Projection and Sound Equipment advice needed

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Projection and Sound Equipment advice needed

Postby bettyhills » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:53 pm

I made a PhotoShow of my mother-in-law's life for her 100th birthday party celebration using photos spanning her 100 years. I plan to run the show from a laptop or a DVD player unless someone here has a better suggestion.

There is no equipment on site. We must supply all equipment needed for the show. We will buy or rent whatever you recommend.

I need something to show it in a very large room that will not be dark (a hall of about 100 people), and I also need sound equipment. The components must be portable.

If any PSE members have put together a combination of projection and sound equipment that does this well, please advise me. It must show well in a mid-range light situation (not dark, not bright). Would you mind sharing your brand name and exact model numbers? I can then look up the specs and try to find something similar in a current offering from the manufacturer.

Second question: I need sound. This does not need to be concert acoustic quality. Would you share the brand and model number you use there as well, and say what supplies the audio (e.g. does it plug into the PC, DVD player, etc.?) (Yes, I know absolutely nothing, but if you give me a lead, I will research it on my own to the last dot and tittle.)

Third question: What is the size screen would you recommend for showing to a room of 100?

Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to give me.

Betty
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Re: Projection and Sound Equipment advice needed

Postby gimme5 » Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:10 pm

Hi Betty,

Wow - 100 years!!! What a wonderful project this must have been! I hope she is still in good health and will be able to enjoy her celebration.

I run shows under similar circumstances for a similar sized crowd (usually more like 250 - 300). I don't have my own equipment yet but have used several different kinds of things locally and I know what I can recommend - I might be a little off on the model numbers, but this should get you in the right direction.

First of all, I would highly recommend playing on a DVD player, versus the laptop. i don't know about anyone else, but I have had more problems running on the laptop, and I've noticed that almost any time I am in an audience and someone is showing something from a laptop, there are almost always problems and then subsequent delays. The DVD is almost foolproof.

I have used with much success, even in situations where there is much more light than i had wanted, the Epson Powerlite model 1705c projector. The picture is nice and crisp and sharp too. Other than trial and error (and unfortunately, just having to do with what I have available) I think I have discovered that the important factors are using a projector with XGA resolution versus SVGA and trying to find the projector with the highest number of lumens, though I don't know enough about it to tell you exactly why...

As far as sound goes, I have been using a portable PA system. The one I use is somewhat heavy, but comes in a case that has wheels on the bottom and I am able to heft it in and out of the car by myself. I've been told by a friend that I can get the same sound out of a much smaller system, but so far, I have been happy with the sound I get (usually more than I need!) so I am not in a hurry to try something new yet. It is the Peavey Escort 2000. You need the audio cables with the red and white ends (I think they are called quarter inch???) and one set of ends goes into the DVD player and the other set of ends plugs into the PA mixer. If you've ever seen the red, white and yellow RCA cables that go from the tv to the DVD player, it is the same thing - the yellow ends go from DVD player to projector and the red and white ends go from the DVD player to the PA mixer, An 8 or 10 foot screen should be substantial.

You will also need a table or stand for the projector and dvd player - a cart with wheels is ideal (either a media cart or a catering cart), but you might not be able to get one. And bring a very long heavy duty extension cord and a power strip. You can plug everything through the power strip and then plug the power strip into the extension cord and you then only need one outlet. And duct tape is also helpful to keep people from tripping over the cords, as well as marking the location of the cart if you are not running the show right away.

These are all of the things that have taken me a couple of years of running shows to figure out.

Good luck and I'd be happy to answer further questions as you get further along.

~julie a.

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Re: Projection and Sound Equipment advice needed

Postby DickK » Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:31 pm

I've done a few things like that in a space of similar size. While the DVD is simpler in most ways, running from the laptop is, in my opinion, much superior to doing the DVD because you can make an EXE file with far higher resolution than the DVD will support. That matters when you blow the image up to 6-12 feet on a side.

As for the specific equipment, I doubt it will matter very much as long as you find a projector that has a good light output in lumens and a native resolution of 1024x768 or better. (Whatever it is, use that when you make the EXE by the way). Get the projector and try it out to be sure the laptop and the projector play well together, almost all will, but you don't want to find out you've got one of the exceptions. If possible take it to the space and set it up in advance to be sure it's going to work there and get a feel for how to adjust it for the right sized image, focus and color. Make sure the place is prepared to supply you with power at the spot(s) you'll need it.

As for sound, you might want to ask the hall about it. Many either have equipment or can recommend something. Keep in mind that the acoustics of the place will dramatically impact things. I ran a show in our church with just a three piece speaker set (Cambridge Soundworks) right from my desktop and I could fill the room with no issues--good acoustics!. But in a much smaller, hotel meeting room that would have never worked because that room was so "dead". Fortunately, they had a sound system I could tap into.

Anyway, good luck and enjoy. The real secret tho' is to get everything in advance and rehearse setting everything up before hand. And take along a that DVD just in case, and a backup copy of the EXE!

Dick
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Re: Projection and Sound Equipment advice needed

Postby bettyhills » Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:52 am

Thank you, both, for the SUPERB advice.

I will print your posts and use them as "step-by-step" instructions while putting my ProShow on-location projection "system" together.

...and, once again, I am truly awed by the kindness of members of this forum, and in particular, your generosity, Julia and Dick, for taking the time to answer so thoroughly and swiftly.
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