Dual Multitouch Monitors

[cw4u]

Can you operate two multitouch monitors simultaneously in windows 7?

[[Admin] osborn4]

That's a very interesting question. I'm not sure how it would process that input.

[prochlea]

Yes - I've done it. The caveat is that the multitouch does not span across the monitors. You have to do your multitouch-ing on one monitor at a time, but it works pretty well.

[cw4u]

I wish you could do it across both, but I'm sure it could get difficult operating on two different screens.

Has anyone used multitouch monitors with Chamsys? I'd at least like to be able to access my subs on screen just in case something were to happen.

[Gracetech]

Chamsys actually redid there interface when it was just starting out to make it "Finger Friendly". I played with Chamsys again to see if it improved in functionality to use in our new building but ended up once again going with LightFactory. While i was texting Chamsys out i used a fader wing and touchscreen. It worked well in both regards. The only issue i had was i was using a IR touchscreen and they don't track well towards the edge of the screen. If you are wondering what ones are IR it's usually the cheaper ones.

HP makes the TM series which is IR based and Dell used to make a Touchscreen 23" monitor that was IR based. I actually have booth of them and they are great and highly accurate as long as you don't get to close to the edge. They can actually sense objects before they touch the screen since they are using IR. Oh and a fun thing is they can detect a touch from anything, that includes any flies that might decide to drop by and visit your monitor. "Who turned those lights on".

crt

[cw4u]

Well I just got my two in. They are Planar PX2230MWs and when I touch one, it goes to the other screen. And, when I touch the other, it goes to the first screen.

I'm having to reinstall Windows 7 at the moment. Will running this through the touch screen calibration tool fix the problem?

Edit: Got it working just fine! Quite pleased with the results too!



I'll give it a spin Wednesday and Sunday.

[hoosierdraft]

Can you give us a run-down on your system setup?

[cw4u]

System:
2005-2006ish Dell PC (Pentium D, 80gb SATA HD, 1GB Memory, Windows 7 Professional)
Enttec USB to DMX Pro
2 - Planar PX2230MWs
Regular USB Keyboard/Mouse

The computer itself is running essential services only. Stuff like print spooler and other Microsoft junk has been disabled. Also, I've disabled network access as well. I might hook it up to a wireless router (dedicated just for lighting) to do remote focus, but at this time, it's unnecessary. Notifications, power settings, screen savers, windows updates...stuff like that have all been disabled. I don't want anything interfering with the console operation.

I have remapped the thru, at, and full keys to the three keys to the top left of the number pad. This really was a huge help!

The Chamsys program is in the start up and I disabled the user logon. All this results in a start up time of under 43 seconds. To shave a few seconds off, I'm going to probably switch out to a small SSD but right now, I have a 8gb usb drive being used as Ready Boost to help it out a bit. Maybe I can get it around 30, but I think I'll definitely be reaching the limitations of SATA I.

Lighting Fixtures:
We're still all conventionals right now but in a month, 12 intelligent fixtures (4 LED Moving Heads, 6 LED Bars, 2 LED Pars) are coming in. Also, our Singing Christmas Tree program is fast approaching and that'll occupy about another 50 channels for tree effects. Our old console (Express 24/48 ) was just not adequate. With a total channel limitation of 96 and only 48 physical faders, our main dimming rack was filling it up already. So for specials, I had to either group dimmers or run two consoles.

Chamsys:
With our move to intelligents, the old one just had to go. We decided upon the Chamsys route because it offers us the most flexibility for the money. Right now, we're using all virtual controls. The touch screens add a bit of a tactile interface which is great for programming and they're even large enough to manually control the playbacks if you need to. Next year, we'll upgrade to the PC Wing which will add greater control and some extra DMX universes. The Chamsys route allowed us to spend about $800 and get a very nice upgrade that can be expanded upon for years.

Console Layout:

Left Monitor:
Chamsys Main Console
Cue Stack
Programmer

Right Monitor:
Cue
Output
Color Palette
Location Palette

Third Monitor: (Possible)
Visualizer