[whitehousejamie]

Hi everyone

Can anyone recommend a cheap or free "txt to screen" software package? One package I have found requires buying one of a selection of compatible GSM phones.

I have a one off DJ event where the client has requested this however it's unlikely that I will use again and therefore I don't want to invest heavily.

Thanks in advance

[rossmck]

Is there an Internet connection available ? I'd be inclined to use a hosted service (and a webpage view fullscreen) rather than relying on a SIM in a local phone

I've built things like this in the past but all for specific purposes - none of them I could just hand to you as an off the shelf solution sadly, but maybe there are others

What's it for, and do you need any sort of filtering on it or just to display everything that's sent in ?

[whitehousejamie]

Hi there

I don't think the venue has wifi available unfortunately and there would need to be some degree of filtering as its a prom.

Thanks

[smyles]

Check Ultratext.co.uk

They offer different price packages. The basic is £99.

[whitehousejamie]

Thanks, this is the package I might have to go for, IF I can source one of the old compatible phones!

[J Pearce]

If its a one off you could probably pay someone to sit there and type them in (they've got to be moderated anyway) for less than the software and hardware costs (plus setup/config time etc).
Less to go wrong too!

[sleah]

J Pearce, on 30 April 2012 - 10:48 PM, said:

If its a one off you could probably pay someone to sit there and type them in (they've got to be moderated anyway) for less than the software and hardware costs (plus setup/config time etc).
Less to go wrong too!

KISS is often the best way!

It also crosses my mind that doing it manually the 'txt spk' could be converted to a plainer English to actually make it readable and understandable. So long as the typist is literate of course
SPaG is so appalling these days, even 'txt spk' abbreviations often come out as complete nonsense!

[sleepytom]

A friend of mine worked on the Nokia Maps LED sign post install in central London. It was a giant txt to screen system run by the biggest mobile phone manufacturer in the world. Nokia had a guy who read the messages off a phone and typed them into the screen software.

It is the best way of doing it, even for Nokia! None of the automated ways work as well as a person doing it, and most of the automation software is a lot more expensive than a person for a one off gig.

[dosxuk]

sleepytom, on 02 May 2012 - 11:50 AM, said:

A friend of mine worked on the Nokia Maps LED sign post install in central London. It was a giant txt to screen system run by the biggest mobile phone manufacturer in the world. Nokia had a guy who read the messages off a phone and typed them into the screen software.

It is the best way of doing it, even for Nokia! None of the automated ways work as well as a person doing it, and most of the automation software is a lot more expensive than a person for a one off gig.

Having built some text-to-screen software using the Nokia SDKs and APIs, this doesn't surprise me one bit!