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Audio Connection Options

If your video projection presentation has sound you will also need to hook up your computer and/or other devices (cd, dvd, video camera, vcr) to speakers. This can be done in one of two ways:

1. Directly to the speakers.

Such a connection is sufficient only if the device being hooked-up generates an amplified signal. Otherwise, the sound will not be loud enough to be heard by your audience. Most decks and cameras need to have their audio output boosted through an amplifier.

 

Connecting the audio of the computer to the projector's onboard speakers is really only sufficient for smaller rooms. Though most projectors have speakers, turning them up to maximum will distort the sound and/or even then not be sufficient to "fill" the room.

 

Your better choice is to acquire and use portable speakers with a built in amplifier. (Speakers that have such an amplifier will have need to be plugged into an electrical outlet.) Or best - especially in all but smaller meeting rooms - connect your  computer audio output to your own mixer/amp board or the "house" system. (Conference and convention centers may charge you for the use of the "house" system on two levels: rental charges and technical staff time.

 

There are smaller, portable speakers available that have a built in "pre-amp" that will allow these speakers to generate good sound, but the output is not sufficient for a large room such as a sanctuary let alone for a convention center. For that you will need to hook into either the "house" system or a portable mixer/amp feeding large floor/tripod speakers.

 

2. To and Through an Amplifier/Mixer then to the speakers.

Connecting the output of your device (computer, cd, dvd, video camera, vcr) to the "house" system or a mobile "board" (Amp/Mixer) is necessary for sanctuaries and larger assembly areas such as convention/conference rooms.

 

The options you have will depend upon the following:

• Size of meeting space used (i.e. small room, sanctuary, etc)

• Type of speakers to be used.

• Availability of mixer/amp that you have either brought in or is resident (the "house" system)

• Connecting cables and adapters you have on hand

Again, preparation is a must. You cannot hookup what you have not packed to take with you. If you do this often acquire an accessories bag and stock it with the most common cables and adapters. Your investment will pay for itself in the amount of anti-acid tablets you will not have to purchase.

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