Projector Input Switching app?

[Magus]

Hi folks

I've been searching hi and low and so far am coming up dry on this. I'm curious to know if anyone has ever had a need for or encountered such a device.

I'm wondering if anyone has seen anything that would allow a link from a PowerPoint slide to actually trigger switching a projector input?

In our church we have two overhead projectors that I manage. I have a couple of PowerPoint slideshows that run before, during and after each service. At various points in the service, I need to trigger switching the input for each projector from PC to Video where a live camera feed is showing a presenter. (Minister, Presider or Guest) What I've done so far is to insert blank slides with the church logo on them as a "reminder" that at this point we switch to video feed.

I know there are remote controls for both PowerPoint advancement and Projector use, so I wondered if anyone was aware of perhaps a USB driven Infrared or Radio Frequency device that might be triggered by a link on a PowerPoint slide. In my mind's eye I see a USB device connected to the presentation PC. And a hyperlink on a PowerPoint slide that would trigger sending the proper signal (PC or Video Feed) to coax the projector into switching its mode.

advTHANKSance for any insights! Rick

[Magus]

Hello again

Well, after poking around a bit more, I found an interesting item. Wondering if it can be used to accomplish the goal.

http(colon)//www(dot)promixis(dot)com/pir-1(dot)php

Anyone used it?

Cheers... Rick

[Dan Rector]

My first thought was to use Girder, but I see that is the software recommended along with the hardware you linked to.

I presume your projectors are only controlled via IR currently. I have PC interfaces for control mine (one serial port with control software and one network - uses web browser). You could probably limit it to a software only solution then if you can control via the PC. The nice thing is that the cost of the hardware you linked to is not that much so as to prohibit some experimentation

You also may want to look at midi control software either as stand alone or in combination with Girder to do things outside of what the application (PowerPoint) itself can do.

[Magus]

Thanks Dan, most appreciated.

Today I discovered an even less expensive solution for the emitter. $19!

http (colon) //www (dot) amazon (dot) com/Kinamax-Blaster-Remote-Control-Signal/dp/B0012BU3DU

I'll have to check to see if the Girder software can work with this beastie.

Cheers... Rick

[Dan Rector]

The product description mentions it - so it sounds like it should work:

Automation Software such as Girder can be programmed to respond to these codes

Keep us posted on how it works out.

[Magus]

Hi folks

This is just a follow up for some closure.

I discovered I was being too myopic in my view of how we would operate. I've abandoned the notion of controlling the projectors with any app. Basically, at this point I simply use the remote for powering them on and off using remote extenders.

Over the weekend I worked with a couple of my fellow volunteers and we installed an A/B switch and some other A/V equipment. There is a separate issue unrelated to PowerPoint, so I'll begin a different thread for that so that it's properly classified.

Thanks for the replies... Rick