Using Digital Projectors with a Laptop (Generic Guide)

Using Digital Projectors with a Laptop (Generic Guide)

This is a generic guide on how to operate a digital projector with a laptop.
outlining in general the process of successfully setting up a data projector with a laptop, regardless of the manufacturer and model encountered.

How to set up a Data Projector with a Laptop

1. Take the following items out of the carrying case: data projector, mains power cable, and the data cable.

2. Place the projector on a table or stand in a suitable position in the room in front of a screen or empty white wall (a whiteboard can also be used but is not recommended due to the smooth, reflective surface). Ensure it does not block others from seeing the screen.

3. Take the lens cap off, if any.

4. Release the Adjuster Foot (or Feet - depending on model) from beneath the projector by pressing a button usually located on the front of the projector (or two buttons either side of the projector towards the front – depending on model). The foot should extend fully from below the projector.

5. Adjust the height of the data projector to roughly point it toward a screen by adjusting the length of the foot (or feet) from the projector. Further adjustment – higher or lower – should be done later on when the data projector is switched on (see Part 18a).

6. Plug the main power cable into the mains power socket on the Data Projector. This socket on the Data Projector has three inset prongs.

7. Plug the main power cable into your mains power supply. (Use an extension cable if needed).

8. Attach the data cable to the projector. You should see a small rectangular connector outlined in white that is the same shape as the data cable connector designated either RGB1/RGB2 Input. Attach it by first simply plugging it in, and then by tightening the two small screws.

9. Consider where you and a laptop will be positioned relative to the Data Projector – dependant on the length of the supplied data cable.

10. Attach the other end of the data cable to the external monitor port usually at the back of the laptop. Look for a connection with the same shape as the data cable connector. It is usually labelled appropriately. Do not confuse this connection with the serial port which is the same shape but contains 9 visible pins. Apple Mac users: Please ensure your laptop is not switched on at this stage.

11. Press the button marked either On/Standby or Power on the top of the projector. Depending on the model, lights may be visible to indicate the Data Projector is switched on. You may also hear a fan start to run.

12. Wait until you see the automatically projected screen displays the manufacturer of the Data Projector. Be patient. It may take a couple of minutes for the projector to heat up initially.

13. Turn on the laptop (and log on if necessary).

14. On the screen, you should see a projected image of what you see on the laptop display.

15. Not Working? Ideally there should be both a projected display (external) as well as a laptop display (LCD). Sometimes the projector does not initially project a display while a display on the laptop is ok. Or sometimes there is no display on the laptop while the projected display is ok.

Check Laptop: Hold down the Function key (Fn) and press F5 once and wait. Repeat until a display is seen on both projection (external) and laptop (LCD) – this function toggles through three output display modes of the laptop, i.e.
a. LCD only
b. External and LCD
c. External only
This function will vary between laptops depending on the manufacturer and model. Please refer to your laptop manual for further details.

Check Data Projector: If the above does not help, press the button on the top of the projector labelled either Input or Source. Look at the screen. In the top left/right corner of the screen, you should now see the word ANALOG RGB1. If you do not see it, then press the “Input” button again until you do. (There are only three settings: Analogue RGB, Video, and Camera). Warning! The settings menu is located in the upper-left corner of the screen – depending on initial adjustment of the Data Projector the menu is sometimes off the screen. Please adjust the foot to lower the projection

16. Once the display is successfully projected, you may need to adjust the position, overall size, focus and keystone of the projected display. A compromise will eventually be met with these four settings in order to produce a satisfactory display.
a. Position: Adjust the height by lowering or raising the foot (or feet) beneath the front of the Data Projector (as described in Part 5) so that the display position on the screen or wall is satisfactory for both you and other viewers. . Note: This may produce a keystone-shaped display

b. Overall Size: Depending on the model of Data Projector, overall size is adjusted either manually or electronically:
• Manual: By positioning the data projector closer to the screen/wall, the projected display will become smaller. Further away from the screen/wall will project a larger display.
• Electronic: Adjust by using settings located within the menu. This is accessed via the control panel on top of the data projector through a button usually labelled Menu. The menu items are then viewed on the projector display. Use the control panel cursor keys to navigate the menu and adjust the size as required.

17. Focus: This refers to the quality of image sharpness. Depending on the model of Data Projector, focus is adjusted either manually or electronically:

• Manual focus: While viewing the projected image, rotate the outer ring of the projector lens in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction until the desired focus is achieved.
• Electronic focus: Adjust by using settings located within the menu. This is accessed via the control panel on top of the data projector through a button usually labelled Menu. The menu items are then viewed on the projector display. Use the control panel cursor keys to navigate to the focus adjustment menu and adjust the focus as required.

18. Keystone: This refers to the shape of the projected display when the data projector is located either above or below the screen/projected display. In most cases the projector will be situated below the screen/projected display, pointing upwards. This creates a ‘keystone’ shape where the top edge is wider than the bottom edge and slightly curved upwards. The display will appear distorted with display elements towards the bottom of the screen appearing compressed. Most data projectors can compensate for this with a ‘keystone’ setting located within the menu. This is accessed via the control panel on top of the data projector through a button usually labelled Menu. The menu items are then viewed on the projector display. Use the control panel cursor keys to navigate the menu and adjust the keystone as required.

19. Once finished with your meeting/presentation, please do not switch off from or disconnect from the mains power supply. Simply press the button marked either On/Standby or Power on the top of the projector until the projected display disappears. Note: the cooling fan will remain on for a few minutes in order to sufficiently cool the projector lamp to prevent damage.

20. Once the cooling fan has stopped, disconnect the data projector from the mains supply.

21. Disconnect all cables from all equipment, retract the foot/feet under the data projector and pack away: the following all live in the same carry case:
• Data Projector (and lens cap)
• Black Mains Power cable
• Data cable