There are different types of video outputs which your laptop may or may not support. The three most common types of video outputs used with overhead projectors are Video Graphics Array (VGA), Separated Video (S-Video) and High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). You need to make sure your laptop has the correct output corresponding to an input on the projector you will use.
Weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each types of video input and output. VGA projectors are the most common type, indeed it is likely that any projector in current use will have a VGA input. However, VGA video offers the lowest resolution of the these three types. S-Video offers a higher resolution than VGA, but is prone to screen flicker, especially when you are connecting your laptop to a power supply while presenting, rather than running off the battery. HDMI offers the highest picture quality of the three, and supports audio data transfer as well. However, know that HDMI-equipped laptops and projectors are more expensive than those that utilize the other video transfer formats.
Choose a video data transfer standard best suited to your price range and needs. VGA is always the safest bet, but if you are purchasing a new laptop computer, try to find one within your budget with an HDMI output as well, as it will provide the best quality and allow you to transmit audio without the use of extraneous equipment. S-Video inputs are found on nearly every LCD and Plasma television, meaning that if you are giving your presentation connected to a television rather than a projector, this is a viable option as well.
Make sure you know how to tell your computer to recognize that you wish to use a projector as a secondary video output device. On Windows-based laptop computers, this usually involves pressing the "Function" (or "Fn") key, followed by one of the numbered "F" buttons along the top of your keyboard. In most cases there will be a graphic of what looks like a television screen on the correct "F" key (e.g. "F4"), but if you aren't sure consult the manual that came with your specific model.
Connect your video cable of choice to your projector and your Windows laptop, turn the projector on, and press the correct function key. If you have a solid video card, pressing the same key combination a second time will allow you to view your laptop's screen both on the computer itself and as a projected image simultaneously.
Connecting a Macintosh laptop computer to an overhead projector can be a little trickier. You will need a special adapter to connect to a projector using VGA, as well as the standard VGA cable. This is called a DVI-VGA adapter, and is available both from Apple and other electronics vendors. Plug the adapter to the DVI port on your Macintosh laptop, then plug the VGA cable into the projector and the adapter. Turn on the projector, then press and hold the "F7" key on your Mac. You will be up and running in no time.
Try a dry run of your presentation using your own laptop and the same projector you will be using, if possible. It pays to be prepared, and your audience will be able to tell if you are fumbling around for the right function keys on the day you present. Your confidence will help you start your presentation off with a bang, and it will show.
VGA
Tip:VGA cabling is universal for devices that support it. For example, the if your desktop monitor that uses a VGA cable it, that same cable can be used by a laptop to connect it to a projector.
'No signal' and 'unsupported signal' messages mean 1 of 2 things, either the VGA output is off(laptop) or the display resolution is set too high(laptop and desktop). Assuming the VGA cable you are using is good, try this:
Desktop: hook the computer back up too your computer monitor & set the computer to the basic VGA resolution. For windows XP, right click a blank area on the desktop, click 'properties' on the dropdown menu, click settings. Write down the numbers in the 'screen resolution' and 'color quality' boxes!
Drag the 'screen resolution' all the way down to then 'less' side. Then change the 'color quality' to the lowest setting. Click apply, then answer yes (the display will look UGLY - don't worry!!) Now connect your computer back to your projector. If it works, then the resolution you use on your desktop monitor is not supported on your projector. Experiment with different resolutions to see which one looks best on your projector. You will need to change the settings each time you switch monitor to projector.
Laptop: by default the VGA connector on your laptop is off. To turn it on, look for a blue symbol on one of your function (F1, F2, F3...) keys. It looks like an old TV with a line on both sides 'O' (F4 on HP) Press & hold the blue button (on the lower left of the keyboard, usually to the left of control ) and tap the bleu button you just found. Let go & give you're a computer a few seconds to change over. If the laptop screen goes blank, you found the correct button! The display image should now be visible. Repeat this 1 to 2 times to change it back to laptop display.
If you did not see the display on the projector, 2 other issues are possible. First, verify that the VGA output on the laptop is working - connect the laptop to a regular computer monitor & change the display resolution to the lowest settings (see desktop above), then try it again on the projector. If you cannot get an image on a computer monitor, your laptop settings may need to be adjusted in the same dialogue box as the settings. Monitor #1 is the laptop display, Monitor #2 is the external output.
Happy viewing :)
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