Lcd and Dlp Projectors - FAQs and common problems
1 . Lcd, dlp projectors: How do I connect the signal cable ?
2 . There is still no picture being projected
3 . Picture quality is poor
4 . Status/Power light flashes and the bulb won't light
5 . Remote control of projector won't work
6 . Remote mouse won't control the computer
7 . How do I set up a Mac to drive a lcd / dlp projector
8 . What's this Mac cable adapter?
9 . I am travelling between Europe and the US,
what about the different voltage?
10. How long does the bulb last?
11. Shut down the projector properly and Save Money!
12. Cannot remove the lens cap!
13. The picture is reversed and/or upside down!
14. The projector switches itself off and/or the fan becomes very noisy
1. How do I connect the signal cable to the lcd / dlp projector?
In the case of a desktop PC, unplug the monitor from the base unit and plug the VGA
signal cable into that socket on the base unit. Clearly the other end is plugged into the
projector. If required, the monitor can probably be plugged into the 'monitor out'
socket on the projector, thus allowing the projector and the monitor to work at the same time.
In the case of a notebook or laptop the VGA cable is plugged into the Monitor/RGB/VGA socket
at the rear of the computer. As above the other end is plugged into the projector.
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2. There is still no picture being projected
a. Is the main power switched 'on' both on the mains plug and on the projector?
b. There is probably a separate 'Standby' or 'Power' button on the laptop to switch on
the bulb.
c. Have you removed the dust cap from the lens?
d. If the 'Status' light flashes refer to question No.4
e. If the screen is blue or a logo is displayed then it suggests that a signal is not
reaching the projector.
- Firstly make sure that the projector is set to 'RGB/Computer' and not to 'Video'.
- If you are using a laptop it's probably because the computer has to be set to send a signal
to an external device. How this is achieved varies from make to make.
It will probably be something like:
Fn Key + F6
or Fn Key + F4
or Fn Key + F10
or Fn Key + F9
You may find that you need to press the above key combinations more than once as there will
be more than one setting available. You may find that the laptop's display will operate at the
same time the projector, in other cases you may find that the laptop's display needs to be off.
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3. Picture quality is poor
This is probably because the resolution of the picture being produced by the computer
(Eg 400x600, 800x600 or 1024x768) doesn't match the native resolution of the projector. Whilst
projectors are compatible with different resolutions, the best image will always be obtained
if the two are matched. To change the resolution of the signal using Windows 95, use
Control Panel as follows:
Start / Control Panels / Display / Settings - and set the resolution to match that of the
projector.
With a laptop it may be that the internal screen needs to be off (see No.2 above), for the
best quality image to be produced.
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4. Status/Power light flashes and the bulb won't light
Either the power has been switched on/off too quickly or the unit is too hot. In either case
the best solution is to switch off the mains power, wait for a couple of minutes and try again.
It may also be worth checking that there is nothing obstructing the underside of the projector
as this could block off the flow of cooling air. Another cause of overheating is that that the
filter is clogged and needs cleaning.
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5. Remote control of projector won't work
Check the batteries!
If the Remote has been left in the carry case it might be that one of
the buttons has been depressed and drained the battery.
To prevent this it is common to isolate
the batteries by wedging in a piece of paper - check that there is no paper in with the batteries.
The remote must be pointed at the projector for it to receive the signal.
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6. Remote mouse won't control the computer
If the remote controls the projector but not act as a mouse to control the computer then
at least the batteries are OK.
The first thing to do is to check that the cables are properly
connected to the mouse port on the computer. Then switch on the projector, after which reboot
the computer.
If the mouse has been plugged into the PS/2 (round) port on the computer, see if
you can plug it into the serial (rectangular) port, after which reboot the computer.
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7. How do I set up a Mac to drive a projector
It may be that the signal/VGA cable has the wrong plug to fit into the port on the Mac, in which
case you need to use the small adapter that is probably provided with the projector kit. Make these
connections with the computer off. Switch on the projector before the Mac.
In 'Control Panel, PowerBook Display', set Video Mirroring to send a signal to an external
Monitor.
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8. What's this Mac cable adapter?
The dip switches on the adapter tell the Mac the resolution
of the signal required to drive the projector. Set these switches before cowering on the Mac.
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9. I am travelling between Europe and the US,
what about the different voltage?
There is a possibility that the projector
will automatically detect the voltage and adjust itself without any interference.
But CHECK THE MANUAL, we take no responsibility if you blow your projector!
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10. How long does the bulb last?
Metal halide bulbs are expensive, but fortunately their expected life is 1,000 hours or more.
As the bulb ages it will become less bright, also the menu display on the projector will probably
display the number of hours used, compare this figure with the bulb's rating shown in the manual.
Once you have used up say 60% of the number of hours it would be a good idea to purchase a spare
bulb.
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11. Shut down the projector properly and Save Money!
Bulbs are very expensive! Treat the bulb carelessly and you will shorten its life.
Follow the following procedure and you will extend the life of the bulb:-
- Don't turn the bulb ON and OFF unnecessarily.
- When switching off, turn off the power (or put the machine into Standby) by using the
controls on the top of the projector. This should turn off the bulb whilst leaving the cooling
fans in operation. Leave the fans working for a couple of minutes before switching off the
main power switch.
- Don't move or jog the projector with the bulb on.
- Keep the foam filters clean, the bulb will run cooler and last longer.
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12. Cannot remove the lens cap!
On some projectors the lens retracts as the power is turned off. Power up the machine
and the lens will extend allowing the cover to be removed
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13. The picture is reversed and/or upside down!
The previous user had the machine set for 'Rear Projection' and/or 'Ceiling Mount'.
Go into the menu system and re-adjust the setting.
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14. The projector switches itself off and/or the fan becomes very noisy
This is because the bulb is getting too hot. Check the following:-
- Clean the foam filter where the cooling air is drawn into the machine.
- Check that there is nothing blocking the cooling vents, papers can be sucked onto the
vent underneath the unit; ensure that nothing has been placed on the vent at the top of the machine.
- Switch the unit off and let it cool down before trying again.
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Lcd and Dlp Projectors - FAQs and common problems
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