Powerpoint Projectors - Presentations using video or data Projector

Powerpoint projectors - beamer presentations / projector presentation / boardroom projections

Powerpoint projectors are essentially video projectors with a data input. These are often referred to as "data projectors", although in the modern age the two terms are interchangeable as it is almost impossible to buy a video projector which is not also a data projector.

Powerpoint projectors come in various different types and resolutions which we will explain next. The follow terms used to describe projectors actually refer to the projection technology used in creating the image: LCD, DLP, CRT & LCOS. For the purposes of most powerpoint presentations which technology is used is irrelevant and therefore we will skip any further explanation for the moment (more detail can be found here).

SVGA powerpoint projector Powerpoint projectors (as mentioned in the previous paragraph) come in various resolutions which can be of importance to powerpoint users, depending upon the source material. Projector Resolution (see Webopedia for more) equates to computer screen resolution. A pixel is the smallest individual unit of display on a screen (or projector) and resolution is measured in the number of pixels (dots) wide by the number of dots high. We have commonly seen SVGA (800 x 600) and XGA projectors (1024 x 768) computer monitors and prowerpoint projectors but the pace of technology change, with the advent of HDTV and widescreen formats have seen a number of new formats (screen resolutions) becoming available. For a full list of screen resolutions please click here. For optimum projection quality your powerpoint presentation resolution should match that of you projector although for most material any good projector will reinterpret a non native source with only a minor reduction in image quality.

NOTE: Powerpoint picks up its resolution from the operating system, in Windows XP you can view / change this by selecting "Appearance and Themes" in Control Panel. Adjust the slider under "screen resolution". Windows 2000 users should open "Display" in control panel, and then change "Screen area", found under the "Settings" tab.

Setting Up Your Powerpoint Projector - For a perfect setup your projector should be located twice as far back from the screen (or surface) as your image is wide. Where this is not possible adjustment can be made using digital or optical zoom where fitted. Optical zoom is preferable as digital zoom will deteriorate image quality - only the cheapest projectors are fitted with only digital zoom (TAKE NOTE!). The projector lens should be level with the bottom of the screen, and placed at 90degrees to the centre of screen. Placing the projector off of this line will result in "keystoning" which is seen as a non-rectangular (ie. distorted) image. It is possible to compensate for this on all but the cheapest projectors, some may offer only "vertical keystone correction" or "horizontal keystone correction". Again this introduces distortion and should be avoided if at all possible.

Screen Dimensions: Standard presentations will be in 4x3 format, meaning that the screen wide & height are always in a 4x3 ratio. Wide screen is in 16x9 ratio (widescreen resolutions are usually depicted by a 'W' prefix). It is worth noting that size and image brightness are inversely related given a specific projector, ie. using a larger screen will diminish image brightness. A 4 or 5 foot screen is generally suitable for usage with a 1500 lumen projector is a presentation of up to about 30 people. Larger screens and audiences would generally require a brighter projector although everything is relative, with light conditions and subject material being of importance. Users should consider transportation when choosing a screen to use as it would be a tight squeeze indeed to get a 6 footer into a Mini Cooper (a silly example, but one which has occurred nonetheless).

Powerpoint Projectors & Audio considerations: For any presentations requiring audio playback it is worthwhile noting most modern boardroom powerpoint projectors do not have any serious audio playback capability, being roughly comparable to cheap in-built laptop speakers so we would advise use of an external speaker system - Often a set of powered computer speakers will do, for larger presentations then sound systems can be provided by arrangement. In addition to powerpoint projectors we stock a range of useful accessories such as tripod screens, dvd players and appropriate cables (Basic cabling is provided free of charge with a hire, extra charges will be incurred for any unusual requirements).

Delivery of boardroom powerpoint projectors Aberdeen: In general we prefer that clients collect & return the projectors from our central Aberdeen office premises by arrangement although we can arrange delivery & collection although there will be charge (variable depending upon location & times). Our standard payment terms are full payment upon collection for non account customers. For corporate customers a pro forma invoice can be issued. we will require written confirmation of hire on headed notepaper to confirm a boardroom powerpoint projector hire, and clients will be asked to provide proof of identity & address.

In addition to our standard of stock of boardroom powerpoint projectors we can offer a number of other services. Please note that we have offices in both Edinburgh and Glasgow and that through our Edinburgh offices we can provide data projector sales at competitive prices. We are able to offer short run CD & DVD authoring & duplication (autoplay, looping DVDs are possible and commonly asked for in many applications). We are are able to provide custom gobo (logo) projection services, both equipment hire / sales / install and gobo generation form your artwork. We are able to provide full event, concert, stage, exhibition & conference lighhting & production facilities, both in Edinburgh & Glasgow - Please call us for more details - we'll be happy to quote on most jobs - Click here to view our Edinburgh based dry hire lighting stock and a brief description of the services we can provide.