Projector selection – Leave no stone unturned when it comes to projector selection.
Similar to power steering and air con in a car, these aspects can make your projector more manageable in presentation conditions.
Some of the aspects to keep in mind are:
Inputs: The projector you buy is not stand-alone. The chances are you want to connect it to a laptop or two, maybe a mouse, a VCR, or audio player to boot. Make sure you check that the different input and output options of the projector you decide to buy, will meet your connectivity needs.
Remote Control: The remote control that comes with the projector might not be the most important feature of the projector, it is important. It is important that your remote lets you control all the necessary features, without making it too complicated. Your remote should allow you to adjust audio volume, move between slides, switch between different inputs, laser point and use the zoom function. Infrared remotes are also an option, but just like TV remotes, they require a direct line of sight between the remote and the projector unit. Radio frequency remotes are being used more and more, as they don’t require a direct line of sight.
Picture Adjustment: Your projector selection should also allow you to adjust the brightness, sharpness and contrast. Also check that it has the “keystone" correction capability, as this allows you to setup your projector at an angle. It will then in return square up the borders of the picture and remove any distortion. Some of the better models allow you to setup different settings for each input source.
Projection Options: If you’re looking at permanent installations, you might want to consider a projector that can be adjusted for rear or inverse projection to make the projector less intrusive. Rear projection flips the image, so that it’s possible for you to position the projector behind the screen. Inverse projection on the other hand turns the image upside down for projectors that are mounted on a ceiling.
Memory: You might want to consider memory in your projector selection if you’re looking to give the same presentation to many different audiences. Memory presentations give you the functionality to run a previously stored presentation without a computer. You are able to simply insert a disk into the PC or a PC card into the PCMCIA slot, and do the presentation right away. This can result in a lot less luggage, should you travel extensively.