PROJECTION DISPLAYS - A NEW DIRECTION - continued

TRaC Associates defines projection displays as the "Viewer Interface" that bridges the gap between traditional screens and the electronic displays. Projection displays have some unique advantages over these other technologies. They are designed to work specifically with today's LCD/DLP projectors in high light environments.

Let us editorialize for a minute and say "it's about time!" We're not there yet, but gradually people are starting to pay attention to the "Viewer Interface." Clients using electronic displays for their signage, invest a considerable amount in the back-end operation (computers, satellite connections, software, etc.) whose effectiveness and cost justification is considerably dependent on the performance of the "Viewer Interface."

It just makes sense that, if delivering the message is the reason your customers are making an investment in a signage system, the "Viewer Interface" should be the first consideration. Capturing your audience's attention in venues wherever they are is absolutely critical to the communication and entertainment processes!

But "WHY USE PROJECTION DISPLAYS" you ask? Well, obviously, projection displays are not going to fit every situation. They're not going to replace the current technologies out there. However, there are a number of reasons why you should expose your clients to the advantages of projection displays.

Let's review a few of these advantages.

Flexibility

It's important that signage be mounted in high traffic areas, and you can find a projection display to fit any challenging location or environment. In other words, you can find a projection display to mount anywhere.

For example, TRaC's LUMIN, GlassVu and TransVuE films can be mounted directly on windows or a hard acrylic substrate. They work well on curved surfaces and can be cut to any shape or size. A film or foil for every need from very bright to full sunlight performance. The TransVuE line includes "see-thru" as well as high contrast performance.

Being able to deliver your message or service in areas where it will be most effective, by reaching the most people, can often times be difficult. Structural considerations, lighting conditions, and the affects of climate are interesting challenges.

Weatherization might be a requirement and using a hard substrate, hi-Gain display like the LUMIN Light and LUMIN Silver will meet the need. Cut them to shapes or sizes; use them framed or show edge-to-edge images.

No doubt you've had needs for motorized screens and have had to deal with curved surfaces. Projection display foils work great! The 20 Gain LUMIN Silver Ultra can address both situations.

Creativity

Designers, marketing professionals, and integrators are often distinguished by their ability to provide unique, creative solutions. Specialty projection displays, like the MirrorVu or the Floating Display, will attract attention and highlight the creativity. TRaC films, foils and hard type displays facilitate delivering messages in new locations. The world's 1st 20 Gain, front projection display - the LUMIIN Silver Ultra - provides the ability to go up to a 250" diagonal.

"Viewer Interface" Performance
Glare & Reflection free - Videophiles talk about "artifacts" and uniformity but the single biggest improvement to the quality of your image is to eliminate the glare and reflection.

Higher resolution means cleaner, crisper images. Displays which are resolution independent are only limited by choice.

Size and Shape
There is no better price/performance value when a display 4' x 3' or larger is required. A 60" display with a 2200 lumen, XGA projector will cost from $3700 (TransVuE Contrast) to $4700 (LUMIN Silver).

Curved surfaces are not a problem for the rear projection PowerVu foil.

When a triangle, circle or other shape is required, TRaC's TransVuE films and LUMIN foils are ideal.

Brightness Impact
The experts will talk about the importance of contrast and, we agree. However, we've found that most people respond to brightness and resolution. PowerVu and Silver Ultra are the highest Gain displays in the industry.

High gain displays are efficient and will allow you to purchase a less expensive projector.

COMMERCIAL IMAGE

While traditional projection screens have their place in classrooms and meeting room, you probably wouldn't consider placing one in a corporate lobby, retail store or trade show booth.

Specialty projection displays allow you to be stylish with "edge-to-edge" images or "hi-tech" tube frames. Fly them from the ceiling and dominate a large area with your message. You can frame them, laminate them to acrylic, tape them for temporary use, or use Velcro.

Want to deliver an image on a glass wall or a curved surface? - No problem.

THE PROJECTOR CONNECTION

Still the best choice for moderate usage (4hrs. day, 365 days) applications, LCD projectors have come down in cost to a point where high lumen, high resolution projectors can be purchased in the $3000 - $5000 price range. When combined with extremely efficient, ultra high 10 or 20 Gain projection displays you can have a beautiful 100" system for under $7000

Until recently, "cost of ownership" was a big issue in high usage (8 - 24hrs per day), digital signage applications. Each system could easily cost $2000 per year in new lamps and projector cleaning. To address this issue, TRaC now offers an environmental, cooling system which can reduce the cost of ownership to as little as $500 per year.

The majority of projectors deliver XGA resolution for the sharpest and clearest images. Great SVGA resolution projectors are priced under $1000

So there you have it. If you want to save your clients money; give them clear, clean, big, and bright images; and offer them a change from the commonplace, take another look at the "Viewer Interface" provided by projection displays. TRaC Associates has a display that will work in most any situation.