Choosing a Multimedia Projector 101
Multimedia projectors are getting to be a regular piece of equipment being used by teachers in the classroom. The Iowa Educators Consortium’s AV/Computer Co-op has offered these projection devices since they arrived on the market. What started out as a flat panel projection unit showing 400 lumens of light has evolved into a sleek projector capable of showing both computer and video images that are bright, colorful, and readable. Some of the early units were none of the above.How does a teacher or building administrator know which multimedia projector to purchase? There are many factors involved that you need to consider before making your purchase.
Key Factors
include:
1. What resolution do you require?
2. How bright will it need to be?
3. Where will it be placed, on a cart or on the ceiling?
4. Will you need additional electric outlets and wiring done?
5. What size image are you wanting to project?
6. Are you needing a networked or wireless projector?
7. Where do you find a reputable reseller for these products?
8. Is there someone locally that you can turn to with questions?
9. How soon are you wanting to make the purchase?
10. How big is your budget for this product?
The IEC AV/Computer Co-op has a committee of AEA consultants who represent most AEA’s. The committee has varying backgrounds and gives expertise in all aspects of the purchasing process; writing bid specs to helping the customer learn to use a particular piece of equipment or getting it installed.
One of the invaluable services that this committee provides the AV Co-op is their participation in a “Multimedia Projector Shoot-out”. After bids are in, projector specifications and bid pricing is looked at and if requirements are met, we ask for a sample to be sent for viewing. On shoot-out day we unload 40-50 multimedia projectors along with a van load of equipment and screens and proceed to set-up and view each projector by the category that they were bid in: Classroom, Large room, Auditorium, or Portable.
The AV Co-op committee sets up six projectors side-by-side and looks for ease of set-up and use, best image when viewing computer and video images, and sound quality. They take into consideration brand recognition, vendor history, and of course, price and warranty. Whether a vendor is located in Iowa and/or if they have sales people working in Iowa is also an important ingredient. The Co-op’s job is to give, you the customer, the best of all of these. The projector, the vendor, and the price will all be figured in to award the projector that will eventually be listed in the IEC AV/Computer Co-op Catalog.
Finally, with the shoot-out process completed the committee’s job is not yet finished. They must now sit down, review their notes, discuss the merits of each projector, figure in all the factors present, and be able to select the best overall projectors that will be offered to AV/Computer Co-op customers.
The AV Co-op
Committee understands that the AV Catalog is just one option for
purchasing any of its 1200+ items. You can find many vendors who
are willing to sell you a projector from multiple manufactures.
Most of these vendors are willing to help you select a machine to
purchase. The AV Co-op committee has already done that for you and
because we have gone out for bids are confident that we have good
pricing.
As technology changes the AV Co-op will have your best interests in mind. With the new FCC ruling taking effect that requires all TV stations to broadcast a digital signal projectors as well as TV’s have been designed to accommodate that signal. The AV Co-op has enlisted the help of Iowa Public Television’s Terry Schnirring to help us test projectors to see how they handle HDTV. The committee may elect to have a large screen LCD or Plasma shoot-out in the future as these are replacing analog televisions both in and outside of the classroom.
