[Solved] Presentation for projection on 16:9 and 4:3 screens

[John_Ha]

This is a question more about projectors than Impress.

I am assisting someone who sends their presentation to members of their organisation for them to show it in village halls, conference centres, hotel conference rooms etc, where the exact projector available on the day is unknown.

What is the best format for their presentation when they don't know whether the projector and screen will be 16 x 9 or 4 x 3?

Should they create two copies of the presentation, one for 16 x 9 and the other for 4 x 3?

What happens if they project a 16 x 9 presentation using a 4 x 3 projector? Does it appear as a thin band (letter box) on the 4 x 3 screen? Or can they force the projector to show the full depth of the presentation while losing the Left and Right edges?

[Zizi64]

What happens if they project a 16 x 9 presentation using a 4 x 3 projector? Does it appear as a thin band (letter box) on the 4 x 3 screen? Or can they force the projector to show the full depth of the presentation while losing the Left and Right edges?

I think it is depends on the operating syítem, on the display driver of the videocard, and on the type of the projector.

[RoryOF]

I've just made a quick test, John. I made a presentation using the default slide (OHP format? 28 x 21cm); If I show that on a 1024x 768 screen, it fills the screen. If I show the same presentation on the adjoining 1600 x 900 monitor it fills the screen top to bottom, with back bars at the side.

I then made a presentation using a custom 16x9 format. When shown on the 1024x768 screen the image filled the horizontal, with black bars top and bottom. It completely filled the 1600x900 monitor. My advice: if there are text listings or fine details of importance, use 4x3 format to get largest view on the screen.

The same details will be true on a 1920x1080 projector (16x9 ratio)

[John_Ha]

Thanks to all - I'll mark it solved.