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The use of visual information in a classroom
presentation was once a burdensome task requiring advanced preparation
of slides, overhead projector materials, and a large cumbersome projection
system. Not any more…
Advances in presentation
technologies have led to the emergence of high performance
and portable presentation solutions. Academic communication
has never been so easy and informative. Today’s projector systems are light-weight, easy to transport and operate, and provides the performance to keep your audience engaged.
Want to keep your students
informed with the most current activities? Use the
latest in LCD monitors for displaying up-to-date
and continuously changing student activities. Monitors
are easily mounted on the wall for easy viewing.
Our Learning Center
will introduce you to the presentation technologies,
what presentation technology makes sense for your
classroom or auditorium, provide examples of usage
and help connect you with the right dealer to assist
you in making your final decision to purchase a presentation
product.
Basic
Projector Technology – How Projectors Work
The
operation of today's classroom projector systems is
based on receiving an electric signal (either analog
or digital) from a data source (computer, VCR, DVD,
etc.) transforming the signal into an image, and projecting
the image onto a screen. To do this, the signal must
first be converted into a digital signal. If sent as
analog, it is passed through an analog-to-digital signal
converter. The digital signal is now ready to be
processed into an image for projection. Currently,
there are two technologies used in business and
home theater projectors to display images: liquid-crystal
display (LCD Projector) and Digital Light Processing® (DLP
Projector).
LCD Projection
With
LCD technology, the digital signal is processed
to polysilicon panels. A light source is passed through
a series of dichroic mirrors to separate the various
color wavelengths and then through the polysilicon
panels where activated pixels process the light
into a final compiler before projection through the
lens and onto the screen.
DLP® Projection
Using
DLP® technology, the digital signal is processed
to a DMD® chip.
The light source is passed through a color wheel and onto the DMD® chip,
and is then reflected off the chip through the lens and onto the
screen. The introduction of this rather new technology has led to
the further miniaturization of business and home theater projector
systems.
Questions
To Ask Before You Buy a Projector
Consider asking the following
question when selecting a projector for your classroom
or auditorium.
Portability
and Weight
To
determine the acceptable size and weight of a projector,
consider these usage questions.
- Will
the projector be used in more than one classroom?
If
so, then how will the projector be moved from one
location to the next?
- AV
Cart or Hand carrier?
If
the projector will be hand-carrier than a lighter
projector is recommended. If
the projector will be kept on an AV cart, than a
little large projector is acceptable.
Brightness
and Audience
In
order to determine the amount of ANSI lumens needed,
consider these lighting questions.
- How
much natural light is in the room?
- Will
the lights be turned down during lectures?
- Will
all the room lights be turned on?
- If
there are a lot of windows, are window shades used?
- On
average, how many people will be in the audience?
- How
will the audience be seated?
Unilaterally?
Stadium
style?
Connectivity
In
order to determine the number of data ports needed,
consider these data source questions
- How
many users will be connected to the projector
at one time?
- Will
multiple applications/data sources be used simultaneously
on the projector?
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