It’s time for that makes or break
presentation. You have the material down, but your projector is acting up. The
show must go on, however. And with the help of these handy tips, it will.
Bring Extra Parts
You will rarely know in advance when a vital
piece of your projector setup a cable, adapter, or projector lamp, for example is
going to fail. To avert disaster if one of these parts fails, always carry
spare parts in your projector bag. Extra projector lamps are especially handy.
Get Connected
Use as few adapters and as short a cable as
possible to make connections. The more cables and adapters you use, the greater
the likelihood of problems. Try to use a digital connection, usually DVI
(Digital Visual Interface), HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface),
DisplayPort, or Mini DisplayPort. By avoiding VGA (Video Graphics Array),
S-Video, and other analog connection options, your projector and notebook are
more likely to work in automatic mode, where they detect the connection type
and self-adjust for the best images.
Mini
DisplayPort
Connect A Remote
If you intend to use a remote control
during your presentation, be sure to set up the proper connections beforehand.
Some remote controls, for example, work with a mouse remote control receiver,
which typically uses a USB port.
Turn On The Projector First
After making all of the necessary
connections, turn the projector on before booting your notebook. This gives
your notebook the best chance of detecting that a projector is attached and
identifying the resolution appropriate for the projector.
After
making all of the necessary connections, turn the projector on before booting
your notebook.
Test The Audio
To test the audio capability, initiate a
system sound from your notebook. Adjust the volume control if necessary until
you hear the sound comfortably. If you don’t hear anything, make sure your
notebook isn’t set to mute audio and that you’re using the appropriate audio
output jack. If that doesn’t do the trick, check that the projector’s audio
volume is set correctly and not muted. If you’re using an audio system provided
by the venue, ask support staff to ensure the audio system is set up correctly.
Find The Image
That heart-stopping moment when you turn
your projector/notebook on and don’t see an image usually feels worse than the
situation actually is. The possibilities for this problem include a burnt-out
bulb, bad cables/adapters, or a notebook or projector that’s set to the wrong
inputs or outputs.
Start by checking the projector lamp. If it
isn’t lit, try accessing the projector’s built-in menu system or test image. If
the bulb is OK, it should turn on when you use the projector‘s built-in
functions. If the bulb doesn’t turn on, replace it. If the problem persists, make
sure all connections are tight because cables and adapters can become loose or
break down after prolonged use.
Adjust Display Settings
Generally, a notebook will detect when a
projector is plugged into one of its video outputs. However, not all notebooks
do this, and even those that might not produce an image if the computer’s
display settings don’t duplicate or extend images to a secondary monitor (in
this case, the projector). Most notebooks have a function key combination you
can use to adjust how the display will be used; check your notebook’s manual
for specifics. To make changes to the settings in Win7:
Adjust
Display Settings
Right-click a blank area of the Desktop and
select Screen Resolution.
Use the Display drop-down menu to select
the second display.
Select Extend These Displays from the
Multiple Displays drop-down menu. Win7 also features a pop-up dis-play for
selecting the content that will be displayed via a projector. Press Windows-P
to access the pop-up and choose one of the options:
·
Disconnect Projector (turns the projector
display off)
·
Duplicate (mirrors your computer‘s Desktop on
the projector)
·
Extend (uses the projector as an extension of
the Desktop)
·
Projector Only (uses the projector as the main
display)
Focus The Image
Autofocus projectors are handy, but various
environmental conditions can adversely affect the autofocus feature.
Familiarize yourself with the projector’s manual focusing system. If you intend
to use a remote during your presentation, be sure you know ahead of time how to
adjust the focus from afar; never rely on the autofocus function to do a
perfect job.
Adjust Settings If The Image Cuts Out
If the projector’s display shuts off during
your presentation, you may think your notebook’s screen saver is the culprit.
That could be, but your notebook’s power management settings also might be to
blame, especially if the notebook is using battery power. To avoid this
problem, use the AC adapter if possible. To make adjustments to the power
settings in Win7:
·
Click Start (the Windows button in the bottom
left of the screen).
·
Select Control Panel.
·
Click Power Options.
·
Click the Choose When To Turn Off The Display
link.
·
Adjust settings in either the On Battery or the
Plugged In column, depending on your situation.
Keystone Images
Keystoning occurs when the projector isn’t
perfectly perpendicular to the screen. Try repositioning the projector to get
it as perpendicular as possible in the horizontal and vertical axis. If the
image is still a bit bent, use the projector’s keystone adjustment.
