The Projector Blog: July 2010

Thursday, July 29, 2010

New HD Projector Screen from Screen Innovations

If you are one of those people out there who loves to watch movies at home via projector, just as if you were at the movies, then take a moment to examine your projector screen. If you are noticing ridges, waves, bumps or any type of texture whatsoever then it is high time you upgrade. And if you have a 1080p high definition projector then there is no excuse, you HAVE to upgrade.

But you may be asking yourself, "Upgrade to what?" Well that is a very good question and thanks to the brilliant minds over at Screen Innovations we now have an answer: HD projection screen material. Yeah, you just read that right. Specialized projection screen material specifically designed for HD viewing.

The thing is, screen texture can have a serious affect on your HD viewing. If your screen has too many bumps and ridges in it then you can expect your picture quality to diminish making it seem softer. The standard screen you have hoisted up on your wall now could actually be holding your 1080p projector back. Thankfully we all have Screen Innovations.

Screen Innovations has developed a new embossed HD projector screen material that is completely smooth to the human eye. This new screen gives you the ultimate HD projector viewing experience. And for those of you that like options, Screen Innovations has developed multiple HD screens including the popular Solar and Gamma fixed screens as well as Screen Innovation's motorized line.

Pricing on these screens, however, can get a little steep. A 39.3"x69.8"x80.1" Gamma Fixed Screen can run up to $1,200, a 45.2"x80.3"x92.15" Solar Fixed Screen can run up to $1,500 and a 45"x80"x91.79" Motorized Screen can run you up to $1,700. All of these screens are available now.

Looking for an Affordable LCD Projector Rental then call 800-736-8772 today. Ask about the newest type of projector whose appeal is "all in the mirrors" and see if a DLP Projector Rental is right for you.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

New Hybrid Light Source from Casio

Casio’s new Green Slim Projectors have the potential to change the projector world. They have discovered and produced the first mercury-free light source that is completely capable of high-brightness projection. This is definitely a finding that is going to draw a lot of attention.

So what’s the difference between the mercury lamps and the new Casio Green Slim Hybrid light source? Well, I’m glad that you asked! Mercury lamps are the light source that comes standard right now in most home theater and business projectors. When it comes to brightness, mercury lamps certainly deliver, but one of the big issues with this type of light source is that it needs to be replaced about every 3,000 hours. These lamps also have the potential to leak harmful materials into the ground if they are not disposed of correctly.

There are other light sources that certain projectors utilize such as LED and lasers, but these sources have their share of issues as well. Although these sources are much better for the environment, until recently they could not be used as a light source except for very small, low lumen projectors. For some reason, people couldn’t figure out how to get the color green to project with these light sources. A high-output method could not be discovered to mass produce the green lighting.

So how has Casio changed all of this around? Well their new Hybrid light source utilizes a laser, a fluorescent element, and an LED. The results of this intriguing combination are a clear, crisp, 2,000 to 2,500 lumen picture. Unlike mercury lamps, Casio’s new Hybrid light source doesn’t burn out. It is estimated that after 6,000 hours of use it could save the average user close to $800 over a projector using a mercury lamp. This isn’t the only thing that’s great about the new projector with the Hybrid light source. There is also an instant off function so you don’t have to wait for the projector to cool down, the projector and light source are backed by a 3-year warranty, it’s the thinnest high brightness projector available, it weighs a mere 5 pounds, and it features a USB host function, wireless PC communication capabilities, and a HDMI terminal.

The new line of Green Slim projectors from Casio starts at only $799. These are projectors that are definitely worth looking into.

Check out the other new projector technology that is emerging right now.

Source: The Projector People
Looking to rent a projector? Check out rentacomputer.com for all of your projector rental needs.

Friday, July 23, 2010

IMAX's Laser Projector Plan

According to the Wall Street Journal, IMAX is teaming up with Laser Light Engines, a small start-up company that develops laser light sources. The two companies' partnership would make IMAX an investor in Laser Light Engines. Just how much of an investment was made was not disclosed, however it is known that Laser Light Engines would provide its technology exclusively to IMAX for two years and would not offer it to any other large-format operators for three years.

One reason IMAX is turning to laser is because it should prove to be cost-effective. The company currently uses digital dual-projectors to lower costs, but the larger screens are still film-based and that can be extremely expensive. Another reason the company is hoping to switch to laser is brightness.

Richard Gelfond, CEO of IMAX, told the Wall Street Journal, "What Laser Light brings to us is not only the ability to do larger screens in digital, which we've been unable to do before, but also to create brighter images in our existing theaters."

IMAX movies are known for bright lights and brightness is key for 3D production because 3D glasses "degrade the light and imagery projected on the screen," according to the Wall Street Journal. Gelfond also noted that IMAX looked into several different types of technology before settling on laser.

The company says that if its use of Laser Light is successful, the larger IMAX screens should switch to digital in the next couple of years. The hope is that the entire system will not have to be replaced and instead, they will be able to integrate the new light source into existing projectors.

Doug Darrow, CEO of Laser Light Engines, told the Wall Street Journal that his company's technology is ideal for 3D. He said that while all aspects of cinema have been modernized, light has not because the industry is still dependent on lamps as a light source. Darrow says his company's technology can "put up the best quality digital image in the world."

Check out these related stories:

1. Media Rentals

2. HD Projector Rentals

Monday, July 19, 2010

Emerging Projector Technology

Projectors just keep getting better and better. They are constantly being updated with the best and latest features. They’re getting so good that some are even nice enough to use as a home theater. There are 3D projectors, pico projectors, and projectors with gaming features. The issue is choosing the projector that works best for you. Some of the newest projectors to be released are the AAXA L1 Laser Pico Projector, the Optoma GT720, the Casio Green Slim XJ-A145U, and the Epson MovieMate 60. These projectors all feature the latest projector technology and could quite possibly be the perfect fit for you and your projector needs.

AAXA L1 Laser Pico Projector
From $599.99
The AAXA L1 is the first laser pico projector to combine red, green, and blue lasers with an LCOS chip. One of its amazing features is the fact that it automatically focuses from any distance. It also can easily project images from computers, video sources, and USB memory sticks. It can have some problems synching at some resolutions with certain computers, but that’s an easy problem to work around.

Optoma GT720
From $799.99
There really aren’t many gaming projectors available yet. The Optoma GT720 was specifically designed for gamers. It features a short throw, good audio quality, great brightness, and 3D capabilities. It is the perfect projector to display your PS3 or Xbox 360 games. Who wouldn’t love to play Red Dead Redemption or God of War III with a projector like this?

Casio Green Slim XJ-A145U
From $999.99
This DLP data projector has a long-lasting, eco-friendly light source that still provides high luminosity. This is accomplished with a certain type of hybrid technology that Casio uses in several of their projectors. It combines LED and laser light to have the high luminosity and a 20,000 hour lifetime. It also has very bright colors and is extremely lightweight.

Epson MovieMate 60
From $699.99
The Epson MovieMate 60 is the perfect instant home theater projector. The device contains a DVD player, stereo system, and 540p projector all in one. It doesn’t take up tons of room and set up is pretty simple. It’s great for all of your home theater needs.

These are just a few of the latest projectors. They are just a sample of all of the very different kinds of projectors that are beginning to emerge.

Looking to rent a projector? Check out rentacomputer.com for all of your projector rental needs.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Renting a Projection Screen: Things to Consider

So...you've got a big event coming up and you need to get prepared for it. You've got your PowerPoint ready to go and your company has a projector you can use - so all you need to do is rent a projection screen and you're set...right?

Well...how large is the room you are presenting in? What is the height of the ceiling? How many people are you presenting to? Is there a stage or will it be on ground level? How far will the projector be from the screen? Are you projecting from the front or do you need to project from behind the screen? How bright is the room and how much can you reduce the lighting if you need to? Are you presenting still slides, video, or perhaps both? Do you only need it for the day or will you need it for several days? Will you need the screen again anytime in the near future?

You might be asked any or all of these questions when you rent a projector screen...and they can be somewhat intimidating. There are lots of factors to consider, depending on the event. Choosing the right projection screen can be the difference between your presentation making an impact and having the screen be a distraction because your audience can't see what you are trying to show them.

Projection screens come in a variety of sizes from small tripod-types that can set on a tabletop or the floor to large movie-theater sized screens that spread the expanse of a stage. They also are made with a variety of different types of materials that can affect reflectivity, resolution, contrast, color uniformity, and viewing angle. So picking the right one isn't always as simple as it sounds.

Luckily, there are experienced tech-rental companies out there who know projection screens forwards and backwards...literally! From the smallest conference room meeting to large convention hall events, your rental agent can assist you in selecting the perfect screen for your needs. But it will help them to help you get the right screen for your presentation if you come armed with a few basic answers:

What is the size of your venue?
This is typically information any event venue can provide, complete with ceiling clearances and any other special considerations you may need to know about.

What is the size of your audience?
It makes a difference if you are presenting to 50 people or 500 or even 5000. In one case your audience might be sitting directly in front of the screen, where in others they might be spread out more to the sides where viewing angle might be affected.

When do you need it?
Sure, you might be thinking about only this one presentation on one specific day. But perhaps you are going to repeat the presentation several times over the course of the next few months? Or perhaps you need to travel to several different cities to do the presentation and don't want to lug the equipment around with you?

The size of your venue and size of your audience are probably the two most important considerations when it comes to screen rental. Most experienced rental companies can get a good idea of what you need based on those two factors.

Rental companies rent by the day, week and month. So knowing ahead of time if you will need the screen more than once may give your rental provider a way to save you money versus a typical daily rental.

You may be asked those other, more detailed questions as well - so be as prepared as possible to answer them. A good, experienced rental company will know when to ask them. For larger or specialty events, they may want to do a site visit to get more details to offer the best solution. But in most cases, having these three basic pieces of information will be exactly what they need to get you the right screen at the best rates.

So don't take short cuts when renting a projection screen. Be prepared with your event information in order to get the right projection screen for your event. In the end, it's not the screen you want them to notice...it's your presentation!

If you found this interesting then you may also like a story on how Companies are Losing Money on Problem Projectors. Check it out on the Computer Rental Blog.

Need to rent a Projector or Screen for your upcoming event? Call 800-736-8772 today and speak to an experienced Tech Travel Agent for all your a/v equipment needs!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

ViewSonic Announces 3D DLP Projector

Try turning on the t.v. or flipping through a newspaper or magazine and not seeing something about 3D technology. It's impossible. 3D is literally everywhere we look from movies to games to television to even ads and to be honest, it is becoming a little overwhelming. Every market for entertainment these days is getting its hands on 3D technology, including projectors.

3D projectors aren't something new. They have been around for a little bit so it isn't surprising when you hear about a company talking about their latest and greatest 3D projector. Well just like all the other companies out there, ViewSonic has just announced availability for their newest creation, a new 3D ready DLP projector.

ViewSonic's newest device comes to us under the name of the PJD6531w. This projector looks to be designed with both corporate and home theater use in mind and offers support for both NVidia 3D Vision and Texas DLP Link Technology. The PJD6531w has a native resolution of 1280x800 as well as a wide resolution to support any and all HD formats.

Inputs are always a good thing to have on your projector and the PJD6531w comes with a plethora of ports including spaces for HDMI and VGA as well as a port for speakers. Now I don't know about you but I like my games and movies to be loud, especially if I am going to be experiencing them in 3D. The PJD6531w does have internal 10 watt speakers but I would definitely recommend external speakers if you have the option.

It seems that if people aren't spouting off about 3D then they are talking about going "green". If you are one who not only cares about high quality 3D entertainment but also a more nature friendly approach to life then you will be pleased to know that the PJD6531w is energy efficient too. Eco Mode on the device will allow your lamp to have a good 6,000 hours of life. However, if you are really really environmentally friendly then you can switch over to the ecologically friendly viewing mode which will also reduce the PJD6531w's noise output.

According to Project Marketing Manager of ViewSonic Eric Willey, "As 3D technology becomes more mainstream, we have committed to offer our customer several 3D ready projection solutions that provide a dynamic and versatile viewing experience."

We shouldn't try to fight it any longer. 3D technology is becoming more mainstream by the day, just like smartphones and Blu-ray. With all the advancements being made in the field, it is only a matter of time before we no longer need screens or projectors. The PJD6531w 3D projector from ViewSonic is available now for $799.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Looking for a New HDTV? A Projector Could Be Your Best Bet

If you’re looking to buy a new HDTV, then really an HD projector and a good quality screen should be something that you consider. Think about it…a good HD projector can give a larger picture with a higher quality image for a much smaller price than most HDTVs.

Going to using a projector instead of an HDTV is really not that difficult of a switch. A projector is simply another display device just like a TV screen. Connecting another device, such as a Blu-ray player, gaming system, cable box, or iPod, is just as simple as if you were connecting them to a TV.

Sound is one thing that you may have to consider, as not all projectors include sound systems. Most likely whichever room your putting your projector in will already have a sound system in it, so if your projector doesn’t come with a built-in sound system, then you can easily hook your sound system up to your projector.

Another thing that many people don’t realize is that if you get the right kind of projector you will be able to have a bright, high contrast image even when you're in a well-lit room. There are screens that are able to efficiently and effectively swallow light in the room, enhance contrast, and make images brighter. You can find screens that will give you a quality image even when there is light in the room.

You can get a much larger display for a much smaller price when you go with a projector. There are even 3D projectors that are now beginning to emerge. Projectors can meet all of your HDTV needs. It might not be something that your interested in, but I think that it is definitely something to look further into.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Pico Projectors for Droids

The iPhone 4 has been all the rage lately, but did you hear about the latest Android feature coming from Samsung? The Samsung Galaxy Beam is going to have a tiny pico projector built in, which will project up to 50 inches away. Pretty neat, right?

The phone, which was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress this year, will go on sale next week in Singapore (only July 17) and later in the year, it will go on sale in Asia and Europe. Unfortunately, there is not yet a release date for North America. Even so, Droid fans are hoping the phones will be here soon because they have lots of cool features.

The smartphone will features version 2.1 of Android's Operating System. It's 0.6 inches thick and weighs 5.5 ounces. It's got a 3.7-inch Super AMOLED display, an 8-megapixel camera, a VGA quality lens in front for video chat, an integrated FM radio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS support.

But the most unique quality is the phone's built-in projector. The pico projector in the Beam is powered by Texas Instrument's DLP technology. It's not the first gadget to have a pico projector built in, it's not even the first Samsung device to incorporate a projector, but it's more-than-likely the first smartphone to have one and it probably won't be the last. Remember when cell phones with cameras were unique? Imagine what will happen when a person is able to stream a movie or television show from their phone to the wall when they have that desire?