Everything
You Always Wanted to Know About Slide Projectors*
*but
only a Techhead would ask
|
Ahhh, slides. Memories of endless hours of tedious descriptions from Aunt Barbara and Uncle George's trip to the Everglades... Actually, slides can be the best source for high quality images, sometimes easier to use and with much better color reproduction than computer images or transparencies. |
 |
Okay, there's not much we can tell you about how a slide projector works (light shines through slide through the lens to the screen) but here are some basic questions:
Question: How do you put the slides in?
Answer: Remove the locking ring from the tray. Hold the slide up to the light. If everything is facing the correct way, then turn it upside down. Put it in the tray. After all the slides are in, run a marking pen across the tops to mark which side is up. You can also make a dot on the side that faces the screen for next time. MAKE SURE THE LOCKING RING IS SECURELY BACK IN PLACE.
Question: What kind of slide tray should I use?
Answer: Our projectors come with an 80 slide tray. If you want to buy one for yourself, stick with the 80 slide tray. The 140 slide tray jams more often because the slots are very close together. It's better to use two 80 slide trays rather than run the risk of a jam in the middle of your show.
Question: Where's the power cord?
Answer: One of two places. In our older projectors, turn the projector over and you'll see a little door. Turn the silver knob and the cord is inside. On our newer projectors, the cord is wrapped around a storage reel on the bottom of the unit. Some of our projectors have really big plugs (see picture above) that won't tuck in when you wrap up the cord. Let it dangle inside the case.
Question: Where's the remote?
Answer: There's a pocket in the lid of the case. The remote is inside. See picture above.
Hint: We have extensions for the wired remote, just ask for one. We also have very cool wireless remotes. You plug in the receiver where the wired remote would go and use the transmitter to control the projector. Ask for one next time. They allow you more freedom of movement.
Question: How far away from screen should I set up the projector?
Answer: Anywhere from 20 to 30 feet or more. Our projectors have a zoom lens. Turn the end of the lens to zoom in and out. There is a knob on the side of the projector to focus. Don't set it up on the table in the front of the room, it'll be too close and the image will look like a postage stamp. Also, don't use a classroom desk because the top is tilted back and the projector will slide off. We have a cart available that has a flip up table and an extension cord to set up your projector anywhere in your classroom. Ask for one.
Question: How do I know how far 30 feet is?
Answer: The tiles on the floor in the classroom are 1 foot across. Just count off 30 squares. Pretty clever, yes?
Question: The tray jammed. How do I get it out?
Answer: At the
center of the tray is a silver latch (see picture above). Push it and the tray
will release.
Make sure the locking ring is locked in place before you do the next step or the slides will fall out.
Turn the tray upside down and spin the metal plate on the bottom so
the slot in the metal plate lines up with the notch in the tray.
Turn the tray right side up, remove the locking ring, fish the slide out of
the projector and replace the slide and the locking ring.
Put the tray back on the projector and press down to seat it properly.
Press and hold the "Index" button (see picture above) and spin the
tray to where you left off.
Hint: When you are finished with your show, push and hold down the "Index" button next to the slide tray (see picture above). This allows the tray to spin freely. Turn the tray back to "0" and remove. This will prevent any slides from remaining in the machine after you're done.
Remember to take your slides out of the tray after class. You'd be surprised how many slides we have floating around in our lost and found drawer.