1. Projectors FAQ's

How bright of a projector do I need?
This answer is room dependent. How much light (ambient or controlled) is allowed into the room. In a dark room many people have a difficult time (if they can) perceiving the difference between 1000 ANSI lumens and 2000 ANSI Lumens! However when room lighting is added it becomes quite noticeable. We recommend a minimum of 1000 ANSI, however with certain budgets and lower lighting levels 800 ANSI might work. The larger the room and lower the lighting control the higher the ANSI lumens. Many boardrooms and conference rooms are using between 2300 and 3000 ANSI lumen projectors.

What resolution do I need?
The majority of computers both laptop and desktop being sold today use a display resolution of 1024 x 768 (XGA). Most projectors can display XGA, we normally recommend XGA projectors for most applications, SVGA (800 x 600) projectors squeeze the 1024 pixels into 800 pixels, and the 768 pixels into 600 pixels, which can cause a slight jaggedness in the image. Many design and engineering companies using CAD, Visio and other design programs run their computers at 1280 x 1024 (SXGA). SXGA projectors are usually large (over 15 lbs) but are capable of showing extreme detail in drawings and graphics.

Why do we recommend mounting projectors?
The availability of projectors weighing less than 5 pounds continues to grow for the business traveler or mobile presenter. In a conference room having the projector mounted (usually from the ceiling) allows for a consistent quality presentation. Once the projector is set up no need for focus or keystone correction adjustments! The fan noise is moved from ear level to the ceiling and heat from the projector is not creating sweat on the participants sitting around the projector. Mounted projectors also usually have more flexibility with inputs and many have the ability to be hung off your network with their own IP address.

How large of a projector do I need?
Room size, size of audience and applications will determine this. An auditorium designed for stage presentations and concerts require a larger projector than a conference room or a boardroom. Most projectors for Conference, Meeting and Boardrooms are usually less than 25 pounds. SXGA projectors are typically less than 40 pounds. Large venue projectors producing 5000 to 15,000 ANSI lumens can weigh in at several hundred pounds!

A projector for the road warrior using only a laptop or PDA may use an under 5 pound projector. The projector that gets moved from room to room within a facility is usually in the under 12 pound category.

2. Projection Screens

How big of a screen do I need?
Screen Height is 1/6 the distance from farthest seat.
Example: Farthest viewer is 38' (456") from screen. 456" x .166 = 75.69" or a 6' high x 8' wide screen.

This may however pose problems :

Since we do not want heads in the way of the screen, the screen should be at least 42" above floor and optimally 48". If you have a 9' ceiling a 6' x 8' screen will have heads in the way. So we use a 60" x 80" screen. With a 10' ceiling, a 6' x 8' screen will usually work.

It is also recommended that front row viewers be 2 screen heights away from screen (120" in 9' ceiling room or 12' away in 10' ceiling room).

Do I need a Square or a Widescreen?
Most of today's computer systems have a aspect ratio (height: width) of 4:3. Televisions have been 4:3 for many years. Some high end graphic design CAD/CAM computers (SUN, SGI, and HP) will use a 5:4 aspect ratio which is still very close to the standard 4:3. Digital Video from DVD or personal video recorders are what is known as SD (Standard Digital) can be 4:3 or a number of widescreen video formats. For PC and analog video (includes VHS) use 4:3, for Digital Video 16:9 screens will reduce the top and bottom "letterboxing."

What about Manual or Electric?
This is a mater of application. In a boardroom or a room where outside guests will visit a electric is much more impressive screen, than having the Sales Manager walking up to a screen and polling on a rope (and hopefully he pulls it down far enough to lock into place). Portable screens however are manual and are either mounted on a tripod or a floor mount and pulled up from the floor. It is also very rare for a manual screen to be Tab Tensioned. Electric screens also have remote control as a option or in some cases may be included.

What is Tab Tensioned?
A Tab Tensioned screen will stay perfectly flat when down. Minor things like HVAC ducts will not cause it to move or to change geometry of a object (a circle does not become a egg). It adds substantially to the price of a screen but if the presentation has to be great so does the screen!

What kind of surface do I need?
This again is very dependent on the room and where people will be viewing. The most natural color with the widest viewing angle is a Matte White screen. Screens with "gain" actually increase the brightness in rooms with lighting that cannot be controlled. The down side is that the "viewing cone" shrinks dramatically as gain increases and color accuracy declines. The latest for "Home Theater" screens are screens that are gray instead of white, this allows for better blacks and grays from bright LCD and DLP projectors home systems also can turn lighting to almost if not completely off in the viewing room.

Front or Rear
What type of material (glass bead, matte white)

Wall or ceiling mount

Governor Computer Products can recommend the best size, material (screen surface), and functionality for you room.

3. SMART Boards FAQ's

Why would I be interested in a SMART Board?

• Allows for quicker and more productive meetings, presentations and trainings.
• Reduces cost of meetings.
• All participants have same set of notes (email or hard copy ).
• Retention of information is greater.
• Simple to use.
• Works with Windows, Mac, Linux and Unix.
• Driver software is freeware, shareware public domain.
• Can replace regular markerboard, flip chart, screen and wireless mouse.
• Prices start at List Price ( not your price) of $995!

How big is a SMART Board?
SMART Boards vary in size from 47" to 72" measured diagonally.

4. Audio & Video Conferencing FAQ's

How expensive is it?
With personal videoconferencing equipment starting as low as $500, and many larger systems for Meeting / Conference rooms under $4,000 via phone line (ISDN) and $7000 via IP (internet) the costs of Videoconferencing has dropped dramatically in the past few years!

Isn't it complicated to use?
Older videoconferencing equipment required a number of steps to be done exactly in a specific order to have a successful videoconference. Many systems today simply involves pressing the call button on a remote control or control system like AMX. IP addresses and Phone #'s are stored in a speed dial for quick access.

Why not use NetMeeting?
Collaboration meetings can be very successful with NetMeeting simply sharing the data back and forth, Audio conferencing is still used in NetMeeting. Many corporations are skeptical about the security of a NetMeeting, since anyone who can get through a firewall with the IP address can sit in!

How about the quality of Audio and Video?
Today's videoconferencing equipment has video of 15fps to 30fps giving it the motion of almost TV like video. The audio stays in sync with the video, so its not like watching an old movie where the mouth moves and a moment later comes the sound.

5. Accessories FAQ's

What is the difference in cables?
The biggest difference is the quality of construction and how much bandwidth or information the cable will transmit. How well the cable can shield itself from interference or crosstalk. Finally how the cable will vary or better yet not vary due to temperature extremes (the temperature above a drop ceiling is much different than in a room).

Why do I need "Plenum" cable?
Plenum cable is a cable that is at the top of the safety chain in cables. Plenum has a very low "fire load" meaning the cable is more fire resistant and produces less smoke than other cables. Smoke is the major cause of fire-related deaths. Plenum cable is the code for all buildings having a plenum air handling system (little to no air return conduit used). Plenum wire is less expensive than running expensive conduit for air return. Plenum cables have a "P" designation such as CL2P or CL3P.

What are the different types of connectors?

Analog Video( Worst to best)

• F Connector: This is what comes out of most cable boxes. Carries all video and audio.
• RCA Video Connector (Yellow): Carries all video information (composite)
• S Video Connector: Separates color (Chroma) and Black& white (luminance)
• Component Video: Separates Color into Red, Blue and Black/White
• RGB: Separates color into Red, Green, Blue usually has composite sync
• RGBHV: Separate colors (Red, Green, Blue) with Horizontal & Vertical Sync