TOOLS

What is rear-projection ?
Rear-projection uses a video projector and a projection surface (screen), with the mounted projector being opposite the viewer.
The rear-projection uses translucent screens, and has multiple advantages: the viewer doesn’t create a shadow even when touching the screen, the quality of the image is often superior thanks to the quality of current rear screens, and there are many possibilities of mounts and design. As a consequence, distance is needed behind the screen to place the projector.

What make a projected image or rear-projected is well seen?
The conjunction of the screen and the chosen projector make the result. For each element that define the image quality (resolution, brightness, contrast, colors.), the adequacy of the projector and screen to their utilization and environment define the quality of the final result.

About the projectors
There are hundreds of brands and thousands of projectors, each one with their own characteristics. Technology DLP, LCD.. There are a lot of webpages offering a complete and professional view on these questions:
· www.projectorcentral.com
· www.projectorpeople.com

Lumens and brightness of the screen
The lumens define the brightness of the projector: the ANSI lumens (or lumens) measures the brightness of the projector emitted light. It is an indicator that allows the comparison of various models. It’s not the only indicator that defines the performance (and the price. ..) of a projector, but for applications like digital signage, it is very important. Depending on the utilization, brightness can be very important, and all projectors are not equal in power. If you have to throw on a 80'' screen in a small, dimly-lit interior, you don’t need as much power as for the same 80'' screen in a shop window with full sunlight. The brightness of a screen is measured in cd/m2, which is a surface luminosity measure. To be short, the same lumens don't make the same cd/m2 with a screen of 40'' and another of 100'': if the surface is greater, the light per m2 is more "diluted;" thus the screen appears less luminous. To maintain brightness when increasing the size of a screen, you have to increase the projected lumens too..

Projection distance (or "throw distance")
The projection distance changes for every projector (it’s the “throw ratio”, or projection ratio that characterizes each optical), and is a multiple of the width of the screen. The bigger the screen, the more distance is needed for projection. Nevertheless, there are short-throw optical and projectors, as well as long-throw opticals. The online Bible for calculating distances for all the models of the market is found on the following site:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm

Light bulbs and maintenance
All the projectors use a light bulb to create light. The brightness depends on the light bulb, but also part of the maintenance cost. The light bulbs are a consumer part of the projector, that has to be changed when burn out. Current professional models offer bulbs that last 5000 to 6000 hours, meaning 1,5 to 2 years if they are used about 10 hours a day. In any case, the cost of changing the bulb is an element that should be taken into account when installing a projector.


ABOUT OUR FILMS AND FOILS

Transparency and holographic films
ADWINDOW proposes a model of transparent film (HOLO-G, refer to the page about KITAPON). The transparency can be used in video projection to create holographic effects, using black as a neutral color. Nonetheless, the transparency of the images means that these films aren’t always the most accurate solution for use in very luminous environments.

Use in shop-windowsrefer to the page about Shop Windows and Digital Signage
The video projection used in shop windows requires a critical brightness on the screen if it has to be used on daylight. More importantly, the adequation of both projector and film will guarantee of the good result.

Rigid supports
ADWINDOW films and foils can be mounted to any transparent support. The range of KITAPON, that doesn’t need any type of solvent to stick, can be mounted without any risk of chemical reactions, even on PVC, PET, and other types of plastics. Therefore, in general it is installed on glass, metacrilate, or acrylics.
Adwindow films and foils need a rigid support or some type of suspension: if requested, we propose integrated solutions of mounted films on acrylic sheets, on stands, or banners.


ABOUT DIGIAL SIGNAGE

Digital signage uses audiovisual and internet technologies to enhance the impact of communication through multimedia. Although digital signage is now the widely used name, there are many more existing expressions that try to cover a diverse terrain. There are some reference websites for this field, available at any time:

In english
http://www.dailydooh.com/ Europe’s reference blog. Essential.
http://www.digitalsignagetoday.com to follow the happenings in the US.

In spanish
http://www.digitalsignagecreativo.com a complete blog, interesting, and… in Spanish!
http://blogdigitalsignage.com another Spanish blog, maybe a little less technical but written with some sense of humor.

In french
http://fr.ooh-tv.com/ one of the best blogs of the sector, a big bunch of information, a European panorama in real time. Highly recommended.