Resources

Laptop Computer & Data Projector
Tips for Effective Set Up & Presentation

Computer Settings

Be sure that the "smooth edge of screen fonts" option is selected in the display properties of your laptop computer. Otherwise your fonts (particularly the smaller, skinny fonts) will have jagged edges when projected. You can select this option by right clicking in the computer "desktop." Then, choose properties from the menu list. The precise steps vary, from one Windows operating system to another. In Windows XP, go to Appearance/Effects and choose one of the two methods (Standard or Clear Type) to smooth the edges of screen fonts.
Be sure that the screen saver is turned "off" or the timing for it to begin is set for 60 minutes. It is embarrassing for your "cute" screen saver to begin projecting during your introduction to the program (or even worse, during a pause in the middle of it!). You will find the screen saver options by right-clicking on the desktop, then selecting "Properties," and then clicking on the "Screen Saver" tab.
Be sure that antivirus updates and other automatic notifications are set to run at times that will not interfere with your presentations
Turn off all system sounds (such as the clicks, chimes, and other tones used by Windows). This can be done through the Windows Control Panel
Be sure that your laptop's energy-saving features ("Low-Power Standby" & "Shut Off Monitor") are also turned "off" or are set for timings that will not interfere with your presentation. Otherwise your computer will shut down on you (or go into a sleep mode) while you are waiting to begin your presentation or in the middle when there is an extended pause. Although the ways you manage these features vary from computer-to-computer, generally you set these options under the "Screen Saver" tab (see above) of your display properties.
Be sure to set your Color Palette and Desktop Area (under "Settings" of the display properties) to the appropriate settings.

The Color Palette indicates the number of colors that you plan to display. If you are using 24 bit color images, you should set the palette to 16777216 ("True Color") colors. If you are using 16 bit images, you should set the palette to 65536 ("High Color") colors. If you are only using 8 bit indexed color images, you should set the palette to 256 colors. In most cases now, color settings should be set for at least High Color (65536 colors), but preferably for True Color (16777216 colors).

The Desktop Area is related directly to the resolution (so-called) of your data projector. If you are only using a VGA (640 x 480) projector, then set the Desktop Area for 640 x480 pixels. If you are using an SVGA (800 x 600) projector, then set the Desktop Area for 800 x 600 pixels. If you are using an XGA (1024 x768) projector, then set the Desktop Area for 1024 x 768 pixels.

If your projector output resolution (640 x 480 or 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768) is not as high as the "native resolution" of your laptop's LCD display (monitor), then you will need to keep the laptop display turned "off" while you are presenting. Otherwise, the image quality of your presentation will be degraded significantly. Here's the reason & the simple solution:

Since the video card in your computer cannot send out two signals simultaneously with differing resolutions, it will always default to sending a video signal that is matched to the native resolution (check your computer's manual) for the laptop's display (monitor). If your laptop display has, for example, a native resolution of 1024 x 768, the computer's video card will send only and automatically a 1024 x 768 signal if the laptop display is turned on. If your projector is only a 640 x 480 or 800 x 600 projector, it will receive this same high resolution signal and will attempt to compensate for the higher resolution signal that it is receiving by "scaling" the image down to a resolution that it can project. This will seriously degrade the image quality. It will be most noticeable on the text or icons on your computer's "desktop," but will impair the image quality in the presentations as well.

The simple solution is to turn off the laptop's display (check your computer manual; usually there is a combination of keyboard keys for doing this). Then, the computer will send the appropriate resolution-signal to the projector. Obviously you lose the advantage of seeing your presentation on your laptop's display panel during your presentation. (A few laptop computers require that you reboot after you have attached the cable to the projector or external monitor).

Note: Some laptop computer makers are working on resolving this problem of mismatched laptop display panels and external monitors/projectors. Be alert to these features, as new laptop computer models become available.

Do not attempt to run your presentation from a laptop that is running off of battery power. Generally this will cause the the program to be more sluggish than if the laptop is powered from an AC outlet. This is particularly true of laptops with Intel's "SpeedStep" technology or other similar technologies that slow the computer down when running in the battery powered mode.

Projector Issues

If your projector and computer are both turned on and hooked up properly, but the projector is not displaying an image, first check to be sure that your laptop is set to display to an external monitor (projector). This is usually controlled by a combination of keys on the keyboard (see your computer's manual). (A few laptop computers require that you reboot after you have attached the projector/external monitor cable and set the keyboard settings).
The most common problem with projectors is simply loose connections. If you aren't getting a signal through the projector and the laptop is set to display a signal on an exterior monitor, then check your cable connections to be sure they are tight.
If you are getting signal "noise" (flicker) in your projected image, there is an adjustment control function on your projector to eliminate it (check your projector manual).
If your signal seems to be shifted too much to the right or to the left, there is an adjustment control function on your projector to eliminate it (check your projector manual).
If you have other projector problems that you cannot easily resolve, call the projector manufacturer tech support. For example, Epson will assist you in resolving problems with one of their projectors or will replace the projector within one business day (assuming that it is still under warranty and you are in Canada or the US).

Remote Control Device Issues

The remote control devices that ship with most projectors are generally problematic. Purchase a remote control device (such as a device from MindPath or the Interlink RemotePoint RF) that is more reliable and trouble free. There are two basic types of these devices:

Infrared - These devices (such as those made by MindPath) emit an infrared light that is picked up by an infrared receiver attached to your presentation computer. These signals are directional, that is the remote device must be pointed at the receiver. Pick up distances vary, but are normally 40-50 feet. Be sure to maintain a clear "line of sight" between you and the receiver.

Radio frequency - These devices (such as those made by Interlink) emit a radio frequency (RF) signal. A RF receiver would be attached to your computer to pick up this signal. These signals are non-directional, thus it is not necessary to point the remote device at the receiver. Pick up distances vary from one model to the next.----These devices can be purchased well below the retail price at one of the many mail/email order stores such as PCZone. (search there for RemotePoint, for example)

Installation and set up issues differ, from one brand or model to another. Read the manual carefully!

Be sure that the software for your remote control device's receiver is turned "on" and working before you begin your presentation.

Projection Stand

We have found the Da-Lite Gigant projection stand to be the most sturdy and best-suited stand for computer-based presentations. These stands can be purchased, by ABWE personnel, through the Media Department or from Long's Electronics.
In order to assure that the projector or laptop computer will not slip off of the Gigant shelves, cover the shelves with pieces of "grip liner." This material can be purchased at Wal-Mart or other similar type of department store.
In addition to using an appropriate projection stand, take special precautions to guard the stand, projector, and laptop from being bumped.
Carry your own electrical cables and a good surge protector strip.
Carry duct tape to use in taping the cables tightly and neatly to the floor.

Sound Issues

If you have any sound effects, video clips with sound, or sound tracks associated with your presentation, it is advisable to play the sound through the church's sound system. The Media Department has audio connector kits (available for purchase by ABWE personnel) that include "direct boxes" and the appropriate sound cables that will allow you to play directly out of your laptop computer or your projector and into a standard XLR microphone jack.

If you do this be sure to alert the sound control person on duty to have the volume turned up for this channel on his mixer board before you begin your presentation. It would be wise to double check to see if this person is ready to control your presentation's volume before you begin your presentation.

It is best to run the sound, first, from your laptop into your projector and, then, from your projector into the church's sound system. That way you will get sound through your projector's speakers (which are better than your laptop's speakers) as well as through the church's sound system. Adjust the output level for your projector speaker as a part of the set up process. If there is a glitch in the church's sound system set up you could then put a microphone over the projector speaker (recommended only as a last resort measure).

Recommendation: Using this material as a starting point, create an actual checklist of set up tasks to be accomplished for each presentation. Customize the list for your own equipment and presentations needs.