Presentation with a projector

  • Thread starter Thread starter Linda
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Linda

We are using PP at our congregation. The lights above the screen are turned
off but the lights in the auditorium are on. If all the lights are turned
off the projector screen slides look like the slide that is seen on the
laptop. With the lights on there is a remarkable difference in the colors
etc. You can't even see some of the background graphics. I have messed
with the contrast, color etc settings on the projector. Didn't know if
there is something specific I should be doing, or any changes that could be
made on the laptop that would improve things. The projector is a Sanyo and
I think about 5 years old. The laptop is running Win98, but am getting one
running XP.

Thank you,
Linda
 
Linda,
The projector is a Sanyo and I think about 5 years old.
Click to expand...
Has it had a new buld fitted in that lifetime?
The laptop is running Win98, but am getting one running XP.
Click to expand...
This will not make a difference to the projected image.
Didn't know if there is something specific I should be doing, or any changes that could be
made on the laptop that would improve things.
Click to expand...
There is nothing you can change on the laptop to improve the projecter.

What you need to do on the projector is...
Turn the contrast up to maximum
Turn the brightness up to what looks good
Make sure that there is no light spilling onto the projector screen (if possible)

Consider a new projector that has a better contrast ratio and one that is also brighter (measured using something called
ANSI or Lumens I think)

Cheers
TAJ Simmons
microsoft powerpoint mvp

awesome - powerpoint backgrounds,
free powerpoint templates, tutorials, hints and tips etc
http://www.powerpointbackgrounds.com
 
The projector is a Sanyo and I think about 5 years old.
Has it had a new buld fitted in that lifetime?
Click to expand...

Do you mean "bulb"? If so no it hasn't. There is an indicator light that
comes on when the bulb needs to be replaced and so far it hasn't come on.

Thank you,
linda
This will not make a difference to the projected image.

There is nothing you can change on the laptop to improve the projecter.

What you need to do on the projector is...
Turn the contrast up to maximum
Turn the brightness up to what looks good
Make sure that there is no light spilling onto the projector screen (if possible)

Consider a new projector that has a better contrast ratio and one that is
Click to expand...
also brighter (measured using something called
 
I have the Technical Specifications for the projector in front of me and I
don't see "lumens" listed anywhere. It is a Sanyo PLC-SP10N
It is ceiling mounted and the ceiling is at least 15-16'. The bulb has
never been replaced, but it is only used 2 hours/week for the past 5 years
so that is a little over 500 hours. We do have a new bulb so we can change
it and see if that helps.

As far as the lighting in the room. There are no windows and it really has
poor lighting. It is indirect lighting along the side walls.

Thanks,
Linda
 
I found these specs online for the Sanyo:
MSRP (USD) : $ 6,995
Brightness (Lumens) : 1250 ANSI
Contrast: ANSI: **
Full On/Off: 300:1
Lamp Life 1500 hours

Is this at the low end of Lumens?

Looks like I need to do some research.

Thanks,
linda
 
Sounds like you need a better projector. If your
projector is at least 5 years old...I am betting it is
less then 750 lumens. Is the projector ceiling mounted?
If so, it might actually be brighter then I am
guessing....but age is a factor on your lumens...unless
you spent some good money. The other issue is the bulb.
How old is the bulb? If you have tons of hours on it (and
it is low on the lumens), your image will suffer even
more.
You didn't really approach how well "lit" the room is...
If you are having problems with the brightness of the
image...the quickest solution is to close the blinds and
turn down or off the lights...put some lamps in the back
of the room if you have to...(of course, then you may not
see your speaker...)
 
Linda

You could just try changing the background of your slides to white or a
very pale color, and the text to black. That combination projects well
in a better lit room.

Terry
 
Linda,

This page gives guidance and what Lumens number to aim for depending on the lighting conditions....

http://www.projectorpeople.com/tutorials/bp_buyersguide.asp#brightness
a.. 800 lumens for lights-off, low ambient light, presentations
b.. 1000 lumens with some ambient light - becoming the standard
c.. 2000 lumens with bright ambient light
a.. 2500 lumens for audiences of less than a hundred with ambient light
b.. 3000 lumens for audiences of 100-200 with ambient light
c.. 5000 lumens for audiences of 100 or more under bright lights


Some good info about lamp life here also
http://www.projectorpeople.com/tutorials/buyersguide.asp

......LCD and DLP projectors typically have a lamp life of between 1000-2000 hours. This spec is actually the lamp's
'half-life.' The half-life is the point where the lamp is half as bright as it was new. The lamp will still work at its
half-life, but it will continue to gradually lose brightness. Longer lamp life means less expense in maintaining your
projector


Cheers
TAJ Simmons
microsoft powerpoint mvp

awesome - powerpoint backgrounds,
free powerpoint templates, tutorials, hints and tips etc
http://www.powerpointbackgrounds.com
 
You found the same info I found. (1250 lumens...not
bad...but not the brightest thing in the world
either...anymore) But, I also found something you may need
to do...check your hours of the bulb. Sometimes those
projectors get used more then people think. This is how to
do it on your model":

Models, PLC-SP10N, and PLC-XP10N/NA: Depress the"menu"
and "normal" keys simultaneously for 3-5 seconds. Use
arrow up/down to reach data #24, which will display
remaining hours.
All other models: Depress up arrow for 20-35 seconds.
Remaining lamp life in hours will be displayed.


The best thing to do at this time is probably go ahead and
swap out the bulb (keep the old one...even if the new
one "fixes the problem, you can always use a backup). You
can also call Sanyo. Your warranty is gone...and the bulb
warranty is way over...but they may still help you out if
the new bulb has the same problem.

There are so many avenues to take all the time when
playing with projectors...it can get a bit stressful.
Hang in there....it will work out ok for you.
 
I just replied regarding your bulb etc. But, you know...I
would also think about trying another laptop (if you have
not arleady) or video source and see if the problem is
still there...(I am sure it is...but you may need to
eliminate the source as the problem too).
 
We are using PP at our congregation. The lights above the screen are turned
off but the lights in the auditorium are on. If all the lights are turned
off the projector screen slides look like the slide that is seen on the
laptop. With the lights on there is a remarkable difference in the colors
etc. You can't even see some of the background graphics.
Click to expand...

This is normal; the room light hitting the screen is probably as bright as, or
brighter than the light from the projector. The dimmer the projector, the more
apparent the effect will be, but any room light at all will probably prevent
some of the really dark graphics from being distinguishable against black.

Some screens are better than other at rejecting light from "off-axis" (that's
Geek for "coming from someplace other than the projector").

Sometimes a reasonable compromise is dousing the lights closest to the screen
and dimming the rest. It's certainly the cheapest solution.

I have messed
 
You could just try changing the background of your slides to white or a
very pale color, and the text to black. That combination projects well
in a better lit room.
Click to expand...

I've always read you should have a dark background when using a projector,
but someone did do a presentation the other night with a light background
and it was very legible.

Thanks,
Linda
 
Thanks for the info. I will try it!

Rhonda said:
You found the same info I found. (1250 lumens...not
bad...but not the brightest thing in the world
either...anymore) But, I also found something you may need
to do...check your hours of the bulb. Sometimes those
projectors get used more then people think. This is how to
do it on your model":

Models, PLC-SP10N, and PLC-XP10N/NA: Depress the"menu"
and "normal" keys simultaneously for 3-5 seconds. Use
arrow up/down to reach data #24, which will display
remaining hours.
All other models: Depress up arrow for 20-35 seconds.
Remaining lamp life in hours will be displayed.


The best thing to do at this time is probably go ahead and
swap out the bulb (keep the old one...even if the new
one "fixes the problem, you can always use a backup). You
can also call Sanyo. Your warranty is gone...and the bulb
warranty is way over...but they may still help you out if
the new bulb has the same problem.

There are so many avenues to take all the time when
playing with projectors...it can get a bit stressful.
Hang in there....it will work out ok for you.
Click to expand...
 
I've always read you should have a dark background when using a projector,
but someone did do a presentation the other night with a light background
and it was very legible.
Click to expand...

A lot of the advice you see out there is intended for 35mm slides and
projectors, where there are lots of very good reasons to stick with dark
blackgrounds.

For video projectors, the rules are different (and generally a lot more
flexible ... if it feels good, show it!)
 
Steve Rindsberg said:
A lot of the advice you see out there is intended for 35mm slides and
projectors, where there are lots of very good reasons to stick with dark
blackgrounds.

For video projectors, the rules are different (and generally a lot more
flexible ... if it feels good, show it!)
Click to expand...

:-) Thanks

I get so frustrated though at having a presentation that looks so good on
the laptop and then I get to the building and it looks sooooooooo different.
The new laptop arrived today so I am anxious to try it out.

Linda
 
I get so frustrated though at having a presentation that looks so good on
the laptop and then I get to the building and it looks sooooooooo different.
The new laptop arrived today so I am anxious to try it out.
Click to expand...

This might interest you:

Color Management for PowerPoint + Projectors (Beamers)
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00547.htm

No color management tool can overcome the reduced brightness range that results
from too much light hitting the screen, but this might help predict the results
so you can choose colors that work better when creating the pres.

T'ain't cheap, mind. ;-)
 
Steve Rindsberg said:
This might interest you:

Color Management for PowerPoint + Projectors (Beamers)
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00547.htm

No color management tool can overcome the reduced brightness range that results
from too much light hitting the screen, but this might help predict the results
so you can choose colors that work better when creating the pres.

T'ain't cheap, mind. ;-)
Click to expand...

Looks interesting but you were sure right about the price. Ouch! Don't
think I could get by with purchasing that.

Thanks
linda
 
Looks interesting but you were sure right about the price. Ouch! Don't
think I could get by with purchasing that.
Click to expand...

Fun to dream, though, isn't it? ;-)

I wonder if eventually somebody will set up in business to create profiles for
others to use.
 
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