Posts Tagged ‘projector rentals’

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

Source.

Projectors, Uncategorized

Professional Presentations with Wireless Projector Rentals

Oct 30th, 12 / 0 Comments

wireless projector rentalsWireless projectors are perfect for on-the-go presenters. The ability to just set the projector down and wirelessly connect it to a computer or other device saves you a lot of time and frustration, especially when you are getting ready for a big, important presentation. However, wireless projectors can be kind of expensive and there isn’t always a need for one. That is when renting a wireless projector can come in real handy.

A wireless projector allows you to wirelessly connect and display the computer video on a screen. It also allows you to connect multiple computers to one projector or many projectors to one computer, which can be very helpful in brainstorming meetings or collaborations.

A wireless projector allows you to enjoy true freedom and also allows you to present from anywhere in the room without the hassle of tripping over cords or connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting multiple cords and wires.  Hookup couldn’t be easier with One-Touch Auto-Everything Set-Up, like the one found on Panasonic’s wireless projectors. All you need is a wireless laptop or computer and a WiFi connection and you’re all set.

In addition to being really easy to set up, wireless projectors make your presentation look neat and professional. A wireless projector gives you the flexibility of having the projector close to the screen with multiple users throughout the room. Presenters can be given permission to present as well, on one projector or on multiple projectors.

Rentourprojectors.com can set you up with any type of wireless projector rental you need whenever and wherever you need it. No matter what wireless projector you need or how many you need, Rentourprojectors.com will have them delivered directly to you by a professional technician who will set up and test all of your equipment to make sure it is working properly.

So the next time you have a big presentation across the country and you want something to help make it look and feel more professional, consider renting a wireless projector from Rentourprojectors.com. Nationwide delivery and installation with a single point of contact ensures that you get the absolute best possible service.

Meetings

Creating an Electronic Meeting

Dec 30th, 10 / 1 Comment

Electronic MeetingsMeetings are some of the most important interactions that take place in a company. They are a place where all the top people in the company come together to discuss all the latest information about the company and what they need to do to improve on certain areas of business. One thing a lot of business are doing nowadays is transferring over to an electronic meeting.

But what exactly is an electronic meeting? An electronic meeting process is a guide that takes you through the the various stages of a meeting by using a productivity software. This specific software has been designed to assist you with the preparations and follow-up stages of your meeting and even the actual meeting itself.

Many meetings have an agenda that is distributed to all the people involved. Meeting productivity software takes this process one step further and allows you to store meeting goals, agenda items and relevant files in an electronic workspace. You can then send this workspace to all the people involved in the meeting via e-mail prior to the meeting.

During an electronic meeting you can access the meeting workspace to go through agenda items, goals and attached files. If you want, you can even get software that has timers incorporated into it that guide you through all of your agenda items which will help you stay focused.

If you have ever been in a meeting where a big decision was made and nobody was held accountable, then this software offers you a solution. In most meetings, time is set aside to record all of the decisions that are being made, the tasks that are assigned and their deadlines. You can even get some software that integrates the assigned tasks into the task feature of your e-mail system. Once the meeting has concluded the electronic workspace, as well as a record of everything that occurred, can be e-mailed to participants.

There are also a lot of benefits to having an electronic meeting. By implementing an electronic meeting process, you can shorten your meeting times by nearly 50%. If that isn’t enough for you, then you can also consider some other benefits like:

  • Having all your meeting materials housed in one location
  • Having all decisions and tasks recorded
  • Having permanent records of meeting files
  • Having easy access to past meeting files
  • Having all meeting workspaces kept private and secure

If you work at a company that meets on a regular basis then an electronic meeting is perfect for you. It is also perfect if you generate and share information, need to follow up on tasks easily or strive to make your time used more efficiently.

Source: Effective Meetings

Power Point Projectors
Most business class projectors will do a good job displaying your PowerPoint presentation. If you have a small presentation group, a 2000 lumen LCD projector will be able to produce a nice and clear picture. For larger audiences you should consider a 5000 lumen LCD projector. Visit the Worldwide Technology Rental Company…Rentacomputer.com
Meetings

Choosing the Right Projector for Your Meetings

Dec 7th, 10 / 0 Comments

When it comes to technology, many people like to think they are well-versed. However, ask anybody about projector technology and all that knowledge they thought they had goes right out the window. Projectors are a rare field of study for most tech enthusiasts and with all the different sizes, styles, brands and qualities out there, picking the right one can be difficult. But what if your boss gives you the task of finding the perfect projector for your company’s newest meeting and conference room? Do you think you would be able to pick the right one?

Picking the right projector for your company’s meeting room is never easy, and if you get one that lacks substance, quality and performance, you may find yourself in the doghouse with the boss. If you are planning on acquiring a projector for your company’s meeting room, then you have to take a few things into consideration first. Knowing the ins and outs of projectors and how they work is key.

Brightness
When dealing with brightness, you have to consider a few things. You need to know how big of a picture you need to produce in order for everybody to see it clearly and whether you are going to use it with the lights on or off. This will help you determine the brightness level required of your projector. Brightness is measured in ANSI lumens with the average everyday projector running anywhere from 500 to 2100 lumens. If you are running the projector in a well-lit room, then you obviously need more lumens.

For a quick reference 500-1000 lumens is good for a 5′ to 6′ screen in a small room with no lighting. 1000-1500 lumens is good for a 8′ to 10′ screen size in a medium-sized room with dim lighting. 1500-2000 lumens is good for screen sizes between 12′ and 25′ in a large meeting room and more than 2000 lumens works well with 12′ to 25′ screens in large rooms with dim lighting or smaller rooms with bright lighting.

Resolution
If you want the clearest picture possible, then you have to go for a projector with good clarity. The key to clarity is finding a projector with a high resolution. Your projector’s resolution is directly linked with the resolution of the computer you have the projector connected to. Your projector resolution must be equal to the resolution of the monitor you are using. Your average desktop has a resolution of about 800 x 600 pixels with your average laptop coming in at 1024 x768 or even 1280 x 1024. Another thing to consider is whether or not you want your projector to accommodate guest laptops. If so, then you will need to find a projector that has XGA resolution as opposed to SVGA resolution.

Brands and Pricing
Thankfully for you, the price of multimedia projectors has been on a steady decline for the past couple of years. The price of a multimedia projector in today’s market can be as low as $2000 or as high as over $11,000. Brand names like Toshiba, InFocus, Sharp, NEC, Sony and Panasonic will cost you more .

Ceiling Mount
Another thing you need to consider is where you will be placing this projector.  In meeting rooms projectors are most often mounted on the ceiling. If this is the style you are looking for, then you need to be sure and pick up a certain type of projector. If you are going to ceiling mount it, then you need a projector that is first of all able to be mounted on a ceiling, and secondly, you need to make sure that it has an inverted lens so your picture doesn’t end up displaying upside down.

Demonstrations
Before you commit to a projector, be sure to ask the sales clerk if you can see a demonstration of the product. If you want to, you could even ask for a side-by-side demonstration of multiple projectors that you may be interested in. Seeing a variety of different projectors displayed in front of you is the best way to tell if you are getting what you want and need.

So there you have it, a simple list of a few things to consider before acquiring a new projector for your company’s meeting and conference room. If you follow these simple suggestions, then I guarantee you will find your boss’s approval awaiting you at your next meeting.

Make your next corporate business meeting really shine with a Projector Rental from Rentacomputer.com. They offer a wide range of projectors including Hitachi Projector Rentals. Rentacomputer.com has been in the projector rental industry for over 20 years and delivers to more than 1000 cities worldwide.
Meetings

6 Tips to Extend the Life of your Projector

Oct 4th, 10 / 0 Comments

Extend Your Life: Don’t Operate in a Smoky Environment 

Projectors can be expensive to purchase if you don’t follow these 6 tips for extending your projector life. If you only need a projector once or twice per year, then renting a projector is a better idea.

Here are 6 things you can do to extend the life of your projector

1. Read the instruction manual.
This is the most basic way to extend the life of your projector. Read the manual that was included with your projector. The manual will provide tips on how to properly operate the device and store the projector. It will also provide precautions to avoid damage to yor projector.

2. Let the Projector to cool before packing away
If you want to extend the lamp life of your projector, you need to let your unit cool completely before turning it off or unplugging it. Excessive heat is a huge contributor to the shortening of a projector’s lamp life. Due to this fact, it is also important to remember not to utilize your projector in direct sunlight or near a heat source.

3. Change the filter.
Didn’t know your projector comes with a filter? It might have one and if it does, the specifics about changing your projector’s filter can be found in the user’s manual. If you don’t change the filter, you shorten your life.

4. Make sure the filter is properly installed
Do not operate your projector without a filter. If you do this, dust can be drawn into the optics of the projector, which will then cause the dust particles to show up on your projected image.

5. Don’t Smoke
Don’t operate your projector in a smoky environment. The smoke can cause damage to the optics of your device, and smoke damage is not covered under most projector’s warranties. Smoke shortens the life of your projector.

6. Store Your Projector Properly
It is important to store your projector in a cool, dry space to extend the life of the projector. Also concern should be take to store in a place where the projector will not be easy bumped.

If this story sparks your interest then you may also like Tips to Caring for Your Projector on The Projector Blog.

Do you need an Electro Voice Speaker System Rental? If so then call Rentacomputer.com today at 800-736-8772.
Meetings

Build Your Own Projection Screen

Sep 9th, 10 / 0 Comments

Projectors are expensive, but what can really gall someone is buying that super-expensive projector and having to spend a ton of money on the screen as well. While nothing can replace a high-tech projector, with a few supplies a projection screen can be built for under $100 and function just as well as a store bought screen and look just as good too. Here is a supply list as well as the places that will have to be visited to buy said supplies.

Supplies:

Super-white seamless paper 53″

Wood for frame

L bracket and screws

Velveteen fabric in black

Elmers Glue

To obtain the super-white seamless paper the best place to visit is a camera store. This paper is used as a backdrop for photographers and happens to be the perfect size for projection screens. The wood frame, L bracket, screws, and Elmers Glue can be found at any local hardware store, and the velveteen fabric can be found at a  craft or fabric store.

The wood frame needs to be made of 1×4 poplar wood. Poplar wood is strong, lightweight, and smooth enough not to catch on the fabric. The 1×4 wood will give your screen a border that is 3.5″  around. Have the hardware store employees cut two of the boards to a length of 55.25″ and the other two to 93.5″.  Once this is done, see if it is possible to have the ends cut to a 45 degree angle, and if they are unable to do it at the store, take it home and cut it yourself with a handsaw.  While at the hardware store, pick up four flat L brackets that are six inches long on both sides and  twenty four 3/4 Philips wood screws. After the hardware store, the last stop is the fabric store. Pick up three feet of black velveteen fabric to wrap your wood frame in.

Step one

Cut the boards to the correct lengths and angles if not done at the hardware store. 55.25″ for two of the boards and 93.5″ for the other two, ends at a 45 degree angle.

Step two

Cut the fabric into four 6.5″ wide strips, with two  58″ in length for the sides and two strips for the bottom and top edges  being about 96″ in length. Lay the fabric on a flat surface with the board on top and wrap the fabric around the board stapling it into place as you go. If the fabric slides, use a little glue to hold it into place until the fabric is fixed to the wood all the way around. Carefully cut the fabric to match the 45 degree angles and glue in place if necessary.

Step three

Arrange the fabric-covered pieces of board in a rectangle, placing an L bracket at each corner. Holding the two boards firmly in place, screw six of the screws into the L brackets. Repeat for each corner.

Step four

Lay the super-white paper over the frame and keep it taut. Starting at one of the 55″ sides staple the paper into place, one staple every 9″ is sufficient. Once the paper is secured, trim it up around the edges so it doesn’t hang over the frame.

There you have it! The finished frame should look professional enough to be mounted on the wall for meetings or even at home for a home theater. The total cost of the supplies should be under $100 and it should look like it came side by side with your new projector.

Meetings

How to handle secondary conversations

Aug 26th, 10 / 0 Comments



Chances are if you call a meeting then you have something important to say, but in all offices or businesses there is going to be outside conversation that leaks into the meeting room. During computer and projector meetings it is exceedingly important to have the full attention of your audience. Off-topic subjects can range from office gossip, to relationship talk, and even children. Regardless, talk between meeting participants that does not have to do with the subject matter of the meeting can distract from what is important and ruin the professional atmosphere you are trying to project. Below I’m going to go over a few tips to keep all eyes and ears on you, and ensure whatever you are trying to convey in the meetings is heard and absorbed by all.

Be non-verbal and non-threatening

There is no reason to embarrass someone for a first offense, so when two or more meeting participants are chatting on the side, make eye contact with each of them to let them know their conversation has drawn attention. Let your cues be non-verbal so that the speaker is not interrupted. Signal the offenders to quiet down with a clear hand signal and leave it at that. Speaking up or calling someone out has the negative outcome of making the offenders only dwell on getting in trouble, and not the subject of the meeting.

If chatter continues, call the talkers out in a non-threatening manner

On the off chance that the people holding the sideline conversation do not stop after a non-verbal cue is given, it is appropriate to call the talkers out in a manner that does not put them in a negative light with their peers but forces them to pay attention. One method is to ask the opinion of one of the people holding the secondary conversation. Ask things like, “Do you feel that this is a good idea, Margaret?” or “Do you have anything to add, Joe?”. By grabbing attention in a non-threatening manner the participant in the secondary conversation is made to pay attention or risk the embarrassment of being ignorant on the subject matter. Another tactic is to ask to borrow the notes of someone involved in the talking. Say that you missed the last part, and ask if they could give you a quick rundown of what was just said.

Keep control without getting angry

Sometimes things can just get out of hand, especially if the person who has the floor has a meek personality or does not know how to handle a large crowd of his or her peers. If competing conversations continue to the point where multiple conversations are being held, it may be necessary to bring the conversations to a halt by addressing the room. Avoid sarcasm or anger so that no one feels intimidated or embarrassed. Comment on your own inability to hear whoever has the floor and calmly guide attention back to the presentation. With the whole group’s attention it is very unlikely anyone’s thoughts will stray to other conversations again.

Keep the presentation entertaining

When running a computer and projector presentation, the biggest key to keeping other conversations from springing up is to hold everyone’s interest. Make sure the projector screen is large enough that everyone can see and that everything on the computer is running smoothly. Keep the presentation engaging and fast paced while still being informative. Incorporate humor and ask lots of questions of the audience. If you do not have the floor, make sure to be engaged in the presentation being given. Laugh at the jokes and ask questions. Hopefully everyone will follow your lead and enjoy the presentation instead of viewing it as a chore.

Using these tips it should be easy to control the crowd and keep everyone focused. Low stress, highly interactive meetings are good for business and good for employees. Successful meetings help reestablish a feeling of group pride and motivation in offices and it is important to have a firm handle on these meetings to keep your work environment a happy one.

Meetings

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.

Uncategorized

Staying on Budget When Planning Your Meeting

Jul 29th, 10 / 0 Comments

Staying on Budget When Planning Your Meeting When you’re in charge of planning a meeting, staying within your budget is probably one of your biggest worries, but it shouldn’t have to be.  With a little extra effort, staying within budget can be the easiest part of meeting planning.   Here are a few tips  to help you out with the financial aspect, so that you can spend more time and effort on the important parts of your meeting.

1.  Make sure you know your budget.  If you know your exact limits verses a guess or estimate, you are more likely to stick to it.

2.  Stay organized.  This one seems simple, but before you even begin the planning process, make a list of items you’ll need to pay for.  These might include transportation, entertainment, refreshments, technology rentals, accommodations if your meeting will involve out-of-town guests, renting a location if it won’t be at your office, and more.  Figure out how much of your budget you can afford to assign to each aspect and try to leave a little extra room in case something comes up.

3.  Be flexible.  If you have specific expectations about dates and locations, you may find yourself having to shell out a little extra money to pay for those expectations.  Some places, such as hotels, might give discounts if you’re not 100% set on a date.

4.  Have a back-up plan.  Something can always go wrong when you’re planning a big meeting.  Consider the possibilities and decide what you can do in the event of an emergency.  Not having a back-up plan could result in spending tons of extra, unnecessary cash.

5.  Rent any necessary technology.  In today’s world, technology is king, and any successful meeting requires at the bare minimum a projector.  Renting a projector is a great alternative to purchasing one when you’re trying to stay within a budget.  You’ll pay a small fraction of what you would when you purchase a new projector and you can rent it for as long as you need.  Many meeting planners also rent laptops so that each meeting attendee can use one to access websites, take notes, and perform other tasks related to the meeting.

Meetings

Start Your Meetings on Time

Jul 21st, 10 / 0 Comments

Start Your Meetings on TimeNo one likes a meeting that doesn’t start on time.  Most of the time, a meeting that starts late means a meeting that finishes late and it can eat up important productivity time and even affect when you and your employees are able to go home.   There are so many ways to prevent your meeting from starting later than scheduled.  After following these tips, you won’t have any excuse to ever start a meeting at the wrong time again!

1.  Make sure everyone involved with the meeting knows when it starts.  Also, make sure everyone knows you mean business.  State that your meeting will begin promptly at that time and that no excuses for tardiness will be accepted.

2.  If possible, remind everyone the morning of or shortly before the meeting.  Send out a group email or put a flier in your employees’ mailboxes.  Make an announcement if you have a PA system.

3.  Even if your meeting starts late, wrap it up at the scheduled time.  This will also show your employees you are trying to stick to a schedule and may help them be on time when you have your next meeting.

4.  Close the doors to your meeting room and post a sign that says something along the lines of  “Do not enter. Meeting in progress.”   This will send a clear message to attendees that you will not tolerate lateness.

5.  If you are planning to use temporary equipment such as laptop rentals or a projector rental for your meeting, make sure it’s set-up and powered on, ready to be used.  Familiarize yourself with the technology so that you do not have to spend the first fifteen minutes of the meeting learning how to show your slides.

6.  Finally, be prepared.  Have your notes together and rehearsed, and be ready and waiting in the meeting room before your participants arrive.

Meetings