April 2nd, 2010
Part of a learning environment? We recently came across this excellent article from Ron S. Doyle and thought you’d appreciate the read. It’s like we keep saying — the possibilities for using projectors are only limited by you imagination. Many of these suggestions are easily adaptable to business presentations, sales meetings, employee training, and more. Don’t crowd around a laptop — rent a projector instead. Enjoy the article!
Ten Ways To Get Beyond Powerpoint With Classroom Projectors
by Ron S. Doyle
True tech integrators know the digital projector can be used for much more than projecting. Here is a sampling of some creative ways to use your projector in any curriculum.
- Reading/Writing. Display images, words, or phrases for writing prompts in creative writing or poetry class. Model savvy formatting and editing skills by giving live demonstrations in your word-processing software. And put away those old flashcards—young students love singing karaoke to practice their pronunciation and identify targeted sight words.
- Mathematics. Utah State University’s National Library of Virtual Manipulatives offers hundreds of multi-sensory games, illustrations, exercises and puzzles for K-12 students that explore numerical operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis. (nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vLibrary.html; free online, $39.99-44.99 for enhanced desktop version).
- Science. Ask students to add their experimental data directly to your spreadsheet and project graphs of their results for everyone to see—you’ll identify those pesky outliers in no time. Protect your eyebrows and your budget by showing videos of dangerous chemistry demonstrations.
- Social Studies. Google Earth (earth.google.com) works wonders but loves to crash on older computers. Try the University of Texas at Austin’s renowned Perry-Castañeda Library Virtual Map Room (www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/; free) for a wide array of PDF maps from around the globe.
- Timer, Stopwatch, Countdown. Using a simple freeware program like TimeLeft (www.timeleft.info), students will see exactly how long they’ve been working on a project, how much time is left, or how many days until the ice cream social after your final exam.
- Games and Quizzes. Turn those groans to glee come quiz-time with hyperlinked Powerpoint presentations that mimic popular quiz games like “Jeopardy!” or “You Don’t Know Jack.” Free Sheppard Software (sheppardsoftware.com) has dozens of interactive games that will have your students begging for more.
- Board Work. Standing at the whiteboard terrifies many students. Why? Writing large print on a vertical plane isn’t easy for everyone and little handwriting slips can turn into big, embarrassing mistakes. Ask students to do the work on a sheet of paper, fire up your doc camera, then project their results. No more stage fright!
- Graphic Organizers. Online diagramming software like Gliffy (www.gliffy.com; free basic membership, premium account varies by number of users) or Bubbl (bubbl.us; free) can make creating lively instructional flowcharts, cluster diagrams, and spider maps a breeze.
- Guest/Substitute Lectures. Live streaming or podcast lectures from guests will give your students access to experts around the world without footing for an airline ticket. Record your own lectures with software like Camtasia (www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp; $299) or upload your Powerpoint presentations to Slideshare (slideshare.net; free) and you’ll be the toast of the substitute teaching pool. Best of all, students can access these lectures for future reference.
- Drama/Theater. Want to do some on-the-fly improv theater? Hang a white sheet, place the projector behind the sheet facing your audience, and let your students perform inexpensive miniature theatrical productions. Project image “backdrops” from your computer and you’ll have the fastest set changes in history.
For almost eight years, Ron S. Doyle served as a teacher, technology coordinator and Director of Studies at a charter high school for youth in crisis in Boulder, Colorado. He left his beloved career in education in 2008 to care for his two young daughters full time.
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 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.
December 22nd, 2009
Basic VGA Connector (or DE-15)
You might just know of a VGA connector as your “monitor” connector. It’s probably what you used on your first computer to connect to the screen — you probably still use VGA now. Even HDTV sets have VGA inputs. And it’s a great way to hook up your computer to a projector, too.
A VGA connector (or DE-15) usually looks like a long trapezoid with 15 tiny pins and a screw on either side. It’s usually blue. Some people call it and an “RGB connector,” a “D-sub 15” or a “mini D15 connector” — but you don’t have to memorize those names — “VGA” or “DE-15” is fine.
Mini-VGA Connector
You might also have heard of a “mini-VGA” connector. These are common to new laptops, especially Apple computers. A mini-VGA connector is simply a smaller version of its older brother — with some added conversion flexibility (to composite and S-video). Either way, you’ll need an adapter to connect mini-VGA to most projectors.
Mini-VGA is about the size of a USB port and has 14 pins.
Basic VGA connector image used through Creative Commons 3.0 license, courtesy of Bela Nemeth.
December 21st, 2009
You’re making final preparations for the presentation of your career. The future hangs in the balance, and it’s all riding on your soon-to-be-stellar presentation. You’ve prepared, you’ve researched, you’ve rehearsed, and you’re feeling completely ready to roll, except for one little detail…
The projector isn’t working!
OK, maybe it’s not the presentation of a lifetime. But maybe you’ve planned for months to gather all the employees for corporate training. Schedules have been rearranged, a room has been reserved, and PowerPoint slides are all in order. But when you test the equipment the day before the training day, disaster strikes…
The projector isn’t working!
You’ve waited for months to get an appointment with this client, and you’re ready to knock their socks off with a superb presentation, but now you discover guess what?
The projector isn’t working!
Now what?
If you or your company owns a projector, you may already be aware that these machines require a fair amount of maintenance in order to function properly. And it pays to have a backup plan when it comes to critical presentations like these. Sure, you could print off handouts, but it’s truly not the same — nothing compares to a professional presentation showcased with a high quality digital projector.
The good news is you don’t need to invest in (yet another) projector. Instead, simply have a backup supplier at the ready — that’s where you can count on Projector123.com.
Accidents happen. But when you’re prepared, it’s no sweat at all. If you need a replacement projector ASAP, just visit Projector123.com and a replacement will be on its way with just a few clicks of your mouse. Since we use FedEx shipping exclusively, we can deliver as soon as the next day in most cases and you can count on us to save the day.
Don’t let all your hard work go to waste — rely on Projector123.com as your backup supplier for professional grade projector rentals starting as low as $99.
December 18th, 2009
Hotels are infamous for charging higher-than-average rates for convenience upgrades and add-ons. In fact, these kinds of charges (think: room service, room rental, catering, in-room movies, parking, valet services, automatic 18% gratuity at the bar, etc.) can account for a significant portion of a hotel’s annual revenue.
Though we travelers typically expect to pay a premium for convenience (why else would we pay upwards of $20 a person for a $5 breakfast? Because we want food to be delivered directly to our room!), that certainly doesn’t mean we have to pay the convenience charge. After all, you could always opt to go out for a meal, walk to a nearby cafe, or have a pizza delivered.
Likewise, there’s no reason to pay $250 for a projector rental when you could rent a projector from Projector123.com for just $99.
The next time you’re traveling for business and you require a projector rental at your meeting location, count on Projector123.com to deliver a high-quality LCD projector rental at a price that won’t break your budget. (Then maybe you can justify ordering room service.)
We’ll ship your rental projector directly to the hotel, and we’ll even include a quick start guide to assist you in setting up and taking down your projector. And if you still have questions, you can call us on our 24/7 support line for immediate expert assistance.
Just contact Projector123.com today to request your projector rental — you’ll save time, money and the hassle. Why pay more for a projector rental than you have to?
December 16th, 2009
Wait! Stop!
Before you buy in an expensive, bulky, temperamental LCD projector consider this:
- How often will you need a projector?
- Where will you use the projector? Will travel be necessary?
- Have you thought about storage, maintenance, and depreciation?
If you use projectors for off-site business presentations, workshops and corporate gatherings, training or presentations, it may not pay to purchase such costly equipment that can easily be damaged during transport
Here’s an easy solution:
Projector123.com can ship a 2000 lumen or 3000 lumen projector rental to any location within the contigious U.S. That’s right — there’s no need to drag around an unattractive, bulky, heavy piece of temperamental equipment when you can have a professional grade projector rental shipped directly to the location where you need it, including hotels, meeting facilities and conference centers, office buildings, private residences and more.
From sales meetings and corporate trainings to marketing presentations and new product rollouts, Projector123.com is the best choice for quality, reliable projector rentals.
Projector rentals from Projector123.com feature a sleek, discreet, highly protective carrying case that doubles as the shipping carton. When you’re finished with your presentation, simply place the rental projector back inside the case and affix the prepaid FedEx label. Then drop the carton into any FedEx drop box, bring it into any FedEx location, or simply call FedEx for pickup.
Yes, it really is that easy!
Don’t invest in a piece of equipment that’s going to spend most of its time in storage, or that may risk being damaged during transport from location to location — let Projector123.com deliver the projector you need, when you need it, at a price you’re sure to love.
Click here to visit Projector123.com and order your projector rental today. It’s as easy as 1-2-3.
December 14th, 2009
If you’re considering purchasing an expensive LCD projector for your business, there are a few points to consider first:
- Frequency of use.
- Storage.
- Maintenance.
- Portability.
- Depreciation.
- Cost per use.
First, ascertain how often a projector will get used. Keep in mind this is likely NOT an item that you will use more often just because you have it handy. Consider what kind of events you typically need a projector for — annual meetings, conventions, trade shows, employee training, etc. If you plan to use a projector six times per year or less (approximately once every other month), it does NOT pay to purchase a projector — you would be far better off renting a projector when you need one.
Next, consider where and how you will store the projector. A case or protective cover is essential to protect the machine from dust, and ideally, a projector should be stored in a location where it will not be bumped or otherwise disturbed. However, storing your projector too far out of reach will certainly diminish its likelihood of getting utilized.
Projectors require maintenance, so if you don’t already have a staff member who can handle this task, you’ll want to purchase an extended warranty or a maintenance contract. Remember to include this when calculating your cost-benefit analysis.
Where will you use your projector? If you don’t have a standard conference room (or if you typically go offsite when you use a projector, e.g., at conventions or trade shows) you will need a durable, highly protective carrying case. Remember that this will be bulky and somewhat difficult to transport.
The cost of depreciation is a factor to consider when deciding whether or not to purchase a projector to keep in-house. Check with your accounting department for specifics on how this will affect your bottom line.
Taking all this into consideration, you should be able to calculate the cost per use. If your calculated cost per use for purchase, depreciation, maintenance, storage, and transport is less than $100, it simply makes sense to rent a projector when you need it instead of housing and caring for your own projector.
There’s no need to purchase, store and lug around a company projector if it’s only used a few times a year. Save time, money and incur less risk and responsibility by contacting Projector123.com whenever you need a projector rental. Rates start as low as just $99 — contact us today.
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