Projector Throw Distance Calculator

Grant's Perspective on ... the Projector Throw Distance Calculator that works!

Epson has posted a Projector Throw Distance Calculator that I really like. This Flash based tool lets you input basic information such as the room ceiling height, screen format and desired image size. You select an Epson projector model and the calculations are made.

This app comes in handy particularly for the Epson Bright Link projectors.  These are the HOT, HOT, HOT ultra-short throw, high-performance projector & interactive pen combination units.  They integrate interactive functionality in one machine without the constraints or expense of an interactive whiteboard.  As a result you get one of largest interactive learning areas available, in a wide screen format (which is why they are a HOT item) without paying a premium for size.

The calculator provides two room views (see graphic below) of a Bright Link ultra-short throw installation. This gives a clear understanding how close an ultra-short throw projector is to the wall and screen.

Note the two arrows in the top left area of the room layout.  Your mouse can quickly adjust the projector's distance from the wall and the floor to ceiling distance, to see the relationships of projector placement and projected image location. 

You can enter the info manually.  This is beneficial if you are projecting onto an existing whiteboard as the screen size is known.  The calculator even provides the measurement for the mount location.  Time is saved and the install is done correctly.

It also allows you to change the aspect ratio for 4:3, 16:9 and 16:10.  I would use this when someone has a section of bare white wall they want to make interactive but are restricted on one side by perhaps a filing cabinet or window frame, and the lower level by perhaps wainscoting.  Using the calculator, I can demonstrate that the now common 16:10 format will fit.

Give it a try!

Grant

Wedding Reception Videoconference

Grant's Perspective on ... wedding receptions via videoconference.

I don't think I would do this on purpose but with the volcano disrupting people's travel plans worldwide, it's nice to see technology coming to the rescue enabling a bride and groom to attend their own wedding reception.

They married in Australia and stranded in Dubia, while their reception was in London.

Grant

Creative Projector Mount

Grant's Perspective on ... an amusing way to mount a projector.

One of the Inland AV Winnipeg staff sent me this picture.

He was participating in a lunch and learn presentation at a downtown restaurant. The venue had an old Sony 1040 video projector hanging from the ceiling. His first thought was "Wow, some of these dinosaurs are still working!" This quickly became "I don't remember these 3 tube projectors being so crisp and bright, especially on the edges."

A closer look left him laughing as the old 1040 was not working and a new LCD projector was gaff taped on top of the old projector. See the picture below with the 1040 turned around and an LCD projector taped on top of the 1040.

What a novel approach!

I think this is one to submit to the ChiefMounts Canada "bloopers" page.

Grant

Projector Selection Calculator

Grant's Perspective on ... choosing the right projector.

Many of our clients ask me what the best projector is. The answer usually starts off with "that depends on what you need." With so many different types of projectors and options to choose from where do you start? The first step is to understand and define your requirements.

Digital Projection, one of the projector manufacturers represented at Inland AV, has posted the Projector Toolbox to help people understand what their specifications should be.

The great thing about this calculator is it is very easy to use. Choose the application for the projector such as Corporate Boardroom, Education: K-12, Small Home Theatre, etc. You then choose an ambient room brightness. You do not need any technical expertise as they use plain language examples. You are then asked about the screen size and format that you want and the Digital Projection recommendations are delivered.

The recommended projectors are naturally Digital Projection products but the results include the general specifications that you should be looking for.

This is a great tool and available to anyone with no registration required.

Grant

Hiding Amplifiers & Speakers

Grant's Perspective on ...

Last weeks short blog post on hiding cables was straight forward - keep cables out of sight.  This post is about what I call making a "clean" installation.

For example, take the basic ceiling mounted projector installation.  The projector becomes a fixture within the room once it's installed. I strongly believe it's important any additional peripherals take the same route and become "built into" the room.  An audio system (amplifier and speakers) are common AV peripherals  included on many projector installations.

Utilizing a very small sized but powerful amplifier that can be tucked up onto the projector mount hardware eliminates a wall mounted audio rack within the room, or a mixer amp placed haphazardly on a table, filing cabinet or hidden in a credenza under the coffee mugs.

There are many options when selecting speakers.  A pair of speakers can be wall mounted on either side of the screen, one or more flush-mounted speaker(s) in the ceiling, or a speaker designed to look like a ceiling tile (usually used in boardrooms for aesthetics).  These speakers are all driven from the small amp located on the projector mount and therefore the cables are also hidden above the ceiling. See a photo of a ceiling tile speaker below.

Another neat & tidy peripheral is a simple control system.  The keypad and controller are both housed as a single device and is flush mounted in the wall similar to a light switch.  The controller eliminates the need for the projector's remote control (which ultimately gets lost) making it easy for presenters to locate the controller on the wall and take control of the primary control functions: projector ON/OFF, input selection (COMPUTER, DVD, LAPTOP, etc), VOLUME UP / DOWN; and perhaps a few more: VIDEO MUTE or SCREEN UP / DOWN.  They may even perform an auto-shut down of the projector and more sophisticated systems can control lighting and HVAC.  This saves lamp life and energy - how green is that?! See a picture of a simple Extron wall plate style controller below.

These inexpensive solutions both contribute to a "clean" installation.  Basically nothing is loose in the room. You could remove all the furniture to create an entirely empty room yet still have a presentation!

Grant

Hide Your AV Cables

Grant's Perspective on ... keeping the room neat and tidy.

While cables are required to connect an AV systems components together I sure don't want to see them cluttering up a room.

There are many different ways to hide cables. There are solutions for hiding cables under floors, boardroom tables and behind walls.

When doing a major renovation there is an opportunity to run the cables under the floor. This was a part of the Regina Henry Baker Hall renovation. The cables run under the floor so they are out of sight yet accessible so that as new technology becomes available cables can be added for system upgrades.

A July 22, 2009 post reviewed the AMX  HydraPort  and my June 9, 2009 post discusses keeping the boardroom table free of cables.

When cables have to be run up a wall it is best to put them inside the wall. This is not always possible so the next best solution can be to run a channel up the wall to keep the cables as neat as possible. See the picture below with the white channel hiding the video monitor cables.

With some planning you can keep cables out of sight improving the aesthetics and functionality of a room.

Grant

Epson BrightLink Canadian Pricing

Grant's Perspective on ... the Epson BrightLink Canadian pricing is announced.

 Epson Canada has announced the pricing for the Brightlink 450Wi interactive projector. Educational pricing under the Brighter Futures program is also available.

Contact your closest Inland AV location for pricing and then you can complete your own "Do the Math" worksheet I posted last week.

Grant

Epson BrightLink 450Wi Brochure Now Available

Grant's Perspective on ... new Epson BrightLink brochure is now available for download.

I have been amazed at the buzz that the Epson Brightlink interactive projector has been generating. I can't believe the number of readers who have come to my blog with "Epson BrightLink" as their keyword search.

Epson has published a new "BrightLink 450Wi One Simple Solution" brochure. This 18 page brochure covers the features, benefits and includes a "Do the Math" worksheet.

We are all waiting for the official release (and Canadian pricing) of the BrightLink in the next few weeks. I was one of the lucky ones who had a chance to see the projector first-hand at the Inland AV Open House in Winnipeg and can't wait to start having them delivered.

Grant

AV Control Systems Save Money and the Environment

Grant's Perspective on ... programming upgrades to save electricity and extend projector life.

 “What are you doing for a blog this week?” a co-worker asked me at lunch time today. As I have more work on my plate than anyone can possibly handle, I wondered how to fit it in.  He responded with, “Write about what you’re doing this week”

I quickly realized the programming upgrades I’m currently involved with are worth mentioning.  Reason being?  These upgrades save operation costs and are “green”.

The upgrades to four systems were an extension of a feature that I often build into a control system.  The daily automatic shutdown of the projectors.  Obviously a smart thinking client!  In some systems I have built in two daily shut downs - just in case someone turns it back on.

Now if someone leaves the projector on, which happens very frequently in meeting facilities, the owner of that projector can rest assured it will not run all night.  Even worse, the next day too!  Triply worse, an entire weekend!!! (note the 3 exclamation points).  Running a projection lamp is like putting gas in your car, it’ll eventually run out. It’s an obvious point anyone would want to save gas.  Also, it’s very “green” as they won’t be unnecessarily using electricity and prematurely wearing out equipment.

Saving money and the environment, that is smart thinking.

Grant 

Webcast Presentations: Digital Projection, Kramer & BrightLink 450Wi

Grant's Perspective on ... Inland AV Open House Seminar Webcast

The Inland AV February 12, Open House event in Edmonton included 3 seminars that were webcast live. The presentations have been archived and are now available for on-demand viewing.

The 3 seminars are:

1 -Digital Projection Overview - Paul Gomes, Digital Projection
2 -  Analog to Digital Transition and Your AV Investment -  Ed Tchoi, Future Image Systems
3 - Epson BrightLink 450Wi: The New Interactive Projector - Jared Scott, Epson Canada

Click here and you will go to the webcast registration page (screen capture below).  Register and you will access the webcast lobby page. Click on "watch now" (I encourage you to view with the Explorer browser and watch the Silverlight formatted presentations) and the webcast window will open. Use the index points drop down menu (bottom left hand corner of the webcast screen) to go directly to any of the 3 seminars.

The screen capture below is from the Epson BrightLink 450Wi seminar. Jared Scott, Epson Canada introduces and demonstrates the new interactive projector.

In addition to the content of the webcasts, I wanted to mention that webcasting is a service of the Inland AV Rentals department. Webcasting extends the reach of a live event offering a great ROI.

Grant