1.Contact a vendor to
arrange a demonstration with the computer you plan to use.
2. Give them the following minimum specifications:
Native XGA
1000+ Lumens
2000+ hour lamp life
Portability/installation concerns
Vendor should train users
3 year warranty/loaner required during unit repairs
order one extra bulb at the same time as the projector
($300-$450each)
3. Expect to spend $2,500 - $5,000 for a good one.
4. Demo units still under factory warranty are a good option to
reduce cost.
5. Invite all potential users to the demonstration. AV Services
will attend at your request.
The Details - Purchasing Guidelines
1. Know your minimum requirements
Portability- Is size and weight important?
Resolution- At least 1024x768(XGA) native.
Check with the people who will use it! Their needs
will determine this, the most important feature.
Brightness-Minimum of 1000 lumens; 1500+ lumens with room
lights on or for long distances
Lamp Life- 1000+ hours; 2000+ hour lamps are becoming more common
and are preferred, considering the inconvenience and price of replacement
($350+)
Price- Spend as much as you want, but the best value for conference
room/classroom projectors is around $3500
Warranty- You will want three years of warranty coverage; usually
you will need to pay extra for it. See if loaners are sent out while it
is being repaired - coverage preferred, pay the money and save yourself
the stress. Rentals are very expensive.
Non-proprietary cabling-If one cable does it all for all kinds
of sources with that projector, it will be near impossible and expensive
to replace if it breaks. Get one that uses standard VGA cables.
Mount- Will this unit be mounted in a permanent installation? Some projectors are useful only as portables.
2. Arrange a demonstration
Make sure the vendor knows your requirements, they will probably bring 3-6
units. Ask all potential users to attend and bring their laptops. Some laptops
do not work well with certain projectors so try before you buy! Models change every six months or
so, they may have some lightly used demo units available at significant
savings. Invite collegues from other departments who may be considering
a similar purchase (and also the folks at AV Services).
Some companies that we have had perform demos:
Nelson C. White Co.
(410)668-9628
AVI
(888)306-0420
Kunz Inc.
(410)737-0130
SBC Group
(800)849-6744
Lee Hartman & Sons (410) 377-0823
Projector Central -
comparisons and info
3. Draft a bid - be specific, get it all in writing
These items usually have to go out on bid (check with Procurement at #52072).
Include:
exact model number
replacement lamp - Buy a spare bulb when you purchase the projector. They are commonly out of stock.
warranty expectation (3 years recommended)
loaner expectation if unit malfunctions
installation & training
We are familiar with projectors from the following manufacturers:
Eiki
Proxima
Sharp
Sony
Sanyo
Philips
Setting Up a Data Projector
1.
Turn on projector. Press on button one time only.
2. Select proper input for the computer.
3. Connect computer to projector using the supplied 15 pin VGA cable.
4. Turn on computer. Be patient; it may take a minute or two to recognize
the projector.
5. The laptop may have a way to toggle between having the image appear
on the laptop only, projector only, or both. This is usually accomplished
by pressing the Fn key and one of the ten function keys at the top of
the keyboard. The key normally has LCD/CRT or two symbols separated by
a / imprinted on it. Read your laptop manual.
Notes on Data Projector Usage
1. Read the manual.
2. READ THE MANUAL!
3. Data projector bulbs take over a minute to reach full brightness,
be patient. Press on button only once!
4. They should be turned off when not in use. Bulbs are very expensive.
5. If turned off, allow to cool for at least five minutes before attempting
to restart. It will not want to restart immediately after
shutting off, and may completely fail to operate. If this has occurred,
do the following:
turn off projector's main power rocker switch
unplug the power cord
wait 5 minutes
plug back in
turn on unit
6. The air filters should be cleaned after each semester. Contact AV
Services at #2461. Failure to do so will shorten the life of the projector and bulb considerably.
7. Do not attempt to change the bulb (this is rarely the problem) since
most bulbs last at least 1000-2000 hours. Contact AV Services. We do not
stock spares, so make sure you buy an extra when you purchase the projector.
Executive
Summary - Purchasing Guidelines