s (audience) slides, which will now display the next slide after the one previously displayed on Monitor 2. This is probably a safety feature, as it keeps the audience from skipping any slides. But it can be embarassing to talk for several minutes, with your slides advancing on your laptop but frozen on the audience monitor, then discover you’ve lost synch and have to backtrack. It might even blow your presentation if your timing is tight.
You can prevent this from happening by always being very conscious of what you do with your mouse, but if you want one easy way to stay out of trouble, once you have your presentation set up, just don’t touch your mouse or touchpad at all during your talk.
Advance or reverse your slides using only the arrow keys on your laptop, or better yet, advance with a wireless clicker and laser pointer. The wireless clicker will free you from having to touch your computer at all, let you point at things on the screen with your laser, and free you to walk around the room and among your audience whenever you have slides that don’t have notes you need to look at.
October 4th, 2011
Are you planning an upcoming event that involves a presentation? You can create an even greater impact and more lasting impression with proper audiovisual usage including a rental projector.
Audiovisuals make it far easier for your audience to retain information you’re sharing, to participate, and to fully comprehend your material, but improper use of AV support can be just as detrimental as none whatsoever.
The key is for your audio visuals to enhance your presentation, as opposed to detracting from your material. Use the following tips to ensure proper usage for maximum efficacy:
- Use a slide or single image graphic to reinforce a main point or key takeaway item.
- Think about what kind of visual will best support your key point. In many cases, a slide show presentation with a rental projector is the easiest way to accomplish this. At other times, props or a group exercise may be most effective to drive home a specific point. Additionally, handouts and flyers can reinforce what information you’re presenting on each slide, as well as providing a tangible representation to increase retention of the information.
- Ensure that your visuals enhance and support your objective. Use slides to clarify, expand upon, reiterate, or reinforce key material.
- Be sure to use your audio visuals only when covering that relevant point. For example, don’t let a slide remain visible when you’re moving on to a different topic. Show the visual when it’s needed, and hide it or activate a screen saver when it’s not needed.
- Audio visuals can also be used effectively for signage and direction. Be sure to have a second set of eyes evaluate sign placement, to ensure maximum effectiveness and clear guidance.
- Practice with your slide show. Allow the projector to fit naturally with your presentation, as it would be highly distracting if you are fumbling with your equipment.
- Test your equipment fully. Become very familiar with the equipment so you can use it properly. Ensure proper image display size, focus and distance, and eliminate any distortion either by properly positioning the projector, or by using the projector’s built-in automated features.
If you follow these easy instructions, you will be able to effortlessly and seamlessly incorporate audio visual support properly into any presentation. This can help you close more sales, make a bigger impact, or help your employees retain more information during company training. The more you practice proper use of audiovisuals, the better your presentations will become.
Of course, be sure to rent a projector from Projector123.com, where you receive the best possible rental projectors at competitive pricing. Click here now to learn more.
September 30th, 2011
We recently came across this article at projectorpeople.com (a site that specializing in selling projectors). Of course, keep in mind — if you rent a projector, you don’t have to worry about any care or expensive maintenance. But if you’ve purchased or are considering purchasing an LCD projector, this handy guide will help you to understand how to care for this expensive piece of equipment.
Projector Care Guide
(A fast and easy reference for the care of your projector)
 1. Read the user manual that came with your projector. It will include operational information exclusive to your projector.
2. Become familiar with the unit before your first presentation or event.
3. To prolong lamp life, always allow your projector to cool completely before turning off or unplugging. Remember that excessive heat can greatly shorten your lamp life. Do not operate your projector in direct sunlight or near a heat source.
4. Change filter* as specified by your user manual.
5. Never operate the unit without the air filter*. Doing so can draw dust in to the optics of the projector, which can be projected on to your image.
6. Avoid using your projector in a smoky environment. This can cause damage to the optics of the unit and can void your warranty.
7. Store your projector in a cool, dry area. Save the shipping box for safe secure storage when not in use. If the need arises for you to ship your projector in the future, the original box and packing material is the safest way to pack your unit.
8. If projector is mounted to the ceiling, be sure that the area near the intake fan is kept clean and not in direct line of air or heat vents.
9. For optimal image quality, always keep your lens clean. The safest way to clean your lens is with a lens cloth, which can be purchased at a camera store.
* Some new projectors such as the Mitsubishi XD400 series utilize a filter-free design. These projectors require no filter maintenance and also include an extended lamp warranty of one full year or 1000 hours.
Does this sound like far too much work or hassle for you? Do you only need a projector occasionally, and not frequently for work or personal use? Then your best bet is to secure a rental projector, only when and where you need it. Click here now to visit Projector123.com and learn about our affordable, reliable rental projectors.
September 23rd, 2011
Welcome back to another installment in our ongoing series on Projectors: Your Technical Questions Answered. In this segment, we’ll take a look at resolution: what it is, and how to choose it.
The term “resolution” simply refers to the number of lines of color display. The higher the number, the greater the resolution, and the crisper and more detailed the projected image. If you have a regular (not HD) television, there are 480 lines of resolution. A high-definition television (HDTV) has over 700 lines of display.
LCD projectors have fixed resolution, and we will take a look at each kind.
VGA
VGA stands for Video Graphics Array. This technology was first introduced in computer display monitors in the late 1980s and is now obsolete technology.
SVGA
SVGA stands for Super Video Graphics Array and this resolution is popular for its high quality and affordable price point. SVGA resolution specs are 800 x 600 pixels.
XGA
XGA stands for eXtended Graphics Array and has a fixed resolution of 1024 x 768, which is excellent quality.
 SXGA
SXGA stands for Super eXtended Graphics Array, with a resolution of 1280 x 1024. This is rather expensive and therefore someone uncommon.
The thing to remember is that there is a difference between the projector’s resolution and what the LCD projector receives as its incoming signal. Therefore, a projector internally resizes the signal’s image (shrink or stretch) to adapt it to the projector’s fixed resolution.
Fortunately, when you rent a projector from Projector123.com you don’t have to worry about resolution. Projector123.com only rents professional-grade, reliable, high resolution LCD projectors. Click here now to learn more.
September 2nd, 2011
Whether or not you own your own projector or choose to rent a projector just when you need one, you might not be aware that different lenses can create different overall effects with your projector, suitable for various types of occasions. Read on to learn more about types of projector lenses.
/>How the Lens Works
A lens (derived from the Latin word for “lentil”) is a transparent piece of glass with one or two curved surfaces. A lens uses refraction to bend rays of light as they pass through the lens. This refraction is what causes images to appear larger or smaller than they truly are.
In a rental projector, the lens is what focuses the images as it is projected onto the screen.
Auto-Focus Lens
The specific process used by an auto focus (AF) projector system varies somewhat from model to model, but essentially, “through the lens” autofocusing systems have sensors in place that detect certain parameters and allow the projector to autocorrect for distance, ambient light, and depth of field.
Zoom Lens
The term “zoom lens” refers to a mechanical assembly of parts that allows the focal length of an image to be varied. This is in contrast to a “fixed focal length” lens, which must be positioned in an exact spot in order to project images that appear in focus. Nearly all rental projectors are equipped with zoom lenses, which allows you to change the angle of view and to reposition the projector while still remaining able to project a fully clear and focused image. A parfocal lens is a type of zoom lens that maintains image focus while the focal length changes.
Short-Throw Lens
A short-throw lens simply refers to a lens that allows you to project large images in close or tight spaces, without blinding the presenter with bright light from the projector. These are especially useful in small conference rooms, classrooms, living rooms, and small home theaters.
Long-Throw Lens
A long-throw lens is more suitable for a larger facility, such as a convention hall, church, or college campus lecture hall. The long-throw lens offers greater reach without distortion, which means you can position the projector toward the back of the room, without having to create an obstacle midway across the room. Often, these types of lenses are externally mounted in front of the normal lens. These kinds of lenses are ideal for very large spaces with limited ability to change the layout of the room.
Whatever kind of event you’re planning, be sure to reserve a rental projector from Projector123.com. We are your one-stop shop for LCD rental projectors. Click here now to learn more.
June 8th, 2011
Whether you need a rental projector for business or personal reasons, you’ll want to make sure you choose the right rental projector company. This simple guide will help you make an informed and intelligent decision.
LCD rental projectors have a great many uses. In the business realm, rental projectors may be used to draw a crowd at a trade show, roll out a new product line at a conference or employee training, close more sales with compelling graphics and video, or provide additional AV support at a large corporate gathering. In social settings, projector rentals are ideal for weddings, rehearsal dinners, retirement parties, graduation celebrations, birthday parties, anniversary parties, memorials, family movie nights, gaming competitions, and much more.
The first point to consider when choosing a rental projector company is location. Depending on where you live, it may be foolish (and cost-prohibitive) to limit yourself to renting from a local AV rental shop. For starters, smaller towns may not have an audiovisual rental location, or may only have dated or unreliable equipment. Almost always, you can expect to pay a huge premium if you choose to rent from the hotel or venue where your meeting or social gathering will be held. Some rental companies deliver or ship throughout the U.S., and thanks to contract negotiations with FedEx and other delivery services, the end cost is more affordable than you may think.
The next factor in your decision should be equipment. There are many different types, brands and quality levels of rental projectors, and you’ll want to rent a projector that is best suited to your specific purpose. Specifically, you’ll want to consider whether you need a low-lumen projector or a high-lumen projector. Lumens simply refer to light output, and the brighter your ambient light or environment, the higher the lumens you’ll need. For example, bright sunlight requires the highest lumen projector in order to be seen. Some rental companies offer diverse rental projectors that can serve as high-lumen or low-lumen units. Be sure to ask plenty of questions to ensure you’re getting the right kind of projector for your event.
/>Next, find out what kind of support is available to you during your rental period. Are the provided instructions easy to understand, or designed more for technical experts? Is the unit easy to set up and take down, or will it require some advance practice? Do you need to purchase or request special cables to use the projector with your laptop, or are universal cables provided?
Finally, you’ll want to consider cost. On average, you can expect to spend $100-$150 on a rental projector, plus shipping or delivery expenses. If you rent a unit locally, you may be asked to place a deposit as well. If you rent a projector from the hotel or venue where your gathering is to be held, your costs could be closer to $200.
Naturally, Projector123.com provides all this and more. We ship high-quality, diverse use rental projectors to any location in the U.S., and we offer 24/7 telephone support during your rental period. Of course, with our easy 1-2-3 quickstart instructions, it’s unlikely that you’ll need added support, but we’re here for you if you do. And weekend rentals start at just $129 including round-trip shipping guaranteed on time by FedEx. What are you waiting for? Click here to rent a projector from Proejctor123.com today.
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