10 Great Tips for Using a Projector

1. Handle with Care. Try not to move the projector while it's on. Many projectors and their parts are sensitive to movement, especially the lamp. One wrong move can damage your equipment and even cause it to crash.

2. Turn your projector off before connecting cables. The signal cable carries a current and if your projector is on when the cable is connected, the difference in the current can damage your projector or burn out the lamp.


3. Leave the projector plugged in for at least three minutes. After you turn your projector off, it's still pretty hot and the fan will run to cool the lamp off. If you unplug it, the fan stops, and not allowing the lamp to cool can make its life shorter and even damage it.


4. Use economy mode when possible. Any projector with over 2,000 lumens usually has economy mode. This simply means you can lower the brightness to save power and lengthen the life of your lamp when your event does not require full brightness.


5. Keep your lens clean. After a while, dust build up can effect the quality of your projector. Use a microfiber cloth to keep your lens cleaned on a regular basis.


6. Use the projector is suitable conditions. This simply means don't use the projector in too hot or too cold temperatures, or in excessively dusty or moist areas.


7. Keep your filter clean. If your projector has a dust filter and it has been in use for a while, dust can build up and block the filter, which can ultimately effect cooling. Keeping your filter clean will keep everything running smoothly.


8. Store your projector properly. Keep your projector in a cool, dry place and make sure it is safe from dust build-up.


9. Wait for the projector to warm up. It can take 30-90 seconds for your projector to warm up and display an image so make sure you give it ample time before getting started with your presentation.


10. Get the right amount of lumens. If you are not sure about how many lumens you want, you'll have to decide how large the area where you are using the projector is to be sure. Most practical projectors are 1,000-2,000 lumens. If you're audience is less than 100 people, you probably don't want to go over 3,000 lumens, but for over 100, you'll probably want to look into 5,000 lumens. If you're planning an extra large event, such as a conference or convention, you may want 6,000 or more lumens.