How to Connect a LCD Projector to a Laptop

More and more businesses today are supplementing their meetings with visual presentations. Visual presentations in the past have been done with transparent slides and overhead projectors. With the cost of video projection units becoming more affordable, many are turning to the video projection units that attach to a pc.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Video Projector
• Laptop PC with a 15 Pin VGA video port available.
• Available USB port
• Screen or large white surface such as a wall to subsitute for screen

1. Connect one end of the video cable to the projector unit.
2. Connect the 15 pin connector of the cable to the PC.
3. Turn on projector
4. Turn on PC
5. If the image from the screen does not show on the screen, Press the "function" key and normally F8 on the laptop until the image on the laptop screen shows on the screen ( normally the options will be, 1. PC only, 2. PC and screen , 3. Screen only )
6. Connect the USB cable and install driver software as needed to make remote control functions work.
7. Show your presentation on the Screen

Tips & Warnings

• Many laptops have a special set of keys called function keys that have colored symbols. To toggle between the PC and the projector, pres the funtion key and the key with what looks like 2 TV screens on it.
• Since there are many various brands and styles connectors will vary, but almost all will have a cable that will only hook to the projector and the other to the PC Video Port.
• Because there are so many various combinations of PC's and projectors it's hard to predict all the different combinations of connections, but most modern projectors as well as PC's are designed to work together.
• Many Projectors have multiple input ports, so you can utilize many different sources for video I.e. VCR's , DVD players etc.
• Many projectors ( depending on lumens ) can be used in low light situations, where there are many more that need almost complete darkness to be seen clearly.
• Adjusting the distance between the projector and screen will help you determine the best quality image and size usable in your situation.
• If using a projector to display copyrighted material, make sure you have the proper permissions to be displaying the information in public.