HELP with projectors????

[themonkeyfactory]

Most of the projectors that we come into contact with accept VGA input but we have recently discovered that some don't have this facility, just having scart and s-video input...which is the best input and what do we do to make us compatible with all projectors?!!!!

'zz'

[MoRpH]

You need a scan convertor to change your output from VGA to Composite or S-vid, look on VJC for scan convertors in the articles and the reviews :)

[holly]

He means go here (http://www.vjcentral.com/show/62).

And then go here (http://www.vjcentral.com/list/hardware/0/3).

[MoRpH]

Cheers holly, would have done links but busy today :)

[Yetimon]

SCART is just the name of the plug - the video signal could be composite, s-video or component, depending on what pins the projector is utilising. SCART can also carry audio - essentially it's several AV plugs rolled into one, designed I guess to make things easier to wire up.

Quality wise, component is better than s-video, which is better than composite - VGA being better than all of them.

Of course, this ignores the inhernt problems in each with respect to quality of signal over long cable lengths, etc, but you get the idea. :)

Anyone VJing in component? (You must have some NICE gear!)

Cheers,
-y

[LEVLHED]

my new video card has component-out....unfortunatly nothing else I own has component-in :( (yet)
VJ Pixylight was using component-out on a mac tower into his 3k beamer to do this absolutely sick wide-screen stuff....

[themonkeyfactory]

Any recommendations for a cheap scan converter....probably won't use it much!!

'zz'

[MoRpH]

Look @ the reviews on VJC mate.

[bluntfaktory]

i use a "microjack 300" scan converter it's small and cheap about $300 U.S.D. ! it changes VGA into scart RGB , s-video and straight video out-put , simple as a dimple .
be careful using s-video , the picture is better but if you run really long s-video lines the croma can brake down and everything seems to look pink , unless you use a video booster , because the color signals is run down seperate lines for a cleaner but weeker image signal . straight video cable re-inforces its own signal sent down buy a single line . i use cable thats 200 foot long (using a power cable role winder up for easy storage) with no image brake-down which i don't think i could do with s-video .

[wellREDman]

Originally posted by Yetimon
idea. :)

Anyone VJing in component? (You must have some NICE gear!)

Cheers,
-y

we use the luma cable from the component out from our pvr perception into the ext cam input on our mx50 for downstream keying

[wellREDman]

monkey when buying a scanny id recommend that its not a piece of kit you cut corners on, i know several vj's myself included whove bought cheap then ended up buying another better one, consider that the scanny is what dictates the quality of what ends up on the screen and that youre scanny will prolly last you through 2 or three computers/upgrades its well woth getting a really good one first time round,

personnally i really recommend the coriogen series from vine for the bang for the buck features

[murph]

I agree with red, I've spent probably at least $1000 on scan converters, and only really use my corioscan now. All the others either broke or aren't worth using, even $200 models that are only $100 less than the corioscan.

[VirtualVisuals]

If you're on a budget the vine micros scan converters are awesome. I have not found a better (non pro) scan converter and they do pro equipment as well.

I currently use a corioscan connect (about ?300) PAL scan converter, it has single composite and s outputs. The next version up has double. They also produce rack mount scan converters and genlocks (of which I have two)

If you need to run video over anything more than a meter or so, don't bother to use anything other than composite video. You'll get horrible tearing between the luminance and crominance, it's just not worth the hassle.

I have managed to run un-amped composite over 100m out of a vine scan converter into a videohome projector with no noticable image degredation. Admittedly the cable cost me a _lot_ of money!!

[themonkeyfactory]

thanks guys.

we've sorted out a UTV2000 on hire to try out....anyone used it??

Seems ok, very small and only ?145 with all the leads.

Got a gig on saturday night so we'll try it and let u know.

'zz'

"the rythmn is goona get ya"........classic!!!!

[Amukidi]

Yep I own a UTV2000 - great little unit (for the money) but BEWARE - the plug/socket for the VGA lead is REALLY fragile - sorry for the caps but I've twatted 2 of these sockets and I'm pretty careful. Gaffer tape the unit AND the lead to your table,so the cable cant wobble, otherwise you'll end up VJing in green and red for the night!

[BeCre8iv]

Does the DVI out (eg: Matrox 550 or others) when sent to a digital projector, still need a scan converter.?

That said, why cant I just project VGA from a dual output card (mix to second monitor/projector)??

[murph]

you can, if you're only going to one projector, and if you have a fullscreen output on your mixing app, and you don't need to use a hardware mixer.

[Jbrick]

I saw something on one of these boards awhile ago about people putting their projectors in casings and adding holes with additional filters, but can't seem to find it now. If anyone has any tips on adding extra filter material on a projector or links to tips on building a projector hood that would be much appreicated

There is of course this thing, but its out of my price range right now.

http://www.showconnections.com/Web%20Pages/the_protector.htm

Thank you very much in advance!
:)

[psychodude]

Originally posted by murph
you can, if you're only going to one projector, and if you have a fullscreen output on your mixing app, and you don't need to use a hardware mixer.

You can easely use several projector if you add a little vga splitter. 1 to 4 is easy to find...

Actually, come to think of it, most projectors I've used have both a VGA-in and a VGA-out. So one can "daisy-chain" several...