Frequenty Asked Questions

Vista SP solar movie projection/P.A. System (Acclaimer)

Vista 200 (solar-powered)Movie projection System

Papyrus Solar Audio Player

RAN10 Solar Movie Player

RAN DVD Solar Movie Player

90" Projector Screen

Vista Acclaimer FAQ

Vista power, battery and charging

What size and type of battery comes with the Vista System?
The Vista SP and Vista SP Backpack are solar-powered and include a 150 Watt-hours lithium smart battery.  The Vista AC does not include a battery, but runs from AC (wall outlet) power.

How long does a battery-powered Vista System run from a full battery?
Approximately 2.5 or more, depending on use. (Movies use more power than talking, more power is used by a greater volume, etc.)

How long does it take to charge the battery from the solar panel?
About 8 hours or a full day in the sun.  This time can be lengthened by the presence of clouds, shade, or by latitude.

Can a battery-powered Vista System be charged via an AC wall outlet?
Yes, the Vista SP and SP Backpack Systems include an AC charger (110 -220V) for the battery as well as another AC adapter to run the Vista system directly from AC power.

How long does it take to charge the battery via and AC wall outlet?
About 4 hours.

Can a battery-powered Vista System be charged via a car or other automobile?
Yes, you will need to purchase an inverter in order to connect the AC charger to the cigarette lighter in the vehicle.

How much power does a battery-powered Vista System consume?
Approximately 35-45 Watts, depending on the volume, number of speakers used, etc.

Vista projector

Is a low-lumen projector really bright enough to show a movie to 1,000 people?
This projector will surprise you (it certainly surprised us): In a dark environment, this LED projector easily fills our 90" screen with a bright, clear image. Some users have contacted us to say that they were able to show the film to more than 1,000 at a time.  The picture is so bright in total darkness that the image shows through to the other side of our round screen, allowing even more viewers.

How long does the Vista SP and SP Backpack projector bulb last?
Because it is an LED (light-emitting diode) instead of a standard bulb, it has as much as 20,000 hours of life.  Think of it this way: you could show a 2-hour film every day - that's 365 times per year - and still be using this LED projector 20 years from now without replacing the bulb.

Vista media

What media can I use with the Vista system?
The Vista Engine's DVD player will accept DVD, MP4, VCD, CD, and MP# in both PAL and NTSC

Can I play movies from an SD card?
The Vista SP and SP Backpack projector also read microSD cards. You will need to purchase the Audio Cable.  With this cable, the audio from the movie will run from the projector headphone port back to the Vista Engine so that the sound will be amplified and played over the Vista speakers. Download our visual instructions for converting a DVD to a microSD card formatted for use with the Vista System.

General info about the Vista

What is the difference between the horn and marine speakers?
The horn speaker is very loud, but delivers less bass or low-end sound. The marine speaker is not quite as loud, but has a very well-rounded sound including the low-end or bass. Many people prefer to use two speakers, one of each kind for a crowd of 1000+ listeners.

Can I order the Vista SP System without the solar panel and/or battery?
You can easily customize your own system by contacting Renew directly! Simply call and place an order for a system specifically adapted to suit your needs.

For example, some people do not need a solar panel because they have limited access to electricity.  Others may choose to purchase an extra battery to extend the play time of the projector. One battery will give you a 90 minute movie with about 30-90 minutes of additional "talk time" at the end. If there is extended, amplified music before or after a film, then another battery is advisable.  Higher volume audio means faster power consumption.

Does the Vista System come with a warranty?
Yes, we fully guarantee our systems against manufacturing defects for 1 year from purchase. If your system is not working correctly, send it back and we will repair or replace it (at our discretion) for free.

Vista 200 FAQ

About the Vista 200 power and battery

How much power does the system consume?
Approximately 10 Watts, depending on the sound volume.

What size and type of battery comes with the Vista 200 System?
The Vista 200 uses a 25 Watt-hour LiFePo4 battery. 

How long can the system run off of a full battery?
Approximately 2 hours, depending on how it is used.

Charging the Vista 200

How long does it take to charge the battery from the solar panel?
About 8 hours or a full day in the sun.  This time can be lengthened by the presence of clouds, shade, or by latitude.

Can a Vista 200 battery be charged via an AC wall outlet?
Yes, the battery-powered Vista 200 includes an AC battery charger (110 - 220V).

How long does it take to charge the battery via and AC wall outlet?
About 2 to 4 hours.

Can a Vista 200 battery be charged via an automobile or other type of vehicle?
Yes, the battery-powered Vista 200 includes a cigarette lighter charger.

The Vista 200 projector

Is a low-lumen projector really bright enough to show a movie for up to 200 people?
This brightness of this projector might surprise you (it certainly surprised us): in a dark environment, this LED projector fills a 70" screen with a bright, clear image. We are getting numerous field reports from users who are very pleased with the brightness and clarity.

How long does the Vista SP and SP Backpack projector bulb last?
Because it is an LED (light-emitting diode) instead of a standard bulb, it has as much as 20,000 hours of life.  Think of it this way: you could show a 2-hour film every day - that's 365 times per year - and still be using this LED projector 20 years from now without replacing the bulb.

Media for the Vista 200

What type of media will work with the Vista Mini?
The Vista 200 will only play media from MicroSD cards. Videos must be formatted as MPEG-4 | Main Concept (H.264) codec.

Can I load media from a DVD onto a MicroSD card?
Of course, as long as you have the rights to do so. Refer to our visual instructions for ripping, formatting, and loading for the Vista Mini.

General info about the Vista 200

Can I order the Vista 200 System without the solar panel and/or battery?
Of course! We can customize your system. Simply call Renew, tell us specifically about how we can adapt a system specifically designed to suit your needs.

Does the Vista 200 come with a warranty?
Yes, we fully guarantee our systems against manufacturing defets and/or issues for 1 year from purchase. If the system is not working correctly, send it back and we will repair or replace it (at our discretion) for free.

Papyrus FAQ

The Papyrus power and battery

RAN10 FAQ

Ran10 Power and Battery

What size and type of battery comes with the RAN10?
The RAN10 System includes a 25 Watt-hour LiFePo4 battery.

How long can the RAN10 run from a fully charged battery?
Approximately 2 hours, depending on how it is used.

How much power does the system consume?
About 10 Watts, depending on media volume.

Ran10 Charging

Q. How long does it take to charge the battery from the solar panel?
About 8 hours or a full day in the sun. This time can be lengthened by the presence of clouds, shade, or by latitude.

Q. Can a RAN10 battery be charged via an AC wall outlet?
Yes, the RAN10 includes an AC battery charger (110 - 220V) that may also be used to run the unit directly from AC power.

How long does it take to charge the battery via and AC wall outlet?
About 2 to 4 hours.

Can a RAN10 battery be charged via a car or other vehicle?
Yes, the RAN10 includes a cigarette lighter charger.

Ran10 display and media

Can this screen be seen in daylight?
Yes, the RAN10 screen is a LCD screen just like most flat computer screens sold today. It can be seen in daylight as long as it is not in direct sunlight.

What media can I use with this system?
The RAN10 only plays media from SD cards encoded in the MPEG-1 format.

Can I load media from a DVD onto an SD card?
Yes, as long as you have the rights to do so. Refer to our visual instructions for ripping, formatting, and loading for the RAN10.

Ran10 General info.

Can I order the RAN10 System without the solar panel and/or battery?
Yes! If you want to customize your own viewing system, call and place an order for a system specifically adapted to suit your needs.

Does the RAN10 come with a warranty?
Yes, we fully guarantee our systems against manufacturing defects for 1 year from purchase. If the system is not working correctly, send it back and we will repair or replace it (at our discretion) for free.

RAN DVD FAQ

Ran DVD power and battery

What size and type of battery comes with the RAN DVD?
The RAN DVD System includes a 25 Watt-hour LiFePo4 battery.

How long can the RAN DVD run from a fully charged battery?
Approximately 2 hours, depending on how it is used.

How much power does the system consume?
About 10 Watts, depending on media volume.

Charging the Ran DVD

How long odes it take to charge the battery from the solar panel?
About 8 hours or a full day in the sun. This time can be lengthened by the presence of clouds, shade, or by latitude.

Can a RAN DVD battery be charged via an AC wall outlet?
Yes, the RAN DVD includes an AC battery charger (110 - 220V) as well as an adapter that may also be used to run the unit directly from AC power.

How long does it take to charge the battery via and AC wall outlet?
About 2 to 4 hours.

Can a RAN DVD battery be charged via a car or other vehicle?
Yes, the RAN DVD includes a cigarette lighter charger

Ran DVD display and media

Can this screen be seen in daylight?
Yes, the RAN DVD screen is a LCD screen just like most flat computer screens sold today. It can be seen in daylight as long as it is not in direct sunlight.

What media can I use with this system?
The RAN DVD only plays from DVD disks (multiple formats).

General Ran DVD info.

Can I order the RAN DVD System without the solar panel and/or battery?
Of course! For a customized systerm, simply to order a system specifically adapted to suit your needs.

Does the RAN DVD come with a warranty?
Yes, we fully guarantee our systems against manufacturing defects for 1 year from purchase. If the system is not working correctly, send it back and we will repair or replace it (at our discretion) for free.

Projector Screen FAQ

General Screen info.

Is the screen difficult to assemble?
The screens are easily assembled like you would set up a tent for camping. Tent poles are slid through durable, stretchy, reflective material.  The entire screen system only weighs a few pounds, making assembly easy for one person.  It is very easy to assembly, but it is advisable to watch our simple instructional video for a demonstration of screen assembly. (Enjoy the epic music of the video)

How do I hang or secure the screen for viewing?
The screen can be hung in a large variety of ways.  It can be easily adapted to your particular situation. It may be hung from a nail on a wall or tree, tied into a tree or between two trees or posts, etc. Renew's Projection Screen Package includes rope, carabiners, cinches, and stakes to help with securing the screen in any environment.  New rectangular screens are being designs that are very lightweight and free-standing.  Call for more details.

Is the screen washable?
Yes, you may wash the screen by hand or in a machine with mild detergent. Hang to dry immediately. Do not use bleach when washing!