Projector Troubleshooting Guide
The most common questions we get are about projectors, how to set them up, how to use them, why they aren't doing what they are suppose to do. We have gathered and answered a few...
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Questions
1. My projector is not working when I turn it on! Answer
2. I'm getting no signal or picture Answer
3. My screen is scrolling or I'm only getting a partial image Answer
4. My remote control will not work Answer
5. How do I connect my Mac Powerbook, iMac or iBook to my projector? Answer
6. What is "Hertz" in reference to how the "Refresh rate" affects the displayed image? Answer
7. Why does the computer display adapter affect simultaneous viewing (being able to view your notebook display and the projector at the same time)? Or what component in the computer display adapter sends a signal that allows for simultaneous viewing? Answer
8. Why do I need a video amplifier when using a VGA cable that's more than 30 feet? What will happen if I do not use one? Answer
9. I am using a projector and the projected image doesn't look very good. What's wrong? Answer
10. The entire computer image does not appear on the projector - the bottom of the image is cropped or the projected image exhibits poor quality text? Answer
11. What is the life expectancy of the lamp? Answer
12. My remote doesn't work? Answer
13. My projector is ceiling mounted and my remote works inconsistently?Answer
14. The image produced by my Sanyo projector has purple or magenta dots on the screen. How do correct this? Answer
15. My projector powers off erratically. What is causing this? Answer
16. My infrared remote seems to be sending the signal erratically. What can I do? Answer
FAQ's
1. My projector is not working when I turn it on!
Make sure the outlet in which the projector is connected has power, and that the projection lamp is good. Some projectors also have "indicator" or "status" LED lights on the control panel. If this light is on or flashing please refer to your owner's manual for solutions and explanations.
2. I'm getting no signal or picture
Upon setting up your equipment it is very important that you turn on the projector first. You will see a blank projection image, now turn on the computer, (confirm your cables are connected properly). When using a lap top computer you may need to disable your computer's display screen. First locate the "function" key at the top of your keypad that reads "LCD", "CRT" or it may have an icon that resembles a computer monitor. By pressing the "FN" key and the corresponding "function" key you will be able to obtain the image from the projector only. This is known as "toggling" the image.
3. My screen is scrolling" or "I'm only getting a partial image
This is normally caused by the computer's resolution not being completely compatible with the projector's resolution. You will need to adjust your computer's resolution to match the projector. (the projector's resolution can be found in the "specifications" page of the projector owner's manual.) You will be able to access the computer's resolution and make changes by performing the following steps:
For Windows '95 - Go to the "Start" icon on the desktop area of the computer and click. Select "Settings", "Control Panel" and then click on "Display". Choose the "Settings" tab and locate the slide bar that represents the computers current resolution. (example 800 X 600) Change the resolution to match that of the projector and click "OK". You will need to restart your computer to apply the changes.
For Other Windows - Go into the Main Window, double click on "Windows Setup", choose "Change Systems Settings" from the "Options" menu, choose "Display" and change setting to match that of the projector. Restart your computer to save these changes.
This can also be caused by the signal being displayed on both the computer's (laptop) LED screen and the projection screen. If you are getting poor results even after resetting the computer's resolution try to "toggle" the image by using the steps shown in the " I'm getting no signal or picture" section above. Your best results should come when the image is on the projection screen only.
4. My remote control will not work
Weak or dead batteries can cause numerous problems with a remote control. To maximize the life of the batteries take them out when the projector is not in use. Some projector remotes come with an "on-off" switch for the remote itself (not to be confused with the power button for the projector) turn the remote off when not in use. You should have a clear line of sight between the remote control and the projector's inferred receiver. Any obstructions will interfere with the projector's ability to pick up the remote's signal. Most remote controls also come with the ability to control your computer's mouse. To obtain the best link possible between the computer and projector connect the mouse cable (PS/2 or Serial) prior to turning "on" the equipment. Diagrams on how to wire the cables can be found in the owner's manual.
5. How do I connect my Mac, iMac or iBook Powerbook to my projector?
Connecting with a Mac Powerbook: The latest models of the powerbook, G3 and G4 should have a standard VGA port connection. Some older models of the Powerbook [3400, 5300] did not and may need an adapter. To project an image on both the Powerbook and projector you must do the following:
- [Mac OS 8.x-9.x] Set the Mac Display to match the projector [800x600, 1024x768] at 60hz. It must run at 60hz for simultaneous display. You can find the display settings in either of the following two places:
- [1]Control Strip in the Mac Desktop, select the icon with a Gray Checker Pattern
- [2] Goto Apple Menu, Control Panel, Monitors, or Monitor and Sound. Look for Drop Down Menu for Simulscan
- [Mac OS 7.x] Video Mirroring:
- Select the PowerBook Display icon from the System Folder's Control Panel folder, and turn video mirroring on. On some Powerbook 5XX's, video mirroring is found in the System Folder's Control Strip Module. Ensure that the video terminator (part # C935) is connected to the monitor connector of the cable.
- Restart the Mac.
- With #1 monitor selected as the primary, and #2 monitor selected as secondary in the Monitors icon, the projected image has a pixel resolution of 640 x 400.
- To drive the entire pixel resolution of 640 x 480, select the Monitors icon, and make #2 monitor the primary monitor by dragging the menu bar onto its box.
- Select the PowerBook Display icon and turn Video Mirroring off.
Some of the newer iMac models have VGA output ports, (iMac DV Models have standard VGA output port, 15-pin mini S-D connector, supporting video mirroring) while none of the iBooks currently have VGA out. The iMac's have the following display rates.
| Computer | Connection Type | |
|---|---|---|
| 640x480@117Hz | iBook | S-Video Out : Image looks choppy |
| 800x600@95Hz | iMac | Original had NO Video Out; 3rd party add-on |
| 1024x768@75Hz | iMac DV | VGA out, refresh rates too high. |
6. What is "Hertz" in reference to how the "Refresh rate" affects the displayed image?
"Hertz" is a measure of frequency in cycles per second ("Hz" abbreviation for "Hertz"). The "Refresh rate" is the number of times per second during which a displayed image is regenerated, expressed in Hz. For example, a refresh rate of 60 Hz means that a displayed image is regenerated 60 times per second. The higher the refresh rate, the more stable (less flickering) the picture appears.
7. Why does the computer display adapter affect simultaneous viewing (being able to view your notebook display and the projector at the same time)? Or, what component in the computer display adapter sends a signal that allows for simultaneous viewing?
The display adapter is also called the graphics card and is known by many other names. Each display adapter has a different driver. Those drivers give directions to the signal transmitted to the external image, which decides on simultaneous viewing. Right now, only the notebook computers can do simultaneous viewing. The display adapter's mother/control board controls that function along with maximum resolution, maximum refresh rate and the number of colors that can be sent to the monitor.
8. Why do I need a video amplifier when using a VGA cable that's more than 30 feet? What will happen if I do not use one?
A video amplifier will strengthen the RGB analog signal that is transmitted from the display adapter. Otherwise, the control circuitry in the projector cannot tell what kind of signal it is, especially sync signals. If a video amplifier is not used, image distortion (poor image, lack of colors) or sync problems may occur.
9. I am using a projector, and the projected image doesn't look very good. What's wrong?
Most new projectors have an automatic setup ensuring that the projector matches the computer resolution. However, in some cases the adaptation process may somewhat impair the quality of the image or fail to find the correct resolution. If you're not sure of the resolution of your projector, just change your computer display settings and see if the image improves. Although most projectors will project an image when the computer is set to a different resolution, the quality of the image usually deteriorates.
10. The entire computer image does not appear on the projector screen - the bottom of the image is cropped, or the projected image exhibits poor quality text?
Set the computer resolution to match the projector's native resolution. With some laptop computers, it is necessary to disable the laptop display to attain this resolution, especially when the native resolution of the laptop display exceeds 640x480 and the projector's native resolution is 640 X 480. If you are using a laptop computer and the projected image is still cropped or distorted after changing the resolution, you will probably need to completely disable your laptop display so the image is shown only on the projection device. Most laptops use a function key or combination of key commands to disable/enable the laptop display.
11. What is the life expectancy of the lamp?
Average lamp hours range from 1,500 to 2,000 hours although new lamp technology promises 6,000 hours. The lamp life of different projectors varies. Most projectors use a lamp hour counter to track the number of hours of lamp use. Check the projector's on-screen menu to determine the number of lamp hours used. After so many hours of use, the lamp life LED on the projector illuminates or the projector simply will not ignite the lamp, indicating that the lamp should be replaced.
12. My remote control doesn't work?
The first thing to do is to check that the batteries in the remote are not old or exhausted. Assuming that the batteries or OK, the next step is to ensure that the proper cable was used from the projector to the PC. Finally, it may be necessary to turn off both the computer and the projector, then power-up the projector FIRST and then the computer.
13. My projector is ceiling mounted and my remote control works inconsistently?
The first thing to do in this case is to check the batteries. Inconsistent IR remote performance is often caused by insufficient battery power. If the batteries check out OK, there is also the possibility that you are exceeding the recommended maximum operational distance of the remote control. Finally, another common cause of erratic IR remote behavior is interference from fluorescent lights, which may need to be turned off during the presentation.
14. The image produced by my Sanyo projector has purple or magenta dots on the screen. How do correct this?
Purple or magenta dots are the result of dust or dirt particles that have settled on the green panel. The solution is to clean the green LCD panel; this should only be done by an authorized technician. Please call (800)282-6733 for assistance. Regular maintenance of the air filter will reduce the likelihood that this problem will recur.
15. My projector powers off erratically. What is causing this?
This problem can be caused by improper seating of the lamp assembly. The solution is to re-install the lamp assembly correctly. Please consult your owners manual for instructions on replacing the lamp unit and re-installing your existing lamp. If the problem is not corrected by doing so, then the projector may need service. Please call (800)282-6733.
16. My infrared remote control seems to be sending the signal erratically. What can I do?
The first thing to do in this case is to check the batteries. Inconsistent IR remote performance is often caused by insufficient battery power. If the batteries check out OK, there is also the possibility that you are exceeding the recommended maximum operational distance of the remote control. For example the maximum recommended distance for the remote controls Sanyo ships with our projectors is 16.4 '. Finally, another common cause of erratic IR remote behavior is fluorescent lights, which may need to be turned off during the presentation.
