DIB Australia Projectors and Plasma Data Displays

hints, tips and common LCD/DLP classroom PROJECTOR MISTAKES FOR NEWBIES
1. Automatic projection screens – don’t forget.
	Automatic (motorised) LCD/DLP projection screens can be very useful and will vastly simplify the operation of your system as well as protect valuable screens from damage after use (they do not get left down). When thinking about a projector installation you should consider whether you might still want to use older technologies such as slide projectors or overhead projectors (OHP). If you do then you will require a manual override in order to use the one screen for both purposes.
2. Screen ratio size - is it right for your application.
	Many customers have old existing screens installed in their classrooms and they see this as an area in which they can save money by making use of there existing screens. The danger here is that typically these screens will be 1:1 ratio meaning they are square format. Also typically these screens can be quite small. Being square in ratio means that the modern projector will not fill the entire screen, but rather you will have a gap at the top and bottom. This is because the modern data/video projector is either a 4:3 ratio or 16:9 ratio. This ratio is a measure of screen proportion from width to height. So 4:3 means for every 4 parts wide, the screen will be 3 parts high. So a 100cm wide screen will be 75cm high. If you look at your computer screen or even your television screen and observe the height vs. width of the picture you will find that most computer and TV screens are in this ratio. Ideally when undertaking a proector installation you will want your new projection screen to match the ratio of the image that you will mostly be projecting. This means for video and PC use, you will mostly be using 4:3 ratio. Only in the instance of modern movies will you be employing wide screen or 16:9 ratio images. If the primary role of your projector is NOT to display the latest widescreen movies then you should normally install a 4:3 ratio screen and/or projector.
3. Remote controls can cause trouble.
	In most schools the use of an IR remote control to activate and setup the projector can cause a problem. In the first instance a problem occurs if and when the remote is lost, misplaced or stolen (without a remote any operation is very difficult - assuming the projector is installed on your ceiling). Even if you have the remote; these controls can be complicated and difficult to operate for some users. The original remote control lets people deliberately or accidentally access setup functions. It is not hard for people to get themselves into a mess with the projector setup adjusted and wrong input selected. Often this will require the assistance of a person more familiar with projectors to sort out. Often the problem is as simple as having two computer screen inputs on the projector and the operator has chosen input #2 when they needed input #1. Either way, valuable class time is wasted, confidence is lost in the technology and a 3rd persons valuable time is wasted. All of this can be overcome with a simple six button wall control panel being included in the projector installation process. Although these projector control panels are an investment in the beginning, they save many hours over the life of the LCD/DLP projector.
4. Projectors have a lifespan:
	Like all modem electronic devices, LCD/DLP projectors have a limited lifespan. They also have consumable electronic parts (the lamp specifically). A projector lamp will typically last (depending upon the model) 1500 – 3000 hours. Used wisely, many schools will get several years of operation before they must replace lamps. LCD/DLP Projector lamps can cost many hundreds of dollars (again depending upon the model). The projector itself deteriorates over an extended period of time. How much the equipment will deteriorate depends on how it is operated and whether it is maintained. Correct operation and installation coupled with correct maintenance will extend the life of your projector. Ambient room temperature is a key issue which is often overlooked. All projectors have a suggested operating range which should be carefully observed and adhered to.
5. Correct operation extends lifespan.
	There are a number of factors which makeup correct operation, but there are a couple of simple rules which will extend the life of your projector. The smaller, more portable projectors are generally designed for shorter durations of use. This may be in the order of a few hours at a time. The larger projector units designed for installation and ceiling mounts are better suited for extended operation. Many projectors should NOT be run beyond 10 hours in a single instance of use. Ambient air temperature and good ventilation is very important to a LCD/DLP projector. This is because a key factor for projector health is heat (it should be minimised). All LCD/DLP projectors have an operating temperature range and typically the maximum air temperature is about 35-40 degrees. This means that the air circulating through a projector should not be warmer than this. Proper design and installation is important, as these temperature issues need to be taken into consideration. If a security cage or other type of enclosure is used when completing an instalation, ventilation may be reduced and self circulation of air may increase, resulting in higher ambient air temperatures entering the projector.
6. Projectors get left on.
	Installed projectors can be left on by accident as a person finishes using a room. This can cause excessive operation and can decrease the lifespan of the projector and its lamp. Solutions exist to ensure that a projector is turned off even if the operator forgets.
7. Many projectors have poor sound reproduction.
	Sound is a secondary issue for many projectors and their built in speakers can be poor. Installing a projector into a classroom without additional sound support can limit the use and function of the room. Video or DVD sound may be difficult to hear and may frustrate students and teachers alike. A range of solutions exists to ensure that sound reproduction is clear and enjoyable no matter what the presentation.
8. Initial installations can set precedents.
	It is important to remember that for many customers their initial installations may set precedents in the minds of facilitators as to what a system can do and what sort of investment it might require. Installing a minimalist approach from the start can limit ones ability to change the approach should the projector system not provide the benefits and results you had expected later.
9. Simple is best.
	It has most definitely been our experience that the simpler we can make a system, the more it will be utilised and therefore the more valuable it becomes to the organisation. It is with this in mind that DIB has created a large range of projection installation options. In all cases we have simplified system operation foremost in our minds.
10. Most projectors have different mounts for bracket attachment.
	This is why at DIB Australia we endeavour to use ‘Universal’ mount brackets. If you use a ceiling mount which is custom made ONLY for the projector you have now, the mount will then have to be changed should you wish to swap the projector over (for repair) or even should you upgrade at a later date.
11. Projector and screen positioning is very important.
	The decision on where to place a LCD/DLP projector should be based on many factors, not the least of which is what is most appropriate for your audience. Other considerations will be what will maximise the useable space in the room, how the ambient light can best be managed and what will produce the best picture on the screen. Moving a projector screen slightly can vastly improve the picture depending upon the circumstance.
12. Projector brightness effects image quality.
	This is probably obvious for many, but the brighter the projector (amongst other factors) the more capable the unit is of dealing with the presence of ambient light and/or producing a larger projected image. Care should be taken to have the projector demonstrated to you prior to purchase and installation, as not all brightness levels are reported equally by manufacturers. Also brightness is NOT the only factor in determining picture quality. Other factors such as resolution and contrast ratio play a big part also.
13. Wireless is not wireless without limits.
	Presently there are a number of wireless projectors available. It should be noted that they still need power and so unlike laptops are not completely wireless. Also the simplicity of connecting a wireless projector to PC varies significantly from one model to the next; as does the performance. Typically they are good for still picture or text but not adequate for video or other multimedia sources. This will no doubt change as LCD/DLP projector technology advances. Pictured the EPSON EMP-835 wireless projector
14. What cables to install.
	Remember when installing a projector that cabling is most economically completed during the initial installation. To come back weeks or months later and install additional cables will be prohibitively expensive in most cases. The solution is to pay careful consideration to what applications you might use the projector for. If you are planning PC use only, but video display is a possibility, then you would ideally install the cables now, even if you don’t plug into them and don’t use them right away. You will have the flexibility now and will definitely save money over doing it later.
15.	OTHER USEFUL LINKS
	Epson projector buyer guide: Before you buy that projector.

If you would like to find out how D.I.B Australia can provide a complete projector installation setup contact a Solutions Consultant on (03) 9457 4800 or service@dibaustralia.com.au

D.I.B Australia Hints, Tips and Common LCD/DLP Classroom Projector Mistakes