The Projector Blog

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.

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.

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?

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Short-Throw Projectors for Your Presentation Needs

Often, presentations are limited by their projectors. When presentation space is limited, presentors have to spend more time and effort setting up the projector to project an image the whole audience can see. Short-throw projectors can eliminate this problem.

A short-throw projector is any projector with a throw ratio less than 1. The throw ratio is the ratio of distance to projecting surface to the size of the projection; a projector with a throw ratio of 1 can project an 8 foot screen from 8 feet away. Ultra short-throw projectors have throw ratios less than 0.4.

Short-throw projectors are great for small venues. Because the projector can be much closer to the projection surface, the presenter can get closer to the image without casting a shadow. Also, when presentation space is limited, short-throw projectors may be the only way to project a screen large enough for the audience to see clearly.

Short- and ultra short-throw projectors typically come in the 2000 lumen range, such as the Epson PowerLite 410W. 2000 lumen projectors are recommended for presentations with audiences of up to 100 (visit us online for projector brightness guidelines). However, there are short-throw projectors available with 3500 lumens and beyond, such as the MP776 by BenQ.

Short-throw projectors are not much more expensive than their normal-throw counterparts. They may be just the solution you need for your next presentation.

For a quote on short-throw projectors, call 1-800-736-8772 today.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Two New 3D Projectors from Sanyo

Sanyo has just announced that they will be releasing two new ultra-short focus 3D projectors soon. The PDG-DWL2500 and the PDG-DXL2000 will be about half the size of most other ultra-short focus projectors and will have a multitude of features.

Ultra-short focus mirror projection technology, which has been recently developed, allows projectors to be operated at an extremely short distance from the screen or display surface. The PDG-DXL2000 needs only 15.1 inches to be able to project an 80 inch image and can display up to a 90 inch image. It features XGA resolution (1,024 x 768; 4:3 aspect ratio) with 2,000 lumens of brightness.

The PDG-DWL2500 can be only 12.6 inches away from its screen or display surface to be able to produce an 80 inch image. Sanyo claims that this is the shortest-throw projector to be found on the market today. The PDG-DWL2500 also has the ability to project up to an 110 inch image. It features WXGA resolution (1,280 x 800; 16:10 aspect ratio) with 2,500 lumens.

Both of the projectors use the Frame Sequential Display Format in order to present a 3D display. You use the Active Shutter 3D glasses that help to rapidly switch the display between the right and left eyes to have the 3D experience.

As mentioned above, these projectors are about half the size of the other projectors in their class. Both of the projectors measure 6.7 x 12.6 x 15.2 inches (HWD) and each weigh 14.3 pounds. Included with each projector is an onboard 10-watt audio amplifier and mono loudspeaker that feature a stereo mini-jack input and an RCA stereo input. This allows for the utilization of an external audio source.

Both of the projectors will be shown at the InfoComm 2010 that is being held in Las Vegas from June 9th to June 11th. The projectors are scheduled to be released sometime in July. The PDG-DWL2500 will be listed for $1,995, while the PDG-DXL2000 will cost $1,795. These projectors are taking us a step closer to the 3D universe that the entertainment world is so eager to promote.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

High Definition Projectors

Everywhere you turn these days, you see HD media. TVs, computer screens, and even projectors. Yes, high definition projector rentals are all the rage! An HD projector features a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and has full 1080p high definition. What does this mean? It means an HD projector looks amazing compared to your standard, every-day projector with an 800 x 600 resolution. If you're considering renting or buying an HD projector, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First of all, you'll want to look at the projector's performance. You want any projector you invest time and money into to have excellent sharpness and clarity. When compared to a non-HD image, the HD projector will always win when it comes to picture quality, but there are some HD projectors that can't handle a good HD image and in that event, the image will appear soft, blurry, or cloudy. Images from quality HD projectors can be compared to those of HD DVD, Blu-ray, or other HD technology.

You'll also want to look at the projector's de-interlacing capability. If your projector's de-interlacing capability is poor, you'll have flickering and motion artifacts. Any quality projector will only project a solid, stable, image.

Lumen output is important for having a brighter picture. If you want to use your projector in a well-lit room, you'll need one with higher lumens to avoid a dull, transparent-looking image. Contrast ratio, which measures the brightest white to the darkest black, is also important. The higher the contrast ratio, the bigger the difference and the more realistic your image will look. This is great for dark scenes and vibrant colors. In addition, black levels, which refer to how rich the blacks will be, are important. Lower black levels can turn black images gray.

Some projectors have loud fans and that may not seem like that big of a deal but when your projector is running in a quiet room, that fan can seem even louder. If a projector is used at its maximum settings, the lamp will require more cooling, sending the fan into high-gear. Most people don't consider this when looking into a projector, but it's something you'll want to test when making a purchase.

Other things to consider: zoom lens, lens shift, connectivity, compatibility, warranty, and definitely where the projector fits into your budget. If you consider all of these factors when renting or buying a new projector, you'll find that a HD projector will not only meet, but exceed your expectations.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Aaxa's New Laser Pico Projector

Aaxa's new L1 Laser Pico Projector is a little more expensive than most pico projectors, but a higher price doesn't necessarily mean higher quality. As CNET points out in their review of the projector, "Pico projectors were supposed to be the next big thing, but they haven't taken off as quickly as some might have thought. Part of the problem is that while they're tiny, they just can't produce a bright enough image to be that useful."

The new Aaxa Tech L1 laser pico projector is small - just 2.1 inches tall, 4.2 inches wide, .8 inches thick and weighs about 170 grams - and the battery provides you with 90 minutes of use. It has a 800 x 600 resolution, comes with a 2GB thumbdrive, and in turn, offers the ability to play files directly from a USB thumbdrive. It can display AVI, WMV, MP3, JPEG, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files.

The positive traits pretty much end there. You can connect the projector to your laptop with a VGA adapter that is included, however, the cable is not. There is no room for a memory card. The interface is awkward and not easy to use and according to CNET, the picture quality is awful. As they explain it, for that much of a price hike, you're going to expect better than average, but the new Aaxa projector runs just like any other old pico projector. They describe the picture as "noisy" with a shimmering effect.

In addition, you can't project an image more than 26 inches wide. When made bigger, the image loses its brightness and sharpness. However, CNET says the projector isn't bad, just nothing to get excited about. In their words, "...you can buy a half decent laptop or an iPad for about $600 and both will produce much better image quality."

The projector is an entry-level projector so with any luck, Aaxa's next model will be better...or at least less expensive.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Boost Your Marketing Campaign with a Projector Rental

There are so many different ways to run a good marketing campaign these days but if you're a part of a small or medium business team, chances are you don't have a lot of money to spend, especially with today's economy. Keeping up with the big guns, while staying on budget, can be tough. You can't afford fancy equipment, but without it, your presentation gets lost in the mix. Fortunately there's a solution for your business marketing campaign needs: projector rentals.

Projector rentals are inexpensive compared to buying a projector. Why spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on technology you will only use a few times a year? When you rent a projector, you can pay daily or weekly rates, paying only for the time you need it. Renting a projector also helps you keep up with the latest technology. Say you buy a projector in 2010 and use it for a trade show in August and a big business meeting in December. By the time you use it again in 2011, there will be better quality projectors on the market and the projector you purchased will be outdated.

And of course one of the best features of a projector rental is how much time it can save you during your marketing campaign. You need everything to be right when you make a presentation, and that takes a lot of time and hard work. Do you really want to spend hours carrying your projector from place to place and trying to figure out how to set it up, what cord goes where, how it works, and where to plug it in? When you rent a projector from a rental firm such as RentOurProjectors.com, we deliver the projector of your choice to your destination, set it up, and when you're finished, we can get it and take it away so you don't have to.

Not sure how you can take advantage of a projector rental in your marketing campaign? The possibilities are endless! Projectors are ideal for making presentations at corporate meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and trade shows.

Whether you're indoors or outdoors, presenting to a dozen people or 1,000, there is a projector rental that's right for you. At RentOurProjectors.com, our Tech Travel Agents are waiting to take your calls, to help you find the right projector for your budget and to help make your marketing campaign a success! Call us at 800-736-8772 for a free quote, or visit our website today!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Canon's New Medical LCoS Projector

Canon has a new LCoS projector and it's aimed at medical professors. It has the ability to display CAT Scans, X-rays, and MRIs on a screen larger than your average PACS monitor.

The REALiS SX7 Mark II D will set you back a little less than $8,000, but it's great for hospitals, colleges, and medical offices.

Features include a screen size between 40 and 300 inches, contrast ratio of 1,000:1, brightness of 4,000 lumens, and SXGA+. The projector uses DCIM to display CAT Scans, MRIs, and X-rays, which is what makes it different from its predecessor, the REALiS SX7 Mark II. This projector has the ability to reproduce black and white images in different lighting conditions. It also offers 21 gray scale tone settings, as well as 1.7x/12x digital zoom, a 3.9 to 29.5 foot throw distance, digital image shift, a 1 watt mono speaker, quite mode, and support for Adobe RGB.

The projector has a 3,000 hour lamp life and includes a number of input and output options, including component input, composite, DVI-I 29 pin, RCA, three stereo audio inputs, analog PC out, stereo audio output and RS-232.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Different Types of Projectors You Can Rent

So, you've made the decision to rent a projector. Maybe you're using it for a big business presentation or to train new employees, or maybe it's not business-related and you're using it for an upcoming family reunion. But there are so many different types of projectors to choose from, how do you know which ones will fit your needs? Here is a look at a few different types of projectors that you can rent from RentOurProjectors.com.

Ultra Portable Projectors: If you haven't noticed, technology seems to get smaller and smaller every year. People are giving up desktops for laptops and turning to mobile phones to do things they would have done on a computer just a few years ago. Well, the same can be said for projectors. Many projectors weigh less than four pounds (with some even weighing 1.5 pounds) and are so small they fit in the palm of your hand. They are high-quality, just because you go for a smaller size, doesn't mean you are compromising your picture, and easy to use if you have to move from place to place.

High Definition Projectors: When it comes to TV and computer monitors, HD is all the rage and the same can be said for projectors. High Definition projectors have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and 1080p. While a standard 800 x 600 projector may look good, an HD projector will look amazing. If you want to impress people with extremely clear, sharp images, HD is the way to go.

DVD Projectors: DVD projectors are pretty self-explanatory. If you have a DVD you want to show to a large group, these are great alternatives. Teachers use them to show DVDs to their classrooms and families use them for parties or family night. Smaller venues who can't afford to buy fancy equipment often depend on DVD projectors when the need to play a DVD arises.

Wireless Projectors: A wireless projector allows you to connect to a computer (or several computers) via Wi-Fi. These are great for computer lab-style classrooms and training sessions because users can make presentations from any computer in a room or toggle back and forth between multiple computer sources. It also allows you to to make a presentation without worrying about annoying cables and your proximity to your source.

DLP Projectors: If you need to make an animated presentation, a DLP projector is the right choice for you. These high-quality projectors can project images at near 35mm or 70mm film quality without negative effects such as film scratches and "screen door" effects. Pictures are smooth and high-contrast.