Boardroom: Projector or Plasma?

[hab1966]

We've decided that instead of huddling around a laptop for presentations etc, that we should invest in a projector to display the information on the wall or screen. I was also thinking that a plasma (or LCD) screen might offer a better solution to the projector.

Personally i favour the plasma screen for the viewing angle (over LCD) and perhaps for better use in different light levels (over the projector).

We would only be showing powerpoint presentations, excel spreadsheets and simple GUI we write for our products. I guess a company X-box/Wii might appear at a later date!

Most of our computers have a HDMI port, though it would be good to have a VGA port available. I'd prefer that the plasma/LCD is a monitor without tuner to avoid TV licence issues. I dont think we need speakers.

I'd be interested to hear peoples opinions on which is the better solution and maybe some product recommendations.

Thanks.

[Plotloss]

Depends on the size of the room largely and whether its intention is functional or is partially to impress clients.

Pressing one button on a board table mounted touchscreen which drops the blinds, projection screen, turns on the projector, selects all the correct inputs, cues the presentation and starts it and perhaps dials the conference phone does has a certain appeal to many.

All of that can of course be done with a Plasma and thats where the room size comes in.

Pioneer KRP-500M (50")/KRP-600M (60") are the top of the line commercial displays.

Panasonic also have offerings in this arena.

[sparkythecat]

Plotloss said:

Depends on the size of the room largely and whether its intention is functional or is partially to impress clients.

Pressing one button on a board table mounted touchscreen which drops the blinds, projection screen, turns on the projector, selects all the correct inputs, cues the presentation and starts it and perhaps dials the conference phone does has a certain appeal to many.
.

That's old hat now Plotters.
Auric Goldfinger was doing that back in 1964

[hab1966]

Thanks for the reply Plotless.

The boardroom measures approx 19x12ft. Theres one set of windows which has blinds.

We wont be going for the 'Goldfinger' solution!

With the size above would a projector or a plasma be better? I think we would need a screen for the projector as the walls werent white. Also, with a room that size, what would be the normal size plasma to go for - the ones you recommended or could we go smaller? I think presentations would be okay on a smaller plasma (say 42inch) but reading a spreadsheet might be hardwork?

[cjs]

Yes you would need a screen. If you want to keep it simple go for a manual pull down screen rather than electric, a 6' wide screen will do it if you have the ceiling height (it will drop 4')

You will need a projector and screen, ceiling bracket and wall input plate and extension cables, also some powered speakers if you want sound for the laptop. Cost £1500-£2K plus installation cost.

Plasma will cost less and be easier/cheaper to install, you can get a 50" for less than £1000. You will need a wall bracket and the relevant cables which will plug straight in.

Make up a board 50" diagonal and stick it on the wall to see what it looks like.

[Plotloss]

hab1966 said:

Thanks for the reply Plotless.

The boardroom measures approx 19x12ft. Theres one set of windows which has blinds.

We wont be going for the 'Goldfinger' solution!

With the size above would a projector or a plasma be better? I think we would need a screen for the projector as the walls werent white. Also, with a room that size, what would be the normal size plasma to go for - the ones you recommended or could we go smaller? I think presentations would be okay on a smaller plasma (say 42inch) but reading a spreadsheet might be hardwork?

Whats the furthest seating location from the screen?

How much information would need to be on the screen at once?

Is it only going to be used for presentations or will it also be used for video content?

[hab1966]

I think the furthest seating point would be approx 17ft from the screen wall.

Initially we would only be displaying Powerpoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets for the board meetings. However, we do write windows software to control the equipment we develop and it would be handy to be able to demonstrate to clients using a large screen, so we arent squeezing around a monitor.

However, I did see a set-up yesterday comprising a projector and intelligent screen which linked to the computer driving the projector. This allowed the image to be annotated and later saved or printed. Very nice, but i believe the screen was rather expensive and i dont think the one we saw would satisfy the size of room we have. I was impressed with the projected image though, especially as we werent in a fully darkened room and this has swayed me towards a projector system that we could expand to include an intelligent screen at a later date. My concern now is the projector bulb lifetime and cost, so i need to look into these a bit further.

[cjs]

hab1966 said:

I think the furthest seating point would be approx 17ft from the screen wall.

Initially we would only be displaying Powerpoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets for the board meetings. However, we do write windows software to control the equipment we develop and it would be handy to be able to demonstrate to clients using a large screen, so we arent squeezing around a monitor.

However, I did see a set-up yesterday comprising a projector and intelligent screen which linked to the computer driving the projector. This allowed the image to be annotated and later saved or printed. Very nice, but i believe the screen was rather expensive and i dont think the one we saw would satisfy the size of room we have. I was impressed with the projected image though, especially as we werent in a fully darkened room and this has swayed me towards a projector system that we could expand to include an intelligent screen at a later date. My concern now is the projector bulb lifetime and cost, so i need to look into these a bit further.

I think you are talking about a 'Smart' white board. Usually these are 5-6 foot wide. Can easily be retrofitted, all control is by USB via the laptop.

Go for a LCD projector of 2000 Ansi Lumens, this will be bright enough.

As for Lamp life. 1500-2000 hours as a general rule of thumb. Replacement lamp...around £150 depending on projector.

[hab1966]

Are there any manufacturers of projectors/screens i should look at or avoid?

[cjs]

hab1966 said:

Are there any manufacturers of projectors/screens i should look at or avoid?

You wont go wrong with Sanyo or Mitsubishi, both are good value, reliability and performance. Budget around £800-£900 for a good one.

[MaxAndRuby]

We went from projector to plasma in ours, and were happy with the improvement. With the benefit of hindsight, I think we made a mistake. Should've just bought a better projector, and a better screen.