Posted By Richard Altoft Just in case I am not the only person who does not know this can I own up to misunderstanding something and spending unnecessary monies. I had a projector that like me works hard for its living all over the country giving training courses. It started to give a pinkish tone to every slide and someone who said he knew about these things said "that's a sign the bulb is going, you had better get a spare". Projector was a good age and a new bulb would be about £300 but a new projector, new technology etc only £400 so I bought a new projector. Superb picture but still a pink hue - my IT consultant expert who does all my office stuff said immediately "did you use the old lead by any chance" - "Yes" says I - "that's the reason then - its usually the lead when that happens" says he - I tested it and he is right so I now have a very expensive new projector I did not really need but at least I have two good projectors (Only one lead though!!!!!!!) Have a good weekend, beware of people who say they know things when they don't really !!!!! R

Posted By Richard Altoft Quite agree and often a huddle around a laptop creates a better learning atmosphere and certain a better working one when doing presentations to solve problems or discuss plans etc rather than training. But has to be a small group as most laptops are no good to see at an angle. I always have hard copies (handouts) of slides in any case and on occasions working through these without projection is good - it is just when pictures etc are involved, I use a lot of real experience photos to try to bring the world of work into the training room and give real insights so without good projection the detail is lost. I never read from wordy slides or even from notes because I learn the material and just use word slides as a memory jogger.

Posted By Lilian McCartney A wee tip - another one The projector I use for the kids film club has a bit in the menu which tells you how many hours of use the bulb has had. Obviously there are also other reasons for the bulb going e.g. projector left in damp/cold room etc. There's also a great button called return to factory settings if someone else starts mucking around with it. Not sure if all projectors will have this. Have a good weekend Lilian

Posted By Merv Newman Video projector stories : We bough our fist about ten years ago, with a spare bulb. Bought a second one about 5 years ago. Running a training session at a very old site last year, using the newer projector, and the bulb blew : bang, flash, smoke, sparks. Site supplied a replacement within 10 minutes. Back to same site a month later, different building, old projector and the bulb just quietly died. 10 minutes and a screwdriver and we were back in business. We checked into replacement bulbs and found they were no longer available for either projector. A mod could be done to fit new model bulbs for about £300 but we would have to send the machine to America. We eventually bought an LED model, much cheaper, good picture and much longer bulb life. Most sites we go to have their own projector set up into which you can plug the portable or a USB key. Few of them can still lay their hands on an OHP. Since I have no room for one in the boot I've given up on transparancies. Finally, when all else fails or blows up you can just wing it with the paperboard and your hard earned training skills. Merv

Posted By Chris Packham Geoff Memory has let me down. The remote I use was more expensive than I remembered. However, take a look at: http://www.maplin.co.uk/...&ModuleNo=48282&doy=29m2 This is the one I use. I would thoroughly recommend it. Chris

Posted By D H Another point to consider is the filters inside the projector unit. It is amazing how much dust is collected in these filters (they just pull out for cleaning). Ensuring a good air supply to the units will enhance the life of the projector. Also let it cool down before you switch off.

Posted By Karen Todd I just bought a projector - a beautiful tiny one which is easy for me to carry about (but also rather expensive). I'm now saving for a spare bulb, but will always do as one of the others has mentioned and have hard copies of the presentation as backup. BTW - mine came with 2 power leads, none of which were the correct one. I got one with a 2 pin plug and a clover leaf end for going into the projector, and one with a household plug with an 8 end for going into the projector but what I actually needed was one with a clover leaf end and a household plug. Was gutted that I couldn't play with my new toy immediately. Rang the manufacturer who sent one out pronto. Asked them did they want my serial no. as there would probably be many more like it and they said, "Oh no, we know ALL about it"... I just cannot understand how a bulb can be so expensive though!!! Been through the same thing with a pendulum for measuring slip resistance of flooring. I was floored (pardon the pun) when I got the quotes - in the region of £4k. I looked out at my Audi Quattro sitting in the drive which cost me less than that and pondered, "How can I get this fantastic piece of Audi engineering for less than what someone wants for a simple little pendulum?!?!". I just can't bring myself to buy it as I so don't think it's worth it :( KT