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The Future Of Interactive Projectors

Jun 15th, 14 / 0 Comments

I’m usually the type of techie that is always up for trying new ideas and gadgets out. I love seeing innovation and progress in our technology. It’s always incredible to see just how far our advances have taken us. While, yes, we’ve seen quite a bit of advancement in the realm of mobile technology, projectors have seen their fair share of upgrades as well. Most of the updates that projectors have seen have definitely warranted some type of use and practicality within them. Others, not so much. Now 4K projectors, short-throw projectors, and even the pico projectors that could end up in our phones in the very near future, all have a good sense of usefulness. One product whose usefulness may still be questionable is interactive projectors.

We’ve all seen them. Perhaps you’ve been walking around the mall and have seen kids jumping around on a lit up floor with a projector above them. They may be jumping and playing with an interactive game. You’ve seen them in museums when you’ve walked in front of a wall and magically seen a rippling effect as you move around. You’ve even seen them more recently. The Xbox Kinect has even played its part in new interactive projector technology. Because of the Xbox Kinect having direct involvement with interactive projector technology, it can only mean one thing; Microsoft is working on something new.

Microsoft is working on something called Project Ripple, in which there will be an interactive projector system, but with two different “screens” instead of the one. While most of us may be used to the typical “floor screen” being projected down below us, the second screen will be directly in front of us. How will you be able to control the second screen though? Simple! With the Kinect of course. You will essentially be able to step on the bottom screen and work the second screen with your hands. Not a bad way to make your next presentation a bit more riveting. That being said, there are still some things to discuss about this new project.

Again, I enjoy trying new technology out, and if I see an interactive projector displaying lava and rocks on the floor, you’d better believe that I’ll be avoiding the lava and stepping on the rocks. The only issue I have with this type of technology is that I feel that that is just about the extent of it. I could be dead wrong or maybe just not opening up my mind to the options enough, but before that becomes finalized as fact, let me have a chance to explain what I mean.

The average business office is just that, a BUSINESS office. I don’t feel that some type of interactive technology like this would be necessarily accepted within the office atmosphere. I find it to be a bit distracting. Microsoft is marketing their new Project Ripple to be used during presentations, delivering new information in a more interactive way, and interactive advertising. All of these ideas seem promising, but unless they are able to come forth and show just how well it can work and WILL work in a more formal setting, this type of technology just isn’t meant for your office conference room. Maybe at your company’s next convention for a fun presentation, but in my eyes, that’s about the extent of it.

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Meetings, Projectors, Uncategorized

This Projector Suggests That We May Be Closer To Holograms, But Are We Really?

May 20th, 14 / 0 Comments

I feel it’s safe to say that just about everyone of us has seen at least one Star Wars movie. Everyone has seen at least one scene or heard at least one quote from the series. One of the most popular being “Help me Obi Wan. You’re my only hope”. Our little R2-D2 showed a projected holographic image and back during that time, it was one of the coolest things to see even fake technology do something like that. We’re getting closer and closer to having holographic imaging become something that we freely view. While it may not be here completely, there is a new projector in the works that is showing how close we are getting.

The projector itself doesn’t show off holograms, but it does offer the next best thing; a glasses free 3D experience.

Everyone knows that holograms are extremely cool to look at and overall technically impressive. That being said, with the current technology and knowledge that we have right now, it’s also pretty darn pricey to create right now. Until that time comes that we can create these images at a more cost effective price, our friendly neighborhood researchers at MIT have been cooking up the 3D projector.

Using 3D imaging without the use of the glasses, it quite the task it would seem. Our boys over at MIT may have come up with the proper way of doing it however. They’ve utilized two liquid crystal modulators which will create different images by angling the light in different areas. This altered angling of the light particles will be able to create different images depending on your respective point of view.

Normally, most types of 3D imaging causes the image to lose a bit of its coloration. With the technology being implemented in the new projector, it will be able to keep the coloration and brightness from being affected too much. By using a computer graphics card, they will be able to sustain a lot of the images original data. This will mean that the brightness and color won’t be affected nearly as much as in other 3D images. So now, not only do you have a 3D projector that doesn’t require glasses, but it also maintains its image quality without being too affected.

The researchers have also developed specific lenses specifically for this projector. The lens should widen the viewing angle, allowing for a better picture. Mind you that this particular projector isn’t completely perfect yet, nor are they really designing it to be.

As they say, “you have to crawl before you can walk”. That is exactly the case here. We want the technology to create holograms at a cheap and cost effective price. That is still quite a ways away. We know that we saw it first hand when rapper Tupac came back from the dead to perform holographically at the Coachella Music Festival. The technology is here, we are still working out the kinks, but we are in the baby stages so that is to be expected. The fact that MIT is actually designing something like this for retail purposes, or even just to show that it can be done, just proves how much closer we’re getting to having our own Star Wars-esque holograms in our own homes and offices.

Dazzle Your Friends Or Business Associates With A Projector Rental For Your Next Event, Contact www.RentOurProjectors.com Today At 888-736-8301

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Projectors, Uncategorized

The LG PF85U Is A Smart Projector That Could Find Its Way Into Your Home Or Office

Apr 18th, 14 / 0 Comments

It can be really hard to find the right projector for you to use. There are so many to choose from, each one coming with different options, functions, and sku names. It’s very easy to get lost in the sea of projectors and difficult to figure out which one may be right for you and your home or business. You’re obviously going to want something that is going to get the job done and get it done well. The only problem is trying not to break the bank at the same time. You have the initial cost of the projector and then any possible setup or mounting fees that go along with it. LG is known for making great entertainment tech, such as TVs and projectors. Well, LG is going to be offering a new LED model for retail, and for only $1,299.

The new LG PF85U is looking to be a very good LED DLP Projector and a very smart one too, as it turns out.

So should you choose to invest in this new projector when it comes out later this month, what exactly will you be getting? Well first off, you won’t have to worry about changing a lamp practically ever. You can thank the light emitting diode engine for that one. Since this projector is utilizing an LED engine, it has a much longer life span that most lamps. The projector will be able to turn on and be at full brightness, almost instantaneously. This type of lighting source also means that it can be turned on and off in rapid succession without needing to worry about affecting the lamp’s life span or degrading it. It will always use less energy and emit less heat when in use. I’d imagine that can only help, seeing as how the PF85U has 30,000 hours of use before needing to worry about changing the lamp.

For Your Next Short Term Projector Rental, Contact www.Rentacomputer.com At 800-736-8772

Next thing you’re most likely to be concerned with on the projector is the ports and its connectivity. What all can you hook up to it? With the PF85U, you’ll have access to two USB ports for external media devices and flash drives, two HDMI ports (one of which MHL capable), and 1/8″ and S/PDIF ports for external audio output. The projector itself does have speakers that come attached to it. However, 5-watt speakers on each side aren’t going to really give you the sound quality you may be looking for. The projector also comes complete with a coaxial jack input for antenna purposes. You’ll be able to plug one in and get access to either SD or HD television right from the projector itself.

LG’s new projector is smart too. It may as well be a Smart TV. It comes with the ability to basically be a new media center for your home or business. The use of apps such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, and Youtube mean that you’ll be able to watch whatever you may want or need directly from the device itself without having to gain access from an external media source. The device also utilizes other non-video related apps such as Facebook and Google Maps, furthering what it can be used for. The new PF85U also comes standard with a built-in web browser and an integrated App Store. With all the added functionality from the apps, you essentially have a new media center with LG’s new projector.

While it may be more suited for home usage, it could still be used within the office or even the office’s break room for recreational purposes. And remember, if you’re unsure about a device and whether you should buy it or not, it never hurts to rent it and try it out before coming to that decision!

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LG, Meetings, Projectors

Could Sony’s New Pico Projector Save Your Business Meeting In A Pinch?

Feb 21st, 14 / 0 Comments

There are a few trends with technology that we all begin to notice. For example, when technology seemingly gets smaller and smaller. We see it with more mobile technology, but it has affected even larger hardware like desktops. We have seen the tablets and smartphones get smaller, skinnier, lighter, and sleeker. It comes with the advancements of technology. We will find ways to make our tech work more effectively while also making our tech smaller and less energy efficient. This has also affected the projector market believe it or not. The idea of pocket projectors is always something that can be seen as beneficial. The fact is, mobility with our tech means it becomes more accessible, and more accessibility means more areas for the product to function without being limited.

Every time a new product is introduced, the limitations of that product are brought to light pretty quickly. Most of the pico projectors have had problems in the past regarding their resolution display. They have been limited to how well they are able to handle projecting in overly bright areas, and the overall sharpness of the picture. Sony has done their best to further the quality and production of the pico projector technology. Since we know how quickly technology advances, it looks as if Sony might be able to provide a pocket projector that is finally free from the issues of previous makes and models.

How will this new projector make this possible though? Well, Sony conveniently has their own image processing system. The system uses something called LBS, or Laser Beam Scanning, to work their display module. By utilizing this particular display format, the new projector will be able to create HD image quality and a free-focus feature. The free-focus feature guarantees that the crisper image displayed, will retain its clarity even at distances up to 10 feet away. The free-focus will remain this way, despite the projection surface you are using at that time. With a 1920 x 720 pixel resolution, it may not be considered FULL HD, but it’s still much better than what has been offered on the market currently.

Sony is also developing the product to work in tandem with your other mobile devices, such as your smartphone or tablet. They are also seeing how attachments, such as battery power sources and Wi-Fi hardware could help the usefulness of the product. It might not be the biggest, or add much to your mobile tech collection, but it could definitely help out in the office or at home.

Having this freedom of mobility with something as essential as a projector is a huge step forward for displays. If you think about it, you are essentially carrying around a pocket HD TV around with you. Should your projector in the office decide to stop working in the middle of your presentation, you can pull this bad boy out and continue on. It could also be used to provide contrast information on whatever topic you may be covering in your meeting. Needless to say, having one of these in your tech arsenal would provide endless benefits.

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Meetings

Turn Your Wall Into A 147 Inch TV Thanks To Sony!

Jan 24th, 14 / 0 Comments

Bigger is better when it comes to viewing right? IMAX sure isn’t complaining about their revenue. Having a big screen TV is always nice, but projectors have always been able to fully utilize space. Projectors normally can be very aggravating with set up though. Mainly their placement has to be specific in regards to where you want your image to display. Not to mention all of the wiring complications. When setting up the projector, it normally has to be mounted on a wall or on the ceiling, then wired properly, and finally, the hole in the wall has to be fixed and repainted. Expenses just adding up. Now, however, there is a new projector that looks to do away with all of the extra hassle.

Sony has always been known for coming out with great products, and the Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector is no exception.

The largest TV out on the market currently is 108 inches. While that is quite the TV, remember that a projector can make your entire wall become a TV. This particular projector can actually make your wall into a 147 inch TV, as long as your wall is big enough diagonally.

The 4K display of this projector really becomes noticeable at that size as well. There have already been a myriad of reports regarding 4K vs the HD we already have currently. At certain sizes and viewing distances, 4K isn’t even going to be noticeable to the normal human eye. This alone has caused many people to rethink any purchase they make when 4K is involved. However, when the image is being stretched to that particular size, the detail begins to really show. Think about it. The 4K stands for the range of roughly 4,000 pixels being shown on screen. If they have enough room to not be so compressed, the detail will remain in the image due to the high pixel count. The Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector makes the 4K worth it.

The projector itself already comes with a specific housing unit. With it being housed in a credenza, it can be pushed up against the wall and out of the way. When activated, the projector will actually display the image on the wall above it, instead of shooting the image across the room. This justifies the “short throw” name. This alone can do away with the annoying “shadows” cast when someone stands up directly in front of a projector feed.

The Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw was introduced at this past CES event, and it came with quite the price tag. When it drops in the summer time, expect to shell out around $30,000 to $40,000 if you want to be one of its proud owners. For the office that may be looking for an upgrade, and with a wall big enough to show the improvement, this could be a worthy investment. Sitting in the back of the meeting can be rough for anyone with bad eyesight, so the added pixel quality could definitely help out. Just remember to measure for the right amount of wall space before you decide to pull the trigger on this purchase.

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Meetings, Uncategorized