Re: LCD projectors?

**Nan Sterman n*@plantsoup.com**

Nan:

    The use of a digital projector expands the options and challenges the
creativity for the traditional "slide" presentations.  You can do so much
more with animation, video inserts, and addition of sound with a lap
top/Powerpoint presentation.  I've been doing special digital presentations
at church for years with choir inserts, live video feeds and tremendous bits
of added slide dissolves and caption transitions or translations.

    It's also a lot more fun!

    One of the recent postings said that digital projectors are becoming
more readily available on the speaking circuit.  I would concur when your
talking about associations, extension workshops and corporate gatherings.
However, when you're in front of a group of L-O-L's at the local garden club
or talking to the library reading circle, they'll still look at you kind of
funny when you ask them for a digital hook-up.

    I've helped several groups shop for and purchase projectors.  At the top
end, for a high-quality image that fills a 12' x 16' screen a projector with
most of the bells and whistles cost us $12,000.00 two months ago.  Two years
ago the price for a comparable unit was $20,000.00.  At the low end, a home
consumer model that would fill a standard screen runs as low as $900.00.
And the price is dropping.  If you're careful and use all of the readily
available discount coupons you can find, I'm sure they'll be in the $750.00
range after Christmas.  It just all depends on what you're looking for in
quality.

    As an added benefit, you can hook them up to your DVD player or any of
the newer generation "play stations" and project interactive images on your
family room wall.  Believe me when I say that kids think these are great
toys!

Kirk