Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

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.

Are You Looking For A Projector Rental? Contact www.Rentacomputer.com Today At 800-736-8772

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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

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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Need a large projector for your next business event? Check out the large venue projector rental solutions from Rentacomputer.com or call them today at 800-736-8772

Meetings, Uncategorized

New Add-On Transforms Your iPhone into a Pico Projector

Nov 7th, 11 / 0 Comments

iPhone ProjectorPortability and projectors pretty much go hand-in-hand. Most people won’t even consider purchasing a projector unless it is easily transportable and this fact has led to the development of the pico projector. Pico projectors are pocket-sized projectors that are capable of displaying big, bright images without being big or bulky.

However, with the invention of smartphones, pico projectors are getting even smaller. Some are able to plug right into your phone, though a new, even smaller, piece of equipment has now become available.  A new tiny projector that plugs directly into the docking slot of an iPhone is capable of producing a 25″ image from about three feet away and is now on sale in both Japan and China.

The projector itself only weighs little more than an ounce and is about the size of half an iPhone. The tiny LED lamp used to project the images runs off of the iPhone’s battery and generates a 320 x 240 resolution image at a brightness of 10 lumens.

The projector is also capable of displaying iPhone content like YouTube or iPod videos as well as photos and also comes with a small built-in speaker. In addition to that, the device also comes with a small tripod and can also be used to connect an iPhone to a TV or play video from another device via video and USB cables.

The device has already been tested by some retailers who have determined that the projector works with the iPhone 4S, the iPad and the iPod Touch. The device will cost you ¥15,800 in some areas of Tokyo, which is roughly $202 USC. 100 units were sold in the device’s first shipment, one day after the initial launch with a spokesman stating that more were on order.

Source: PC World – Tiny Add-on Turns IPhone Into Hand Projector, Throws 25-inch Screen From 1 Meter

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Short-Throw Projector & Rear Screen Combo Rentals

Aug 18th, 11 / 0 Comments

Rentacomputer.com now offers the perfect rental solution for those who need temporary technology to make video presentations in modestly sized spaces. By combining a Short-Throw Projector Rental with a Rear Projection Screen Rental, your Tech Travel Agents have devised a rental solution that allows you to make your presentation with bright and impressive projections, all while minimizing the space that the technology requires.
Short-Throw Projector Rentals

Why Rent a Short-Throw Projector & Rear Screen Combo?

Short-Throw projectors are machines that can project large and bright images at a very short distance from a projection surface. Rear projection screens are exactly what the name implies, screens that can be projected onto from the backside, allowing the projector to be hidden. Our Tech Travel Agents are capable of bundling these into a single rental solution, which are ideal for spatially limited situations, since a lot of space can be saved by having a short-throw projector just a foot or two behind a rear projection screen.
Short-Throw Projector Rentals

Short Throw Projector & Rear Screen Combo Rentals for Meetings

Sometimes you need to make an important business presentation in a small meeting or conference room. In these situations, the last thing you want is to have a projector and screen that take up a lot of space. With a Short-Throw Projector & Rear Screen Combo Rental, you can have a clear and vibrant projection image and surface without using up precious space in the meeting room.
Short-Throw Projector Accessory Rentals

Projector & Screen Rental Accessories

Our Tech Travel Agents can also procure various projector rental accessories that are very handy for making presentations. Laser pointers, as well as wireless mouse and controllers are just some of the peripherals we can include in your Projector & Rear Projection Screen Rental.

We can also include laptop or tablet PC rentals in your rental solution, which would solve any presentation need you could have.

Rack-Mount Server rentals are ideal if your company needs an extra storage unit for company information while you are testing various types of storage solutions.

Whether you need a short-term rental or a long-term lease, we have the right kind of server for your needs.

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Projectors Making Your Meetings Smoother One Step at a Time

Mar 29th, 11 / 0 Comments

meetings and projectorsTechnology is a wonderful thing, especially if you are a businessman. New technology is making it a whole lot easier for business professionals with hectic meeting schedules. Meetings within the workplace are stressful and to make things worse, there are always those times when your meeting projector will fail to connect to a laptop before a big presentation or just stop working all together.

IT professionals average at least 35 to 40 problems every single month that relate to presentation equipment. The worse thing is that each problem could take at least 20 minutes to fix. And to top it all off, nearly 70% of the presentation teams say that they have experienced equipment failure, according to a study by Casio which was released last July.

But thankfully there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel.  You can easily find  the latest projectors which are a lot more portable and do not necessarily need a laptop linked up in order to display projects that are in PDF or JPG formats or those made with Microsoft Office programs like Excel or Word.

Instead of using a laptop, you can save your work to a memory card or flash drive, slip it into the projector and do your presentation directly from the projector. Projector company Merlin offers a trio of Pocket Projectors that display images spanning up to 100 inches.

One model, known as the WinCE, has Windows software built in which allows business professionals to leave their laptops at home. The Smartpen is another technology that is very helpful. Some of them can even record boardroom conversations via a built-in microphone.

Needless to say, technology is making business meetings a lot easier and a lot more interactive, especially when it comes to projectors. With projector use becoming more and more popular at corporate meetings, you can only expect the technology to get better.

Source: The National – In business, one must learn to project

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Meetings, Uncategorized

Apple Wins Patent For A Glasses-less 3D Projector

Dec 17th, 10 / 1 Comment

It seems that Apple is applying its philosophy of ‘sleek, cool, and simple’ to one of its longstanding ventures, which it just won the patent for: a projector that projects a 3D image, which the viewers can enjoy unencumbered by ridiculous eye-wear.

Moreover, Apple is saying that their goal with the project is to develop an autostereoscopic 3D projection system that does not even place constraints upon what angle the viewer must be viewing from. This is quite a venture, and regardless of whether or not Apple delivers on this proposed goal, their idea seems unique when compared to other more popular approaches to the problem that are being explored by other AV technology companies; and also promises more than the prototypes designed thus far.

Apple’s idea hinges upon two driving features: a special type of reflective screen with a ripple texture and a sub-device that detects and tracks a viewer’s eye position within a given space. The basic concept is that once the system is aware of where a viewer’s eyes are in the room, it can then throw a single-pixel projection of a stereoscopic image onto a particular area of a particular ripple on the screen; the position and angle of which are being determined by the viewer’s  eye position at any given instant. The reflective screen is angularly responsive, its angles of reflection being predetermined by the viewer’s eye position. As far as the stereoscopic image itself is concerned, it is divided into two sub-images, one designated for left eye and one for the right eye, where they work together in concert to create a 3D experience when the reflected projections meet each eye.

All technical specs aside, this is a novel approach, and if it proves feasible, could circumvent the problems that are bound to plague glasses-less 3D technology that is soon to hit the market. Despite soon to come technology and patents however, a truly unencumbered and free 3D visual experience is the stuff of science fiction, at least until Apple or another company makes patents like these a reality.

A Tech Travel Agent from Rentacomputer.com, the Worldwide Technology Rental Company will schedule installation of projectors, computers, and office equipment on a permanent or temporary basis in over 1000 cities worldwide. Call 800-736-8772

We have 3987 Installers, Technicians and Engineers stationed worldwide to serve you.

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To Meet Or Not To Meet

Oct 7th, 10 / 0 Comments

Meetings can be high stress for the person giving the meeting and the attendees. There is often pressure to pay attention, speak out, and retain all of the information given in the meeting for the people attending. For the person running the meeting it can be even more stressful. Meeting leaders need to have control over the room while speaking clearly and broadcasting to their audience everything that they need to know. While being stressful, at the same time meetings are important for businesses to communicate with their employees and offer a place for everyone’s opinions to be put into play. It is important to be able to differentiate when a meeting is necessary and when it is not.

First, it is important to think about whether a meeting is necessary or whether the information that is to be given only needs to go one way. If a company is instructing its employees on a new rule or policy and there is no need for discussion, a company-wide memo will suffice. A memo can let everyone know what they need to know without interrupting their work day. On the other hand if the company is looking for ideas or opinions, a meeting is definitely called for. Open discussions are a great way to get fresh ideas and a good way to get different views on things.

Another good tip is to schedule regular meetings where things can be discussed openly. Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly are good choices for a general meeting time depending on the business. General meeting times give everyone a chance to let their peers know of problems or ideas on a schedule at an expected time. Having  a set meeting time also gives everyone a clear date to prepare anything they’d like to discuss with their coworkers.

Meetings that are called outside of the scheduled general meetings should have a clear and concise subject and goal for the meeting. A presentation that must be given using a projector is one reason a  meeting must be held. Renting a projector for meetings is a great way to make ideas visual and presentations more entertaining. When giving such a presentation, make sure everyone is up to date on the subject matter and that no one is left behind. Keep the floor constantly open for comments or questions.

If the subject that needs to be discussed is something negative or personal to one or more employees, it is better to talk to that person or persons privately. Airing dirty laundry at public meetings is a faux pas that should be avoided. This is another case where it is better to send a memo or email to the employees in question or hold a private meeting with them without letting others know.

Time is valuable for all businesses and it is important to make meetings worth the time that they take. Bits of one-way information can be sent in memos while things that need to be discussed openly should be brought up in meetings. Presentations should be understood by all meeting attendees and the floor should always be left open for questions. Lastly, negative things that pertain to one or just a few employees should never be brought up in meetings but should be handled privately. With these tips it should be easier to decide if a meeting is needed.

Do you need to rent Anchor Audio Equipment? Rentacomputer.com has a full range of Anchor Audio Equipment to rent. Call us at 800-736-8772 to reserve yours today!
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iGo Pocket Projector

Sep 22nd, 10 / 0 Comments

Projectors are becoming a staple of meetings. What better way is there to get a point across than with a beautiful presentation right there in the meeting room? While projectors provide an invaluable asset to meetings, they are notoriously hard to travel with. With tons of wires and the huge screen it is almost not worth the trouble to do a projector presentation on the go and using equipment provided by others can be complicated and unreliable. There are portable projectors to solve this problem, and now there is the new iGo Pocket Projector, which brings portable to a whole level.

Coming in October 2010, the iGo Pocket Projector is designed to go with the popular Flip Video cameras. Flip cameras are all about ease of use, and this accessory is no different. When iGo says portable, they mean it. The Pocket Projector literally can fit into a pocket. It is tiny enough to not even be noticed while traveling, even smaller than some cell phones.

The Pocket Projector will project 70 inches, the size of a big screen tv. It provides 16:9 widescreen resolution and is battery powered. While originally designed for quick picture and video sharing using Flip Cameras, the iGo Pocket projector is also packaged with mini-HDMI and micro-HDMI cables, making it compatible with desktops and laptops. Using the HDMI cables it is also possible to connect with netbooks, smartphones, and some gaming systems, making the Pocket Projector able to be used in almost any situation.

To make a projector so small iGo is using a pico projector for the Pocket Projector. Pico projectors first became popular in 2008 and have been used in mobile phones and gaming systems recently. Upcoming digital cameras also incorporate pico projectors.

The iGo Pocket Projector is set to hit markets next month. One downside to this exciting release is the hefty price tag of $349.99, but hopefully once it is released, it can be confirmed that the perks of having such a tiny projector that can go almost anywhere will outweigh the large price.  There is also the fact that most portable projectors cost over $500 dollars, and if the Pocket Projector can keep up with the lead contenders then the price doesn’t seem so bad at all.

Below are some features and specifications for the iGo Pocket Projector taken from the Flip Camera site

Features

  • Compatible with all UltraHD, MinoHD and SlideHD video cameras. Not compatible with Ultra or Mino video cameras.
  • Portable mini projector, fits in your pocket
  • Battery powered (battery life 1.5 hrs)
  • DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology
  • Designed for Flip and also connects to portable devices such as laptops, smartphones
  • 5″ – 70″ viewable screen size (diagonal)
  • LED light source (20.000 hrs)
  • Supports MicroSD memory cards up to 32GB for easy storing or transferring of media
  • Built-in 0.5W speaker
  • Changeable projection (front, rear, front inverted, rear inverted)
  • Built in media player

Specs

  • Size: 4.6in x 2.4in x 0.7in
  • Weight: 5.6oz
  • Display type: DLP
  • Max resolution: 1200 x 800
  • Aspect ratio: 4:3 and 16:9
  • Brightness: 20 ANSI lumens
  • Input: A/V, composite video, stereo audio, Mini HDMI, VGA, Micro USB

If you liked this story then you may be interested in a Smartphone-sized Projector from Acer. You can check it out on The Projector Blog.

Get an Industrial Audio Rental from Rentacomputer.com today by going online or calling at 800-736-8772.
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Practice Makes Perfect

Aug 6th, 10 / 0 Comments

Practice Makes PerfectWhen you are having a meeting, chances are you will be making a presentation.  It may be long or short; it may be in front of a crowd of 10 or 100 people.   Regardless of the details, you want to make your best impression and give the best presentation you can give.  When you hold your meeting, you’ll learn that a little time and effort go a long way.  Practicing your presentation ahead of time will help you appear more confident, professional, and you’ll be able to grab your audience’s attention in ways you never thought possible.   You’ve always heard the saying “practice makes perfect;” well, in the case of presentations it’s absolutely true.  So what are some good ways to practice?   Take a look at the tips below and use as many as you can before your next big meeting.

1.  Record Yourself. If you can hear or watch yourself make your presentation, it makes you more aware of what you’re doing wrong and what you’re doing right.   If you have a tape recorder or some kind of audio recorder, go ahead and hit record when you make your speech.  Play it back and listen to yourself.  Are you speaking clearly?  Do you have any annoying habits such as saying “um” and “uh” between sentences?   Are there any words you have problems with?

This works for videotaping yourself as well.  Set up your video camera or if you don’t already have one, consider renting a video camera.  Record your entire presentation and play it back to see where you can make improvements.  Are your gestures distracting?   Do you make eye contact with the camera/your audience members?  Do you look nervous?

2.  Have someone else watch. Whether it’s your friends, family, or a few close co-workers, have people whose opinions you trust watch you give your presentation and ask them to give honest criticism.  Ask them to tell you what they liked and didn’t like, what you need to change and what you can improve.

3.  Use a mirror. In a quick pinch using a mirror can be as rewarding as a video camera.  You have the same ability to watch yourself perform and you can watch to see what you’re doing wrong.  If you are making distracting gestures, you can stop and do it over again until you find a place where you’re comfortable.

4.  Get familiar with props and technology. If you plan to use any kind of visual aids, props, or technology with your presentation, you’ll want to make sure you do at least one run-through with them at your side.  Make sure you’re comfortable moving things around if you have props or paper visual aids.  If you plan to use a projector rental or any other technology you’re not familiar with, make sure you have the rental firm set it up ahead of time and make sure you get there early to learn how to use it well enough, so that you’re not having to stop your presentation to figure out how to change slides or power on and off.

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