Tips for Choosing and Protecting an Office Projector
If you are looking for a quality projector for your boardroom then there are things that you need to consider. Sure there are the normal contrast ratio, resolution, and brightness fields that you need to look at, but there are also several key features about office projectors that need to be considered above all that. Recently, eWeek.com comprised a list of 15 steps you need to take when choosing a projector for a conference room. Here are some of the more important steps from the list.
One of the major concerns about conference room projectors is security. Not properly protecting your projector allows a thief to walk in and take it. This is especially true with smaller portable projectors that can be easily concealed. The best way to deter theft is to password protect your projector. A thief can not use the projector if they can’t get past the password. Most projectors offer multiple ways to password protect your projector. The most common way is to have the password screen appear when you turn the projector on.
Another way to protect your projector is to have a built in motion detector. This way only shows the password screen when the projector has been moved from its last location. This option is ideal for conference rooms because it reduces the amount of people that need to know the password. It also allows the projector to be more accessible for your company.
If you are looking for a flashy way to protect your projector you could use one that includes a splash screen. This screen shot shows up when you turn on the projector. This allows the user to know who the projector belongs to. Most splash screens can also be the password screen, and the user can not go past it until they enter the right password.
Passwords and splash screens will protect you to a point but physical security is just as important to keep your projector in the conference room. Kensington locks slots are the most common form of physical security. Other features you want to look for with an office projector would be security slots or a security bar, so you can feed a cable through and tie the projector to something else.
Ceiling mounts are another good form of physical security. It also acts as a good thief deterrent because it makes the projector harder to get to. Most ceiling mounts are designed with security in mind and can either lock the projector or physically attach it to the mount, with screws or bolts. Combining a ceiling mount with a security bar is one of the best ways to keep your projector.
Probably the most effective and most annoying means of security is the motion alarm. This device can sometimes be found integrated into the projector or you can buy it separately. This device gives off a shrieking alarm when the projector is moved. While this feature is good for fixed projectors, it is not recommended for portable projectors.
In addition to all the types of security, you also need to consider about maintenance. A good and easy way is to have a projector that connects to a network. This allows a network administrator to monitor the status of the projector and even be able to control it from a remote location. Some projectors even have features that will notify an administrator when it has problems or requires maintenance.
Lastly another feature to look at is if a projector has an Eco Mode feature. This function is ideal because it extends the lamp life by lowering the light output. It also reduces fan noise, the brightness, and the amount of energy needed for the projector. The Eco Mode is good for any business that is on a tight budget.
[via eWeek.com]
