Projection System Set-Up

Successfully setting up your projector

As simple and user-friendly as many modern projectors are, “plug and play” is often more of an idealistic dream than a realistic description of projector set-up. If you have a fixed installation projector, with only a few hard-wired sources to handle, things usually work fairly smoothly once the system is in place. Portable projection, on the other hand, can be a trickier proposition. Here are a few tips to make the process a little easier.

Connect all your cables before you turn on your projector and source. It’s not absolutely essential, but it helps. Make sure you have the right cables (and adapters, if necessary) to connect your video source or computer to the projection system; it’s a good idea to check ahead of time what kind of outputs you have on your DVD player or laptop and what inputs are on your projector.

Avoid relying on extension cords and battery power when you can. Make sure all your cables are connected snugly, because a loose connection can disrupt your signal. Turn on the projector first (you may have to hit two switches, one near its power cord and one on top). Wait until the projector’s start-up menu shows up on your screen and then turn on your source.

If you’re connecting a laptop you may have to activate your monitor output or video port, and if the resolution of your computer is different than the projector’s you may want to set the computer display to match. Disabling your screensaver is a good idea as well.

When you’re using a remote control to work the projector or control your mouse, make sure the batteries are good. If it’s an infrared remote nothing should be blocking the signal between the remote and the projector.

A few other things to watch out for:

• Backward image: the projector is in rear projection mode, so you will have to use its on-board menu or control panel to make the adjustment. The same thing applies if you’re projecting from behind a transparent screen and need to switch from front to rear projection.
• Upside down image: either your projector is inverted and mounted to the ceiling but still in front projection mode, or it’s sitting right side up but set for inverted projection, so again, you’ll have to make the manual adjustment.
• Skewed image: the projector may not be sitting level or perpendicular to the screen.
• Tapered or trapezoidal image: this is a job for keystone correction or lens shift because you’re projecting at an upward or downward angle and need to adjust the image or lens.

If all else fails, read the manual or call tech support. It helps if you give yourself enough time before your presentation to set-up the system without rushing and troubleshoot if necessary. You’re more likely to have problems when you’re in too much of a hurry.