Epson Powerlite 81p Multimedia Projector Users Guide

							Welcome11
Save all packaging in case you need to ship the projector. Always use 
the original packaging (or equivalent) when you need to send the 
projector to another location.
If you are moving the projector by hand, use the carrying case 
included with the projector.
Additional Components
Depending on how you plan to use the projector, you may need 
additional components:
■To receive an S-video signal, you need an S-video cable. One is 
usually provided with your video device, or you can purchase it 
from Epson. See page 12.
■To receive a component video signal from a VCR or other video 
device, you need a D-sub, 15-pin, VGA-to-component video 
cable, which is available from Epson. See page 12.
■Some older PowerBooks and Macintosh desktop models may 
need the Macintosh adapter set shown on page 17 (available from 
Epson, as described on page 12). Older iMac systems may need a 
special adapter to provide a VGA output port; see your computer 
dealer.  
						

							12Welcome
Optional Accessories
To enhance your use of the projector, Epson provides the following 
optional accessories:  
You can purchase these accessories from your dealer, by calling 
Epson at (800) 873-7766, or by visiting the Epson Store
SM
at www.epsonstore.com (U.S. sales only). In Canada, please call 
(800) 463-7766 for dealer referral. 
Product Product number
Replacement lamp V13H010L30
Air filter set (includes 2 filters)  V13H134A06 
Samsonite
® wheeled soft case ELPKS35
ATA molded hardshell case ELPKS51
Component video cable
S-video cableELPKC19
ELPSV01
Macintosh adapter set  ELPAP01
Distribution amplifier ELPDA01
50-inch portable screen
60-inch portable pop-up screen
80-inch portable pop-up screen
83.6-inch hanging pull-down screenELPSC06
ELPSC07
ELPSC08
ELPSC09
Image presentation camera
High resolution document cameraV12H162020
V12H064020
Kensington
® security lock ELPSL01
Ceiling mount
False ceiling plate
Suspension adapter
Security bracket/cabling for gyro lock mounts
Adjustable ceiling channelELPMB36
ELPMBFCP
ELPMBAPL
ELPMBSEC
ELPMBACC
note
To purchase a replacement 
remote control, call 
(562) 276-4394 (U.S.) or 
(905) 709-3839 (for dealer 
referral in Canada).  
						

							13
1
Setting Up the Projector
This chapter tells you how to set up the projector and connect it to a 
computer or video source. You can connect up to four devices 
simultaneously: four video sources, one computer and three video 
sources, or two computers and two video sources. 
You’ll find instructions for the following in this chapter:
■Positioning the projector
■Connecting to a computer
■Connecting to video sources 
						

							14Setting Up the Projector
Positioning the Projector
Before connecting the projector, you 
need to decide where to place it. If 
you’re setting up the projector yourself 
and it isn’t already installed in the 
room you’re using, you’ll probably 
want to place it on a table in front of 
the screen, as shown. 
This lets you stand in the front of the room, face the audience, and 
remain close enough to the equipment to be able to control it. Try to 
leave as much space as possible between the projector and the screen to 
get a good-size image. 
Place the projector somewhere between 3 and 35 feet from the screen. 
Use the figure below to help you determine exactly how far. Image size 
increases with distance, but can vary depending on how you’ve 
adjusted the optical zoom and other settings.
Also keep these considerations in mind: 
■Place the projector on a sturdy, level surface.
■Make sure there is plenty of space for ventilation around and 
under the projector. Do not set the projector on top of loose 
papers that could block the vents under the projector. 
■Make sure the projector is within 6 feet of a grounded electrical 
outlet or extension cord. 
30 to 35.5 feet 5.9 to 6.8 feet 2.9 to 3.4 feet
note
You can download the 
Projection Distance 
Calculator program from the 
Drivers and Downloads 
section of Epson’s web site: 
http://support.epson.com.  
						

							Setting Up the Projector15
Try to place the projector directly in front of the center of the screen, 
facing it toward the screen squarely. If the projector isn’t positioned 
this way, the image will be “keystone” shaped, instead of square or 
rectangular.
If you place the projector below the level of the screen, you’ll have to 
tilt it up by extending the front adjustable foot, as described on 
page 37. This also causes the image to lose its rectangular shape, but 
the Auto Keystone feature corrects the distortion automatically. If the 
image does not regain its rectangular shape, the tilt angle is greater 
than 15° or the Auto Keystone feature may have been disabled. To 
turn it on, see page 58. To adjust it manually, see page 38. 
Other Installations
You can also project from behind the screen or from the ceiling, with 
the projector mounted upside-down: 
To project from overhead, you’ll need the optional ceiling mount 
hardware. (See page 12 for ordering information.) You’ll also need to 
select 
Front/Ceiling or Rear/Ceiling for the Projection option in the 
Extended menu. To project from the rear, select 
Rear. See page 59 for 
more information.
note
The Auto Keystone feature 
corrects vertical distortion 
automatically. For more 
information, see page 38.
Front/ceiling projection Rear projection (using a 
translucent screen)Rear/ceiling projection (using 
a translucent screen) 
						

							16Setting Up the Projector
Connecting to a Computer
You can connect the PowerLite projector to any computer that has a 
standard VGA or BNC monitor port, including PC notebook and 
laptop computers, Macintosh PowerBooks and iBooks, and hand-held 
devices. You can connect two computers at the same time. 
Follow the instructions in this section to:
■Connect the projector to your computer with the VGA cable 
included with the projector.
■Connect the projector to your computer with a 
commercially-available VGA–5BNC cable.
After connecting the projector to your computer, you may also 
want to:
■Connect the USB cable that came with your projector so that you 
can use the remote control as a wireless mouse; see page 19
■Connect a monitor to the projector so you can view your 
presentation close-up as well as on-screen (not necessary if you’re 
using a laptop); see page 20
■Connect a commercially-available computer audio cable to play 
computer audio; see page 21
Connecting with the VGA Cable
Follow these instructions to connect to your computer with the VGA 
cable that came with your projector. Before you start, make sure your 
computer and the projector are turned off.
1. If you are connecting the projector to a desktop computer, 
disconnect the monitor cable from your computer.
2. Locate the VGA computer cable that 
came with the projector.
note
If you have an iBook with an 
RCA video-out port, follow 
the instructions for 
connecting to a video device 
on page 23.
VGA computer cable 
						

							Setting Up the Projector17
3. Connect one end of the cable to the projector’s 
Computer1/Component Video1 or the 
Computer2/Component Video2 port. If you are going to 
connect your computer monitor to the projector for simultaneous 
display, use the 
Computer1/Component Video1 port.
4. Connect the other end of the cable to your computer’s video-out 
or monitor port. 
If you’re using a PowerBook or iBook and you can’t connect the 
cable, you may need to use the Macintosh desktop adapter as 
shown below (available from Epson; see page 12).
To use the adapter, remove its cover as 
shown and set its DIP switches according 
to the resolution you want to use, such as 
16-inch mode. See your Macintosh 
documentation for instructions.
Replace the cover and connect the 
adapter to the free end of the computer 
video cable. Then plug the cable (with 
the adapter) into the video port on your 
Macintosh.
5. If you want to view the display 
simultaneously on your computer monitor and the projector 
screen, see “Connecting an External Monitor” on page 20.
6. Tighten the screws on the connectors. 
						

							18Setting Up the ProjectorIf you don’t need to make any other connections, you can plug in 
your projector and turn it on. See page 30 for instructions.
If more than one device is connected to the projector, select the 
correct source after projection starts by pressing the 
Source Search 
button on the projector or the 
Comp1 or Comp2 button on the 
remote control. See page 32.
Connecting with a VGA-5BNC Cable
If your computer provides video output through BNC connectors, 
follow these instructions to connect the projector to your computer 
with an optional VGA-5BNC cable. Before you start, make sure your 
computer and the projector are turned off.
1. Disconnect the monitor cable from your computer.
2. Connect the cable’s VGA connector to the projector’s 
Computer1/Component Video1 or the 
Computer2/Component Video2 port. If you are going to 
connect your computer monitor to the projector for simultaneous 
display, use the 
Computer1/Component Video1 port.
3. Connect the BNC connectors to your computer’s BNC ports. 
4. If you want to view the display simultaneously on your computer 
monitor and the projector screen, see “Connecting an External 
Monitor” on page 20.
5. Tighten the screws on the VGA connector.
VGA-5BNC cable 
						

							Setting Up the Projector19
If you don’t need to make any other connections, you can plug in 
your projector and turn it on. See page 30 for instructions.
If more than one device is connected to the projector, select the 
correct source after projection starts by pressing the 
Source Search 
button on the projector or the 
Comp1 or Comp2 button on the 
remote control. See page 32.
Connecting the USB Cable for Remote Mouse 
Control
Using the remote control as a wireless mouse lets you click through 
slideshow-style presentations, such as PowerPoint, from up to 20 feet 
away. This makes it easy to deliver your presentation, since you won’t 
need to stand near your computer. 
To use the wireless mouse function, your system must have a USB 
port and the full version of one of these operating systems: 
1. If you are using a desktop computer, disconnect the mouse cable 
from your computer.
2. Locate the USB mouse cable that came with the projector and 
connect the square end of the cable to the projector’s   USB 
port.
Windows®Macintosh
Windows 98, 2000, Me, or XP Macintosh OS 8.6 to 9.2, OS X
note
For details about using the 
remote control as a wireless 
mouse, see page 47. 
						

							20Setting Up the Projector3. Connect the flat end of the cable to an available USB port on your 
computer.
4. If necessary, configure your laptop to work with an external 
mouse.
If you don’t need to make any other connections, you can plug in 
your projector and turn it on. See page 30 for instructions.
Connecting an External Monitor
If you want to see your presentation close-up as well as on the 
projection screen, you can connect an external monitor to the 
projector. This lets you view images on your computer monitor while 
the projector is in standby mode (plugged in but not turned on) and 
check your presentation or switch between picture sources even if 
you’ve pressed the 
A/V Mute button on the remote control to turn off 
projection on the screen. 
Simultaneous display is possible only when the computer is connected 
to the projector’s 
Computer1/Component Video1 port.
Make sure the projector and computer are off. Then connect the 
monitor’s cable to the projector’s 
Monitor Out port, as shown:
If you don’t need to make any other connections, you can plug in 
your projector and turn it on. See page 30 for instructions.
note
Some LCD monitors may 
not be able to display the 
image correctly. If you have 
trouble displaying the 
image, connect a multiscan 
monitor. If you’re projecting 
computer images, make sure 
the computer’s refresh rate is 
set to 65 Hz or greater.