Classroom tips for using your data projector

1) Your laptop display should be set as closely as possible to the projector’s native resolution

How do I find out what my screen resolution is ?

PC: Go to the Control Panel on your computer and double click Display/Settings. Or 'right click' on your mouse button, go to 'Properties', then select 'Settings'.

Apple:
- Click on the Apple menu and select "System Preferences".
- Click on the "Displays" icon.
- Click on the "VGA Display" window.
- Make sure that "Color quality" is set to "Highest (32 bit)".
- In the "Resolutions:" menu select "1024 x 768, 60 Hz".

2) There is no image displayed

If using the projector via a PC always connect all leads between PC and Projector (including mouse if used) before turning either device on. Turn on projector first and switch to “computer”. Then turn on the PC (this makes sure the PC will boot to external VGA port).
If using the projector with a laptop, do not forget the screen toggle key. This toggles between external and internal screens.
Check the VGA lead is connected properly
Check that you are on the correct input (e.g. toggle through Computer 1, Computer 2 and Video)

3) Showing a different image on my data projector to my laptop

There will be times when you will want have different content on your laptop and on the projected image. By default, when you connect a data projector to your laptop, the projector shows a duplicate of your laptop screen. That is, a 'copy' of what is on your laptop screen is also shown by the projector. However, if you wish, you can choose an extended display, where your laptop image is just part of a bigger image, most of which is projected onto the wall. Instructions on how to do this are here:

Windows display settings

Windows 7: Dual monitor setup is easy in Windows 7
Windows XP: How To Configure and Use Multiple Monitors in Windows XP
Windows Vista: Understanding multiple monitors

Apple Display settings

4) Website text is too small

You may find occasionally that things need to be resized. Maybe the text on a site you're visiting is very small, or perhaps one or two of your students simply find it difficult to see clearly. Use the zoom in and out on the remote or...

Press Ctrl and + (plus), - (minus) or 0 (zero) to change the size, as follows:

Press Ctrl-+ to increase the size of browser content.
Press Ctrl-- to decrease the size of browser content.Press Ctrl-0 to revert to the default size on the site you're visiting

5) Two other useful tools on the remote control

No show - to hide what is onscreen for a period of time

Freeze - to freeze what is onscreen whist you take attendence or look for waht you want to show the students next

6) There is a heavy color cast to the display (such as very pink or very green)

The VGA cable (or Mac adapter) may be failing and in need of replacement. You can try gently wiggling the cable as a temporary fix, or borrow another cable or adapter from the VRC.

7) The image appears out of focus

Check that the keystone is normalised
Check that the refresh rate on the data projector's VGA display has not changed (it should be 60Hz)

8) Your laptop’s desktop background is displayed on the data projector screen without its usual desktop icons

You are viewing an extended desktop. For instructions on how to mirror (or duplicate) your display, see the display settings link for your operating system above (point 3).

9) Projected image looks dark when using a Mac

Go to System Preferences > Displays, and follow these steps:

In the dialog box with the tab labeled Color, make sure the small check box that reads “Show profiles for this display only” is UNCHECKED.
Scroll through all the listed Display profiles to find the one that displays the best color while connected to this projector.

More Classroom tips and tricks!

Use your remote control

1) You may find occasionally that things need to be resized. Maybe the text on a site you're visiting is very small, or perhaps one or two of your students simply find it difficult to see clearly. You can use the zoom feature on the remote control.

2) Want the students to read some instructions whilst you take attendance on your laptop? Use freeze to freeze your instructions on screen whilst you move onto something else.

3) Want the students to focus on something other than the data projector – use no show. Also a great tool for a memory game for younger students.

Make use of extended display

There will be times when you will want have different content on your laptop and on the projected image. By default, when you connect a data projector to your laptop, the projector shows a duplicate of your laptop screen. That is, a 'copy' of what is on your laptop screen is also shown by the projector.
However, if you wish, you can choose an extended display, where your laptop image is just part of a bigger image, most of which is projected onto the wall.

To alternate between the 'duplicate' and 'extend' options

Windows display settings
Windows 7: Dual monitor setup is easy in Windows 7
Windows XP: How To Configure and Use Multiple Monitors in Windows XP
Windows Vista: Understanding multiple monitors

Apple Display Settings
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH6244

More classroom tips at http://www.sitech.co.nz/projector_tips
More advice on care and maintenance at http://www.sitech.co.nz/projector_care