Projector hire makes sense when the venue's own projector is too dim, the room is too big, or you are running a session somewhere with no AV at all: a school hall, a lodge, a community centre or a site office. A good hire includes the screen, the cables and adapters, delivery, setup and someone to call if it fails. Tell us the room, the number of delegates, the date and what you will show, and we pass your request to independent AV rental firms in your area, who quote you directly. The request is free.
Lumens and why the room matters
Projector brightness is rated in lumens. A small, dim training room needs much less than a hall with big windows or a marquee in daylight. If the room cannot be darkened, ask for a brighter projector, and say so in your request: it is the most common reason a hired projector disappoints. Resolution matters for spreadsheets and small print; for slides and video most modern projectors are fine. For very large halls, firms may suggest two screens or a large LED screen instead.
Screens, throw and placement
The screen size should suit the room: as a rough guide, the back row should be no further than about six to eight times the screen height. Ask about:
- Tripod screens for training rooms and small venues
- Fast-fold screens on frames for conferences, front or rear projection
- Throw distance: a short throw projector fits small rooms and keeps the beam off the presenter's face
- Where the projector sits, and if it needs a stand or ceiling mount
Cables, adapters and a technician
Most problems on the day are connections, not projectors. Tell the firm which laptops will plug in, so they bring the right HDMI and USB-C adapters, long cables, a clicker and an extension lead. For bigger events a technician sets up, tests and stays for the session. Ask about backup power: a projector on a UPS survives a short cut, and the venue's generator should cover longer outages. Many firms also supply sound, see PA system hire.
Delivery, setup and timing
Ask for delivery and setup the evening before or early on the day, with time to test before delegates arrive. Agree who collects and when, and what happens if equipment is damaged. For a training day at a conference venue, first check what the venue includes. For a permanent room, an interactive panel may be the better buy.
Out of town, at a game lodge or a guest farm, the nearest AV firm may be a long drive away, so book early and expect a travel charge. Ask the firm to bring a spare lamp or a second projector for a big event, and to label which cable goes where so a trainer can reconnect a laptop during breaks without calling the technician. A quick run-through with the person presenting, the evening before or first thing, catches most problems.
What to include in your brief
- Date, venue and room size
- Number of delegates and the layout
- Can the room be darkened
- Laptops and connections to plug in
- Technician, setup time and collection
Projector Hire for business, government and communities
- Companies and head offices: projectors and screens for strategy days and conferences at off-site venues
- Government departments and municipalities: screens for imbizos, indabas and departmental workshops in halls
- Schools, colleges and universities: a bright projector for a school hall prize-giving or staff development day
- NPOs, churches and community groups: a projector and screen for an AGM or youth programme in a church hall
- Small and family businesses: a one-day hire for a product launch or sales meeting
- Mines, plants, factories and farms: projectors for safety inductions in site offices and training centres
- Event organisers and associations: large screens, several projectors and a technician for a conference
- Training and skills development providers: weekly hire for training courses at venues without AV
Frequently asked questions
Do you hire out projectors yourselves?
How bright a projector do I need?
Does projector hire include a screen?
Can I hire a projector for just one day?
Projector Hire by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg