Video in a theatre

[soundgeek]

Hi All

 

For a production coming up, the director wants to project 2 screens at the side (onto a screen), and one down onto the revolving stage we are having put in.

We have got 3 projectors coming in and all the cables. My question is - is there a simpler way to operate these projectors (all having different moving images) than using 3 laptops which is the plan at the moment...

Im a sound guy so I have not much idea! :(

 

Cheers

Oli

[jason5d]

For this I'd use the the screens together and spread the video across the 3 screens

 

A computer with enuf graphics cards and some good software we use m8.

Arkaos does it too

[themadhippy]

How about isadora multiple sources to multiple outputs. Its even a reasonable price considering what its capable of.

[soundgeek]

I like the 'get a huge computer with lots of output' idea. That should be possible. To operate it with, we already have the full Pro version of QLab which can handle multiple video outputs and can all be programmed :(

We don't want to spend too much money - because it is only for one show.

Any better ideas?

[PoppaDom]

How about buying a Matrox TripleHead2Go for around £250 and connecting this to the macs graphics output? This will give you a virtual 3 outputs from the single DVI onboard of the mac.

 

Depending on the exact mac used this should be completely acceptable as long as you don't go nuts with the resolutions!

 

Dom

[shaune71]

Also what you could do....

 

go to cpc or another components company and buy a 4 way vga splitter (£40) and then use that.... Connect the laptop to the main vga socket on the distributor and then connect the three projectors to the splitter box and hey presto that will probably be the cheapest way to do it and you will only need to use the one laptop!

 

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/browse.j...litter&Ntx=

 

Shaun

[David Lee]

is there a simpler way to operate these projectors (all having different moving images)

 

A splitter won't do this. You need three discreet outputs.

[Stee_cri1]

If you have the projectors and 3 laptops I would just run with that, what is the point in spending money when it doesnt need to be spent.

 

It could be done but it could start costing quite a bit if money when it seems to me you dont need to spend it

[kitlane]

If you have the projectors and 3 laptops I would just run with that, what is the point in spending money when it doesnt need to be spent.

 

It could be done but it could start costing quite a bit if money when it seems to me you dont need to spend it

 

Depends on how you are operating it. e.g. Would you need to press 3 laptop keyboards simultaneously? What is the playback and / or control software?

[Wol]

Depends on how you are operating it. e.g. Would you need to press 3 laptop keyboards simultaneously? What is the playback and / or control software?

 

I'd guess the control software will be QLab as it was mentioned earlier, so running on that assumption, and that you have three mac laptops available, I recall that QLab does have ability for MSC commands to be sent (or at least some form of MIDI), so I'm sure its not too tricky to get it so that two laptops run as slaves off a 'master' laptop. Also would mean that timings are probably more synchronised than just pressing a go button at once. Saves having to press lots of buttons all at once and wouldnt have to even have the two slave laptops open at the time taking up space.

[kitlane]

Depends on how you are operating it. e.g. Would you need to press 3 laptop keyboards simultaneously? What is the playback and / or control software?

 

I'd guess the control software will be QLab as it was mentioned earlier, so running on that assumption, and that you have three mac laptops available, I recall that QLab does have ability for MSC commands to be sent (or at least some form of MIDI), so I'm sure its not too tricky to get it so that two laptops run as slaves off a 'master' laptop. Also would mean that timings are probably more synchronised than just pressing a go button at once. Saves having to press lots of buttons all at once and wouldnt have to even have the two slave laptops open at the time taking up space.

 

Oops. That'll teach me to re-read the thread before posting.

 

Does a QLab license apply to just a single computer? If so would the other 2 Macs need their own licence to run QLab or would they use an alternative, MIDI triggered playback system? I see that one can 'rent' a QLab licence for $3 a day which might be cheaper than getting multiple video out hardware.