Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What is the most asked question at Gault & Associates, Inc.?

A. How much does a data projector for a computer cost to rent? ANSWER TO THE ANSWER: Anywhere from $175 to $1200 per day depending upon the computer's native resolution, screen size, brightness required and other factors.

Q. How do I find the computer's native resolution?

A. In the Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 & Windows XP operating systems the resolution can be found by going to the Start button, selecting Settings, then clicking on the Display icon. In the upper right hand corner will be a tab named Setting. After clicking on that tab, look in the lower right hand portion of the screen to determine the desktop area. It will show 640 x 480 (VGA), 800 x 600 (SVGA), 1024 x 768 (XGA), 1280 x 1024 (SXGA) or even higher resolutions. Newer laptops will generally require a True XGA (1024 x 768) resolution projector. While you can reduce the resolution of a laptop, it can cause multiple problems. For example, the laptop screen might not display at all or the software might have been written for the specific resolution and would therefore not display accurately. We do not recommend reducing the resolution of a laptop.

Q. Why would you want to reduce the resolution of the laptop anyway?

A. To save money when renting a data projector. But there are potential problems, see answer to above question.

Q. Why are data projectors so expensive to rent?

A. Because they are high technology devices with a short market life before more sophisticated and brighter units are introduced. This means they are expensive to purchase and within just a few months, a more desirable model will always be introduced. At Gault & Associates, Inc. we strive to have state-of-the-art projectors at all levels of resolution. No units that are dim, lacking contrast or fuzzy are allowed into the rental stock. As a result, Gault & Associates, Inc. has the best projectors available in the marketplace.

Q. How can you make such an audacious claim?

A. Each year at the audio-visual industry's largest trade show, every unit of every manufacturer is demonstrated at the same time under the same conditions, so a fair comparison can be made. We spend hours examining the images to determine the best projectors for video, computer, or a combination of both.

Q. Are there different projectors for video and computers?

A. Yes and No. Data or computer projectors will always be able to project NTSC video (camera or VCR), but video projectors do not project computer data. Certain data projectors do not project a high quality video image. Generally, a video-only projector does a better job of projecting NTSC video than a data projector.

Q. Why do the images not get from my laptop to the data projector, even if I have the right model projector?

A. Your computer may require that you use the Function key in the lower left portion of the bottom keys in connection with an F (5 as an example) key in the top row to send the image out the back port to the projector. The F key generally has an icon on it that resembles a monitor or it may say LCD on it. There are usually three selections that can be toggled on and off. The first toggle sends the image out the port; the second sends the image only to the laptop screen, while the third sends the image to both the laptop screen and the projector. This is only true if the data projector (XGA laptop with a true XGA data projector matches the native resolution of the laptop). If a lesser than native resolution is selected on the laptop, generally the laptop screen will not display while the projector is being used.

Q. Why is all this so complex, when all I want to do is show my PowerPoint presentation on the screen?

A. First, computers are not standardized in their operation, thus you often need special knowledge that only AV gurus like Gault & Associates, Inc. will have. As a result, we get to have a regular job in a cool industry. Secondly, technology is moving so quickly in this area that each new generation of laptops bring new requirements to the display process.

Q. Do you rent laptops and vinyl siding?

A. Yes, under certain circumstances we do rent laptops. Call and ask us to explain those circumstances if you need to know. No to the vinyl siding question.

Q. Is there one screen surface that's better than another?

A. Generally (there are exceptions), a matte white surface is your best all around selection for most situations. Sheets and walls on the other hand are not acceptable. You can check the Web site (see our Home Page links) of Da-lite and Draper screen companies. They have tons of screen information.

Q. Aren't all wireless microphones the same?

A. Not by a long shot. This is one area where we need to ask you several important questions to determine just which microphone will best meet your need. This is true for both microphone rental and sales. We only rent Shure (the World's Finest) microphones, except for one great Electro-Voice 757 we can't bear to part with.

Q. Can Gault & Associates, Inc. be price competitive with big companies in bigger cities on the products you sell?

A. Call us with your best price and let us prove that we WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD. There is no fine print, but the quote must be from an authorized dealer of a product we sell. (editor's note: I always wondered whether anyone actually took advantage of this kind of offer, so we're giving it a spin to find out.)

Q. Are weekly or monthly rates available?

A. Yes, but you'll have to ask for them.

Q. Can Gault & Associates, Inc. deliver, setup and pickup rented equipment?

A. 7/24! Seven days a week, 24 hours a day we are ready to roll. Skilled technicians are available whenever they are needed (okay, it does cost a lot more for special service, after all, nobody wants to work on New Year's Eve).

Q. What is your service area?

A. Our primary service areas are Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville, TN and anywhere within a hour's drive of any of those cities. This includes such cities as Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood, Manchester, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Oak Ridge, Jasper, South Pittsburg, Cleveland, Dayton, Monteagle in Tennessee. In Georgia cities served include Dalton, Fort Oglethorpe, Rossville, Ringgold, Calhoun, Chatsworth, Lafayette, Chickamauga and Fort Mountain and Scottsboro, Alabama. If your area isn't listed, call anyway, we couldn't remember everybody's name.

Q. What about hotels, convention centers, trade centers, bed & breakfast and other meeting venues?

A. Gault & Associates, Inc. serves as the primary audio-visual vendor for virtually all of Chattanooga�s prime hotels and meeting locations. We also deliver and pickup equipment to almost all venues (restaurants, bread & breakfasts, etc.) in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville. Whenever you are planning an event, we would be honored to prepare a quote and e-mail or fax it to you IMMEDIATELY.

Q. Isn't all AV equipment about the same?

A. NO! Ask our customers. We have nothing but the newest in audio-visual hardware. Our customers often marvel at how new and well operating our equipment is compared to their rental experiences in other cities. For instance, all of our overhead projectors are the top of the line models with very bright and sharp images. In addition, every projector has a built-in backup lamp so your presentation won't be halted by a burn-out. Our speakers are all JBL and Electro-Voice, the two top names in professional audio. Our laser pointers are the brightest pointers allowed by federal law, and our mixers are all the best that Mackie and Shure can make.

Q. I have a question that you haven't answered?

A. Great. Then give us a call at 1-800-424-2858; that's 1-800-42-GAULT(4-2858).