October 28th, 2011
If you’re creating a slide show photo or video montage (or a combination of both), here’s a simple guide for choosing the best possible music. From weddings to birthdays to retirement parties, nothing says you care as much as a montage with thoughtfully selected images and music. Read on to learn more.
 A slide show or video montage provides that perfect finishing touch to any milestone celebration. From a significant birthday to an anniversary or retirement party, to a wedding or bar/bat mitvah, a montage is something all your guests can enjoy, and it helps guests to learn a bit more about the guest of honor in a beautiful and sentimental way. Choosing appropriate music is an excellent way to tie together your montage for a truly cohesive overall effect.
Consider the Occasion
Your music should be appropriate for the occasion and the people involved. Tasteful selections are always preferred. For weddings and nuptial celebrations, you could search the internet for most popular choices, or you might prefer to select something that has personal and sentimental meaning (for example, the first song you danced to, or a song from your first concert together or first date).
Meaning vs. Popularity
If nothing quite sums up your relationship like “Always and Forever” then go for it. Don’t worry about a song being dated or sappy – if it really conveys the meaning you wish to express, then use it. Popular songs come and go, and a song that you choose today may seem downright silly ten (or even five) years from now.
Fit the People
The songs should suit the guest of honor. This shows that you took the time to make the montage special and personalized, by choosing music that is appropriate for the guest(s) of honor. There’s nothing to say that you have to use a radio song with lyrics – royalty-free music without vocals can be just as effective at creating a certain mood or ambiance, or to pay tribute.
Keep It Simple
Don’t try to incorporate all the favorite songs of the guest of honor. A good slide show would be shorter than 10 minutes in length (ideally) and certainly no longer than about 12 minutes long. Any longer than that, and it becomes self-indulgent and can grow tiresome for other guests who are viewing. When it comes to creating a montage, less is more. Include no more than 5 song snippets for a 10-minute slide show presentation.
Naturally, you’ll want to show off your creativity and hard work with a rental projector. Trust Projector123.com for all your rental projector needs. Click here now to reserve your LCD rental projector today.
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 18th, 2011
Does it really make sense to use audiovisuals in every presentation? Find out why you need them and how they’ll help you create a more powerful impact.
Why Use AV Supplementation?
Nearly two-thirds of the population includes people who learn visually. In other words, you cannot grab and retain an audience if you rely only on the spoken word to convey your message. Conversely, too much visual information can cause your audience to become distracted from your message, which is why audiovisuals must be used in moderation, where appropriate, and with a sense of balance.
Ideally, you would incorporate audiovisuals (such as slides, or a PowerPoint presentation on a rental projector) to emphasize key points in your presentation, and to really drive home your takeaway bullet points.
 How Many is Too Many?
The short answer is: it depends. You would want to take all of the following into consideration:
- Is your data highly technical or visual?
- Is it complex to understand?
- Is there supporting information in the form of charts, research results, or illustrative graphs?
- Is your audience already familiar somewhat with the material, or will the presentation be more educational in nature?
- Are you presenting a variety of concepts, or one central theme?
- Is your audience on the same level with regards to prior understanding and knowledge, or will you be speaking to a broad spectrum of participants?
- Is your presentation one-sided in nature, or more interactive?
- Are you presenting on a highly technical topic with complex supporting data and statistical support?
- Are your audience members more analytical in nature?
- Is your presentation more subjective or objective?
Answering these kinds of questions will help you determine the extent to which you will need to supplement your oral delivery with visual images.
What Format Is Best?
Handouts have advantages in that they allow your participants to make notes and interact with the data, as well as having a tangible resource to take with them. However, this is not a “green” option as it requires a great deal of printing and paper waste, especially for larger audiences.
Charts that display statistical data or graphs can be very useful, but only if they are easily visible, portable, and designed for clarity and visual impact.
A slide show is perhaps the most versatile format, as it allows you to move fluidly through your data, as well as to showcase key points and incorporate charts, graphs, images, and video. The easiest way to incorporate a slide show is with a PowerPoint rental projector and a laptop.
If you choose a slide show for your next presentation, be sure to rent a projector from the industry leaders: Projector123.com. Click here to learn more.
October 14th, 2011
Looking for a fun and exciting way to jazz up your Halloween this year? Consider renting a projector and getting those creative juices flowing. Here are our best ideas to get you started in a very spooky way!
Project a Horror Movie
Perhaps the easiest and most fun way to use a rental projector this Halloween is to project a scary movie onto a big blank wall. You can run your favorite spooky flick in the background at your Halloween party, or gather friends and family to cuddle up in the dark and prepare to be scared – in a BIG way. Some of our favorites include The Rocky Horror Picture Show (for adults only, of course), Halloween, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, or Scream. For the lighter side of Halloween entertainment, consider It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown or Scary Movie.
Showcase Scary Images
A rental projector can be used inside or out to project scary images onto a blank wall or a solid, light-colored sheet. You might even consider designing your own indoor haunted house, complete with scary projections. And since rentals typically include two to three days, you can also host a film fest to maximize your rental projector enjoyment.
Family Movie Night
A less intense way to spend Halloween is with a family movie night and a rental projector. Gather friends and family and prepare to greet trick or treaters as everyone gathers around to watch their favorite seasonal flicks in larger than life presentation format.
Host a Gaming Tournament
What to do with all that leftover candy? You could consider donating it to our overseas troops, or pool the best sweets and treats as the grand prize for a gaming tournament. Since Halloween falls on a Monday this year, a weekend projector rental leaves lots of additional recreational time, which is perfect for a video game tournament. It brings the family together and makes for a cost-effective good time that lasts all weekend long.
 Host a Costume Contest
If you’re hosting a Halloween party this year, why not make the most of a costume contest? You can snap digital images and run the slide show format with your rental projector. Let party guests vote on their favorite costumes and award prizes.
However you decide to use a rental projector, you’re sure to love the fun and extra enhancements it adds to any Halloween celebration. Trust Projector123.com for all your projector rental needs. Click here now to reserve for Halloween 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.
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