A cheap switcher/mixer for easy use?

[tdangelo]

It sounds like all you are really trying to do is dowse the projector. You can buy a projector dowser fairly inexpensively or here is a blog post for a DIY DMX controllable unit: http://bruce.pennypacker.org/2009/10/17/diy-dmx-dowser/

[MrTerje]

Hi. I'm not familiar with the word "dowse", and the dictionaries are telling me something I don't think it means in this context. What problem are you referring to will be solved with this "dowser"? The fade-to-black? In that case, wouldn't it be easier to try Borggren's suggestion? If it can be done without an additional device, that would be the best right?

[JoshGuerette]

Yeah, it sounds to me like they're just trying to fade/cut to black to make transitions. In that case, the freezing or muting function on the projector would work. You could try a matrix switcher with one of the inputs being a device that generates black too (could be a cheap pc, mobile device, AppleTV, anything really).

[MrTerje]

I was in church yesterday, and I figured that if I switch to a channel that is not in use, it fades to black instantly. We have a bunch of non used channels, so that works just fine!

[Brad Weber]

'Black' or a projector mute can still result in some output from the projector and if you are dealing with a very dark room like a theatre or cinema there are situations when even that minimal output is undesired. A dowser or a mechanical lens shutter physically block the projector output thus effectively eliminating all output from the projector.

[MrTerje]

We have a pretty good and expensive projector plus a canvas (or what it's called) that fits the projector image almost perfect. So it's hard to see the light on the black screen.

[[Director] Joseph B]

The high end gear is great if it's in your budget, unfortunately I've never been at a church where they have a budget.
I bought 2 ($49.00 each) swicher/scalers (for home use so they didn't even call it that) from http://www.meritline.com/ made by a company called MyGica.
OK it's a box so that you can output just about anything to your monitor (1920x1200 res).
has multiple inputs (VGA, rca jacks and a built in tuner).
For the church without a budget.