Ever wondered how to replace the lamp in your projector or perhaps clean it’s filter? Or maybe you want to connect your projector to your Windows or Apple MAC laptop but were not sure how to do it?
Below we have put together a few simple how to guide’s which contain a straightforward step-by-step process.
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How to replace a projector lamp
Tools
A trusty Philips screwdriver and a soft microfibre cloth is all you need for the job.
Power Down The Projector
Press the power button on the projector panel or remote control. Once the projector has powered down, disconnect the power cord. Do not touch the lamp cover immediately after turning off the projector as it is still hot. Wait until the lamp has cooled down sufficiently before removing the lamp cover. Otherwise, you could get burnt.
Loosen the lamp cover
Using your Phillips screwdriver under the retaining screw for the lamp cover.
Remove the lamp cover
Once the retaining screw is undone, slide the lamp cover out to expose the lamp housing inside the projector.
Loosen the lamp module retaining screws
Again, using your Philips screwdriver undo the retaining screw(s) for the lamp housing. Once undone, raise the handle on the lamp module, and then pull it straight up to remove from the projector.
Install the new lamp
Using the microfibre cloth (to prevent getting any fingerprints on the lamp glass) handle the lamp and insert it in the correct direction into the projector, then click the lamp into position within the projector.
Tighten the lamp module retaining screws
Using your Philips screwdriver, tighten the lamp module retaining screw(s )and lower the handle on the lamp module.
Replace the lamp cover
Slide the lamp cover back on to the projector and tighten the securing screw.
Reset lamp hours
After replacing the lamp, make sure you reset the lamp hours via the menu settings on the projector.
How to replace your projectors filter
Not all projectors feature a filter so please check your projector manual to verify. If your projector does have a filter, following the simple steps will ensure you keep your projector operating at peak performance and will reduce the possibility of premature lamp failure.
Power Down The Projector
Press the power button on the projector panel or remote control. Once the projector has powered down, disconnect the power cord.
Remove the air filter cover
The location of the cover can vary between projectors so consult your projector manual for the precise location. They are generally held in place by a retaining tab. Depressing the tab will allow you to pull the cover forwards and remove.
Remove the old air filter
Air filter designs can vary between projector models. The vast majority will have a tab you can pull on to remove it from the projector.
Install the new air filter
insert the filter at a slight angle into the projector and fit into place.
Replace the air filter cover
Insert the air filter cover at a slight angle to a projector and push into place until the retaining clip clicks.
Reset the filter hours
Some projectors in addition to a lamp counter have a filter counter. Consult your projector manual to check. If it does have one reset the filter counter as per the instructions in the projector manual.
Connect a Windows 7 laptop to your projector
You can use your Windows 7 laptop for giving presentations by connecting a projector to it’s VGA or HDMI port.
Modern laptops supports the simultaneous use of it’s LCD screen and the projector display. Simultaneous display lets you control a presentation from your laptop at the same time as facing your audience.
1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Connect the relevant cable to the projector.If you are using the VGA port, connect one end of the VGA cable to the projector. If you are using the HDMI port, connect one end of the HDMI cable to the projector.
3. Connect the cable to the laptop corresponding port and turn on the laptop
4. Turn on your projector. Windows at this stage should recognise the connected projector.
5. On your laptop press and hold down the FN key and then tap the Display Toggle key to select between viewing the display only on the laptop screen, viewing the display only on the projector, and viewing the display on both the laptop screen and the projector. The Display Toggle key will vary between laptops so consult your laptop operation manual for the precise key. It will be one of the F keys on the top row and denoted on the key with either a rectangle or labelled lcd/crt. While holding down the FN and the Display Toggle key down a viewing option selection box similar to below will appear. Once you have the preferred viewing option highlighted, release both the Fn and F toggle key to start using that option.
6. Adjust the laptop output resolution to match the native resolution of your projector.From the Windows 7 default Start menu, click All Programs, Accessories, and then click Windows Mobility Center. In the Windows Mobility Center window, click the Change display settings icon (Display settings). In the Display Settings dialog box, click monitor 2. Adjust resolution accordingly. Resolution options may be limited by the projector connected to the laptop or the maximum resolution available to the laptop itself.
Connect a Windows 10 laptop to your projector
You can use your Windows 10 laptop for giving presentations by connecting a projector to it’s VGA, DisplayPort or HDMI port.
Modern laptops supports the simultaneous use of it’s LCD screen and the projector display. Simultaneous display lets you control a presentation from your laptop at the same time as facing your audience.
1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Connect the relevant cable to the projector.If you are using the VGA port, connect one end of the VGA cable to the projector. If you are using the HDMI port, connect one end of the HDMI cable to the projector.
3. Connect the cable to the laptop corresponding port and turn on the laptop
4. Turn on your projector. Windows 10 should find the projector using Windows Plug and Play process.(on first use and connection, give Windows extra time to start up while it installs the necessary files for the projector.)
5. Once windows has finished Plug and Play, right-click anywhere on the laptop’s desktop screen, then select Display settings.
6. Scroll to the bottom of the screen, then click Advanced display settings.
7. If Windows is in an extended display setting and more than one monitor is active, select the monitor to adjust. Click Detect to find out which number represents each monitor.
8. Click the Resolution box, then set the resolution to match the native resolution of the projector. In a presentation environment, choose the best display setting that meets your needs for both laptop screen and projector.
9. Click the Apply. the display resolution in Windows 10 is now set.
Connect an Apple MacBook to a projector
You can use your MacBook laptop for giving presentations by connecting a projector to it’s mini displayport or thunderbolt port (varies between various models).
MacBooks support the simultaneous use of it’s LCD screen and the projector display. Simultaneous display lets you control a presentation from your laptop at the same time as facing your audience.
1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Connect the relevant cable to the projector.If you are using the VGA port, connect one end of the VGA cable to the projector. If you are using the HDMI port, connect one end of the HDMI cable to the projector.
3. Connect the cable to the laptop corresponding port and turn on the laptop
4. Turn on your projector. Windows at this stage should recognise the connected projector.
5. On your laptop press and hold down the FN key and then tap the Display Toggle key to select between viewing the display only on the laptop screen, viewing the display only on the projector, and viewing the display on both the laptop screen and the projector. The Display Toggle key will vary between laptops so consult your laptop operation manual for the precise key. It will be one of the F keys on the top row and denoted on the key with either a rectangle or labelled lcd/crt. While holding down the FN and the Display Toggle key down a viewing option selection box similar to below will appear. Once you have the preferred viewing option highlighted, release both the Fn and F toggle key to start using that option.
6. Adjust the laptop output resolution to match the native resolution of your projector.From the Windows 7 default Start menu, click All Programs, Accessories, and then click Windows Mobility Center. In the Windows Mobility Center window, click the Change display settings icon (Display settings). In the Display Settings dialog box, click monitor 2. Adjust resolution accordingly. Resolution options may be limited by the projector connected to the laptop or the maximum resolution available to the laptop itself.
Connect a Windows 10 laptop to your projector
You can use your Windows 10 laptop for giving presentations by connecting a projector to it’s VGA, DisplayPort or HDMI port.
Modern laptops supports the simultaneous use of it’s LCD screen and the projector display. Simultaneous display lets you control a presentation from your laptop at the same time as facing your audience.
1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Connect the relevant cable to the projector.If you are using the VGA port, connect one end of the VGA cable to the projector. If you are using the HDMI port, connect one end of the HDMI cable to the projector.
3. Connect the cable to the laptop corresponding port and turn on the laptop
4. Turn on your projector. Windows 10 should find the projector using Windows Plug and Play process.(on first use and connection, give Windows extra time to start up while it installs the necessary files for the projector.)
5. Once windows has finished Plug and Play, right-click anywhere on the laptop’s desktop screen, then select Display settings.
6. Scroll to the bottom of the screen, then click Advanced display settings.
7. If Windows is in an extended display setting and more than one monitor is active, select the monitor to adjust. Click Detect to find out which number represents each monitor.
8. Click the Resolution box, then set the resolution to match the native resolution of the projector. In a presentation environment, choose the best display setting that meets your needs for both laptop screen and projector.
9. Click the Apply. the display resolution in Windows 10 is now set.
Connect an Apple MacBook to a projector
You can use your MacBook laptop for giving presentations by connecting a projector to it’s mini displayport or thunderbolt port (varies between various models).
MacBooks support the simultaneous use of it’s LCD screen and the projector display. Simultaneous display lets you control a presentation from your laptop at the same time as facing your audience.
Apple Video Adaptors
Mirroring
Mirroring displays the same image on each display.
1. Make sure your projector is powered on and connected properly using the correct Apple video adaptor, relevant cable and connected to the right input on your projector.
2. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
3. From the View menu, select Displays.
4. Click the Arrangement tab.
5. Enable (check) Mirror Displays in the bottom left corner.
When mirroring, your Mac attempts to match the closest resolution between the primary (or built-in) and secondary displays.
The usable resolution is the closest matching resolution for both the primary and secondary display. If you choose a resolution that is not supported on both displays, OS X reverts to using the closest matching resolution.
Extended Desktop
With extended desktop, your displays are treated as one, continuous desktop
1. Make sure your projector is powered on and connected properly using the correct Apple video adaptor, relevant cable and connected to the right input on your projector.
2. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
3. From the View menu, select Displays.
4. Click the Arrangement tab.
5. Disable (uncheck) Mirror Displays in the bottom left corner.
In the Displays pane of System Preferences, each blue box represents a display that is currently connected. The size of each box is relative to the current resolution of the display it represents. In the example pictured below, the larger box on the left represents an Apple 27″ Thunderbolt Display, while the smaller box on the right is the built-in display of a 13″ MacBook Air (Color LCD).
The white bar at the top of the left blue box represents the menu bar you see at the top of your display. Menu bar placement determines which display is treated as the primary display in OS X. To change your primary display, click and drag the white bar from one blue box to another.
You can also drag any of the blue boxes to change a display’s represented location. Use this feature to make sure the connected displays match their real world location when navigating your desktop.
As shown below, each display retains its maximum resolution setting as they are operating as individual displays showing a continuous desktop.