A TV, a monitor, or a projector?

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Level 1

5 points

A TV, a monitor, or a projector?

I can hardly wait to buy my MacMini -- With y'all's advice (that's the way we say it in the South, still, really), I'll get a complete package of peripherals and do it right the first time.

Purpose: to use the MacMini as a semi-portable computer in small classroom for instruction of music students. These kids are gonna learn or ELSE!

Main computer (at home): new iMac G5. I plan to take into each week's class a new CD for the students to take home as a practice guide for their lessons.

The in-class setting does not lend itself to an overhead - our old mainstay, not that anybody loved it, but it helped. Without a practical plan to use the Mini, I'll just revert to overheads again.

Mikes, cameras, and action is what I want, though, and I won't be satisfied until I've tried it. Please correct my thinking. And money is an issue. Until I read this forum today, my plan was #1 below. But in a smallish classroom setting, perhaps I do NOT need a projector.

If anyone has had any experience along these line, my students and I would be pleased to hear from you.

Choices:
1. to purchase a projector to throw an image/short film from the computer onto the wall. Purchase a small monitor, too, to be my own eyes for the MacMini.
cons: Projectors, all of them, are expensive, and add fan noise and heat into our small area. Some of the wall images are HUGE.

or
2. to purchase a big-screen TV and install it on the wall, or make a big easle for it, and place it where we want it, free standing. Tie it to the MacMini with a cable.
con: Still have to get a small monitor for practical use. Have to secure it each night.

or
3. to purchase a pretty big, (23–30 inch) maybe used, flat-screen computer monitor and hook it to the MacMini.
con: Still have to get a small monitor for practical use. For security, would have to store/mount/secure the monitor each day, put away each night.

Thank you for reading this long explanation.
Go Memphis! Go Music!

iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Jul 4, 2006 11:20 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 4, 2006 7:35 PM in response to robin davis1

I do not have much experience with conncecting computers to televsions, but here's my opinion. I would go with the projector route. I think it is a far more practical solution, limits cable clutter (you could set the Mini and projector up on a cart) and may be cheaper than buying a large screen television, and is cheaper or at least the same cost of buying a 23"+ LCD monitor. How big of a classroom are we talking about? The conference room in our lab is not particularly large (maybe 15'x20' -ish?) and we have a small projector we use for our lab meetings and such. The image is a tad small, but it's perfect for the size room we have. I think the sub-$1000 projectors just might fit the bill. The more expensive ones are designed for lecture halls and the like, and project large images from their optimum throw distance.

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Answer 2

Jul 5, 2006 2:43 AM in response to Shaggywerewolf

i would avoid the projector route

have you ever heard of a burned in image let me explain

projectors and projection tvs have special types of picture tubes when using a computer with a projector if you leave the image to long on the screen the imge will burn a ghost image into the picture tube and you will have a perminit ghost on your projector and you cannot get rid of it unless you want to pay $300-400 dollers u.s for a new picture tube depends on what model you have

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Answer 3

Jul 5, 2006 3:40 PM in response to john madsen

This would be true if you were to purchase a CRT projector. But you don't want a CRT porjector. A CRT projector, besides being excessively expensive, is too heavy and bulky to use in a classroom setting. They are suited for fixed use, such as in a home theater. The kind of projector that would best suit you is a home/office projector that uses either DLP or LCD technology. Neither of these have burn in problems.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2000190042+4021&Submit=ENE&SubCa tegory=42

Both types are availalbe for under $750.

In my opinion, this is probably the most practical and cost effective way to go. You can secure both the Mini and the projector to a single cart, which you could lock in a room/closet, and the setup would be portable so you could take it to other classrooms if necessary.

Any other thoughts out there?

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Answer 4

-MacMini-

Level 3

620 points

Jul 5, 2006 4:20 PM in response to robin davis1

of course, don't get a projector unless you are in a setting where lighting is always under your control

 Mac Mini Intel Core Solo- 1 GB RAM- Superdrive- Production week 18 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 5

robin davis1 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 6, 2006 1:15 AM in response to -MacMini-

Oh-great points, group.

The "burn-in" problem would be like our first computers before screen savers, yes, and similar even to overheads which overheat when you forget about them. I believe I can get past that one.

But the "lighting under my control" throws a curve I had overlooked -- the lights are NOT under my control but they are not bright. We actually borrow space on the side of the auditorium stage in a big high school. It's a huge space but our nook is not large. General stage lights have to be on but they are far, far away. There is just barely adequate lighting for reading music as it is. As an example, if I used an overhead, which I don't, I would not have to change the lighting. There's just no room -- floor room -- for an overhead, cart, and the wires plus space for the overhead files (and the ordeal of making the overheads). Hence, the small, very small, computer footprint + projector idea. I can channel their wires. But the lighting === the best thing would be try it -- rent a projector(s) and get a trial run.

Cost wise:
The mini - $800-ish
a small monitor - my eyes to the mini - $200
the projector - $500–$800
OR
a big screen TV, used on eBay - $250

I'm leaning toward a tried-and-true solution, which is the projector, and learn what works for me, though it costs more. I'd have less hardware to learn/install/ fiddle with for $300 or so savings.

If I can double my student load, have more fun, and get good results, cost will not be the issue. Curriculum content and development will likely consume another summer besides this one!

Thank you for helping me think through this commitment.

Robin

Think Music. Think Memphis!

iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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