Projector for a laptop

[rlk]

I have been asked / told to find a way to display our highschool yearbook photographs during our upcoming reunion. Since this is our 45th reunion, we have changed a bunch since our yearbook photographs were taken in 1961.

I have scanned all of the photographs in the yearbook, and now am trying to find a way to display them.

One thought was to make 35 MM slides but that is way too expensive.

Another thought was to rent a bunch of TVs and have the pictures shown on each TV. I may end up going this way, but trying to rent 4 TVs with DVD players; getting them set up in time for the reunion, then removed the next day or late that night may be logistically impossible as the reunion is on a Saturday.

Another thought is to rent or borrow a projector that will attach to my laptop that will project the photographs onto a large screen. In looking around at some of the local photo shops, no one has one they will rent. They want to sell me one for around $1000, but for a one time event, I can't see buying one.

I have never used one of the projectors but have been in a few presentations where they were used.

My questions are:

Does anyone have a better idea of how to display these pictures?

Are the projectors universal in that one that attaches to your laptop will also attach to mine?

Do they require special software to drive them, or do they act like a monitor?

Will using a projector like this be adequate for a room where there are about 150 people. I'm thinking I would set up the projector to display the photographs in the same vicinity where the DJ will be. The pictures will be in his background.

Anyone know what type store might have them for rent? OfficeMax, OfficeDepot, Staples do not rent them.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Bob

 

[RobS]

The projectors are pretty universal, they hook onto the monitor jack on the PC. No software required normally.

Check with the school to see if there is one to borrow. If not, maybe a local camera shop? Other classmates?

Your next hurdle will be what software to run the slide-show out of. Many choices /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Jimbrown]

Try office supply companies and specialized copy compaines ( auto graphics, UPS store) for rentals Do a google search for projector rental north carolina i got lots of hits

 

[BillG_in_TX]

If the reunion is at a hotel - ask them.

 

[gordon21]

Send a message to anyone definitely attending that works in sales or for a company that has a big sales force. They will either personally own or have access to a projector. Many times over the past few years I have taken home the company projector and then went on a business trip with it. Almost any company with over 10 salesmen will have one. A decent home model costs about $1000 to buy, but the rental company fees are always outrageous ($150+ per day). A hotel will usually charge about $50-75 if they have one.

 

[RonR]

Failing to find a projector (which would work best), you could attach a large pc display to your laptop and let it run. Not as good as the projector, but any monitor would do.

Just let it run throughout the session.

ron

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> </font>
If you want to do something really impressive, IMO, use MorphMan to morph their high school picture into what they look like today. Click Here for an example.

I used this software in a presentation as an entertaining way of introducing the members of my department. Each .avi starts with the person's baby picture and I asked the audience to guess who the person was (everyone in the audience knew the person as an adult). Once everyone had guessed, I started the .avi to morph the person from their baby picture into them as an adult.

 

[GeneD14]

Mike,
That is a great web site on morphing pictures! I am going to have to do this with my kids pictures and surpise them.
Thanks,

 

[jinman]

Bob, there are many A/V companies that may rent you a projector. There are also some rental shops that rent to professional photographers and they also may rent a projector to you. I'd look in the yellow pages under Audio/Video equipment. If you find one, you should consider renting a DLP projector and also a screen to project the images on.

Remember, for the best image, the screen is as important as the projector. Finding a suitable wall that will have good reflective characteristics is nearly impossible. If the room is very large, you will want everyone sitting to the side of the projection area to be able to see almost as well as standing directly in front. You will also have to plan where the projector/laptop will be in relation to the screen. Will people be walking between the projector and the screen? Not good!

I would just try to use PowerPoint for your presentation. It can do everything you need unless you want to do something like MikePA suggested. PowerPoint has plenty of folks who use it and you will have no trouble finding people who can help/advise you.

So my suggestion would be: DLP projector, good screen, good location planning, and use PowerPoint. Do the preparation work up front and you'll look like a pro. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[rlk]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. Sounds like PowerPoint is the way to go for the images. Now to find a projector.

We are meeting at an Elks Club, and they do not have TVs, projectors, screens, or anything similar. The reunion is also in a very small town with limited rental places.

Now that I know the projectors will attach to my laptop, I'll have to locate a projector in one of the larger cities; rent it for the weekend; and take it with me.

Thanks on the advice about getting a screen.

Bob