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We are looking at upgrading our presenation kit.
Currently working away with a bunch of knackered 2nd and 3rd hand kit. And presentation season is but a few joyous months away. Worth noting here that the majority of these presentation are made to Doris and Cecil with a few friends in a small village hall somewhere in rural Scotland.
I don't need speakers with enough power to blast holes in walls.
What I do need is simple, reliable, easily transportable kit/software. Creating the presentations can be a bit more work, but the use of them needs to be super easy.
Software wise, any reason to move away from powerpoint?
Hardware wise, any cheapish android tablet and a decent wireless projector with built in speakers do? Maybe with a wireless speaker if needed to boost the volume?
I welcome suggestions, advice, and generally unhelpful abuse.
Software you can try Prezi - I believe there's a freeware version that's cloud based. Our chaps at work swear by it.
Currently mooching around their introductory bit
If you know how to use Powerpoint I'd just stick with it. Otherwise, for basic presentations there are quite a few alternatives - Google Docs, Libre/Open Office, then some online ones.
I'd use whatever you use to make the presentation to show it, nothing wrong with powerpoint but there is also the open office stuff. There are some other online things but a bit of a steeper learning curve.
Cheapest projector you can get? Do you need sound?
I would have thought a windows tablet or cheap tower PC would be better.
from what I've seen Prezi is a bit gimmicky and way OTT for a lot of stuff. Also not that straight forward.
I can't see how Prezi will make things easier of more reliable
I've been impressed with the blue tooth speakers like Sony XR3 Bose and UE Boom etc. good sound from a single box should mean less wires to untangle
Personally I'd stick with a PC laptop for connectivity options. No idea about projectors but I've never heard one with even OK speakers built in
I think online options might be an issue for the mid-term as our broadband speed is shocking.
If you know how to use Powerpoint I'd just stick with it
Probably what will happen, but would like to review the alternatives. We'll have a lot of volunteers of varying abilities using this stuff. So simplicity and reliability are key.
Sound, we definately need sound.
Tablets appeal due to size and portability. So Tower PC's are a no go. These things will be out 2-4 times a week peak presenting to SWRI season. Heaven help anyone that upsets them with a failed presenation.
No idea about projectors but I've never heard one with even OK speakers built in
Noted
Prezi doesn't make dull presentations more interesting.
powerpoint is easy/simple and everyone know how to use it or can export to the format.
I agree with the above. A small windows laptop, simple plugin/bluetooth speaker and simple small projector = fairly numpty proof.
I did discover that colleagues all still want DVD/CD drawers as they play music or are handed DVD's by schools regularly...I have a skinny laptop with no ability to do this...
Whizzy kit does not a better presentation make.
You don't need to be online to access your Prezi presentation, you can download them
I'd still not recommend Prezi for beginners, it also doesn't really add that much, if you need the gimmicks to make your presentation interesting then your in trouble. As for speakers, whats playing? Again something cheap from tesco?
[i]I think online options might be an issue for the mid-term as our broadband speed is shocking. [/i]
A bit like the lady that turned up to do a presentation without it on her PC, and needed an Internet connect to download it.
This was in 2008 and we were on a suppliers' location near Shannon...
And if you've already got (and use) MS Presentation - why would you want to try and use something else?
As for speakers, whats playing?
The presentations involve helicopters and pensioners, so;
I do a lot of presentations of varying forms in the IT and Training world and you can't beat the universal acceptance of powerpoint really.
Speakers wise look for some active powered ones so no need for a separate amp, if you have a search around you will have a local installation company that install whiteboards and speakers for schools and businesses. They will be able to get stuff cheap and provide a range of choices.
As far as a projector goes, go for the brightest and best you can for your budget.
Stick to a laptop but aim for something smaller than you average, I've used Macbook Airs, Macbook pros and currently have a small 13" dell laptop and all have been ideal. Get a bunch of adapters to go with it to convert between VGA, DVI and HDMI so you don't turn up somewhere and can't connect.
Wireless Presenter R400 - will work with Prezi, PowerPoint etc ...
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Whenever I have to deal with presentations that are full of media and seem to be falling over in powerpoint - I export plain slides as graphics and use cuelab to playback images, video and sound. You can add text now too.
Rock solid playback - mac only I'm afraid.
www.figure53.com