Multiple Projector Control

[cjsett]

Regarding the control of multiple projectors:

For our uses we will have 2 projectors in use at the same time. Both will be displaying the same image. The first is up front for the audience, the second is in the rear and is for the talent.

Both of the projectors will need to be controlled remotely since their placement will be out of range of the wireless remote control.

Assuming that the zoom/focus doesn't drift, the only things we will need to do is turn the projectors on/off and possibly switch sources.

Also, we will be sending digital video signals to the projectors via some type of converter box. If possible, we would also like to send any type of machine control through the same unit.

My questions are:

1) If we have 2 different projectors, what problems will we have? We have 1 right now. Should we buy 2 new projectors so that they use the same control interface?
2) What about hardwiring the remote to the projector?
3) Do projectors come with software to run them from a Mac? Or are there any particular projectors that do come with software for a Mac?

Thanks,
Chris

[Gracetech]

1.)You'll just have to run two different remote control software
2.)Always a possibility as long as your projector allows it.
3.)None that i know of.

I would save yourself the headache and get two of the same projectors if that is financially feasible. I have two different projector control software and they both do what you ask about but they will only control one type of projector even though you can control 2 of the same projectors with one software and 4 with the other. It's not that it's not possible but it would have to be custom coded and would probably just be easier to have to small apps running the control software for each projector on the desktop.

Most of the time Churches use Crestron or some other software/hardware control group to design a system to control their projectors. I rarely see churches doing as our church does and using PC control. The other group just uses the remote that comes with the projector as is or with ir extenders or hardwires.

crt

[bpalermini]

Do your current projectors have wired capabilitie for your remotes? On ours a three conductor cable with 3.5 mm plugs on either end connect the remotes (the same ones that also work wirelessly) to the the projector. With this setup we controll each projector seperately. When we want to focus we just use them wirelessly from closer to the screen.

[Arlin]

Our projector has a built-in web server that allows anyone to control it over the computer network. Just pop up a web browser and go to the projector address.
It is a Sharp, but I forget the model right now...

[cjsett]

I think it is financially feasible for us to buy 2 new projectors. Our current projector does have the capability to hardwire the remote to the projector. It also has an RS 232 port.

What about machine control like the RS 232, how do you hook that up to a Mac Pro?

What about devices that send the signal over CAT5? We will need to use something like this because the projectors are around 175 feet from the computer.

I also want to make sure that there really are programs that run on Intel Macs that can control the projector. This seems like a god option, but I don't want to count on it only to find out that everything is Windows only.

Thanks.

[Gracetech]

I've run rs232 over 250 feet on balanced cable so you probably don't need an extender. As for Apple compatibility just scoure the web and see if yo can find anything.. I'll check a couple of resources and post my findings. As for rs232 ports for your Mac you can either get a card or usb device. Be aware i have had issues in the past with various usb devices not working correctly.

crt

[cjsett]

If we had 2 of the same projectors, could I send one signal from the computer and split it somehow so that both projectors receive the same exact signal? Or would I have two send two separate signals, one to each projector?

What about if I had 2 projectors that were the same brand, but not the same model? Do you think they would accept the same control signal?

What card do you recommend for the Mac for rs 232?

Thanks,
Chris

[shayward]

I work extensively with RS-232 in my company (controlling truck scales, 110v relays, thermal printers, temperature sensors, LCD displays) and the absolulte best thing that ever happened to me is the Moxa NPort 5110 serial server.

It's RS232 on one end and Ethernet on the other, industrial grade, and a mere $100 US.

You can use two of them to make a super-long RS232 cable using your network infrastructure (no joke - I have a 5000km RS232 cable and in September I'll be running 8000km across the Atlantic ocean).

Or (my personal favorite) you can use your RS232 device over the network in RAW TCP or Telnet mode. Just use your favorite Telnet or Terminal program that supports TCP/IP and you can send commands straight to the projector. You don't need to modify your Mac at all!

Some projectors (our Epson PowerLite 835p, for example) have a built-in web server that let's you control things from a web browser. You could have two browser windows open at once and click between the two of them really fast.

If it were PC-based rather than Mac, I could roll you a tool that would give you rudamentry control over TCP/IP. I'm not sure if Mac has a WINE-like emulator.

[Gracetech]

Originally Posted by cjsett

If we had 2 of the same projectors, could I send one signal from the computer and split it somehow so that both projectors receive the same exact signal? Or would I have two send two separate signals, one to each projector?

What about if I had 2 projectors that were the same brand, but not the same model? Do you think they would accept the same control signal?

What card do you recommend for the Mac for rs 232?

You can send the same signal to multiple projectors but if you have a response for a particular feature then you will end up with communication errors. I have a feature that polls the projector for it's lamp hours and that function would cause errors when multiple projectors are on the same chain.

Some projector lines in a brand have the same protocols but for them to be unified across all the lines is not usually a reality.

I haven't messed with Mac rs232 for 4 years i would have to look and see what is available. If you can get a UDP to rs232 setup that might be the best if it works on a Mac.

crt

[shayward]

I've been messing around with software that would allow multiple projectors to be controlled from a single program. Are you still looking for something like this?

[Gracetech]

I'm always looking for a good program for controlling multiple projectors.

crt

[cjsett]

Yes, we'd definitely be interested.

We have 3 NEC VT700 projectors. The ability to turn them on/off and to mute picture from the computer would help greatly.